His eyes were laughing, pure gold this time, and her stomach did that peculiar roll so rough that she pressed a hand to it, hard, trying to glare at him. “I was not giving attitude. It was a simple question. What was funny about what I said?”

“You’re the only woman on the face of this earth that would say that and mean it,” he said.

“Do you have any idea how arrogant you are?”

“Honest isn’t the same thing as arrogant, Cat,” he pointed out.

“First, I’m going to bang my head on the wall and then drink the rest of my coffee and then make food. I think you’re making my blood sugar drop to zero. Either that or you’re just making my head crazy. Either way, I need food. You want some?”

“Absolutely. I’m always ready for food. You getting takeout?”

She gave him a look that should have fried him on the spot, but he didn’t seem in the least fazed by it. “Commencing head banging,” she said, and walked over to the wall.

He burst out laughing. “Woman, you bang your head on that wall and I’m coming down off this ladder and you won’t like what happens after that.”

It was a threat, one she didn’t understand, so she ignored it and went straight to the kitchen. She loved her kitchen. The only thing it lacked was a view, but if she wanted a view while she cooked, she could sneak glances at Ridley while he worked. She liked the sound of his laughter, and more, she liked the fact that she could make him laugh.

She didn’t want him there because it was dangerous for him, but still, she wanted him there because she was lonely and needed to laugh with someone. She took a deep breath and let it out. She was careful. Very careful. Rafe hadn’t found her yet, and that just might mean she’d finally figured out how to keep him from finding her. She would never be able to live out in the open, but she was happy and if she let herself have a friend or two, maybe it would work out.

She closed her ears to the voice that told her she was being naïve and it wasn’t fair to put good people in danger. She was so lonely she hurt with every breath she took. She hadn’t realized just how lonely until Malcom had offered her his warehouse. She’d been so suspicious of his motives, but he’d been kind to her when she needed it the most. Kind when she was totally vulnerable. He hadn’t ever once said or done anything to indicate he had a motive beyond that—beyond simple kindness.