“Catalina,” he said my name with a firmness that commanded attention, but I didn’t look at him. I just needed a moment to get myself together. To feel less vulnerable and emotionally exposed. I felt raw. “I’m sorry. I started… things,” he said the words as if he truly meant them. I believed him. We were supposed to be friends. He’d been clear on that but I was a female, and I’d been there willingly, climbing all over him with very little encouragement. I couldn’t blame it on him.

I saw my Vans tucked under the ottoman and bent down to grab them. Again, I wasn’t sure if I should go. Leaving here in the middle of the night alone was currently a bad idea, but it seemed to be all I could do. Besides, I didn’t know if the disappearing stranger was dangerous. He was just an unknown and that’s what concerned me. I wasn’t weak. Anything else outside needed to fear me. I had never walked around in fear before and the oddity of it was an annoyance.

Kamlock’s didn’t fear. I wasn’t proud of that name, but it was something to remember right now. I was far from helpless.

“You can’t leave,” Rathe said. “It’s late. Take my room. I’ll stay out here.”

My head snapped up at that offer to look at him. His regret was clear and that was even more of a reason for me to get the heck out of here. I had seen regret before on a guy. That memory burned in my gut, and it should have been enough to keep me from being stupid tonight. I was glutton for punishment. This was proof. I was leaving.

“I’ll be fine. Tell Duely I’m going to my house tonight,” I said then slipped my Vans on quickly.

“Catalina, please don’t leave. Talk to me,” he said the last three words as if that was the last thing he wanted to do. He didn’t want to be the reason I left in the middle of the night and was then possibly abducted or raped. There was no reason for him to be concerned about that but he didn’t know just how safe I was from any lurking criminal out there.

“I think we talked enough, Rathe. Don’t you? I’m going to leave and end this awkwardness. Trust me, I’ll be fine,” I stopped before I started ranting. My desire to call him names that he probably didn’t deserve reminded me how naïve and inexperienced I truly was. Damn hormones and his pretty face.

“If I hadn’t stopped us, we would have messed everything up,” he said, as he stood up. I sure hoped he didn’t think he could keep me from walking out that door. I’d hurt his masculinity a bit if he attempted it.