I watch as he throws his empty duffle bag on the top shelf of the closet and then points to it. “Can you grab that bag for me?”

I roll my eyes so hard I think they’re going to get stuck in the back of my head for a minute. Okay, so I’m still limping heavily and I can’t reach any high shelves because it puts too much strain on my knee, but there’s an easy solution for that. I just don’t put anything on a high shelf.

“Better yet,” he continues, “where’s your crutch? Since I noticed you’re still limping you should be using your crutches but I haven’t seen them.”

“Oh fuck off, Kai. I’m not grabbing shit. So obnoxious.” I turn to walk out and find my damn crutches when suddenly I’m in the air. I’m pinned to Kai’s chest while he carries me bridal style out of the room. “Umm, uh, what are you doing?”

“Where do you wanna go? The couch, your room, or the kitchen?” He’s exerting zero effort in carrying me right now, and all I want to do is melt in his arms, but instead I find myself trying to wiggle free. Bad idea because he just grips me tighter so I can feel every ripple in his muscles, and the scent of his cologne wraps itself around me like a warm hug. “The sooner you tell me the sooner you can get down.”

Jesus. “My room.” I need some space from this man.

He glides down the hall to the master bedroom and gently deposits me on my bed. We both seem to notice my crutches sitting by my nightstand at the same time, causing him to shake his head before grabbing them and setting them beside me.

His stare pins me in place. “I’m just trying to help you, Olivia. I’m not your enemy.”

No, you’re not. But you’re the one I can’t trust myself with. “I know.” His hand traces a path from my brow line to my jaw with reverence before he drops it. I don’t dare breathe because if I inhale his scent I’ll lose all self-control.

“So stop fighting me every step of the way. Like I said, let’s play it by ear to see how long you might need me here to serve you. Okay?” Oh hell. I will literally agree to anything to get him to leave my room before I straddle him and tear his clothes off. I nod my agreement. “Good. And use your damn crutches. Unless you want me to carry you everywhere. I have no problem being the throne you sit on.” I have absolutely no response to that.