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“How about we go back to my place first so you don’t have to carry your things around? Then we can decide what you want to do.”

I’d brought the least conspicuous bag I owned with a spare set of the thinnest clothes I could find hidden under my scarf.

Just in case.

“Good idea. Lead the way.”

Kjartan pointed across the road and took my hand in his.

Oh, by the gods! He’s holding my hand.

As we walked, the charming little town of Kincardie distracted me from freaking out like a crushing teenager.

“Wow. I’ve never been here before. It’s gorgeous!”

I turned and found my Orc hunk watching me.

“It is,” he admitted. “And so are you.”

Okay. Keep cool, Bee.

I didn’t know what to say, so I followed him—my face glowing like the setting sun—to a small two-storey building near the station.

“This is it. Let’s go in?”

Gods, yes, Kjartan, let’s go all in.

“Yes. I like it.” It looked cosy and well maintained.

“It’s one of Struan’s properties,” he explained as we trudged through the small entry hall and up two flights of stairs. “He offered me the flat when I started working for him.”

I followed him through a door, into an even smaller hallway that opened into a studio apartment.

“Make yourself at home.”

I turned on the spot, taking in the space. He had a small kitchen nook, a table with two chairs, a metal shelf, a couch, and a wardrobe. One door led to the bathroom.

If I wanted to sit, I’d either have to sit on a chair, or the couch he obviously slept on.

“Kjartan, can I ask why you don’t own a bed?” I enquired. “Is…is money an issue? Because it’s got to be money, you’re acarpenter.”

“No, the couch is okay. I just don’t know where to get a bed that would fit me. And I’m busy most of the week, and…”

“I suppose it’s like the chef that goes home and lives off beans on toast. I had other plans for the day, but do you want to go shopping with me?” I proposed. His dark eyes met mine. He looked baffled.

“You want to gofurniture shopping? I assumed this was…”

“A date?” I finished his sentence with a wink. Kjartan drank me in as I sauntered across the room over to where he stood. “Let’s go shopping. I’ll buy us pop, and we can grope each other in the showroom.”

At my words, Kjartan choked on his spit and coughed to clear his airways.

“Sounds like you’re on board with the plan. I mean it,” I added in a more serious voice. “You deserve a home, not just a soulless place to exist in…without at least a proper bed, any cushions, ora single plant. Or a place for your date to curl up next to you, hoping for another kiss.”

His eyes had followed my hand as I waved it around his flat. They snapped around at my words, and he leaned in to peck me on the cheek.

Zephyr, you’re cute when you are embarrassed.

“You would do that? And go with me? But you came all the way to…” He cringed violently and went silent.