Chapter Nine - Blowing Hot And Cold

Sydney's POV

Killian was the most bipolar guy I had ever met. He disappeared somewhere, leaving me alone in a secluded tent in the middle of nowhere. The other tents were at a distance, and I would have to scream at the top of my lungs if I needed help. 

A refreshing shower made me feel human again, and I wandered around the tent, looking for food. The refrigerator was empty, and there was no sign of Killian. What was taking him so long? 

The tent had a cozy lounge and a tiny dining area as well. But there was no space to accommodate a spare mattress for me. I rearranged the furniture and created a corner where I could spread a blanket and sleep. 

Satisfied with the arrangement, I walked out to the wooden deck and stared into the darkness beyond. The site was lit up adequately, and I could see miles around me from the elevated hillside. I looked around for Killian when my eyes zeroed in on him near the well-lit restaurant. He was talking to an animated group of tourists while I was dying of hunger. 

Why couldn’t I step out of the tent? 

Of course I could. The cops here weren’t after my ass. My dad couldn’t reach me here so soon. Picking up the key card, my phone, and wallet, I locked the place and climbed down the stairs. The winding paths led me towards the restaurant, and I walked on, ignoring Killian. I had enough cash left to buy myself dinner. 

Later, when I could buy a new SIM card for my phone, I would ask Emilia for money. She would never decline me. With my dad tracking my phone, I couldn’t use the same number right now. 

“Sydney!” yelled Killian, leaving the group and jogging after me. 

I picked up speed just to avoid him. Yet he caught on near the entrance door and grabbed hold of my arm to stop me. “Stop, Sydney. Where the f*ck do you think you’re going?” he gritted out in my ear. 

I yanked my arm free. “Inside to grab dinner. You can continue your stuff. I’m fine.” I walked inside, leaving him there. 

“What? Wait. You could have ordered room service.” He followed me into the almost secluded restaurant. Maybe they were on the verge of closing down for the night. 

His suggestion infuriated me, and I whirled around to face him. “I’m tired of staying locked inside. If you feel ashamed to be seen with me, just ignore me and do your thing.” I occupied a table at the far end, and a confused server approached me. 

“What can I get for you, ma’am? The buffet dinner timings are over. We’ll be closing down in fifteen minutes.” 

I gave him a lost look. The buffet would have been more affordable. What would I get in fifteen minutes? I was about to leave when Killian pulled a chair and sat down with me. The server fumbled with the menu and handed it to him. 

“I want two braai, cornbread, and chakalaka. Anything else, Sydney?” He turned to look at me, and I shook my head. 

Obviously, I had no idea what those things were apart from the cornbread. “That would be all.” 

Killian turned his attention back to the nervous server. “Make it fast.” 

He left, and Killian smiled at me instead. I had to get used to his constantly changing mood. “You could have told me you were hungry.” His gaze seared through my pale skin. Strangely, my body reacted to his heated look. It seemed he was hungry too, but it was of a different kind. Was I imagining too much around him? He was just helping me, right? 

“You disappeared before I could tell you, remember?” I gave him an accusatory look, but he shrugged. 

“So? What could I do? Watch you change?” His whiskey-hued eyes met mine, and I blushed crimson at his implication. So that was why he left. To give me some privacy. 

“Oh! I thought you left to get dinner for us.” I gave him a sheepish look, feeling stupid. 

“I would have if you wanted me to, sweet!” His soft endearment melted my resolve. He was definitely a charmer. Was he trying to seduce me? 

The server arrived with our food, and we helped ourselves. It was good that I had skipped dinner on the flight. “Mm, this is good. What’s it called?” I helped myself to the flame-grilled succulent lamb chops.

“Braai. It’s an incredible part of the South African culture.” He explained to me the ingredients of the relish served with the Braai.

“How do you know so much about this place and its culture? Do you come here often?” 

He gave me a look of surprise and then focused on his food. “Yes, every year.” 

“Oh, what’s so special about this place?” I noticed the way he clenched his jaw and avoided my gaze. Had I pressed a wrong nerve? 

“It is what it is.” He finished his food with a brooding look on his face, and I dared not spoil his mood further. It was taking a toll on my mind. He was so unpredictable, I had to watch my mouth with him. 

After dinner, I took out my wallet to pay, but he caught my hand to stop me. “You don’t have to pay. They’ll add to my account, and I’ll clear it at checkout time. Let’s go.” 

The server came over to clear the table. “How was the food, sir?” He looked shaken in Killian’s presence as if he were the owner of this camping site! 

“Good as always. Are you new here?” Killian seemed to know everyone here. 

“No, sir. I was there the last time you visited us for two days.” 

Killian nodded, glancing at his name tag. “Noah, right? You should know the rules of this glamping site, Noah. As long as there are guests in the restaurant, you can’t close it for the day. This place is remote, and they can’t sleep on an empty stomach. Inform Mr. Morgan, I want to meet him tomorrow morning.” 

The server’s face paled, and he trembled with fear. “I’m sorry, sir. Please don’t throw me out of the job. I need it badly.” 

I glanced from one to the other. Was Killian thinking of complaining and having him thrown out for such a petty thing? 

“It’s fine. You won’t lose your job.” It escaped my mouth, and I gave Killian an apprehensive look. 

He smiled and walked out of the restaurant, with me following him. The moonlight streamed down on us through the wispy clouds, and the refreshing, crisp air engulfed us as we walked together like a couple in love. 

“Were you really planning to complain about him?” I glanced in his direction, trying to gauge his mood. It was a difficult task indeed, and I sucked at it. 

“Nope. Why would I?” He looked at me, and my heart skipped a beat. I wondered if he would object to my sleeping in the lounge area. I couldn’t sleep with him on the same bed. “Do you like it here so far?” His gaze was still on me, and I blushed. 

“Yes. It’s refreshing. Is that why you come here every year?” I wanted to know more about him, but he always had his shutters down. 

“No.” It was all he conceded. I knew he wouldn’t say more and stopped prodding him. 

We reached the tent, and he scowled at the space I had created for myself. “What’s that for?” 

I hesitated, knowing a storm would brew up between us the moment I slept there. “My sleeping nook. I can’t sleep in the same bed with you.” 

He gave me a solemn look. “You can use the bedroom.” 

What? Then where would he sleep? Or did he have other plans for the night? “Oh, then, where will you sleep?” 

He scowled at me. “I’ll sleep at the clubhouse.” He walked over to the bedroom to get some spare clothes from his luggage while I gaped at him. Was he leaving me here in this tent alone? I couldn’t stay here alone. He headed to the washroom while I sat on the bed and chewed my lips.

Should I stop him? What difference would it make if he slept here with me? He wasn’t interested in someone like me! Or was he? 

The washroom door opened, and Killian emerged with a towel wrapped around his bare body. I gasped with horror and turned my face in the other direction. Yet in that fraction of a second, my eyes had checked him out, and now I couldn’t get him out of my mind. His sculpted body was a sight to behold. I was sure he would now feature every second in my sinful thoughts. How was I so turned on by a man who had no interest in me? 

I struggled with the need to run my fingers along his drooling, hot abs and lower. Moisture pooled between my legs at the thought. Damn! I needed him! 

“You can turn around now.” There was amusement in his voice as he picked up his stuff to leave. 

I whirled around and watched him warily. Was he really leaving me alone here?

“Why are you leaving? I didn’t ask you to.” 

He stopped and turned to pin me with his piercing stare. “You wanted to sleep alone.” 

“Yes, but I can’t stay alone in this tent. Please don’t leave me here.”

He stood still, watching me with a strange look on his face. 

“Are you sure? You would have to share the bed with me then.” 

I scooted to one side of the bed. “Yes, I’m sure. Just stay on your side.”

He grinned, placing his stuff back where it was. “I can’t guarantee that, Princess.”