Deliver Me from Darkness: A Novel of the Paladin Warriors by Tes Hilaire Read Free Book Online Page B

running from and fighting a threat that didn’t exist? She couldn’t believe that. Yet Logan obviously did. There must have been a lot of history between them, enough to account for his misplaced trust. It made her curious to know what that history was, if not for the fact that she had more important things she needed to know. Besides, she got the impression that Roland was a closed topic with Logan.
    “All right. I’ll take your word on that…for now.”
    “Thank you.” He gestured toward the archway and the room beyond. “I brought some food. How about I fix you something to eat?”
    At the mention of food, her stomach rumbled. She gave a chagrined smile and nodded. “Sounds good.”
    She followed him to the kitchen, relieved that he didn’t say anything about the overturned chairs and slashed furniture. He simply detoured to pick up two stools that seemed salvageable, gave them a quick test for strength, and placed them on opposite sides of the island. She tentatively settled on the farthest one—rickety, but it would hold her—while he began to take out groceries from a large brown bag. Bread, lettuce, cheese, sliced ham, tomato, instant tea, and a bag of chips.
    “I know I’m ravenous after I drain myself in the use of my gifts.” He gave her a quick look from under long, dark lashes. When she didn’t respond, he turned his attention back to the preparation of the meal. She found herself studying him anew. With her tentative decision to trust him made, his imposing mass seemed strong rather than scary, and those eyes…an astute woman could read a lot in those eyes, if she didn’t get sidetracked by those dimples first. Which brought to mind the question, why wasn’t she? Logan was the type of man who many women would drool after, but she didn’t feel any sort of pull.
    No, only blood-sucking vampires turned her on. Brilliant, Kari.
    “So. Can I be so bold as to ask your name?”
    She drew her gaze up from where she’d been watching his hands deftly slice and stack the makings of two gigantic sandwiches. Competent hands, wide palmed with long, tapered fingers and calloused pads. He watched her carefully, his eyes no less intent than when he’d asked for her trust five minutes ago. Despite the intensity, she found nothing menacing in his gaze. Still…
    Better safe than sorry.
    She reached across the island, laying the tips of her fingers on his hand. He stilled, his pupils dilating. Shock zipped through the pathway the simple touch had opened, followed by a warming that turned into a sense of satisfaction and gratitude. Because he took her touch for trust? His lips curled into a smile, and just like that, his decision to do whatever it took to protect her, with his life if need be, became his foremost purpose.
    Karissa jerked her hand back, not liking the thought at all. Sure, she’d come to him for help. Yes, she’d been hoping he would protect her. But with his life? The responsibility of that didn’t sit well on her shoulders. He didn’t know anything about her, other than that she’d been nothing but trouble and a pain in the ass so far—oh, and she had a nice face. Couldn’t forget that.
    The abrupt removal of her hand had his smile reversing into a full-blown scowl.
    “Sorry, it’s just…” She waved her hand limply, then tucked it in her lap with her other. She raised her gaze to his, hoping she hadn’t blown this totally. “Karissa. Karissa, um, Donovan.”
    “Well, Karissa, it is nice to make your acquaintance.”
    With purpose he set down the knife he’d used to slice the tomato, the same hand she’d touched, and held it out to her. A test. Did she trust him? Could he trust her? Knowing she’d be a fool to fail this one, she placed her much smaller hand in his, offering up a faint smile in an effort to ease the tension that had descended. She also made sure to keep her internal shields closed and didn’t try and read anything this time.
    “Same goes, Mr. Calhoun.”
    He