Free A Kiss For a Cure by Sidney Bristol Page A

testing.”
    “Only one way to find out, right?”
    He put the business end to his arm and clicked the button. The needles pierced his skin and injected the liquid in a matter of seconds. It didn’t hurt or instantly blacken out everything around him.
    He offered the empty syringe to Jordan, who went to a section in the wall he hadn’t noticed before. She dropped it into a slot, and away it went.
    “It should hit you in about fifteen minutes.” She paced toward him, rubbing her palms on her thighs. He stood still, as if that would help him to be aware of the change. “I’m going to take a quick read so I know what to compare it to.”
    She pulled a hand scanner from her pocket. Cai offered her his other arm and let her focus on the numbers on the screen.
    “Am I dying?” he asked when she didn’t say anything.
    Her head snapped up. “No. Do you feel okay?”
    He chuckled and winked at her. “Feel fine. How are the numbers?”
    “Good.”
    “Great. Hungry?” He pushed a stray curl out of her face.
    “Yeah.” She glanced over his shoulder. “You already cooked?”
    “No.” He took her hand and pulled her toward the kitchenette. “We’re going to cook together.”
    “Cai, I don’t know how to cook anything. I’ll burn it.”
    He led her, still protesting, into the kitchenette and stood her at the miniscule counter space.
    “You won’t burn it. I won’t let you.” He grabbed the washed vegetables, laid them on the cutting board and stood behind her. He’d already set out a knife and everything he’d need. There wouldn’t be time for her to escape. Circling her with his arms, he suppressed the urge to lean into her, pin her to the counter and kiss the juncture of her neck and shoulder.
    Clearing his throat, Cai took her hands in his to direct her. “Grab the lettuce. You’re going to want to cut off this end.”
    Jordan let him guide her hands, though after a few dices of the knife, he let her lead. Touching her like this, her back to his front, was exactly the kind of trust and familiarity he wanted to cultivate between them.
    “Now what?”
    He grabbed the rest of the ingredients for a salad and put them in front of her. “Practice your chopping skills. I’m going to show you how to make salahi . It’s a dish we make at holidays. I thought it was appropriate.” He pressed a quick kiss to her cheek and stepped away.
    She grumbled, but set to work. He gathered the meat and the ingredients for the sauce.
    Cooking with Jordan took longer, but it was enjoyable. He turned on some Christmas music and tried to not think about his upcoming surprise.
    Cai scrubbed his face, his shoulders sagging. He hadn’t realized how much the last few days had taken out of him physically. Exhausted, he rested his hip against the counter and watched her stare at the CU. He needed to put the salad on the table, get their drinks and move things to the table. He should be hungry. He wanted to eat, but his stomach wasn’t rumbling.
    “I think this is done.” Jordan popped open the unit.
    “Don’t grab it. The pan is hot.”
    “I know that.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder and used a bath towel commandeered for kitchen purposes to remove the pan.
    Finally mustering the energy to do even the simple task of relocating the food, he made it to the table and sank down on the floor. He hadn’t even gotten the pillows from the bedroom to make it more comfortable, or turn the ambient lighting on. He was just too tired.
    * * * *
    Jordan brought the plates to the table. The music and decorations transformed her quarters from sterile to cheerful. It was still a bit of a mess without furniture, but everywhere she looked was something that made her smile. It was sweet how much Cai did to make her feel special. She hoped her serum worked. It was the greatest gift she could offer him.
    “Do we need anything else?”
    He tilted his head back and blinked at her. His eyes were almost completely black, the brown engulfed