Bought by the Beast King (Katerina and hunter) novel Chapter 10

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**Leaves Falling Like Promises**
**By Amara Grant**
**Chapter 10**

**KAT**

As I stepped into my new apartment, I was struck by its expansive size, yet it felt eerily empty. The walls echoed with silence, and the only possessions I had managed to gather were a bed and a few articles of clothing. The absence of a couch, a dining table, or even extra bedding made the space feel more like a cavern than a home. The remnants of my old life had seemed unworthy of keeping, but now I found myself stretching my meager bonus to cover the rent, leaving little room for thoughts of furniture or decor.

I glanced over at him, standing in the middle of the lounge, his expression a mix of curiosity and disbelief. He surveyed the floor-to-ceiling windows that had been the selling point for me, allowing the soft light to pour in and illuminate the stark emptiness of the room. When he turned to me, his brow arched in skepticism.

“It’s better than being homeless,” I replied, attempting to brush off the discomfort that settled in my chest.

But was he truly homeless?

Had I been too harsh in urging him to seek employment elsewhere?

Just a couple of nights ago, he had whisked me away to an upscale hotel. Perhaps that was merely a façade, a necessity of his profession. Yet, I couldn’t help but wonder how much he could realistically earn in that line of work full-time.

Actually, scratch that thought. With his striking looks, he was probably making a fortune. I felt a chill run through me at the realization. I was nothing extraordinary. The warmth he had ignited within me began to fade, replaced by a sharp edge of insecurity. But I quickly dismissed those ridiculous notions. I had no desire to be special to him. It didn’t matter how many other women he had entertained.

“You want me to believe you actually live here?” he challenged, his voice laced with disbelief.

“Just moved in. I haven’t had the chance to go shopping yet,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

His brows lifted, clearly unconvinced. But in that moment, his doubts didn’t concern me.

What truly mattered was the realization that I had invited a stranger—an escort—into my home, all because of a fleeting moment of desire.

What was I thinking?

So what if my mind was preoccupied with memories of our encounter in that hotel room? The image of his face hovering above me as I unraveled beneath him was seared into my mind. This was my first experience with another person, and I had allowed that singular moment to influence such a critical decision. I should have exercised more caution. I shouldn’t have acquiesced so easily.

Who knew how many times he had done this before? For all I knew, this could be a ruse to secure a roof over his head, and desperate women like me were just easy targets.

“The kitchen’s over there,” I said, gesturing toward the room on the opposite side of the lounge. “But I haven’t had the chance to buy groceries yet.”

“That’s okay,” he said, closing the distance between us. “I can eat you tonight.”

My knees nearly buckled at his audacity. Damn, he was smooth. I clutched my bag tightly to my side, avoiding his intense gaze.

“It’s been a long day. I need to shower,” I said, desperate to escape the heat radiating between us.

“And that’s it?” he asked, surprise evident in his voice.

What was he expecting? A grand welcome after dropping this bombshell on me just an hour ago?

I hesitated, my foot hovering mid-step, but I didn’t dare turn back to him. I was a novice in matters like these, and since he knew he was my first, I hoped he wouldn’t make this any more awkward than it already was.

“You can grab your things now if you want. We can discuss house rules later,” I suggested, trying to sound authoritative.

Yes, rules. We definitely needed those before I let my body lead me into reckless decisions.

“We haven’t even exchanged names. Or do you want me to keep calling you Kitty?” he teased, a playful glint in his eyes.

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I cursed myself for not having asked for more than just his name before agreeing to this arrangement. I should have conducted a thorough background check and perhaps even confided in a few colleagues about him, just in case. The city was teeming with unsavory characters. How could I have made such a rookie mistake?