Sliding his hand into my hair and pulling me closer, Kane captures my breath with a slow, deliberate kiss. My thoughts scatter instantly. I’ve never been the type to fall in love easily, but something tells me it’ll be as effortless as breathing with Kane, or as inevitable as the tide returning to shore.
Moments later, as he finally pulls back to lift me off the bed, I forget the reasons why I should run while I still can.
ELEVEN
JESSICA
Inever thought I’d wake up in the Heights, especially not in Kane Ravencourt’s king-sized bed. My brother would kill me if he knew where I was, but I’ve had enough taking orders from him.
For once, I want to put myself first. I deserve that much. So what if I slept with Kane? Maybe I’ll regret it later when it’s all over, but right now that’s not the priority. I have bigger problems than Kane’s huge dick and dimpled smile, like a dying mom and a home life that’s falling apart.
Kane’s bed smells like him, and I press my nose further into the pillow, inhaling in his masculine scent. I could luxuriate in his silk sheets all day, but I need to get home to my sister. She’ll wonder where I am.
I lift my head with a smile, but my expression quickly drops. The side of his bed is empty, and there’s no sign of him.
“Kane?” I sit up, clutching the sheet to my bare chest. The bathroom door is open and the light is off, so I doubt he’s in there. Did he regret last night? Is that why he’s not here? My stomach twists with unease.
Locating my scattered clothes on the floor, I wince at the soreness between my legs. The tenderness is just another reminder of what we did last night. I don’t care about the pain, but the ache in my chest is harder to ignore.
Once I’m dressed, I use my finger and a dollop of toothpaste to scrub my teeth then quickly run my fingers through my hair. It’s a rat’s nest. Need to shower when I get home.
When I exit the ensuite bathroom, Kane is still gone, so I decide to leave. I can always call Rain once I hit the main road and ask her to pick me up. She’ll interrogate me, sure, but she’s still a better choice than my brother. I don’t care what it takes. I’m not calling him. No way. I’d rather do the walk of shame through town, even if it takes me all day.
Like a fugitive from my own hormones, I exit the bedroom and tiptoe down the hallway. I can’t believe I fucked Kane Ravencourt—the one thing I promised I wouldn’t do, and now I’m just another notch on his bedpost. Is there some kind of members’ club I should join or something? The more I think about it, the more I want to slap myself for being so stupid. No wonder he was gone when I woke up. He got what he wanted and now he’s moved on.
But why was he so sweet last night? He washed my hair and massaged my neck. We laughed and talked and fucked until the early hours, and then I fell asleep on his chest. Why would he bother if it didn’t mean anything?
Kane’s mansion is a maze. I walk down different hallways, wondering if I’m lost. That would be just my luck, wouldn’t it? Getting caught by the housemaid sneaking out in last night’s clothes.
I can’t imagine they’d even bat an eye. Kane and his brother probably have a revolving door of women. And now I’m one of them, trying not to let it hit me on my way out.
It takes a while, but I eventually find the sweeping curved staircase and head downstairs. The white steps shine beneath my feet, polished to a mirror finish. The handrail carries a faint scent of beeswax, and even the black iron balusters gleam in the light.
It’s just a staircase. Yet somehow it screams wealth, like everything else in this mansion. Another reminder that I’m so out of my depth it’s almost funny.
But you won’t see me laughing. I’m moments away from panicking.
The staircase splits elegantly at the bottom, and I hesitate before crossing the shiny marble floor, which looks like it’s never seen a dirty shoe print in its life.
Like a bull in a china shop, I bump into a round table holding the biggest bouquet of fresh flowers I’ve ever seen. That’s what happens when you’re too busy staring at the chandelier in the coffered ceiling.
I steady the vase before it can fall and exhale a shaky breath. That was close. Too close. Clearly, I wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings last night. Why would I? When you’re busy being dicked down by someone as skilled in bed as Kane, the last thing on your mind is the furniture, but now I’m gawking. I doubt there will ever be a day when I don’t marvel at the extravagance.
A grand piano sits at the base of the staircase, adding a touch of sophistication, and I almost snicker at the idea of owning one. Where would it even go? Maybe in the front yard? The foyer here could probably fit my entire house.
“Kane is in the kitchen,” a feminine voice calls from the top of the stairs. I step back a few paces to see a girl with long raven hair and the bluest eyes I’ve ever known leaning against the banister. The morning sun streams through the large windowsbeside her, catching the strands of her black hair until they shimmer like liquid ink.
“Actually, I was looking for the front door.” I jab a thumb over my shoulder without a clue where I am. The entrance could be anywhere, but we’re in the foyer, so it must be around here somewhere. Right?
She walks down the sweeping staircase as if she’s in no rush to get anywhere quickly. “I’m Lily,” she says as she reaches the bottom. “The annoying little sister.”
She can’t be that much younger than Kane. Maybe a year or two. She appears to be about my age.
“Come, I’ll take you to him.”
“Actually, I’m just gonna head home,” I start, but she’s already walking away, passing the grand piano, the sound of her light footsteps fading as she turns the corner.
I guess that means she wants me to follow.
