There was no panic, no urge to run away, as I’d expected. Instead, I felt a tremor in my ribs and an ache under my sternum.
I was all in. So deep, I couldn't see a way out anymore. If he ever changed his mind and went back on his promise, I’d shatter.
I knew it.
He probably knew it, too.
But to keep up the pretense that we were ‘just friends with benefits’ after last night would have been the biggest lie I had ever told.
Kai kissed my shoulder, lingering with his lips and breathing warmly across my bare skin. Then, with a dramatic sigh, he flopped down on my back, forcing the air out of my lungs.
“How’re you feeling?”
“Like you’re heavy,” I grumbled into my pillow.
“You love me.”
“I really don’t.”
“Liar.”
Heknew me too well.
Later that morning, when I came into the kitchen, I was startled at finding him washing dishes at the sink. When did he even get here? I just left his house an hour ago!
Although this wasn’t the worst visual I’d encountered in this kitchen. Hedidhave a nice ass. Whatever those rugby players did on leg day, it fucking worked.
“Kai,” I moaned. “You can’t keep doing this.”
He didn't even spare me a glance; he just kept scrubbing while humming happily.
“Too late, Love. Already soapy.”
Love.
He’d been playing with this word, testing it out. Watching me react.
I hated how good it sounded coming from him; the twang of his accent was more pronounced than ever. Leaning against the counter, I folded my arms in front of my chest and glared at his profile, pretending I wasn’t melting on the inside.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I know.” He shrugged. “You do everything else. Let me dosomething.”
And there it was again. The gentle, steady desire to care for me in a way I didn’t know how to handle.
It was dangerous in so many ways, so I turned away before he could see the effect it had on me. Suddenly, a long, dramatic noise came from the hallway, making us both whirl around.
“Oh, woe is me … my time has come…”
Kai looked ready to bolt her way but I just pinched the bridge of my nose. “Gran, why?”
Leaning in with wide eyes, he whispered, “Should I get the cowboy hat?”
“No.” I shot him a glare. “You need to stop encouraging her.”
“Yes,” Gran croaked. “Fetch the ceremonial headpiece, my dear!”
“No!”
