Kai frowned at me, but it was softer than before. “You’re mean.”
“Yeah, but you like it.”
He gave me a slow and dangerous smile. “Yeah. I kind of do.”
I looked away before my face could give anything away. The night hummed on, and I tried — really, truly tried — not to get pulled in any further.
Their bickering wasn’t sharp; it was warm and easy, a rhythm they’d clearly honed over many years.
It loosened something in my chest, something I didn’t often allow to relax. “Thanks for the pavlova,” Kai murmured as I finally stood. “Really.”
I shrugged, pretending my pulse wasn’t racing. “It’s whatever.”
“Still,” he said with a slow smile. “I’m glad you came over.”
I rolled my eyes and ignored the warmth spreading across my face.
“Don’t get used to it.”
“Too late,” he whispered, barely audible.
Kai insisted on walking me to my door — the whole twenty yards from his front door to mine — but it was kind of sweet.
There was an awkward pause, and even though I knew what I wanted to do, I hesitated. Would he misinterpret it? Would I come off as too eager?
When I finally broke the silence, it was with a softer tone than usual.
“Happy birthday, Kai.”
I peered up at him through my lashes and watched a genuine smile spread across his face.
“Wouldn’t have been half as good without y—”
My body was acting on its own. I fisted his shirt in one hand, pulled him down to me and rose onto my tiptoes. Before I knew it, I had pressed my mouth against his.
Kai froze for a moment before moaning against my lips, wrapping one big arm around my waist and pulling me against his chest.
I gasped in surprise, and his tongue darted out to take advantage of my parted lips. With deep, sensual strokes, he drew me into a dance sending shivers racing down my spine.
Holy shit, this bastard could kiss.
After what felt like both an eternity and a blink of the eye, he pulled back and pressed his forehead against mine, our breaths mingling.
I bit back the embarrassing whimper threatening to escape at the loss of contact. What the actual fuck was wrong with me?
“Christ, you’re good at this birthday shit. Making my fucking day over and over again.”
“Don’t get used to it.” My voice sounded breathy, and I was trying desperately to ignore the urge to throw myself at him again.
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He winked at me and slowly released me, taking a measured step back as though he, too, was holding onto his self-control by a thread. “Good night, Tori.”
“Good night, Kai.”
Chapter 13
Kai
Heatwavesshimmeredinthe air above the field and the sun beating down on my neck was almost intolerable. The sounds of clashing helmets and shrill whistles echoed around as my teammates' cleats dug into the soft ground.
