Kit definitely didn’t remember saving that number to his phone.
Who the fuck was Sexy?
Kit could count the number of people who had called him “babe” recently on one hand—starting and stopping with a single middle finger.
He pulled his feet up on the kitchen chair and sipped his coffee. His phone screen wasn’t cracked anymore, he realized after two minutes of staring at his phone. And after three minutes, he replied.
Kit:hi james
Sexy:Aww, you remembered me! I’ve been thinking about you ;)
Kit’s eyebrows lifted at the near-instantaneous reply. He couldn’t even begin to think of how to respond before James texted again.
Sexy:Don’t worry, not in a creepy way ;)
The memory of James’s touch ghosted over Kit’s skin. Long fingers tracing his jaw. A broad palm gently caressing histhroat. Warmth pooled in Kit’s belly. With time and distance—not enough time, not enough distance—the bloody background of that moment seemed less important. Blood and flesh strewn across the tile floor. Macaroni Jeff’s brain sliding down the front of the fridge. None of that mattered right now.
What mattered was that moment of connection. Understanding. James wanted Kit, and he made that very clear. No games or bullshit.
Kit:i don’t want to know what you think is creepy if this isn’t it
Sexy:Lol, you’re so funny. That’s what I like about you
Sexy:Ok, there are other things I like about you…
All right, there were plenty of games and bullshit. Kit flushed, the heat in his face not entirely due to the coffee. He hugged the mug to his chest, feeling like a high school student flirting with his crush between classes. That sort of fluttery, embarrassed feeling. At least, what Kit imagined that would be like. He hadn’t been thinking about crushes at all by the time he dropped out.
Maybe Bishop was right. Maybe Kit had no sense of self-preservation after all. Because he texted James back.
Kit:where are you taking me for lunch
Sexy:It’s a surprise!
Sexy:Don’t worry, I’m not going to murder you ;)
Rolling his eyes, Kit didn’t make James wait for a reply this time.
Kit:the fact that you have to say that is worrying
Sexy:Lol
Sexy:Do you have any allergies?
Sexy:Do you need new clothes? I can send an assistant to take you shopping tonight
Kit rolled his eyes again, weirdly amused by James’s combination of domineering confidence, consideration, and unconvincing promises not to murder him.
Yeah. Bishop was right. No sense of self-preservation.
Kit:no allergies. i have clothes. if you text me again today, lunch is off
A moment later, his phone buzzed again. But it wasn’t a reply. Just a casual thumbs-up reacting to Kit’s last message.
Kit laughed despite himself. James knew when to quit after all.
Setting his phone down, Kit refilled his mug with coffee and sugar while he thought. He only had a few changes of clothes in his bag, and they were all dirty. Time to figure out Bishop’s laundry machine. Hopefully he wouldn’t flood the place.
Or maybe hopefully he would. Serve Bishop right for embarrassing him the night before.
