Kai does the same.
I move to one side, watching as Kai mirrors each action until we meet on our knees beside the tea table. Already, I can feel his warmth.
I close my eyes to bask in it.
“You’re wearing the body spray I like,” he says with a groan.
I feel him shuffle even closer. His thighs lightly brush mine. The scent of his aftershave lures me even deeper.
My eyes flutter open. Kai leans back slightly, his heated gaze fixed on me. My heart heaves out a heavy beat, ready for takeoff.
Slowly then, he slides one strong hand onto my hip. Solid. Warm.
With the other, Kai gently trails his fingertips up the length of my arm. He traces over my collarbone next, ever so lightly, pausing to explore the hollow of my throat.
Goosebumps surface over my skin.
I exhale a shaky breath. Still torn by the conflict in my heart. Still angry from the hurt in my past. Still wanting Kai Kingsley’s kiss more than anything in this world.
As if hearing that thought for himself, Kai moves in and presses a testing kiss to my lips. Soft. Slow. Yummy.
Mmm.Already, I’m flying among the clouds.
I part my lips and move in for more.
Kai tilts his head to deepen the kiss. I can’t help but whimper as the slick heat of his mouth consumes me.Kai.
His velvety tongue meets mine, and the dance begins. Gently at first, we explore one another anew.
A groan sounds from low in his chest. I feel the vibration as I press into him, grasping the broad span of his shoulders. Kai’s fingers squeeze around my waist as he pulls himself impossibly closer, the intensity growing with every beat. His touch—hot through the silk pajamas—is heaven.
Kissing Kai is as blissful as it ever was and somehow more thrilling than it’s ever been. How long would it take us to make up for lost time? And if we somehow managed to do that very thing, would it ever feel like enough?
I suddenly remember that we’re on TV and that we’re only supposed to kiss for sixty seconds—a time span we’ve likely doubled by now. Or maybe tripled.
The realization urges me to bring the kiss to a regretful end. I pull back slowly, lingering in the passion as Kai sandwiches my bottom lip between his.
“Mmm…” I can’t stifle the sentiment as his mouth leaves mine.
“Indeed.” Kai clears his throat, releases me, and moves back to his place behind the table where he reaches for his coffee.
Just like that. He’s casual and cool and patting himself on the back for another mission accomplished.
Meanwhile, I’m going into cardiac arrest. My heart thumps so hard it hurts. I might not be in the clouds anymore, but I’m not exactly on solid ground either. My rational side is clawing its way back to the surface, screaming along the way.You should not have done that.A blast of regret hits me.
“Nikki?”
I glance down at the floor and try to gather my thoughts, but the taste of Kai’s kiss at my lips and the scent of him in my head make it impossible.
You just demolished rule two.
It takes about one-third of one second for the panic to kick in. Yes, I did.
At once, I shoot to a stand, too overwhelmed by the motion in my head to hold still any longer.
Kai looks up at me. “Where are you going?”
“Nowhere, I just need a minute to think.” I hurry toward an aisle of bookcases. My hands shoot to my temples as I close my eyes and work very hard to refocus. What do I want? Why did I really come here?
