My words are mumbled against Kai’s thick hoodie, but he grabs my shoulders to nudge me back to sitting. “You look really fucking pretty when you’re embarrassed, Sunshine.”
Garrett’s voice drops to gravel. “She kissed me.”
I look at Kai and try not to flinch. “I did. I kissed him. I asked if it would help him.”
His eyes flare. “And did you like it?”
“I did,” I reply, even though my cheeks burn. “And then, I…well…Ihelped. You know. Until he…came.”
Kai groans against my mouth as he kisses me. “Fuck.”
There’s a quiet laugh from the fireplace. “She was perfect.”
Those three words trickle through me. Genuine praise from someone I realize I want it from.
“Sounds like the two of you had quite a moment without me,” Kai says, but I don’t hear any anger or frustration in his tone. If anything, he sounds…pleased. “Did you enjoy it?”
“Yes. I only went home because I was a little overwhelmed by everything that’s happened.”
“And now?” Kai asks.
It’s the million-dollar question, but my trust in these two men is growing. “Now, I’m not as confused.”
He looks over to Garrett. “And what about you? I’m guessing you enjoyed it.”
“Understatement of the decade,” he replies.
Kai kisses me, then. It’s deeper and hungrier than before, but I don’t feel trapped or cornered. There’s no need to perform. His hands slip beneath my hoodie again. His warm and calloused fingertips drag along my skin, slip beneath the waistband of my pajamas until he’s cupping my ass, then tugs us back together.
“Still okay?” he asks.
“Yes.” A soft sound escapes me, one that is both embarrassing and breathless.
“There it is,” Garrett says. “That was the sound she made for me.”
Kai growls against my lips. “Fuck’s sake, don’t tell me that unless you want me to lose the last bit of control I have.”
I slide my hands into Kai’s hair like I wanted to this morning. It’s long and thick and cool to the touch. Suddenly, I feel braver. Empowered. “Then, lose it.”
He lifts me off the kitchen island with zero effort, and I wrap my legs around him. “Why don’t we all go upstairs so Garrett can get more comfortable? You can start to show us and tell us what you like best in bed.”
But before his lips can descend on mine again, headlights sweep across the room from down the hall and out on the driveway.
“Oh, come on,” Kai groans, lowering me to the floor.
A vehicle door slams, then a second one.
Catfish’s voice cuts through the cold air as he hammers on the door. “Jackal? Shade? You guys home? Grudge and some of the brothers are setting up a patrol outside, but Wren and I gotta talk to you.”
Kai slips his hands from beneath my hoodie, then rearranges the distinct bulge in his jeans. “Don’t go far,” he murmurs. “Because once they’re gone”—he leans in, lips brushing the shell of my ear—“We’re finishing the conversation we started.”
Garrett huffs. “Let’s hope they don’t stay long.”
But my stomach flips at Wren and Catfish knocking on our door so late, because I can’t help but wonder if they know more about the person stalking me than I do.
24
SHADE
