‘Leave it.’ I wrap my hands around Kai’s curled arm and try to tug him away.It’s like trying to move marble.
Cold fingers of anxiety raise the hairs on my neck because, Kai may be the taller of the two, may look like he can take care of himself, but Shane is dangerous. Does boxing for fitness. Grew up tough.
‘Please, Kai. It doesn’t matter.’
His hand touches my cheek, his eyes warm on mine. ‘Sweetheart, it absolutely does.’
Shane’s head recoils. Kai’s fist retracts—I didn’t even see his arm move until its retreat. I might squeal a little as he lunges out into the hall, both of their bodies bumping off walls and doors in an all-out brawl.
‘Stop! Stop it, for God’s sakes!’ I’m yelling, standing in the hallway, the welcome mat like needles beneath my bare feet. ‘You’re acting like yobs!’ Kai’s forearm pins Shane against the wall by the neck, causing splotches of pink and purple to burst across his skin. ‘Stop, Kai, please!’
My yelling seems to pierce his intent, eyes still flashing viciously as they cut to my face, seeming to search for some kind of sign or recognition. Of what, I couldn’t say. After an endless moment of staring, his head turns, dark eyes now pinning his captive against the wall.
‘If she wants to see you, shewill call. You willnotapproach her again, is that understood?’
‘You her fucking keeper?’
Shane’s sneer doesn’t last long as the arm rams against his neck once more, the back of his head thumping the solid wall, a wheezing grunt forced from his chest.
‘I said. Do. You. Understand?’
‘Come back inside, Kai, please.’ My voice is softer now, anger ebbing away and replaced once more by utter shock.
‘Come near her again and I promise you’ll learn what it is to be really hurt.’
With one last burst of pressure, he moves his arm, leaving Shane bent double, gasping and rubbing his neck.
‘Please, Katie. I’m staying at the airport hotel,’ he wheezes, the back of his hand touching a raw spot on his lip. ‘I love you.’
‘You had no right to come here,’ I answer. ‘Not anymore.’
Kai’s bare feet are in my line of sight as I step in through the front door, closing it quietly behind. He doesn’t make any attempt to come closer as I raise my hurt and humiliated eyes.
‘Well, you wanted to know what brought me to Dubai.’
His head moves just once in acknowledgment before he turns away. Standing at the window, he stares out at the pale-coloured buildings beyond. ‘I’ve known about him, about your relationship, for some time.’
Stunned, all I can manage is a breathless sort of, ‘How?’
His answer is a shrug tinged with irritation, like an invisible coat a size too small.
‘I don’t understand.’
‘I had to know more about you.’ Without seeing him move, his large hands are on my bare shoulders. ‘Do you think I really just want to be your friend? I had to know who you are!’
Teeth clenched, his jaw flexes as he shakes me, just once, the ends of his anger and adrenalin, pouring like quicksilver down my spine.
‘I don’t know what you want!’ I cry, struggling to shake free of his grip, angry at him, angry at myself for my reactions. And through it all, through the anger rolling across me in waves, from the fire in his eyes to the fingers tight at my arms, I want him. Want to wrap my hands around the back of his neck, drag him to the floor. Devour and be devoured.
His fingers tighten like the teeth of a trap. In an instant, his mouth is on mine; hard and unforgiving, demanding a response. Eyes screwed shut, I desperately want to meet him, fight him with both tooth and nail, but I don’t. Battling to keep my mouth soft to his hard touch, my hands lie limp at my sides, determined not to participate.Determined not to reach out.
He pulls away, and I blink, half expecting him to push me further, half hoping he’ll push me up against the door. Instead, he steps away and grabs his jacket, slung carelessly last night on the chair. The air is cold as he pushes past me. Pulling open the door, he steps through it without looking at me once.
