‘I don’t know the kind of girl you’re used to, but I’m a very privatekind.’ And right now the only thing I need defining is why he’s acting like a complete prick.
‘You don’t want people to know we’re together?’ One brow arches in a hostile fashion, belying the casual motion of a hand sliding into the pocket of his shorts. But his words betray him; he sounds shocked, if not a little hurt.
‘No, but I like to do it on my own terms. I’m not in the habit of sharing the details of my love life, and you just made me sound like a goer in front of Matt,myneighbour.You made me sound like a total slut.’
A dark, subterranean laugh rises through the depths of his chest, his expression shifting again as I’m confronted with a look that’s becoming all too familiar: Kai’s seduction face.
‘Sweetheart, I spend hours thinking of ways to make you sound like a slut, but those noises are for my ears alone. And only behind closed doors.’ Spoiling it all, he finishes with a smirk.
‘I won’t evenpretendto know what that’s supposed to mean.’ I find my hands in the air, exasperation swirling around me like a cloak as he steps into me, his hands cupping my face.
‘Look how you storm. Your eyes have turned the colour of stormy seas.’
His face is so close, I could count the sparse coffee-coloured freckles across his nose. I try to stay rigid and angry, try to fight the effect he has on my body, before asking myself what would be the point. I want to meld into him, ache to be absorbed by him, overwhelmed.
‘Invite me upstairs,’ he breathes, running his thumbs from my brow to chin.
‘Why?’ The inane falls from my mouth in a whisper.
‘Because you value your privacy. Take me upstairs, kitten, come show me your claws.’
Desire dances between us like static electricity, longing almost palpable to the touch. I want to.God,I ache with want as his fingers travel lightly to my hips. But I also feel an overwhelming urge to assert some kind of control. In spite of myself and my arousal, I can’t disappear upstairs in the middle of an argument, no matter how hard my insides pulse at his poetic words. I need to make a point, though I can’t think quite what about at the minute.
Processing rational thought is a serious issue with his mouth just a hair’s breadth away. I’m so very aware of his breathing, the perspiration shining in the hollow of his throat. Involuntarily, I lick my lips, wanting to place my tongue there, let it travel the powerful muscles of his neck. Taste his salt, feel his...
Then he smiles, like he knows what comes next and suddenly that changes my mind, his actions hardening my resolve. I will not be a done deal today.
Fingers on his forearms, I lift his hands. ‘This is a party, Kai, and I’m not leaving. Just so we’re clear, I don’t sleep around and I don’t share, either.’ Drawing myself to my full five-foot-and-not-much, I tilt my head and sneer. ‘Sluts must be your thing. Tell me, what’s the difference for you between girlfriends and friends you just fuck?’
The muscles in his jaw begin to flex before he speaks. ‘Don’t do this here. Take me upstairs. Let me make the difference clear.’
‘I’m not interested right now, thanks.’
His fingers circle my wrist as I turn to walk away. ‘I’ve told you, people who fuck can never be friends. I want you, can make you feel those words. I promise monogamy in my affections. Is it so wrong to demand the same in return?’
‘But how long will your monogamy last?’ I place my free hand against his firm chest and stand on the tips of my toes to bring my mouth to his ear. ‘I’m not some girl you can fetter, fuck and... and forsake!’
His head recoils as I yank my wrist from his grasp. I turn on my heel and stride away doing my best to add a little sashay into my retreat, despite my bikini riding a slight wedgie.
