‘Why here?’ I find myself asking. Surely there were a hundred more places for him to turn.
‘I thought—expected this would be the last place you’d come.’
‘You thought I wouldn’t be able to bring myself to?’
He nods, unspeaking as I lay my own head against his solid chest.
‘Then maybe you don’t know me very well, because I think I’d follow you into hell.’
Kai’s laugh is short and bitter, echoing in my chest.
‘I’m surprised you don’t feel I’ve already led you there.’
My fingers still hang from the ends of the silk as I lift my gaze, Kai’s head turned towards the window, only the graceful curve of his jaw in my line of sight. I yank the material hard, forcing his head down—forcing his gaze back to mine.
‘You don’t get to choose. I do.’ I press my lips against his, using the moment to slip the silk from his neck. ‘Close your eyes. You’re about to have your pleasure increased.Tenfold.’ And with that, I tie the silk in place, and lead him blindfolded to the bed.
‘Sit down.’ My words are still soft but heavy with the weight of my command. Wonder if it’s okay to admit to being turned on as he does?
‘The kitten has claws,’ Kai murmurs, settling himself, no doubt uncomfortable due to his arms, and possibly the bulge in his pants. Suddenly, he stills and sits taller, his head tilting as though listening hard.
‘You’re such a tease,’ he growls.
‘Am I?’ From a few steps away, I throw my bra over him. His chuckling stops at my next question, his face folding into a more serious line.
‘Tell me why you’re here.’
‘I told you. This was the place I thought you wouldn’t come.’
‘No, Kai,’ I say in a deliberate purr. ‘I know. The photograph, it had to hurt. Seeing it, knowing Essam—’
‘Don’t,’ he rasps. ‘Leave it, Kate.’
‘You said you couldn’t stand to look at me. Good job you’re wearing a blindfold now, huh?’
‘Come closer, kitten. I don’t need to see you to want you.’
My heart lifts; confirmation of a thought I’d fought not to recognise. ‘You do still want me?’
‘All. The. Fucking. Time.’
‘The feeling’s mutual.’ I’m naked now, but for my heels. ‘But mutual is overrated, according to you. Do you know,’ I continue, drawing closer to the object of my desire and the bed. ‘You’re my waking thoughts, and my daydreams? My night-time obsession, as well.’
‘Come closer,’ he whispers, his tone low and raspy. Kai’s chest rises and falls steadily, the muscles in his shoulders defined and pronounced. I’m no fool—I’m sure he could pull his arms free if he wanted, but there’s something keeping him from me.
‘My...’ I whisper, climbing onto the bed and at his side. ‘What big...musclesyou have.’ My fingertips trail his bicep, eliciting a whole-body shiver.
‘All the better to hold you with,’ he says with a teasing smile, one sharp bicuspid peeking from behind his curved lips.
‘And my, what beautiful teeth you have.’ I draw my thumb against his bottom lip, his smile widening a touch as I do.
‘All the better to eat—’
‘Not just now, Romeo,’ I whisper. ‘Because I need you to tell me why you couldn’t—why you can barely look at me.’
His mouth clamps closed, his lips now just a line across his face. A muscle in his jaw begins to tick as he makes to turn his head from me, but not before I catch it in both my hands.
‘Tell me,’ I hiss, licking the jumping muscle. He shivers as my hair trails his chest. ‘Your cousin sent you naked photographs of me, and you know he didn’t take them.’
