Page 85 of Kaine

Chapter Thirty-Three

HER

“Hurry up, woman! Howmany times have I told you I hate being late?!” Kaine’s nagging from the hallway travels all the way into the bedroom.

I hop from one foot to the other as I slide on my heels, adjusting the tight leather skirt down over my thighs. Something about the conversation last night made me want to make something special of this birthday. Maybe it’s because I finally have someone special to share it with. Before my shower I’d picked out the best dress I’d brought to Kaine’s apartment, a fire engine red leather dress that hugs every inch of my body, and spent an extra 30 minutes in the bathroom, curling my hair and doing my make-up.

“I’m coming, I’m coming! Sheesh! Be nice to the birthday girl, please!”

“I would if she would ever...” he spins around and stops mid-sentence, letting out a slow whistle.

I feel a blush race up my face, but I still pivot and pose, enjoying his appreciation.

“Jade, you are making me... have very going-to-be-late-for-work thoughts.”

I saunter over to him, purposely letting my hips sway from side to side. I brush past him over to the elevator, leaning over at the waist to press the call button.

He turns on his heel, following me with his body and I can feel his eyes travelling up and down my body.

“Am I? It’s too bad you hate being late for work, then,” I purr, in what I hope is my seductive voice.

He comes up behind me, his hands on my waist, spinning me around to face him. Backing me against the closed elevator door, his arms brace against either side of my head, and he leans over to kiss me, slowly but deeply. There’s a soft hum in his throat and I can’t help but feel weak under his spell. I barely notice the scar, and the right side of his face is almost criminally handsome. Angled and strong. I feel soft and feminine every time he looks at me just like he’s looking at me now. Like he wants to eat me.

“Who said anything about being late for work?” he says, and I notice something sparkle in his eye.

“You did.”

“Did I? Hmmm, I don’t remember that,” he pretends that he doesn’t notice me staring at him.

The elevator doors open with a ding and he steps forward, his hands on my waist, leading me inside,

“What do you mean?” I demand.

He just grins and lets go of me, stepping to the side and leaning against the rail.

“Kaine! What do you mean?” I ask again, punching him gently on the chest with my fist.

“Nothing. Shhh. There are other people getting on the elevator,” he says, infuriating me.

The elevator comes to a slow stop and the doors open. An elderly couple nods and smiles at us, as they step inside.

“Mr. Humphrey,” Kaine nods to the man, who offers his hand.

“Hello, Kaine. How have you been?” His voice is pleasant and kind.

“Good, sir, thank you.”

“Everything going well with the launch? I hear... some rumblings. Anything I can help you with?”

I watch him closely, not used to seeing him talk about his work with anyone else.

He just smiles politely and nods, “Everything’s going very well, I sincerely hope to see you and Mrs. Humphrey at the launch next month. You were always such supporters of ours.”

“Of course we will be there, Kaine. Neil wouldn’t have had it any other way.”

We reach the lobby faster than I expect, probably due to the distraction of the conversation. We hang back as the other couple leaves, with a wave goodbye, before we step out into the lobby.

Kaine’s hand never leaves the small of my back as we make our way outside. Everyone we pass greets Kaine by name; he never says much in reply, just a quick polite nod to acknowledge them, never taking his focus off me.