Page 21 of Death Kiss

I don’t like the way he shifts and looks to the side before nodding. Eventually he sighs and says, ‘I promise.’

The sun is still glittering through the trees as I turn and stomp my way through the woods, my head thumping from too much angst in one day. How the fuck was killing a guy the least problematic part of today?

Insane.

NINE

LIAM

The muscles in my arms feel knotted by the time I tip the last of the cement into the well. It takes a surprising amount to cover a body, even with the well's narrow width.

It’s early morning, the day after we dumped this guy, and despite the sun coming up, Kat shines a torch into the gloom. No elbows or hair sticking out. A clean, flat base. We’ll need to come back when it’s dry to add detritus from the floor of the wood to cover the fresh pour.

Kat’s barely spoken to me since yesterday. I hate it. The fight could get us the money we need. Is there a possibility I’ll die? I guess. But I’d do it for Kat.

I understand her anger; the idea of her willingly putting herself in danger like that makes my arse clench.

Last night was the worst I’ve slept in a long time. Kat left a gap that felt like a fucking gulf between us. Usually, I pull her tight up against me. Sleep with the scent of her hair following me into my dreams. Not last night. I barely even slept. The distance between us followed me into my sleep, Kat constantly out of reach no matter how much I strained to hold her.

Morning arrived with both of us moody and tired, rings beneath my eyes that rival a raccoon. My obsession with her is still as intense as ever, and her being mad at me physically hurts. We tend to bandage our hurts by losing ourselves in each other—unhealthy, I know—but without that, I don’t know how to fix this.

‘Kat.’ She doesn’t even look at me.

‘What?’

‘I’m sorry.’ The apology sounds hollow, but I don’t mean it to be.

‘You’ve said that already.’

‘I mean it. I hate this.’ Grabbing the bucket and bags, I start to clean up. We move through the woods to the stream closest to the car and wash the tools as best I can. Kat trails behind me, her thighs at my eye level as I crouch. The heat that fills my stomach at the expanse of flesh shames me. But I can’t help it.

‘I need you,’ I whisper. Setting the items aside, I wash my hands, cool water flowing over my fingers. ‘This space between us kills me, Princess. I barely slept last night; you were only half a bed away, and it might as well have been across an ocean.’

Kat looks at me, her face softening. ‘I hate it too. Fighting’s not for us.’

‘Oh, thank god. Can we make up now?’ I’ve never been very good at handling others’ disappointment.

Kat smiles. ‘Come here.’

Her heady scent surrounds me as I approach her, filling my senses to bursting. I don’t deserve her, but man, am I glad she’s mine.

Wrapping her hair up in my hands, I pull her into a harsh, need-filled kiss. A clash of tongues and lips that would make anyone think we haven’t seen each other in a month.

She pants against my lips, and I deepen the kiss, needing more of my girl. Always more.

‘Kat,’ I groan, tightening my hands in her tresses until she whimpers.

Her hands slip up to mine, loosening my grip.

‘If you want me…’ she says, backing away from me, ‘prove it.’

The little devil.

A flare of desire hits me like a lorry. Full force, knock your breath from your body need.

‘Oh, I’ll prove it, you little hellion.’

Then she’s off, dancing between the trees, far more light-footed than myself. Where she dodges, I crash. Where she twists, I fumble. The moment I catch a bit of her dress, she turns on her heel and shoves me. It’s the last thing I expect her to do, and I fall on my ass.