Page 78 of By His Rule

“Sorry,” he repeats.

“Right. Okay,” I mutter, unsure what to do with that apology.

“Eat,” he demands, sounding much more like himself.

Unable to deny the lure of good Chinese, I select a container and grab…“Chopsticks, really?”

Kian shrugs one shoulder.

“If you’re going to do something, Lorelei, then you should do it properly,” he states.

“I agree, and to eat properly, I need a knife and fork.”

“Sorry, we’re going authentic tonight,” he explains as if this isn’t the only time we’re going to be eating dinner together.

I don’t remember that being in the job description.

“Brilliant,” I mutter, attempting to wrangle the two sticks into submission as a cheer goes up around the room.

I look up and immediately jump to my feet, screaming at the TV as Wilder makes a touchdown.

“What?” I ask once I’ve calmed down and find Kian staring up at me with an unreadable expression on his face.

“Don’t worry, I caught the chow mein before it hit the floor,” he says, lifting the container to show me.

“Oh shit, that was on my lap.”

He grins. “Maybe I’ll just eat it all myself.”

“Oh hell no. I’m starving. I’ll figure these bad boys out even if it kills me,” I say, retaking my seat and attempting to copy his hold on the sticks.

He smirks at me before expertly collecting up rice and pushing it past his lips without dropping a single grain.

“How?” I ask in disbelief. I can’t even pick up a vegetable.

“We spent a few weeks in China when were kids and?—”

“Of course you did,” I mutter, unable to contain my eye roll.

“Here, let me show you,” he offers, scooting closer and wrapping his arm around me.

19

KIAN

Lorelei’s sweet scent floods my senses as her hair tickles the side of my face.

Fuck. This was a bad idea.

But as my hand slides against hers, I realize that it’s too late.

If I back away now, she’s going to know.

Fuck my life.

“Hold them a little more like…this,” I say, my breath racing over her exposed throat.

She sits frozen. I’m not even sure she’s breathing as I adjust her chopsticks so she’ll stand a chance of picking up some food.

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