Page 28 of Twisted Thorns

"Sean O'Neil. He's not a fan of going legit. He prefers money and power."

I hum around a pork dumpling like I know what he's talking about. I mean, I kind of do. That's why Amanda and Jessica, even Iris and Claire to some extent, like the parties and shopping and travel. It's all about money and power. They want more, while I want just enough to live my life.

"It feels like I don't know you at all," I whisper, looking down at my now empty plate. As Kieran shifts, I feel his hands on my seat, turning me towards him on the stool. I bite my lip and glance up, nerves racing through me. "I'm sorry," I begin.

"No." Kieran says. "I told you, Avalina, you have nothing to be sorry for."

"I just..." I begin, but don't know what to say, lifting my hands up in exasperation.

"Green." Kieran says.

"What?" I ask, confused and slightly alarmed.

"My favorite color is green."

"Oh." I blink.

"I like to read, but mostly stick to history and mythology."

I just nod.

"I hate the snow."

"I'm so sorry you live here, then." I chuckle.

Kieran smirks. "What else do you want to know?"

I look Kieran fully in the eyes now. "Everything."

"Tell me about yourself," I say softly. "What do you really do?"

Kieran's lips form a hard line, all playful banter gone. His gaze turned serious, distant. "I'm the head of my family, the Calders. We're one of the most powerful families in the country, with business interests in many sectors."

"Like a mafia family?" I ask, only half joking. I know the rumors.

Kieran's smile fades. "Not exactly, though we do engage in some... extra-legal activities at times to protect our interests." His eyes meet mine. "My role comes with a great deal of power, but also responsibility and danger. There are many who would see my family destroyed."

I swallow hard, a frisson of fear running down my spine.

"Does that frighten you?" Kieran asks softly. "Now that you know the truth about me?"

I hesitate, torn between my attraction to Kieran and the peril that comes with him. "I don't know," I admit. "It frightens me, but also intrigues me." I reach out to brush my fingers along his jaw. "Everyone has told me to stay away from you, that you're dangerous. But there's more to you than meets the eye, isn't there?"

Kieran turns his head to press a kiss to my palm, his eyes never leaving mine. "Just as there is more to you, Avalina Hartwell, than your serene facade suggests."

My breath catches at the intensity in his gaze. At that moment, I realize Kieran understands me in a way no one else does. He sees beyond the surface to the hidden depths within.

And I realize, despite the danger, I can’t walk away from him now. I am already falling, tumbling into the abyss of my desire for this complicated, enigmatic man.

We spend the next hours talking about everything, and while I understand Kieran already probably knows everything about me, he doesn't interrupt me or say anything as I respond to his answers with answers of my own.

Our favorite animals, places to visit, food to eat, hobbies. Any random fact or question I can ask Kieran, I do. And he answers every single one. I can't deny I feel comfortable in Kieran's presence. Even Conan is relaxed around him.

We're currently on the couch and I'm sitting close to Kieran, with Conan curled up on Kieran's lap. We're watching the latest episode of my favorite baking show and I'm drooling over the cookies, or biscuits as they're calling them on the television. One contestant is currently making butter cookies and I can't help the appreciative hum I make.

Kieran slides a glance in my direction. "I'll go buy you all the butter cookies in the world if they cause you to make noises like that."

I laugh and playfully slap his arm. He's been doing this all night, throwing barely veiled flirtatious comments in my direction. Most of the time I laugh it off or veer the topic elsewhere, but the more he does it, the more confident I feel.

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