Page 64 of Hello Kitten

He grips my necklace tightly, tugging until I can barely breathe. “Since the night you left my house and didn’t return my text in the morning? Since I went with you to your sister’s wedding? Since I got you sober and took you home? Since we fucked in my car? When have weeverbeen just sex?”

I shiver as he loosens the chain around my neck. His lips move against mine without actually kissing me. “You are the reason I’ll say no to anyone else. You are the reason I can’t sleep on Fridays now. You, Emily.” He breathes sharply. “You own me, kitten. From the moment I first saw you.”

“Adrian,” I pant, as my chest aches for him.

“Come inside and let me show you how nice a night it is,” he coaxes. “No alcohol, no sex, just us.”

twenty-eight

This is more than I even thought it would be. I kept my feelings in check for so long, but now hearing him say it… Telling me I own him… It breaks something inside me, and it can never be put together.

“I don’t know how,” I say as nerves rake through my spine.

His brows knit as he draws me closer. “What do you mean?”

My throat closes as I try to swallow. “I don’t know how to be… this,” I say, my hand waving between us.

His lips curl as amusement glints in his gaze.

“Be yourself, kitten. That’s who I fell for and that’s the person I’ll never leave.”

“Even if I mess up again?”

He cocks his head. “You can never scare me away.”

My nerves fade and a snort escapes. “Don’t be so sure about that,” I joke.

He smiles, grazing his thumb over my lips. “There she is,” he says and leads me inside.

I follow quietly behind him as I’m waiting for my mind to go spiraling again, to lure me back from this happy place, telling me how wrong I am for being here.

But it doesn’t come, that little voice stays quiet.

The made up ‘fireplace’ flickers on the T.V. this time, and he takes a seat on the couch, pulling me with him.

“Tell me something about you, Adrian.”

He hums and drapes his arm over me. “You know about my tattoos, about what books I like to read. What more do you want to know?”

“Everything,” I say with a soft laugh.

His fingers tease over my arm as the fire from the screen reflects in his green gaze. “I don’t have the same bond you have with your family. Mine has always been supportive, told me to chase my dreams, grab what I want to have in my life and never let go if I find something that makes me happy.”

He takes a sharp breath, his gaze dropping to my hand resting on his thighs. “And I got everything, Emily.”

My chest tightens, and I take a deep breath.

“It wasn’t without struggle, but would the reward be as sweet without it.” His eyes find mine and something stirs deep in my stomach.

“Do you have any siblings?” I ask, trying to ignore the intensity of his stare.

He chuckles. “I have an older brother, Alex. He’s a piece of work, always says what’s on his mind. Especially when it’s a soresubject.” Another laugh falls. “He doesn’t mean to be harsh, it’s just who he is.”

“What does he do for a living?”

He shakes his head. “Something your parents would be very happy with.”

“Oh God,” I say, laughter bubbling. “He’s a lawyer?”

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