Page 45 of Things We Burn

Despite the crowd, the doubts and fears swirling in my stomach, I kissed Kane back. Enthusiastically. So enthusiastically that more than one onlooker whistled, and I knew one of the whistlers was Kiera.

“You’re late, Chef,” Kane murmured against my mouth, acting as if he didn’t have an entire audience, as if we were in the room alone.

His eyes only saw me.

And it made me feel like the little girl I’d never been. The little girl my sister had been, a romantic, dreaming of the man who would look at her like she was the only person in the room.

He leaned in to brush his lips against my ear. “Can’t wait to get inside that pussy.”

My body twitched in anticipation.

Okay, so notexactlywhat my romantic little sister would’ve imagined her white knight saying.

But that was good.

I didn’t want a white knight.

“Kiera,” Kane addressed my best friend, who was grinning at him despite the wariness she obviously felt. He slung his arm casually, possessively around my shoulders.

“You look lovely,” he said, paying my friend the compliment she deserved.

She’d gone … less casual than me.

Her cropped bob was curled in messy beach waves, her makeup was sultry. The neckline of her sequined dress was plunging, showing off her ample assets. Kane’s eyes stayed at her false lash-framed irises.

“You’re not too bad yourself,” she replied.

He smiled cheekily. “I try.”

“Like your ass in these pants.” His hand lazily went down my back. “We’ll have to make sure you have them in every color.”

I couldn’t help but grin. “I already do.”

“Perfect,” he licked his lips then looked to Kiera. “We have drinks, food, celebrities and many men who would hit on you … with your consent, of course. You think you’ll be okay on your own? I just must take Chef to the bathroom and have my way with her.”

My cheeks flamed, and I really wanted to be embarrassed, but I wanted him to do that too. Just as he’d appraised my outfit, I’d done the same to him.

He was wearing an Unquiet Mind band tee, his inky hair was long and wild, drooping over his left eyebrow. His dark jeans and Dr. Martens accentuated his strong legs and perfect backside. The black polish on his fingernails had chipped, and a handful of silver rings adorned his long fingers.

He looked like Kane. Attractive, edgy, hot.

Kiera’s eyes alighted with glee. “Of course, bang away.” She waved her hand. “I’m in my element here.”

Before I could say anything, Kane whisked me away, back through the throngs of people, nodding and greeting variouspeople who acknowledged him but not stopping for anyone. Not until we’d gone through the rooms to a bathroom that was on the other side of the brownstone. Not the main one guests were using, but there were people milling around. It wasn’t exactly private.

Which was what got my heartbeat thumping.

Just before we could get to the bathroom, a man stepped in front of us.

He was one of the fewer people wearing a suit. No tie, though. Grey, expensive by the look of it, pale-pink dress shirt unbuttoned to show a tan and hairless chest.

He had perfectly styled short hair, a color brown that seemed too rich and perfect to be natural, although I suspected it might’ve been colored based on his overall appearance. Obviously fake tan, leather loafers, flashy watch, a mouth full of veneers showcased with a fake smile. He was conventionally handsome with a strong jaw and classic features, but his eyes were dark, beady, and something about him was off-putting.

“There you are,” he sighed, eyes on Kane.

I expected Kane to dismiss him the way he had all of the people who had tried to get in our way, but he didn’t.

“Brax, bro, this is Avery, who I’ve been telling you about. Avery, this is Brax, my manager.”

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