Page 18 of Things We Burn

Kane didn’t hide the way he stared at my nakedness. It was clear he was not looking at my cellulite. No, it was with sheer desire that his eyes skimmed my body.

My skin prickled at his hungry gaze.

“Don’t you have people to do that kind of thing?” he asked, sounding genuinely curious as he rested his elbow on the bed and leaned into his hand. “You’re the boss, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” I told him, trying to act comfortable that this seemingly benign conversation was happening with both of usnaked. “That doesn’t mean anything, though. If anything, I need to work harder than anyone else.”

Kane’s flirty smile faltered, replaced with an expression that was impossibly intense and probing.

Luckily, it lasted only a moment before the smile returned.

“Well, far be it for me to keep you from your fishing.” He held out his hand to help me up.

Again, panic swirled beneath my sternum at the prospect of going about the motions of getting ready to leave. Internally scolding myself, I pushed past it.

By the time I’d used the facilities and the toothbrush I found in the bathroom, Kane had brought up my clothes from last night.

He was wearing underwear. That was it. I restrained my urge to drool at his six-pack, his tattoos, inspect his scars. There was no point in doing that, trying to learn more about a man I would never see again.

Instead, I took my clothes.

He sat on the bed and watched me dress. “What does your normal day look like?”

The simple curiosity in the question took me aback. He wasn’t asking because he felt like he should be polite and pretend to care about it; he genuinely seemed like he wanted to know.

“It depends on the day, but usually, the first thing I do is source protein for the restaurant. If I want to or have the time, I may go to look at artisan producers of ingredients. Then I go to the restaurant to get started on prep, and I’m there till close.” I kept my tone brisk as I pulled my halter over my head. I knew I’d have to stop at my apartment to change. Not to shower, though. I wanted to smell like Kane all day.

“What doesyournormal day look like?” I asked him as I put on the last of my clothes. I’d obviously forgotten what I toldmyself moments ago when I’d decided I didn’t need to learn more about him.

He showed his teeth, creating a smile with an edge. “Baby, I haven’t had a normal day in my life, and if I’ve got anything to do with it, I won’t have one till the day I meet the reaper.”

We couldn’t have been more opposite if we’d tried. Completely wrong for each other.

“I’ll walk you down, get you a cab.” He pushed off the bed then went to the closet, presumably to retrieve something from his exploding suitcase.

“You don’t have to; I’m quite capable of hailing a cab,” I called to him, suddenly feeling awkward and needing to get out of there so I could get distance from him. Surely, once I was out of his orbit, sense would return, and I’d realize he was just another man. A handsome one, a muscled one, and one with a talented tongue, but a man, nonetheless.

“I know you’re quite capable.” Kane emerged as he pulled a shirt over his head, wearing cut-off sweats. “But grant me the boon, at least.”

He was charming. Effortlessly so. And I felt myself falling for it.

“Fine,” I huffed.

He walked me down the stairs with his hand on the small of my back, my steps becoming heavier and heavier.

Kane’s gait was easy, unhurried, casual. Of course, it was. He’d likely done this dance countless times, hence why he was so effortlessly likable. He wasn’t holding on to last night like it was something sacred. It was a night of passion, of fun, of chaos that was nothing but another night to him.

I strove to treat it as something similar for myself. A taste of his life, of recklessness. I could channel it into my food. Store last night away somewhere like I did all the other complicated experiences in my past.

The air was crisp, the morning light still emerging, though the city was thriving as it always was. The flurry helped center me. Though I didn’t love chaos, the wildness of the city helped to center me. I wasn’t a New York native, but it had been home to me for almost my entire adult life.

At the curb Kane whistled, and within seconds, a cab was there.

My heart hammered.

Kane took my hips, pressing our bodies together so he could kiss me. Fully.

Despite my panic, I returned the kiss with fervor.

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