Page 53 of Ink & Stardust

“Told you.”

“I think I might enjoy taking them off later.”

I gape at his boldness, which is certainly not something I’m accustomed to, but I definitely can’t ignore the way my body tingles with anticipation, especially when his eyes darken. I think I might enjoy him taking them off later too.

“What are...” I clear my throat gently. “What are you doing here, anyway?”

“I wanted to see if you were hungry. I don’t know about you, but I worked up quite the appetite last night.” He gives me a knowing look that has me blushing so deeply, my face likely matches my red top.

“I... Uh... I was actually just about to go grab a bite.” I manage to choke out, giving myself a mental swift kick to the ass.

“Perfect. I’ll join you.”

“A bit presumptuous, don’t you think?” I try, and fail, to keep my smile at bay.

He steps fully into my space, trapping me between his large frame and the door. Memories of last night flood my vision, making my entire body flush.

His hands slide up my neck, tilting my face up toward his.

“Or, we could skip the food altogether...” He leans in so that our lips are only a breath apart. “And I could feast onyouinstead.”

I open the instant his mouth touches mine, desire rocketing through me when he groans, sliding his tongue against mine.

I had convinced myself that maybe last night was a fluke. Maybe he’d wake up today and decide that once was enough for him and move on to the next. But the way he kisses me, the way he touches me, the way he leans into me, the hardness of him pressing into my stomach, tells me just how wrong I was. And damn if I’m not glad for it.

I’m seconds away from turning and dragging him inside my room when a door slamming pulls me from my Kai-inducedhaze. We break apart, both of our gazes swinging toward the sound.

“Trying to fuck your way through the entire building?”

My eyes widen on the beautiful blonde from across the hall, the one whose room I saw Kai leaving the night after my panic attack when he brought me home.

An irrational wave of jealousy hits me so hard that if I weren’t leaning against the door, I’d likely have stumbled backward.

“Claire.” He nods, her words having little to no effect on him. Dropping his arm around my shoulder, he pulls me into his side. “Breakfast it is,” he murmurs, leading me down the hallway like the poor girl isn’t even standing there.

“I take it that happens a lot.” I wait until we’re outside to say, my voice betraying my attempt to hide my irritation. “Considering that’s twice now that a woman has confronted you in my presence.” I shrug out from underneath his arm, needing a minute to gather my thoughts.

“It’s happened twice this year. Seems you have a way of ruffling feathers.” He smiles like he finds humor in the situation.

“Me?” I gape at him.

“Considering it only happens when you’re around.”

“I highly doubt it has anything to do with me.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. It haseverythingto do with you.”

I open my mouth to ask how but snap it closed when he takes my hand, tangling his fingers with mine.

Wait. Is he...holding my hand?

Men like Kai Elliot do not hold hands, at least not in my experience. Then again, my experience is kind of a moot point considering I have none when it comes to guys like Kai. He’s unpredictable, impossible to read, and has this unsettling way of seeing through me, like I’m completely transparent to him.

“Now, where do you want to eat?”

“I... Uh... You pick.” My goodness, I’m like a babbling toddler today, unable to form actual full sentences.

“Maurice’s it is.” He tugs me toward the parking lot where his car is parked.

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