Page 17 of Ink & Stardust

I do.

“Again.”

I repeat the process for what feels like a hundred times, letting him guide me. Eventually, my heartbeat slows and I’m able to breathe easier. The panic slowly fades, little by little, and complete and utter mortification takes its place.

“I think I’m okay,” I finally say, my voice shallow.

His hands slowly slide from my face and a small voice in my head protests.

“Do you think you can stand?”

I nod, watching him rise before he leans down, taking both of my hands and pulling me to my feet.

“I... I think I’m good now. You can go back to whatever you were doing,” I say, unable to bring myself to meet his gaze as I reluctantly pull my hands from his.

Why does he have to be so freaking beautiful?

And why do I have to be so freaking pathetic?

I know he’s bad news. Even if Maisie hadn’t told me so, I’d know. It’s etched into every line of his perfect face like the ink that covers his entire arm.

“There you are.”

I turn just as Owen reaches us, his gaze skirting over my face for the briefest of moments before darting to Kai.

“What are you... Is this guy bothering you?” He sways slightly where he stands.

“No.” I shake my head. “He was just—”

“Taking her home.” Kai tugs me backward, tucking me into his side in a way that feels oddly territorial, my heart jackhammering inside my chest for an entirely different reason this time.

Jesus, at this rate, the poor organ is going to give out. I’m not sure how much more she can actually take tonight.

I try not to breathe in his intoxicating scent, but it’s impossible not to do when it surrounds me like a blanket. I close my eyes, bathing myself in it, knowing it’s probably the only time I’ll ever be this close to one Kai Elliot, and not wanting to waste a single second.

It’s unhealthy and irrational, my weird obsession with this man. But I take comfort in the fact that I know I’m not alone. You don’t look like him and not have admirers lining up at yourdoor for the chance to be the person who gets to call him theirs. Though I doubt he’s the type to ever give anyone that kind of power over him. I don’t have to know a single thing about him, but that much I could tell the first time I laid eyes on him.

“You’re leaving?”

My eyes dart open and I watch Owen’s expression shift.

“With him?”

“I...”

“She needs to go home,” Kai interjects, his tone leaving no room for argument, not that I could argue with him even if I wanted to, the attack leaving me disoriented and honestly, downright exhausted.

“I can take you.” Owen starts to move toward me but trips, able to catch himself on the tree just in the nick of time.

“Clearly,” Kai grumbles.

“Owen!” A couple of guys stumble out onto the porch, holding up a long funnel. “Jase is going to attempt to break your record. You better get in here and defend your title.”

Like I’m not even standing here, Owen turns, throwing his hands up in the air as he stumbles back toward the house.

“Not a fucking chance...” he slurs as he disappears back inside.

“Real winner, that one.” Kai snorts.

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