Page 48 of Catalyst

“I–Really?” He asked, his face pinching with confusion.

I nodded, unable to do much more. Heat rose to my cheeks, but I didn’t back down. After a moment, Kane slipped off his boxers.

Once he was as naked as the day he was born, he climbed into the shower with me. I backed further into the hot water, hoping he’d shuffle closer and enjoy the warmth with me.

Instead, he reached out, resting a hand on my stomach.

The touch was unexpected. Normally, it took Kane a few minutes to warm up to the idea of putting his hand on me. Even then, he preferred to use his shadows to touch me. He spread his fingers wider, never looking up, his brow knitting together as he studied me.

“You’re getting bigger.” He muttered, his spine ratcheting straight the second the words fell from his lips. “I mean,he’sgetting bigger!Sawyer. I just–you’ve only been here two weeks and…”

A subtle blush crept up his neck as he trailed off, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“You’re starting to sound like Jace.” I teased, reaching to cover his hand with mine. “And you’re right–I am… but that’s kind of the point.”

“I–” He stopped, softly rubbing circles on my skin before poking me like he wastryingto make Sawyer move. “Is this weird for you too? I mean, you’re only nineteen.”

I shrugged. “I haven’t really thought about it.”

He nodded slowly, finally stepping closer. A dull heat pooled low in my stomach.

“Should I be more careful with you?” He asked almost shyly.

“Why would you do that?”

“I don’t know,” he murmured. “You’re… young and pregnant, and I guess…” He trailed off, his other hand finding my hip. “I guess part of me just doesn’t want to fuck this up. You know–with you and Sawyer. I’m not exactly thedaddytype.”

A smile twisted my lips as I reached up to cup his chin. “When we first met, you also told me you were a villain.”

“I am.”

“You’renot.” I ran a finger along his stubble. “Villains hurt people. All you’ve done is help me.”

He melted into my touch, bringing his hand up to cup mine.

“The legal classification of a villain isanyone over the age of eighteen who engages in immoral activities for personal gain,” he said calmly. “I steal wallets for money. I’m a villain.”

Realistically, I should have been paying attention to what he said and maybe even argued a bit. But the second he finished speaking, he grabbed me by the fingers, dragging the heel of my palm to his lips.

The action caused the barely there heat in my core to ache. Not an ache that hurt, but the almost pleasant kind that made you want to cross your legs and squirm a bit.

“That was hot,” I said before I could think better of it.

Kane’s eyes widened as he kept his mouth close to my hand.

“This?” His eyes didn’t leave mine as he pressed another slow kiss to my palm, his lips warm and soft against my skin.

I swallowed hard, suddenly forgetting how to breathe.

“Yeah,” I said, barely able to get the word out, thanks to the pounding of my heart. “It’s sexy.”

A slow, almost predatory smile spread across his lips as his fingers wrapped around my wrist.

“So, since moving in, you’ve been fed while getting fucked and spit roasted, andthis–” He kissed me once more. “Is what gets you going?”

I wondered if I should tell him about the time Jace made me come while barely touching me, but I was worried that would get me in trouble.

“I really liked the first one, too,” I whispered.

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