Page 160 of Kiss the Villain

“Heard you’re in love?”

I lift my head and narrow my eyes. “I’m not in love.”

“That’s not what Mom and Dad are saying.” He takes another sip, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “They keep asking about this girl who apparently has all your attention.”

“They’re exaggerating.”

“You wouldn’t look so happy preparing some couple’s meal if they were.” He pauses, smirking. “I’ve never heard you hum before.”

“You’ve never seen me do a lot of things. Your point doesn’t hold.”

“Hmm, true. You do run deeper than you show, big bro. But here’s the thing.” He moves to the other side of the island, planting his elbows on the surface. “I haven’t seen any girl around you since Cherry was out of the picture. I thought it might be that clingy fool from school, but she’s way too pliant for your tastes. You prefer fighters, no? So, tell me, who’s this mystery girl?”

I let my lips curl into a smirk. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

Kill would never suspect it’s a guy—or my professor, at that. He’s convinced I’m straight. Hell, I thought I was, too, until recently.

Not that I know what I am. I’m not gay, I don’tthink. I’d have been drawn to Kayden even if he were a woman. And I still don’t find men attractive. Maybe I’m somewhere on the ace spectrum as V suggested. Or something else entirely.

Doesn’t matter. I don’t like labels anyway.

Kill tilts his head. “Scared she’d like me better?”

My hand freezes mid-motion.

He…wouldn’t. Right?

I mean, Kill is fluid—he’s fucked men before. Always on top, though, since for him, sex is power.

But Kayden wouldn’t let anyone fuck him, let alone be tempted byKillianof all people.

Right?

I’m better-looking, better company, andeveryone—including Kill—knows it.

“In your dreams,” I mutter.

My brother always pulled this shit about the girls I dated, claiming they’d prefer him over me. I never cared, because those girls didn’t matter.

But I’d bash his head in if he so much as looked at Kayden.

“Ooh, you’ve got that unhinged look in your eyes, Gaz.” Kill grins wide. “I’m officially intrigued.”

“Keep your intrigue focused on your girlfriend.”

“But I’m in the mood to play.”

“Stay away from what’s mine, Kill. Don’t make me hurt you.”

“You mean like the way you stayed away from Glyn?” He taps my cheek, his grin smug and infuriating. “Hide her while you can, big bro. Payback’s a bitch.”

I slap his hand away, and he laughs as he strolls out, looking far too pleased with himself.

Goddamn prick.

Maybe I need to have another chat with Niko, make sure he keeps his big mouth shut.

He’s been unbearable since he found me corned by Kayden in the alley by the coffee shop the other day. Normally, he’s oblivious, but this time, he pieced the patterns together and figured out Kayden istheguy I mentioned months ago.

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