Page 161 of Kiss the Villain

“You’re way more interesting now, cousin!” he’d shouted, barging into my room. “Fun Dick Alliance, let’s go!”

I kicked him and made him swear to keep it to himself.

How long he can hold out before spilling to Jer or Kill is anyone’s guess. Niko’s not exactly known for his discretion.

That’s why I prefer V. He’s a vault I can trust.

But the Niko angle is worrying.

It’s got me thinking I should stake a public claim.

Except there’s one glaring problem: Kayden is my professor. Going public would spark chaos—and possibly ruin his career.

I don’t want that.

At the same time, I hate this secrecy. I want him to touch me in public, kiss me in the street, and I want to blind everyone who dares look at him.

The thought of not being able to do that for three whole years sits like a brick at the bottom of my stomach.

28

GARETH

“I’m here!” I announce as I step into the apartment. “I brought food so we don’t have to worry about cooking.”

The first thing that hits me is the silence.

It’s oppressive.

Usually, he has some boring classical music playing.

The second thing is the relative darkness.

A ball of fur rubs against my leg, and I crouch to scoop Moka into my arms. She snuggles close, purring softly. “What’s up, girl? Did Kayden not come home yet?”

It’s weird to call this place home, but I guess it kind of is.

She meows, her eyes glowing faintly in the low light. “Aw, are you hungry?”

A long, dramatic meow confirms it.

I drop the bag on the kitchen counter, fill her empty bowl, and leave her to eat before heading to the bedroom.

He should be here by now since he only teaches in the morning today.

“Kayden?”

My feet halt the moment I step inside. Dim light casts eerie shadows across the room, and Kayden’s restless form lies tangled in the bedcovers. At first, I think it’s strange he’s sleeping this early.

But then I notice the shivers racking his body, the furrowed brow, and the sweat plastering his jet-black hair to his forehead.

The sound of his labored breathing fills the silence, and my chest tightens as I move closer.

“Kayde?”

I touch his shoulder, and his entire body stiffens, heat radiating into my hand like a furnace. His skin burns feverishly, and his lips are discolored as he grunts and mumbles something unintelligible.

I lean down, listening. Most of the words are jumbled nonsense, but then I catch it.

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