Page 28 of Devilish

I nodded and went to pick up my wallet from the table. “Yeah, I get that. Look, I have to go out for a little bit and?—”

“Oh, okay.”

I could tell by his deflated shoulders that he was disappointed.But he hadn’t let me finish.

“I’d like you to come with me.”

Kai’s head jerked up. “You would?”

“Yes. I need to go and talk to some…friends of mine, and I would feel better having you with me. It’s not safe here.”

Kai looked around my place, then bit into his lower lip. “You think Rupert would do something to your home?”

He better fucking not. But then again, I’d never imagined he’d blow my club up either.

“I honestly don’t know.” I crossed over to him and reached for his hand, brushing my thumb over the back of it. “But I’m not willing to risk it or you.”

Kai looked down at the pajamas he still wore. “Is there something specific you want me to wear?”

“No.” And the fact he felt the need to check with me grated. It was a residual response from Rupert, who no doubt said exactlywhat he did and didn’t want Kai to look like at all times. But that wasn’t how I worked. Would never be.

“You should wear whatever you’d feel comfortable in. Hell, you can wear your pajamas if you like.”

Kai snorted and shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

“Why not? They feel good, don’t they?”

“They’repajamas.”

“Fair enough.” I shrugged. “But just so you know, no one would bat an eye at your wearing those where we’re about to go.”

“Then why don’t you wearyourpajamas?” Kai asked, and the sassiness of the question made me feel a sense of pride at how far he’d come.

“Because I don’t want to cause pandemonium when we get there.” I winked at him and looked at my watch. “Can you be ready in ten minutes?”

Kai nodded and hurried into his room. “I can be ready in five.”

KAI HAD THROWN on a pair of black jeans and a lilac cashmere sweater, and the two of us slipped into the back seat of the private car I’d called for in less than five minutes.

My driver had his instructions, so the second the door shut he pulled away from the curb and we were on our way. I glanced at the quiet man beside me and took a second to drink in the sight of him there.

He’d picked this outfit for himself, and I absolutely loved the soft pop of color he’d settled on. It brought out his eyes, enhanced his complexion, and suited the sweet personality I was seeing more with every day that passed. Like a beautiful butterfly emerging from his cocoon.

“That color looks lovely on you.”

“I…” Kai licked at his lips and visibly swallowed. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

He ran his palm over the sweater. “It’s just so soft, and you said to pick something comfortable.”

“So I did.” My cock ached at the idea of his rubbing himself all over my naked body in that sweater—andonlythat sweater.

Clearing my throat, I made myself look away from him. The last thing I needed was to frighten Kai. Plus, I didn’t exactly want to show up to Libertine with a raging hard-on. Especially when I had no plans to visit level five.

I needed to get my body under control, and fast. I also needed to tell Kai a little bit about where I was taking him—or as much as I was allowed to, anyway.

“Kai.”

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