Page 35 of Devilish

I nodded. “I do. I see a beautiful man finally enjoying what the world has to offer.”

His pointer finger traced the patterns in the couch, but his eyes stayed on mine. “Thanks to you.”

“Enjoy yourself, Kai. That’s why we’re here.”

“I think—” His words were cut off with a yawn, jet lag catching up with him.

Chuckling, I stood and grabbed a blanket off the back of the couch. “Time for bed. Let me know if you get lost on the way back to your room. I’ll be just outside.”

Kai sat up as I headed for the back. “Wait, where are you going?”

“It’s a nice night. I thought I’d sleep under the stars.”

“Really?”

“Really.” I paused by the door. “Would you like to join me?”

He shot up off the couch, stopping to grab another blanket, and then followed me out to the backyard.

The view here always took my breath away, and as I led him around the pool and across the pristine lawn, Kai hurried to keep up.

“We aren’t sleeping by the pool?”

“You can. But personally, I like to sleep here.” We rounded the manicured hedges that ran along the property line, and when he saw the bluff overlooking Cap Ferrat, Kai dropped his blanket on the enormous daybed facing the peninsula.

“Oh. My. God.” He walked across the thick grass to where a couple of torches flickered at the edge. “Is there any part of this place that doesn’t look like a postcard?”

“Not that I’m aware of.” I moved to stand beside him, looking down at the lights of the yachts and sailing boats anchored for the night.

“It doesn’t seem real. Do you ever get used to it?”

“No. And if I did, I wouldn’t be deserving of standing here.”

Kai nodded. “I think you’re very deserving.”

“Oh? What makes you say that?”

“I don’t know, just a feeling I get. Plus…” He turned back to look at the view. “You’ve been so good with me. I hardly think I’m the first.”

I gently brushed the back of my hand against his and smiled.

“You’re the first I’ve stood with here like this.”

Kai swallowed, his eyes dropping to my mouth, but I took a step back before I did something careless. The last thing I wanted was to push him into something he didn’t even realize he was asking for.

“Take as much time as you like.” I stretched out on the daybed and winked at him. “Just don’t forget to look up.”

Just as I hoped, he did just that and gasped.

With no city lights to mute the glow, stars glittered across the night sky, much like the boats on the dark water below.

“There’s so many of them. I mean, they’re just so clear. It’s like you could reach out and touch them.”

“I know what you mean.” I beckoned him closer. “If you lie back, I’ll show you where Perseus is.”

Kai’s face brightened and he moved to the other side of the bed and lounged back beside me.

“Okay, the easiest way to spot it is to look for Cassiopeia first. It looks like a W.” I leaned closer to him, pointing out the distinct pattern. “Do you see?”

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