Page 102 of Hyperspeed
When she flicked me on the tip of my nose with her talon-like nails, I yelped. “Listen to your elders, Revvak.”
I huffed, my bottom lip poking out like a baby. “Yes, Grandma.”
Mum and Grandma gave me a million hugs and kisses, and Mum asked at least five times if I wanted her to stay. She left when I reassured her I’d call if something was wrong, and then it was just me and Kai in my living room.
We stood in awkward silence, looking everywhere but at each other.
Kai cleared his throat, running a hand through his hair.
“I’m glad you’re okay, rookie.” Then he jerked his head towards the hallway. To the front door. The exit. “I should go.”
“You don’t have to,” I rushed out, and Kai’s eyebrows flew up towards his hairline, so fast I thought they might take flight.
He stepped towards me, arm twitching like he wanted to reach for me . . . but he didn’t, and to my surprise, I felt disappointed. I wanted Kai to touch me. I wanted him to pull me against his chest and kiss me senseless, just like he’d done so many times before.
When I didn’t scowl or step away, he took another step, and when his arm twitched, he didn’t fight it. He brought his hand to my face, brushing some strands of hair behind my ear. The gesture was so tender it made my mouth dry.
When my tongue poked out to wet my lips, Kai’s eyes followed the movement.
“Kai,” I whispered, worried that my voice could break the quietness between us, as if the moment was delicate like glass.
He lowered his head, lips inching closer to mine, and I rose onto my toes to meet him, but pain shot through my leg, sharp enough to make me hiss. He pulled back at once, eyes dropping to my legs, where I was leaning hard on the right to spare the injured one.
“You’re in pain,” he stated, and despite his tenderness, I rolled my eyes.
“That’ll happen when metal takes a slice out of you.”
Instead of snapping back, he snickered. “You’re such a brat.”
He dragged a hand down his face, and before I could come up with an appropriate retort, Kai was in motion.
He wrapped an arm around my back, dipping lower to hook his other arm behind my knees. In one fluid motion, he swept my feet off the floor. I squeaked, throwing my arms around his neck, and he cradled me against his chest.
“What are you doing, Mercer?” I snapped.
“I’m carrying you. What’s it look like I’m doing?”
His cocky smile used to make my blood boil, but now, surrounded by his warmth, it sent the butterflies in my chest into a frenzy.
“I’m not a damsel in distress.” My traitorous tail betrayed the cool front I was trying to maintain, curling around his hips and giving them a squeeze.
“No, you’re definitely not,” he deadpanned, swatting me on the ass. “Where’s your bedroom, rookie?”
I smirked. “Why? Planning to haul me off and claim your spoils in bed?”
My fingers curled into the short hair at the nape of his neck, giving them a light tug. He shivered in response, eyes still dark from our almost kiss.
“You have no idea how much I want to ravage you, little comet,” he replied, voice a deep rasp that went straight to my dick. “But not tonight.”
I opened my mouth, ready to demand he put me down, to cover my embarrassment over his rejection.
But before I could, he leaned down, kissing the tip of my nose.
“You look knackered, Revvy.” Like he’d commanded it, my mouth stretched wide with a yawn. “I’m taking you to bed, where I’m going to hold you all night. And tomorrow, I’ll take care of you. Got it?”
Speechless, I could only nod, my mouth hanging open.
He asked again where my bedroom was, and I pointed down a different hallway. “Second door on the right.”
