Page 29 of Hyperspeed
I was stunned, unsure how to react. Even my skin stayed dark, my brain offline because of shock, confusion, and . . . something else. I remained still, barely breathing to avoid another lungful of cardamom and leather, until he pulled away and nudged my temple with his nose.
“Hey, baby,” he purred, the words deep and sultry, with a teasing undertone meant only for me. “I missed you.”
If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t mind the way goosebumps bloomed over my skin. I didn’t have any experience with flirting—or sex in general—but Kai’s voice made my pulse quicken, and heat crept up my neck.
Again, if it wereanyoneelse, the rough tone would’ve sent me to my knees.
Thankfully, my brain rebooted before I could embarrass myself and do something stupid. Like whimper. I elbowed Kai in the stomach, hard enough for him to double over.
“What the fuck?” I snarled.
The actor, who I’d otherwise forgotten about, was staring at us from across the table—eyes wide, mouth hanging open.
“Just c-coming to see you,” Kai wheezed. He was bent over, arms curled protectively around his abdomen. “My n-nebula babe. The sun at the c-centre of my galaxy.”
I pressed my lips against his ear and hissed, “I hope that fucking hurt.” He held up his thumb in confirmation.
“This ain’t worth a hookup,” the actor mumbled, rising from his chair before power walking away from the mezzanine.
“It was never going to be a hookup!” I yelled after him. “Have fun with your stupid spoons!”
Kai straightened up and rubbed his stomach. I hoped he’d get a painful bruise to remind him of what a twat he was.
But a million and one thoughts rushed through my head. Was he drunk? Was he bored? Was he trying to get into my head? Why the fuck was he messing with me of all the people in the room?
With his breathing now steady, his cocky grin returned to its usual spot, and he raised his hand to his head in a stupid salute. “Success.”
Kai was playing some sort of game, and I wasn’t in the mood to entertain him anymore. “Stay away from me, wanker.” I turned away, hurrying to escape his fuckery. But I could travel to a distant galaxy, and Kai would find me just to piss me off.
Descending the stairs, I re-entered the main area of the bar. My legs trembled, and I stumbled as I passed some crew members from the Pulse Racing team. With Kai behind me, the adrenaline of our encounter was wearing off, and I realised how drunk I was.
I hadn’t meant to get this inebriated, but each time Kai popped up, I’d run to the bar. It was a quiet moment where I could take a breath and let my anger levels come down from scorching to just a simmer.
Zylo and Saelix stood at the bar, looking a little rumpled. When Zylo spotted me, he waved me over and ordered a drink. It went down too easily, but fuck it, I was already drunk, so another replaced it.
I couldn’t even say whose bright idea it was to do a shot of Voidka.
“Let’s dance!” Saelix yelled, words slurred. He was just as drunk as I was, so he pushed through the crowd, dragging me behind him.
The dance floor was in the conservatory, lit up by shifting bands of light that rippled in the sky above the domed glass ceiling. Waves of violet, emerald, and cerulean pulsed and flowed, casting a dynamic glow over the gyrating bodies. It made everything feel more electric.
I was drunk enough that I didn’t refuse Saelix’s offer to dance, letting him lead me to the middle of the throng. Men and women, humans and aliens, danced and ground their bodies together in a steady rhythm.
As a general principle, I didn’t dance—had never even been to a club—but the evening had been a car crash thanks to Kai, so I closed my eyes, let go of my inhibitions, and moved.
My hips swayed with the music, slow and effortless, and my arms rose from my sides as if they could think for themselves. My head dropped back onto my shoulders, and I no longer cared who was watching.
There were no arrogant racers to throw me off, no stupid excuses to ruin the moment. It was me, the pulse of the beat, and the stars beyond the glass. My fingers stretched towards them, as if I could pluck them straight from the sky.
I didn’t know if Zylo and Saelix were nearby. The room could’ve emptied, leaving me dancing by myself in the centre of the room, and I wouldn’t have noticed. Wouldn’t have cared. I just wanted tofeel—the vibration of music I didn’t recognise, the fizz of alcohol buzzing through my veins.
Was this what Kai felt like, floating through life without a care?
Knowing all eyes are on you, but not giving a damn what people think. What they see.
The heat of the room left a thin layer of sweat spread across my skin. Bodies moved me from side to side, but I didn’t care where I ended up. My eyes remained closed, and I stayed in the moment, my own tranquil little bubble.
A firm body pressed against my back, but I didn’t flinch. I barely acknowledged them, just continued to roll my body. Backwards and forwards, side to side, I demanded their body move with my tide. Otherwise, they could step away and let me be.
