Page 77 of Hyperspeed
Apparently, Kai didn’t have the same qualms.
He unzipped the suit and peeled it away from his body, like a snake shedding its skin, and stood in the public space in only his boxers and designer trainers, golden skin glowing under the floodlights.
I hadn’t expected to see him this way again, and the sight made my mouth water. All I could do was stare at the chiselled set of abs, the firm pecs topped by perky pink nipples, and the trail of dark hair that disappeared into his underwear.
Fuck, was I drooling?
Kai cleared his throat, catching me gawking. I ripped my gaze away from his body and landed on his face, where his eyes sparkled, crinkled around the edges thanks to his huge smile. It was often cocky and smug, but now it was pure joy, with a hint of tiredness. The race-related adrenaline was wearing off.
“You okay?” he asked, and I nodded.
“Yeah. You?”
“Yeah,” he replied. “Yeah, I’m great.”
We stared at each other—Kai half naked, and me fully clothed. Once again, he traced the lines on my face with his finger. The feel of his rough skin against mine made me shudder, and this close, I could watch the way his hazel eyes darkened.
He licked his lips, taking a deep breath before speaking.
“Are you gonna . . . ?” He looked at my racing suit, still zipped up, and I bit my lip.
“I, um . . .” How could I tell him I was nervous?
It turned out I didn’t have to.
My skin glowed orangeagain, and while Kai didn’t know what it meant, I think he had an idea. His expression softened into something almost fond, and he cupped my cheek, stroking his thumb over my skin.
What was happening right now?
His mouth opened, and he seemed to lean towards me. And I leaned towards him too.
But then he blinked and stepped back, dropping his hand.
He dressed quickly, keeping his eyes on me the entire time, and I relaxed once he’d covered his Adonis-like body, leaving us both clothed. Once again on an even keel.
“You were fucking brilliant out there, rookie.”
“I told you, Kai.” My voice was quiet, scarcely a whisper. “You’re the rookie today.”
“Race is over now, little comet,” he said with a wink. “You’re back to being my rookie.”
Notarookie, ortherookie.
Myrookie.
“I still beat you, starboy.”
He didn’t call me out for my deflection. Just smiled his usual smile, wider than I’d ever seen it.
“Hell yeah, you did.”
The words landed warmer than I expected, free of any mockery or teasing. He gazed down at me, and pride shone in his eyes, like my win mattered to him almost as much as his own.
It pressed against the armour I wore around my ribs, around my heart, and I felt something loosen inside me. Something I wasn’t sure I wanted to fix.
Kai took a step backwards. “Thanks for inviting me, Revvy.”
“Better luck next time, hotshot.”
