Page 65 of Cruelly Fated
He let out a chuff of laughter.
“It’s wet. There are more towels in the closet.”
The closet he was referring to was between the shower and the bathtub. I inhaled deeply, forming a shade with my hand to block the sight of him, and marched to said closet. Thick-spun fabric in hand, I backed up near Kyon and offered him a fresh towel.
He yanked the thing so hard that I bumped into his chest, the towel now wedged between us. I gasped, craning my head and gazing at an entertained face hanging above. His eyes danced over my stunned expression, a smirk plastered onto his usually hardened lips. His hair glistened with moisture. A drop splashed against my cheek.
He sucked in a breath with an audible drag.
“What am I to do with you?” he asked, deepening his voice to a velvety growl.
I parted my lips, either to answer or in invitation—he spared me the choice. At once, his hand gripped the back of my head and his mouth crashed into mine in a searing, possessive kiss. My toes curled into the plush bath rug, and my free hand skimmed up the hard curve of his bicep.
He tugged gently on my lip before pulling back and resting his forehead against mine.
“We need to talk,” he rasped.
I nodded, our gazes locking only an inch apart.
“Go now. Before I do something stupid,” Kyon whispered, his hand retreating in slow motion, letting my damp hair slip through his fingers strand by strand. I watched, unable to tearmy gaze away. The motion felt sensual and oddly intimate. Like a promise I couldn’t yet name.
With difficulty, I backed away and strode out of the bathroom. I struggled to steady my breathing.
Once in the kitchen, I dove into the fridge in search of OJ. I bumped my head against a shelf above as shooting pain lanced the base of my skull. Bottle in hand, I leaned against the counter and massaged the spot. Craning my neck upward to peer at the dragon had officially given me a major kink.
The TV switched on automatically, drawing my attention there. A morning Avari news anchor chattered in a chipper voice about the upcoming Solstice Ball at the dragon king’s estate, her tone practically vibrating with excitement.
My back pocket buzzed with a call. Luckily, Kyon’s nightstand came equipped with a wireless charger I hadn’t noticed earlier, and my cell had recharged overnight. Marley’s name flashed across the screen.
“Hello,” I answered, breath tight with hope. Maybe he’d found out more about Mom’s death.
“Are you at his place now?” he asked.
I blinked, caught off guard by the question.
“Yes…but I’m leaving for work soon. Would you like to meet somewhere?”
“It might be best if you leave. Take all your belongings and come to my place.”
I eased onto the barstool, a knot forming in my gut. Something was wrong. But what did Kyon have to do with it?
“Please,” I said, my voice tightening. “Tell me everything. Right now.”
“Can you leave?”
“Is my life in danger?”
“I don’t think so. No—he wouldn’t be that reckless.”
A dull drumming filled my ears, drowning out logic. I couldn’t think straight. Could barely move.
“Tell me,” I whispered. “All I’ve ever known is what they wrote in the report—that she was the victim of a robbery gone wrong. But Grandpa always said there was more. I just wasn’t ready to hear it.” I drew in a breath. “But I am now.”
“As you wish… The incident in the alley initially appeared to be robbery. However, the unit working on the case uncovered a new lead in the past few weeks. The vampire who drained your mother was also a client at Eros Nocturne.”
He paused. “That’s the same club where your mother had a gig.”
I went still, a slow chill creeping up my spine.
