Insatiable (The Edge of Darkness, #1)(17)

But dancing the way I’m about to in front of him, especially with the way I get into the zone of things, I must say I’m a little nervous.

He’s seen me dancing, but not for a long time.

Hopefully he keeps his head in the ceiling.

The vocals start, and I lie back, raising one knee so my heel drags on the laminate, then the other, alternating for the introduction as my back arches off the floor. I flip onto my front, flicking my hair and leisurely, sultrily sliding up to sit on my haunches while my hands roam my body, my hips moving all the while.

Kade stays in the ceiling while I keep going, working up a sweat by the time I get to my feet. I slowly walk around the pole, then pivot around it twice, one hand exploring myself as the other grips the cold metal. My eyes lift to the mirrors, and I nearly stop moving.

He’s no longer in the ceiling – Kade’s leaning his elbows on top of the ladder, watching me as I slide my back down the pole to squat, twirling my hips as I descend.

I wrap my long ponytail around my fist. “Stop looking at me.”

He shakes his head.

I roll my eyes and keep going, trying to focus on my routine. But I can’t. He’s staring at the way my body moves to the beat, the rhythm of how I sway into each word she sings.

I abruptly stop and put my hands on my hips, facing him with a scowl. “You’re distracting me.”

Both his brows raise as he points at his chest. “Me? You’re the fucking distraction here.”

“I told you it was a slow song. If you don’t like it, then leave or pay attention to your work.”

I ignore whatever he mutters under his breath, stopping the song and putting it back to the beginning before I get back into my starting position on the floor. I’m far too hot, and I’m desperate to remove my tights.

The music takes hold of me, and this time he keeps himself busy while I do the entire routine, then a second time. On the third, I hear him huff and fold away his ladder. I don’t stop as he tidies up the corner, and I don’t look at him while I’m air walking on the pole as he walks right past to pack up his things in front of the mirror.

Rihanna stops, The Hills starts automatically, and I’m a panting mess on the floor, star-fishing while I attempt to cool down. Kade, in his navy-blue top and shorts, stops at my feet. His dark hair is messy, hanging over his forehead; a tattoo curls up from his collarbone, and his arms look stronger than before.

Kade’s blue eyes are burning into me.

“What?” I snap, still panting as The Hills get into the chorus.

“Base is going to message you.”

I sit up, perching on my elbows and crossing my legs at the knee. “And?”

Kade’s gaze drags up and down my body before his Adam’s apple works in his throat.

Hm, I’ve licked that throat.

“He wants to fuck you. Don’t bother.”

God, I should not be smirking right now. I also shouldn’t feel a tightness in my chest. Not because Base wants me, but because it seems to annoy Kade. A guy who apparently hates my guts and thinks I’m dead to him.

I tilt my head. “I wasn’t going to – not that it’s any of your business.”

He scoffs. “Not old enough for you?”

I sigh and get to my feet, still nowhere near his height even with my heeled boots on. “If you have something to say, then get it over with.”

Kade steps forward, his expression serious. The defined lines of his face are highlighted by the red LEDs, his eyelashes long and dark, the vein in his neck more noticeable the closer he gets.

“You want me to get it over with?”

I nod.

“Fine.”

He slowly eats up the distance between us, and my heart beats harder in my chest. My breathing becomes laboured, deeper, especially when he takes my hip and my throat, backing me up against the mirrored wall.

“I have plenty to say to you, but all I can think of is how sick you make me.”

I give him a teasing smile that touches my eyes. “That’s all?”

“I hate you.”

“Yeah?” I manage to respond, even as he closes the infinitesimal distance between us. We’re almost chest to chest. “Not as much as I hate you.”

His thumb strokes the side of my neck, and he might as well have shoved his face between my legs and sucked on my clit with how wet it makes me.

His jaw ticks. “Stay away from Base.” His grip tightens on my throat, and my eyes flutter with the sensation. “I don’t need you poisoning his mind as well.”

My knees shake, but as he goes to release me, I stop him, pressing his hand to my throat. It’s not the same as when Chris does it, and it feels good – a replacement for usually being terrified.

“You like that?” He stresses his words by cutting off my oxygen momentarily.

All I manage is a nod, and his eyes flash with something dark and sinister.

As he applies pressure to my throat, his thumb to my pulse, I remember what he said and decide to fuck with him. “I must admit, I’m tempted.” My voice is strained. “Base looks the wild type in bed.”

Lie. He knows I’m lying too. One, Base wants my best friend, and two, he’s Kade’s best friend. And three, I have no interest in the Russian Scot.

The hand that was on my hip is travelling up my side, burning a trail in its wake. Every touch from him is scorching; every touch goes straight to the coiling sensation that begins at the base of my spine. Our chests rise and fall in rhythm as we wait for the other person to speak, to fill the silence. Our bodies are so aware of each other, remembering all the times we’d been joined as one.