He would like tea, this family man who wears glasses and raised his younger brother. My original notions of him being overbearing and uptight could not be further from the truth. He simply cared too much, loved too hard. He almost cried tears of joy from watching his son take his first steps today for goodness’ sake.
“I’m okay, but thanks.”
I can sense his anticipation, expecting me to bolt. It’s my thing, after all.
I told myself I would get my stuff and go right back outside, but I find my feet glued to the kitchen floor. As much as I don’t want to admit it, experiencing the simple joys of Kai’s life today was the most fun I’ve had in a while. Here I am, supposedly showing this man how to have a good time when a Sunday night dinner and a toddler’s first steps beat anything I could come up with.
His attention drops to the mug in his hand as I lean on the counter opposite him. “Why were you so hesitant about meeting my friends?” he asks.
“I don’t know.”
His eyes flick up to me. “Don’t lie to me. Tell me why.”
Okay, him understanding me enough to know when I’m lying is quite annoying.
“I don’t really have many friends.”
He pins me with a look, silently asking me to elaborate.
“I’m on the move so much that my relationships are always temporary. It’s easier to go into each new city with that expectation already in place. It hurts less to leave that way.”
“But tonight, those were my friends. Why was that difficult for you?”
I shake my head. “Stop.”
Frustration thrums through me. We both know what he’s doing. He’s picking away, trying to get me to admit that I care. That I’ll still care when I leave.
“Why, Miller? Why can’t you admit that you wanted them to like you? That there are ties here in Chicago that are going to make it harder for you to leave this time around.”
I pin him with a scowl. “Don’t.”
Setting his mug down, he steps towards me almost predatorily. Fingers raking through my hair, he pushes it behind my ear. “It’ll be hard for you to leave this time around, won’t it?”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m leaving regardless.”
His nostrils slightly flare at my words, his icy eyes holding mine. “I hope those words burned while coming out.” The pad of his thumb traces my lower lip. “Because your armor is awfully annoying.”
“So are you.”
His attention is glued to my mouth. “Please don’t sleep outside,” he softly pleads. “I don’t sleep well knowing you’re out there.”
His hand drops to my throat and I swallow against his palm.
“Tell me you’ll stay,” he continues.
There’s really no argument left. I nod, breathless. “I’ll stay.”
“Good.”
Tilting my chin with only his knuckle and thumb, he lifts my face up and presses his mouth to mine. It’s soft and intimate. A bit tentative, but only until I arch up and eagerly meet him. With a bit more confidence, his hand slides around the back of my skull, fingers threaded through my hair as he kisses me.
“What was that for?” I ask, searching for air.
“I like you vulnerable, Mills.”
“Well, don’t get used to that. That was a one-time thing.”
He chuckles. “Then I better make it worth it.”
His mouth is on mine, this time with urgency. He grips my hip, instantly pressing himself into me, and I meet him there, rolling against him while he wears nothing but a pair of briefs. Kai releases a desperate moan into my mouth, the sound sending heat pooling between my legs, and I’m over here wanting to do everything in my power to hear it again.
He nips my bottom lip. “What did I tell you about these fucking legs?”
“That you get hard just looking at them?” The confirmation is pressing into my lower belly.
His fingers skim my thighs, lifting his shirt to see them better.
“You’re the one who didn’t leave me any pants to wear,” I remind him.
A wicked grin tilts on his mouth. “I’m a smart man.”
Kai lifts me onto the counter. The cold surface sends a shock to my system, goosebumps scattering my legs that instantly open around him. Inviting him closer, I drape my arms over his broad shoulders while he inches my shirt up over my hips to expose my soaked underwear.
“Fuck,” he curses when he looks down to see it. Head falling back and eyes towards the ceiling, he lets out a deep sigh. “This is why I wasn’t supposed to kiss you.”