Chapter 4
4
Yasmine
Nick intrigued me. He didn’t seem to understand my relationship with Kaden.
Sometimes I didn’t understand it either, but I never would show doubts. I didn’t have a problem with Kaden going on dates and fucking other women. What I wasn’t clear about was why he kept coming back to me. Yes, we were incendiary together—but I worried we’d eventually fly close to the sun and our wings would melt.
Icarus, anyone?
I worried our passion couldn’t be sustained. On the other hand, if he felt he needed to go elsewhere, how passionate were we, really?
Nick held his chopsticks aloft. “You’ve told me about your family and your career…but you haven’t told me much about yourself.”
I sniffed. “Perhaps my family and my career are my life. Did that not occur to you? I’m an open book.” Please believe me .
He chuckled. “Sweetheart, I call bullshit.” Belatedly, he glanced around the restaurant.
Not a child in sight.
He blew out a breath. In relief?
“You’ve told me nothing about yourself.” Well, something about what his parents did. And that he believed in repairing things. That felt nebulous, though. Like he was only showing me the surface. But isn’t that what you’re doing?
He arched an eyebrow. “You’re too young to hear about my pastimes.”
I sat straighter and rolled my shoulders back. My posture was always excellent, but I’d hunched over my beef and broccoli. This place had plenty of authentic Chinese dishes, as well as some more appropriate for blander palates—like mine. I might have fiery red hair, but that spiciness did not extend to my eating habits. Nope, I got heartburn. “I can guarantee I’m not too young.” I’d spent the past eight years being underestimated.
“You’re barely out of high school.”
“I nearly have a college degree.”
At my counter, his eyebrow arched again.
“I’m not just a pretty face.” I’d received many compliments for my beauty over the year—rarely for my intellect.
Kaden knew better.
“What are you studying?”
“Teaching English as a Second Language.” I arched an eyebrow of my own. “I plan to teach lessons to new arrivals. See, I’ve also got a knack for languages and have mastered several Eastern European languages, including Ukrainian. That one’s come in handy recently.”
His eyes darkened. “Yes, unfortunately that’s true.” He poked at his food.
“I didn’t mean to rob you of your appetite.”
He blinked. “I’m just thinking that sometimes…are we contributing to society? To the greater good?”
“Speak for yourself.” I titled my chin. “I provide people with entertainment. To get them away from their pain for a day. For a moment. That’s a worthwhile endeavor. A reason to get up in the morning. The fact I’m also learning a practical skill isn’t a bad thing.” I grinned. “I can’t fly forever.”
“You fly with reckless abandon.”
“Thank you. I see that as a compliment. Now…” I pointed my chopsticks at him. “What pastime?”
He cleared his throat, gazed around the small space—devoid of other diners at this weird hour between lunch and dinner—and leaned closer.
In involuntary reaction, I mimicked his actions.
“I like to tie women up and bring them pleasure.” He held my gaze. “Well, men too.”
I swallowed. “That sounds…interesting.” My body might’ve also reacted. My nipples stiffened and little butterflies exploded in my belly.
“Interesting? I suppose.” He gave me a wicked grin. “I enjoy myself as well.”
I snickered. “One would assume—or why would you keep doing those things?”
“Intrigued?”
“Most definitely.” I licked my lips. “What would it take to persuade you to give me a sample? A taste?”
His pupils dilated. “You don’t know what you’re asking.”
I grinned. “Oh, I do. I’ve watched videos. BDSM, right? I’m so curious.”
“You’re in a relationship. I don’t mess with that.”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s an open relationship. Just because I’ve never availed myself of what’s on offer, doesn’t mean I can’t. I need time to study, and Kaden’s adventures give me precious time to do that. I’ll earn my diploma just before Christmas.”
“So something to celebrate.”
Laughing, I reached out to touch his fingers.
He didn’t recoil from the touch—so I considered that a win. For all the dark masculinity and flares of sexuality, he wasn’t touchy-feely. Or at least he hadn’t been with me.
“I’m good with celebrations. I won’t be heading home, so I’ll be looking to do something here in Vancouver.”
“You’re not celebrating with the troupe?”
“Sure. But we’re only doing something on the twenty-fourth. I still have to occupy myself Christmas Day.”
“Kaden?”
His eyes carried an emotion I couldn’t quite nail down. “Sure. Whatever.”
“And he’s okay with you…being with other men?”
I grinned. “Don’t forget women. We’re both pansexual. Whatever works. I’m attracted to all kinds of different people—men, women, enbies—it doesn’t matter to me. I do, however, require some kind of emotional connection before I’ll step into the realm of the physical. That’s where Kaden’s very different from me. I’m not even certain attraction is necessary for him.”
“I’m attracted to you.”
His pale blue eyes flickered with another emotion I couldn’t quite identify.
I knew lust—this was more than that. “Are you propositioning me?”
He cocked his head. “Well, you said you need to feel a connection to someone. I’m saying that…I would like to connect with you as well.”
“What’s the plan?”
“Do you want to come back to my place?”
I eyed him. “I’m adventurous, but I think that’s a bit much for me.” I licked my lips again. “Tell you what…Kaden’s out for the night. You can come back to the hotel with me. We can…get to know each other.”
He grinned wickedly. “Oh, I’d like that.”
As I pulled back from our bubble of intimacy, I spotted the server.
Without me having to say a word, she brought the bill and the machine.
Despite my earlier proclamation that I always paid my own way, I let Nick pay.
Because I planned to turn the tables on him at some point.