Chapter Six #4
She spun around, wide eyed, and her mouth fell open. “You live here alone?”
He gave a sharp nod and walked toward the kitchen area that shared the only wall in the loft leading to his bedroom. He heard her footsteps trailing behind him, then a sharp gasp.
Caine sucked in a breath, and resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Her overly excited reaction to his home seemed over the top. But if he’d learned anything about Keely, this wasn’t theatrics. This is her.
“This is like my dream kitchen.” She walked around the center island, sliding her hand over the counter. She was inspecting every inch of the room with a small smile playing on her lips. “I don’t really cook, but if I did, this is where I’d wanna do it.”
He stood a few feet away watching her. Fucking beautiful. She planted her palms on the island separating them, and smirked. “Would you be mad if I said I no longer regret my mistake of texting you instead of Caite?” She laughed, peering around the room.
Keely was carefree, slightly oblivious to her surroundings, and the polar opposite of him. Her comment prompted his next question.
“Why call her?” Caine paused, carefully constructing his inquisition. He’d gotten intel on Keely, the basics. But there was some personal information he wasn’t privy to. And I want to know.
Keely shrugged. “I knew she’d be home.”
“Got a brother, right? Why not call him?”
Her brows hiked up to her hairline. “Killian? Oh hell no. He’s already disappointed with most of my life’s choices.
Going on a date with a guy who could potentially be a serial killer would only add to the list. No, thank you.
” She chuckled, dropping her elbows to the counter, gazing up at him.
“Besides, he’s working, so he’d send Jared to rescue me. And he’s even worse than Kill.”
Fucking. Bingo. This was exactly the topic he wanted to get to, and she’d just delivered. Caine lifted his chin.
“Tight with Jared?”
She nodded but didn’t elaborate.
“You related?”
Keely shrugged. “Yes and no.”
He ground his teeth. “It’s a yes or no question.”
“Well, technically we’re not, but he’s been with my brother for like three years. Jared’s practically family.”
Caine steeled his response. He hadn’t seen that coming.
Most people in the Underground kept their personal lives private for the safety of themselves and those close to them.
Aside from Ridge and Cyrus, Caine didn’t know much about other security’s life outside the organization.
It explained why Jared had been so protective of Keely.
It also added another layer of complication with her being at his place.
He should’ve grabbed his keys and taken her home. Instead, Caine walked to the counter, pulled open a drawer, took out all the take-out menus, and tossed them on the counter. “Pick one.”
She glanced down, and blinked in confusion. The last thing he needed was more questions about the obvious. Keely enjoyed talking, and Caine did not.
“You said you were hungry. So fucking pick one.” He unbuttoned his jacket and started to the back of the loft and up the two steps.
He rounded the bend, concealing himself.
The only traditional door in the entire loft was to the bathroom.
It hadn’t seemed like a necessity at the time of the build.
He lived by himself and had no intention of ever changing that.
He settled for pocket doors which were rarely used.
He ripped off his jacket and peeled off his shirt, tossing them on the leather chair in the corner of the room.
He reached for the snap of his pants. He never even heard her coming.
“How do you feel about Thai, because it’s my favorite and…” She gasped.
Caine glanced over his shoulder. Keely was standing on the edge of the stairs, barely two feet in his room with her eyes locked on his chest. He recognized the look.
Her gaze travelled over his chest, scanning every inch of his body with heat blazing from her eyes.
His muscles tensed, unintentionally flexing.
Keely’s chest rose and fell rapidly, as she stood frozen.
Just her stare was stirring a desire so strong, his pants tightened from his cock hardening. Fuck!
“Can I get some privacy in my own home?” It came out harsher than he intended. Having her in his room, feet away from his bed, was too much temptation. He was notorious for his control, but even he didn’t trust himself at the moment.
She blinked, seemingly coming out of her trance.
“Right, umm, sorry about that, I was just…” Her eyes scanned over his chest again, and her cheeks darkened to a fiery red.
She shook her head and quickly averted her eyes.
“I’ll just be in the kitchen.” Keely spun too quickly, probably forgetting about the step and stumbled slightly.
She caught herself and disappeared past the wall.
Caine closed his eyes, sighing while simultaneously fighting against his arousal. If being in his room with her made him this hard, he’d explode once he got inside her.
Fuck!