Chapter Twelve Kai
12 YEARS AGO
“Your wrist is fractured so you will have to keep that brace on for a few weeks, understood?” the nurse said.
I nodded quickly, too tired to use my voice. I had a black eye, a busted lip and a fractured wrist. This was the second time Kenny had landed me in A don’t you think?”
I feel myself nod but my brain is foggy, confusion rippling through me. I can still feel the tingle of electricity on my lips, and I know I need to pull myself together. “I bet there will be a thousand pictures of people making out in this room by next week.” I mask my fluster with a laugh.
Levi’s eyes flash with something but he’s looking back at the lights before I can read it.
Christian is a tall man with a head of full white hair. He towers above everyone in the room and when he spots Levi he flings his arms wide open and cries, “Levi! It’s so good to see you.”
Levi lets Christian pull him into a hug and then a double-cheek kiss.
“It’s great to see you too, Christian. It’s been a long time.”
The gallery owner nods, reaching out for a flute of champagne. Judging by his eyes, this isn’t his first. “Yes, you don’t want to buy art from me anymore? Have you found someone else?” he asks. “Don’t tell me you’ve gone to Alissa!” He holds a hand to his heart, looking well put out.
Levi laughs, shaking his head. “No, you know I’d never betray you like that.”
“Good. Good. But if you do find yourself looking for something please give me a call. I’ve got some lovely pieces I know you’d love.” He pauses, narrowed eyes landing on me. “And where is Cole?”
I shift away from Levi a little.
“Cole is working tonight but this is Kai,” Levi says. “A good friend of mine.”
Christian nods, his eyes softening slightly.
“Pleasure to meet you. You have a beautiful space,” I say. “I liked the exhibition, especially Discomfort. Really riveting.”
He grins widely this time. “Oh, wonderful taste, Kai!” His eyes scan the room. “Emiko should be here somewhere. I’ll ask her to come and meet you.”
When he scurries away, Levi bumps my shoulder with a smile. “Well played. He loves being praised.”
Emiko comes over and I watch as she discusses the exhibition with Christian and Levi. I try to participate but the words they throw out barely make any sense.
Visual. Feeling. Moved.
I feel a little embarrassed that I don’t get it. I’m sure if Cole was here with Levi he could laugh in the right places and nod when needed. I’m like a fish out of water, a council estate boy given the chance to look into the exclusive world of high society.
By the time we finally escape, my mood has shifted from the earlier elation of the project getting approved to a strange nausea.
We step out into the cold night and Daniel is waiting by the sleek black Range Rover, a cigarette in his mouth.
“You coming over?” Levi asks. “I think Aleeta made pasta ragu.”
A part of me wants to but I know it’s not a good idea. The feeling in my stomach has me confused. Levi just kissed me outside of sex and whilst I know he didn’t mean anything by it, it’s left me unsettled.
I look back at him, his hands in his coat pockets, watching me expectantly. “I have to be up early tomorrow. Promised Jenna I’d go to the gym with her.”
It’s not a lie exactly. Jenna is going to the gym, and I did tell her I might come with her.
He looks away for a second before smiling back at me. “Can Daniel and I at least drop you off?”
I’m glad he doesn’t push because I would give in.
When we reach my apartment building, Levi leaves the car with me and walks me to the entrance door. “I had a great time tonight. I get the feeling art isn’t your thing, but I hope you liked it a little,” he says.
“Was I that obvious?”
He laughs, waving a hand. “Nah, you were great. You definitely fooled Emiko into thinking she just created the best thing since the Mona Lisa. I’m sure Cole would be happy if you came with me to these things all the time, he mostly swings between uninterested and visibly annoyed. Doesn’t go over well with many people.”
And just with those words, my nausea dissipates and I’m floating again. Amazing what a little praise from Levi Bellamy can do.
“I did have fun. Thanks for asking me to come,” I say, meaning it.
Art might not be my thing, but Levi clearly is.
Nope. Not thinking that.
“By the way, I have good news,” I say with a grin. “The project got approved so I wanted to be the first one to say thank you. Without you, we wouldn’t have gotten the budget.”
A wide smile breaks out on his face, eyes shining. “Oh, Kai. Congratulations,” he says and pulls me into a tight hug. “And really, it was no problem at all. You deserve this.”
He pulls away slightly, but he keeps his arms around my waist. Our eyes meet and I try not to but my gaze dips to his lips. Around us, the world stills, the sound of traffic a distant harmony. Levi leans in first and presses his mouth against mine. He pulls back an inch and smiles.
“Levi,” I start but he doesn’t let him finish. He holds me close again, kissing me. It’s slow and gentle, and he takes his time, his tongue probing, exploring my mouth, taking control. Heat rushes through me as I bunch his coat in my fist trying to pull him in.
It tastes like something I shouldn’t have, a glimpse of forbidden euphoria. And yet, everything is light and safe. Levi feels safe. But he isn’t mine and I don’t know where the line is. Sure, he kisses me during sex, but this is different. This feels like a fly falling into honey. Sweet but inescapable.
This blurs the lines.
This is something I don’t get to want.
So, I pull away, breathing heavily, my thoughts racing and my heart desperate to escape.
He’s smiling, eyes sparkling, completely unaffected. “Goodnight, Kai,” he says and before I can say anything, he is walking back to the car where the driver Daniel is waiting for him. I stand there, jaw loose, until they drive away.