Chapter 9 #2
My mouth went dry. Heat pooled low in my stomach.
I wanted to run my hands across those abs. Wanted to trace those scars with my tongue. Wanted to find out if his skin was as warm as it looked. Wanted to—
Stop. Stop being a hormonal mess.
Except he was looking at me now, and a slow, knowing smile spread across his face.
"You're staring."
My face went nuclear. "I'm not—"
"You are. And you're having some very interesting thoughts based on that expression." He set down his coffee cup, his smile turning wicked. "Want to share? I'd love to hear all your dirty, sexual thoughts about me."
"I'm not having dirty thoughts—"
"Liar." He pushed off the counter, started walking toward me. "Your face gives you away, Aria. You're an open book. And right now, that book is definitely rated R."
I backed up instinctively. "I just came down for water. I had nightmares about—about my parents. I couldn't sleep."
My voice stuttered over the words. Especially as he kept getting closer, crowding me against the doorframe.
"Nightmares." His voice was soft now. Gentle. The teasing gone. "You have them often?"
I nodded, not trusting my voice. He stopped moving, opened his arms. An invitation. An offer of comfort.
I should have said no. Should have gotten my water and gone back to my room.
Instead, I stepped into his embrace.
His arms wrapped around me, solid and warm. One hand stroked my hair while the other pressed against the small of my back. His skin was hot against my cheek, his heartbeat steady under my ear.
It felt safe. Which was insane. I was finding safety with someone who'd shot a man without hesitation. Someone who lived in violence. Someone who was dangerous in every possible way.
But I did feel safe. Protected. Like nothing could hurt me as long as I was in his arms.
I'm supposed to be pulling away from him. Not getting closer. Not letting myself need this. Need him.
But I couldn't seem to make myself move.
I looked up at him. "Thank you. For being here."
"Always." His voice was rough. "I'm always here for you."
I should pull away now. Should walk away before this gets more complicated.
But my feet wouldn't move. I just stood there, staring up at him, my heart racing for entirely different reasons now.
He closed what little distance remained between us. His eyes traveled down my body slowly, deliberately. Taking in my sleep shorts that barely covered anything. The thin tank top that left little to the imagination. The way my robe had fallen open.
"Damn." The word came out frustrated. Almost pained.
"What?" My voice was barely above a whisper.
He was silent for a moment, his jaw working. Then he muttered something that sounded like a curse.
"Fuck it."
He pulled me against him hard, his hands gripping my waist. His mouth crashed down on mine and the world caught fire.
This wasn't like before. This wasn't gentle or careful. This was hunger. Desperation. Two people who'd been fighting this for too long finally giving in.
His tongue swept into my mouth, demanding and possessive. One hand tangled in my hair, angling my head exactly how he wanted it. The other slid down to my ass, gripping hard.
Then he was lifting me, setting me on the counter. My legs opened automatically and he stepped between them, pressing close.
I could feel him. All of him. Hard and thick and straining against his sweatpants. The evidence of exactly how much he wanted this. Wanted me.
A sound escaped my throat—half gasp, half moan. His hands gripped my hips, pulled me to the edge of the counter so we were pressed together completely.
The friction was incredible. Overwhelming. Not nearly enough.
His mouth moved from my lips to my jaw, down to my neck. He bit down on my pulse point and pleasure shot through me so sharp I cried out.
"Kai—"
"I know." His voice was wrecked. "I know. But fuck, Aria, I can't stop. Can't think straight when you're this close."
His hands slid under my tank top, palms hot against my bare skin. They moved up, cupping my breasts, thumbs circling my nipples through the thin fabric of my bra.
I moaned, my head falling back, giving him better access to my neck. This was insane. We were in the kitchen. Anyone could walk in.
I didn't care. All I cared about was his hands on me, his mouth on my skin, the way he was making me feel things I'd been desperately trying to suppress.
His hips rolled, grinding against me, and stars exploded behind my eyes. My legs wrapped around his waist automatically, trying to get closer, trying to ease the ache building inside me.
"Fuck, you feel good." His mouth was at my ear, his breath hot. "So fucking perfect."
His hands found the hem of my tank top, started sliding it up.
Footsteps.
We broke apart so fast I nearly fell off the counter. Kai caught me, lifted me down, stepped back just as Luca walked into the kitchen.
Luca's sharp eyes swept over us. Me with my hair a mess, my tank top slightly askew, my face flushed. Kai shirtless, breathing hard, looking like he wanted to commit murder.
"Interesting." Luca's voice was flat. Cold. "What's going on here?"
"Aria couldn't sleep." Kai's tone was casual but I could feel the tension radiating off him. "Nightmares. I was getting her some water."
"At two in the morning."
"That's when the nightmares happen, generally." Kai moved to the sink, filled a glass with water, handed it to me. "Here. This should help."
Luca looked between us, clearly not buying it.
"I'm doing security checks. You should both go to bed." He paused deliberately. "Separately."
"Of course. Come on, Aria. I'll walk you to your room."
"That won't be necessary—" Luca started.
"I'm responsible for her safety. I'm walking her to her room." Kai's voice left no room for argument.
Luca's jaw tightened but he nodded.
Kai started toward the hallway. I followed, my heart still racing, my body still humming with unfulfilled desire.
At my door, he stopped. Looked at me with eyes that burned.
"Aria—"
"Don't." I couldn't hear whatever he was about to say. Couldn't handle more complications tonight. "Just... don't."
I slipped into my room, closed the door, leaned back against it.
Then I slid down to the floor, my legs too shaky to hold me up.
What the hell had I gotten myself into?
Luca knew something was going on. It was only a matter of time before he figured out exactly what. And when he did, when he reported back to Salvatore—
I pressed my hands against my face, trying to slow my breathing.
This was bad. Really, really bad.
Because I'd just confirmed what I'd been trying to deny for weeks.
I wasn't falling for Kai Accardi. I'd already fallen. Completely. Irrevocably. Catastrophically.
And there wasn't a damn thing I could do to stop it now.