Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Kaia
I spread my red lipstick over my lips one final time and took a step back to admire my look. I went with cute and casual, a denim skirt and flowy flowered print top, along with my usual chuck sneakers and a few scattered pieces of jewelry.
After pinning my hair up, a few tendrils framed my face, adding a softer touch to my look.
I shook my hands out, admired my look one more time, and headed to the living room, my two cats trailing behind me.
Biscuit, my female black cat, and Pepper, my tuxedo male cat, had been with me since my tenth birthday and joined me when I moved into my cabin, keeping me company on lonely nights, though my family was never too far.
My parents lived in a cabin down the street, the same one Kel and I grew up in, and Kel lived a street over, in his own place.
“Wish me luck babies.” I said as I grabbed my phone, keys, and purse before heading out the door.
Minutes later I pulled into the brewery parking lot and parked next to my brother’s truck.
We closed an hour ago, and Kel stayed behind to work on batches of ale and the usual bookkeeping crap.
After letting myself in, I hurried to the back, finding Kel brewing more batches of our fall ales, the place smelling like sweet cinnamon, pumpkin, and apples.
“You clean up nice.” Kel said when he saw me, as he stirred the ale and wiped a hand across the back of his brow. “Lover boy almost here?”
I snickered. “Lover boy? Nice one.”
“It’s a joke. Rune’s a great guy or I wouldn’t have set you up.”
A loud chime echoed through the kitchen area. “Looks like he’s here. See you later, bro.”
“Don’t do anything stupid, okay?”
“Me? Never.” I said with a wink before heading back to the front and checking the peephole before opening it. Sure enough, Rune stood there, looking like a tall handsome treat and my mouth watered.
I yanked the door open after unlocking it and smiled. “Hi.”
“Hi yourself. You look gorgeous.” Rune breathed before holding out his arm. “Are you ready for the best night of your life?”
A small giggle escaped my throat. “Pretty confident, are we?”
“Eh. More like when I know I want something, I go after it and don’t stop until I get it.”
My panties burst into flames, instantly disintegrating into nothing but threads.
I thread my arm through his as the rest of the world fell away around us. How did he have the power to make me focus solely on him and nothing else?
Threading my arm through his, I nearly forgot to shut the door behind us before he led me to his truck, helping me into the passenger side.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“You’ll have to wait and see,” Rune said with a wink before closing the door and climbing in on his side.
The suspense was killing me. There were only so many places in this small town I didn’t know about, and they were few and far between.
Rune drove the long way towards the center of town, taking the scenic route until we pulled into the town’s bar, Appleridge Mixer.
“How’s a bite to eat and some live music?” Rune asked and I nodded.
“Sounds good to me.”
As we walked towards the doors, the vibrations from the music could be felt and my excitement ticked up a notch.
“How about a drink to start?” Rune asked, and I nodded, going for a beer. I kept our spot as he brought over two ice cold ones.
I watched his distinct Adam’s apple bob in his throat as he drank the beer down. Fuck, he was sexy…all I could think about was how badly I wanted to kiss him.
The drinks flowed along with the food and Rune cut himself off after a few beers while mine kept on coming. After we stuffed ourselves full of food, we found ourselves on the dance floor. I don’t know how I moved with such a full stomach, but somehow, I did.
Rune led me through songs, spinning me around as I laughed, the room spinning in the best way. Warmth spread through me from head to toe.
I barely knew anything about this man, yet it felt like I knew everything.
After a few songs, we took a break at a booth far in the back. We sat together on the same side and Rune wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me close.
He brought his mouth close to my ear, his hot breath falling onto my sensitive skin and sending shivers down my spine.
“I want to kiss you, Kaia. I’ve fantasized about it since I laid eyes on you yesterday.”
A boldness from somewhere in the sky fell down and took over my body, transforming me into a vixen who got everything she wanted. “So, kiss me then. What are you waiting for?”
with a growl, Rune grabbed my chin and turned my head towards his before covering my mouth with his own. I lost myself in his kiss, our mouths moving in sync as our tongues warred with one other, battling it out for an unknown cause.
Everything around me, from the loud music to the crowd of people, fell away, leaving only us two in the booth. We kissed and kissed and kissed some more, hands stealing touches and pushing boundaries.
When we finally broke apart, our breaths mingled and I licked my lips, wanting to taste more of him, as much of him as I could possibly taste.
“Spend the night with me, Kaia. Please.”
“Rune, I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. We barely know each other and….”
“Please. I know it sounds crazy, but I’ve never felt this way before. Why not just lean into it and see what happens?”
“But Rune…I…”
“Yes, it’s crazy. It’s fast. It’s wild. But when you know, you know, right?”
Rune searched my eyes in the dark bar, and I had no idea what to say. I felt the crazy strong feelings too. I couldn’t deny it if I tried. Yet why fight it? Where would that get me?
I should embrace it. Lean into it.
And finally allow myself to have some fucking fun.