Page 12 of Sizzling Desire

“Sorry, man. Gotta go with Kate on this.” He laughs at the absolute heartache Kane displays to the group.

“I’ll make sure it goes off without a blip, Kate. I’ve gotcha.” I tell her as I give Kane an eat shit and grin look.

As the discussion rolls on, Kane takes every opportunity to subtly challenge me—questioning my ideas, suggesting alternatives that are just ridiculous enough to rile me up without making him look like an ass. The group laughs, but I know what he’s doing. He thrives on getting on my nerves, and I hate how good he is at it.

“Maybe we should ditch the color scheme altogether,” he says, leaning back in his chair with a lazy grin. “Go full chaos. Rainbow tuxes for the groomsmen.”

Kate gasps. “Absolutely not.”

“Oh, come on,” Kane teases. “Gracie here would look great in a neon pink dress.”

I glare at him. “Maybe we should putyouin a neon pink dress. It’ll match your ego.”

Hudson bursts out laughing, clapping Kane on the back. “She’s got you there, man.”

We break for snacks, and Kate pulls me aside, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Girl, you and Kane havechemistry.”

I choke on my cupcake. “We have animosity, not chemistry.”

She grins knowingly. “Sure, Grace. Whatever you say.”

Before I can argue, Kane saunters over, holding a cup of coffee. “Gracie, got a minute?”

Kate makes herself scarce as I freeze, caught between irritation and curiosity. “What?”

He holds my gaze, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. “I’ll help with the bachelor and bachelorette party. You know, keep things... interesting.”

I narrow my eyes. “Why?”

He shrugs, but his smirk is gone. “Because I want to.”

For a moment, I forget how to breathe. His tone is softer, almost sincere, and it throws me completely off balance. But just as quickly, the tension snaps back into place.

“Fine,” I say, crossing my arms. “But it’s going to be tasteful. Nothing sleazy.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he says, his smirk returning, and I swear I see a flash of something darker in his gaze before he turns and walks away.

When the meeting finally ends, everyone starts to gather their things. I’m halfway to the door, desperate for an escape, when Kane steps in front of me, blocking my path.

“Move,” I say, my voice sharper than I intend.

He doesn’t budge. Instead, he leans in, his voice low and rough. “This is going to be fun, Gracie. All those rehearsals, all that time spent together. I can’t wait.”

I glare at him, my heart pounding. “Don’t flatter yourself. You’re not gettingunder my skin.”

“Funny,” he murmurs, his eyes dropping to my lips. “You’re already under mine.”

The air between us shifts, heavy with something I can’t name. My breath catches, but I force myself to stand tall, to meet his gaze without flinching. “You’ll get over it.”

He steps closer, so close I can feel the heat radiating off him. “I’m not so sure about that, Gracie.”

I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. Because the truth is, I’m not sure either.

The door swings open, and Kate’s voice breaks the spell. “Grace, are you coming?”

I tear my gaze away from Kane, nodding quickly. “Yeah. On my way.”

As I step outside into the cool night air, I tell myself I’m done with him, done letting him get to me. But deep down, I know this is far from over.

---