Page 107 of The Heiress's First Date

“Before you do, I got you something.” He leans to the side and fishes something out of his pants pocket.

My heart lifts at the small box.

39

GABE

“Can’t sleep?” Kingston asks, voice rough.

His soft footfalls draw my gaze to the stairs behind me. He wears the same pants he had on yesterday, chest gloriously bare. Small lights along the staircase backlight him with a honey glow.

I shake my head and glance out at the garden behind the brownstone we’ll be inhabiting for who knows how long. Thank heavens for this place. This is the safe haven away from the chaos we need.

I have no idea what time it is, but I encouraged him to head to bed ages ago. With half a dozen bedrooms to choose from and an incredible oval-shaped staircase leading to all of them, he has his pick. No need to use the elevator.

Outside, the inky darkness is both eerie and peaceful. The shadowy yard is wall-to-wall plants with strategically lit trees. A path meanders through the plot, and there’s a water feature at the back, peeking between the vegetation.

But I barely see any of it.

My whiskey glass ran empty a while ago.

My eyes are glazed over from lack of sleep. Too much staring into space and too little blinking, if I’m honest.

I texted and made calls for hours. Vic, then the head of maintenance, my team. I don’t want to bethat guy, but I want to know when I can get back into my apartment. I like my routine. I like my stuff.

My mind is finally starting to downshift, but I doubt I could sleep if I tried.

King stops in front of the wall of glass, hands loose at his sides. His feet are bare, and although I’ve never had a foot fetish, right now, I’m digging this look.

The warm glow from the outdoor lighting plays over his muscles. His shoulders are a work of art. David has nothing on him. And I’ve felt those obliques up close. The gorgeous curve of his biceps.

Stop gawking.

Easier thought than done.

I drag my attention away and glance out at the vegetation. My goal was to make Kingston comfortable, but it occurred to me that Katherine would love this place. All these plants.

After living in the clouds for the last dozen years, being so close to the ground is unfamiliar. Even with the doors closed, it smells different down here. Earthy, sort of damp and magical. Does he smell it?

Maybe not. Living on a sailboat, he’s used to being at sea level.

King is quieter than usual and I’m not sure if it’s because of the elevator or our make-out session. Perhaps it’s both.

I’m not going to regret such an amazing connection.

And I’m not going to force him to open up. He’ll do it in his own time.

Even after everything that happened today, the quiet feels right. Companionable.

He turns as if sensing my feelings. His gaze flicks to the empty glass, then rakes me slowly from head to toe.

“Come on.” He holds out a hand to me.

“What?” I stare at his palm, my body coming alive at the memory of his touch. His kiss.

“You need rest.”

“I’m fine.” I shrug a shoulder as I give the line that I’ve repeated so many times. As if it doesn’t bother me that my dreams are tortured, my sleep is restless, and I take enough B12 to kill a horse.

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