Page 69 of Fault Line

“I’m not always this ...fun,” I say sarcastically, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. “I mean, the challenge is the fun part for you, right? And I’m really more of a homebody myself. I basically only have one friend, and I’m pretty screwed up in the head. I mean, God, I can barely shut off my fucking brain most of the time. I overthink everything. And also, you were right before—I do take every tiny piece of criticism to heart. I’m not some happy-go-lucky little sweetheart. I can’t be that girl even if I wanted to be.”

“You think I don’t know this already?”

“You might think you do, but whatever you think you know, I’m worse,” I say, my voice breaking.

“There’s nothing fucking wrong with you, Kaia,” he says fiercely, pulling me even closer. “All that shit you just listed—it’s what makes you human. Uniquely fucking perfect. I don’t like you inspiteof who you are. I like every little piece that makes you whole. I’m not getting bored of you, ever, so don’t even let your mind take you there.”

“Are you sure?” I ask, desperately in need of affirmation.

“If that’s what’s holding you back from giving this,us, a real shot, then let it be known—there’s not a world in which I do better than you. I want you, Kaia, every conceivable part of you. Tell me you want me, too.”

“I . .. I don’t even know what to say,” I admit, overwhelmed.

“Try that again,” he says, our eyes locked.

“Fuck. Okay, yes. I want you back, so badly,” I confess, my voice raw with unfiltered emotion. “I think of you when we’re not together, all the fucking time. And I don’t even know if I can pinpoint when it shifted from something physical to something more. But I don’t want to lose you. I can’t even make myself picture it.”

His eyes light up, sparkling in the dim light. “I was hoping you might say that.”

“So, what does this mean?”

“It means that you and I are gonna be together. Just us.” His hand moves to caress the back of my neck, pulling me against him. “And we’re giving this thing a real shot from now on.”

“You mean, like an experiment?”

“Hell no.”

“So we’retogether, together?”

He breaks out into a wide grin, fingers curling up into the soft hair at the nape of my neck. “I’m not speaking in riddles here, Karras.”

“So, you and I are gonna go on dates? And ... be nice to each other in public from now on?”

“If you can manage to tolerate it.” He bumps his nose against my cheek. “The second part’s still up for negotiation, though.”

I let out a shaky breath, the weight of my uncertainty finally lifting. “Okay.”

“Okay,” he echoes, a soft, gentle reassurance. And then he pulls me in for a long, all-encompassing kiss—one that nearly makes my heart stop.

24

HOLDEN

My heart poundsin my chest as I lead Kaia up to my bedroom. I’m so fucking happy right now; I can’t even make an attempt to contain it. I don’t want to be downstairs for another second longer—not surrounded by my teammates or my friends. I’d rather be alone with Kaia, basking in the fact that she’s finally fucking mine.

To my surprise, she’s agreed to give us a real shot. And right now, I feel an inescapable pull toward her, this urge to be closer, to hold her, to please her.

I can’t wait anymore. I need her now.

Once we’re safely tucked inside my room, I grab her wrist and guide her over to the bed. Her hands shake as she reaches for me, pulling me into a deep kiss. She’s so fucking soft, so warm, and a scorching heat builds between us as our bodies entwine.

I spin her around, gently pushing her onto her back before me. A groan escapes me as she scoots toward the head of my bed. This is the first time I’ve had her here, in my room, ready and willing to let me fuck her.

The only other time she was up here, the idea seemed like a far-off possibility. Something I could’ve only imagined in my wildest fucking fantasies. But now, it’s reality. This girl is mine, and I’m gonna make damn sure she doesn’t forget it.

“Take your skirt off,” I say.

Her eyes widen for a fraction of a second and then slowly darken with desire.

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