Page 19 of Heir

She said something, but her voice was muffled because her face was buried in his neck. My fists clenched before I forced myself to relax.

Why the fuck was I feeling like this for a stranger?

It must be the sleep deprivation getting to me.

The waitress came back with my beer, and I nodded my thanks as she placed it in front of me. She hesitated for a beat, and I pretended not to notice, keeping my eyes on Blue and the girl he called Gemma, until the waitress walked away with a huff of annoyance.

I took a sip of my beer, tapping my fingers impatiently on the table and trying to figure out why the name Gemma sounded so familiar to me. I had heard that name before, but where?

I narrowed my eyes. I could feel the memory tugging my brain, but it fucking disappeared at the sight of the girl and Blue walking back to the table.

She was slightly behind him as if she was trying to hide, her eyes downcast. Blue was smiling when he led her over to me.

She was a timid little thing.

Like a little mouse.

Blue pulled out a chair for her and waited until she sat before he went back to his own seat. I watched them interact and tried to see if, as he said, there were no romantic feelings between them.

She kept her eyes on the table as if she was afraid of looking at me. As if she was afraid I would bite.

Only if you ask, sweetheart.

I shook away the thought and focused back on Blue.

“Kai, this is Gemma. And Gemma, the scowling man sitting across from us, is Kai. Don’t let his dark look get to you. He’s always in a bad mood.”

I was not scowling… was I?

I relaxed my facial muscles—marginally.

Gemma met my eyes, and Ialmostfound it impossible to breathe.

She moved her gaze back to the table, and now the irritation was really directed at her.

Was I fucking hideous? Was that why she was having such a hard time looking at me from across the table?

My scowl deepened at the thought, and someone kicked me under the table.

I glared at Blue.

He shook his head and cleared his throat.

I sighed. “Nice to meet you, Gemma.”

I might have imagined it, but I was sure she sucked in a sharp breath at my voice.

So she was affected by me.

Good to know.

No, wait. Not good to know. I didn’t plan on doing anything with the girl.

“You, too,” she said, her voice raspy and addictive. I wanted her to say more, but something told me she was reserved. Unlike the girl in my bed this morning, whoalmosthad the same raspiness to her voice. But the raspiness of Gemma’s voice must be fucking natural. I didn’t even think she had ever held a cigarette in her life.

How I knew that, I didn’t fucking know.

It was an inkling, but this girl had innocence written all over her face.

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