Page 50 of Rival for Rent

I hadn’t felt like this since I was overseas, when one of my guys went missing on patrol and no one knew if he’d been captured or killed. This was worse in some ways. At least then I had a comms unit and a chain of command. Right now, I had nothing but a dog and a dozen half-remembered arguments with the man who’d disappeared.

I ran back downstairs, throwing on my jeans and a T-shirt. I stuffed my phone and wallet in my pocket and headed for the door. As I grabbed the handle, I looked down at Bella.

“Tell him he’s a fucking idiot if he comes back.”

I opened the door—and froze.

Kai was there. Standing on the front step, key in hand, drenched in sweat. He was wearing his running clothes like it was just another normal goddamn day.

Relief hit me so hard I almost dropped to my knees. But under that relief was fury—hot and white and blinding. He looked completely unconcerned. Didn’t even blink.

“What the fuck were you thinking?” I growled, my voice rough with everything I couldn’t say. “Do you have any sense of self-preservation? Were you trying to get killed, or just give me a fucking heart attack?”

He shoved past me without hesitation. “Oh, save it. I’m not a child, and I’m not an idiot.”

“Are you sure?” I slammed the door and stalked after him. “Because you’re definitely acting like one.”

“I already have a mother,” he shot back, heading for the stairs. “I don’t need another one.”

I followed. “I’m not mothering you. I’m trying to keep you safe. What are you even paying me for if you’re not going to listen?”

“I don’t know!” he snapped, whirling around. “WhatamI paying for? I didn’t sign up for you to be my prison guard. I hate feeling like this.”

“You think I like it?” I barked. “You think this is fun for me?”

We were close now. Too close. His chest rose and fell fast, his jaw tight. I could feel the heat radiating off him, could smell sweat and city air and something distinctly Kai.

Bad idea. Bad, bad idea. Back up. Get space.

Instead, I grabbed his face and kissed him.

His lips met mine hard, but he shoved me off almost instantly. For a second, I was back in that dream—Kai pinned, terrified, trembling. I braced for the same look in his eyes.

But there was no fear this time. Just fury.

And then he lunged at me.

We collided like two opposing storms, and suddenly I was the one slammed against the wall. His mouth crashed into mine, tongue pressing past my lips, and I let him in without hesitation.

Bad idea, my brain repeated on a loop.Bad idea, bad idea.

But I didn’t want to stop. Didn’t care. All I wanted right now was him.

My hands moved to the bottom of his shirt, tugging it off over his head. His fingers scrabbled at the T-shirt I’d thrown on, and I helped him pull it off. His hand trailed down my chest andstomach, and mine went to the small of his back. He was so lithe, and I was rock hard.

I spun so Kai was pressed against the wall, and my hands went to the waistband of his running shorts. They were flimsy little things, exposing most of his thighs, and it was clear through the fabric that he was as turned on as I was. But I needed more.

I shoved his shorts down, and he stepped out of them. I stared at his cock. How had I not realized before how gorgeous he was? How had I not realized I was into men? Or was I only into Kai?

In the face of my silent staring, Kai said, “Nevermind. We don’t have to do this.”

“Shut up and let me suck your cock.”

I fell to my knees, looking up at him. His shocked expression faded into one of pleasure as I grabbed the base of his cock. He moaned softly, and that was all the signal I needed. I leaned in and brought my lips to the head of his cock.

He was still all sweaty from his run, his skin salty and sweet at the same time. A little tang burst in my mouth as I licked the precum from his cock. I slid my lips over the head hungrily, then swirled my tongue around it.

His hands dropped, resting on my head. He didn’t push, but I wasn’t planning on waiting anyway. I leaned forward and slid more of him inside.

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