Page 19 of North
“You’re really not,” I said, bumping him with my slender hips. He poked my stomach, making me laugh a little harder and it felt like we were in our own little bubble again. Nobody else.
“I’m gonna try some of this warmed up food,” Elijah chuckled.
“You want me to grab you something? Are you feeling queasy?” Kane’s expression morphed from light-hearted to concerned in an instant. It took a moment for my brain to register that his concern was directed toward me. I was used to being invisible and flying under the radar but whenever Kane was around he made sure I was seen. That’s probably why it hurt so badly when he left.
“I’m fine, Kane. The migraine is a memory now. Thank you for laying with me.” I tugged on his long fingers and one side of his mouth lifted in a smile.
“Any time, Shortcake. I hate seeing you in so much pain.” He pulled me closer and pressed his lips to my forehead. Time stretched out and slowed down for a moment. Enough for me to shut my eyes and soak in the feeling of his smooth lips on my skin. My body ached to know how his lips would feel on mine. I needed to refresh my memory.
Dammit.
I was supposed to be putting that kiss behind us. There were no more kisses for us. Just forehead kisses. There would be no lips on lips or tongues dancing against each other. No teeth sinking into soft plump lips or trembling breaths staggered in the air between us. My throat nearly closed with the possibilities running wild through my mind.
“So you want some of this warmed up food?” Kane smirked at me and my stomach did backflips. Why the hell did he have to be so fine? I’d be okay if he weren’t so…chiseled and tanned.
“I do,” I nodded, gut-punching the over-eager girl bouncing around in my head. She was trouble. She had ideas and desires that would fuck up the new bond I was trying to build with Kane. I slapped a piece of duct tape over her mouth and walked in the kitchen with Kane’s arm still around my shoulders.
I didn’t know what to expect from Mom’s memorial service but it turned out to be us three sitting on the couch laughing and talking about better times. It was Kane reliving the happier moments he had with his ex-wife. It was me trying to find a silver lining in my dark childhood then trying to resign myself to Mom being human.
I felt comfortable around Elijah and I adored listening to him and Kane tell stories about their glory days in college. I was at home right beside Kane. We were close enough for our legs to bump against each other. Close enough for him to reach over and touch my hair when Elijah was in the middle of a story. Close enough to lean over and ask if I wanted more food from the kitchen. Close enough for his breath to tickle the curve of my ear.
As much as I liked hanging out with Elijah, I was ready when it was time to say goodbye. I wanted Kane to myself.
I mean…I wanted to spend time alone with him.
When Elijah’s car pulled out of the driveway, Kane turned to me with a smile then tugged on my long hair. “You did good, Kiddo.”
“Thanks. You know I’m not a kid though, right?” I looked up at him as the bright red front door closed with a thud.
“According to the state of Colorado, you’re still a minor,” He laughed taking long strides down the hall. I hurried to catch up.
I wasn’t a kid.
Hearing that pissed me off and needled under my skin. Words tumbled out of my mouth before I could grab them out of the air. “According to the state of Colorado, I’m old enough to fuck men but not old enough to live on my own.”
Any hint of humor that danced in his eyes vanished like a puff of smoke.
“Wow,” he said pausing at the threshold of his room. He scratched the back of his head then shoved his hands in his pockets. “I guess you’re right, North. Never thought about it like that.” His eyes slid up and down my body. It happened so briefly I wondered if I imagined it. Maybe I was seeing things.
Then why were the tops of my cheeks hot?
“Do me a favor though.” His eyes pierced mine and I couldn’t move. “Don’t talk about you fucking men anymore. Okay?” Something primal rumbled through him and by the time it reached me it was teeming with electricity.
All I could do was nod at him.
“Thank you.”
“Can I talk about fuckingwomeninstead?” A playful smirk quirked my lips up and made Kane scowl.
“North,” he gritted my name out through tight teeth. “Stop it. Don’t talk about fuckinganyone.” The word fuck didn’t roll off Kane’s tongue it vibrated off in spiky waves. It was on a frequency only I could understand.
“I was playing, Kane,” I said in a voice that masked my true feelings. I watched him walk further into his bedroom for a few beats before following him. I loved the sway of his broad shoulders. It mesmerized me.
“I know but I hate thinking about you…” His words fell off. He shook his head and unbuttoned a few buttons on his black shirt. I wanted to press and make him tell me what he was going to say but the area of bare skin at the base of his throat had me transfixed.
It was so stupid but I couldn’t pry my eyes away.
I watched intently as he pulled the shirt out of his pants letting the material hang while he went back to unbuttoning his shirt. Every inch of flesh that became visible constricted my lungs until I was only sipping at the air.
