Page 23 of I Accidentally Summoned A Demon
Kat’s eyes bulged. She couldn’t think of an appropriate response.
Nex grunted. “That’s why I didn’t want to tell you.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Kat ran her fingers along the soft fabric of the dress. “I don’t care. I’m just surprised.”
“Sure, kitten. How long does it take to put on a dress?”
Kat shimmied out of her clothes and changed into the dress. Staring in the mirror, she raised her eyebrows and turned side to side. The sweater dress’s dark red fabric went down to her knees and loosely hugged her figure. She opened the door, and Nex’s eyes darted up and down her body, making her blush.
He raised an eyebrow. “Well?”
“I like it.”
“See? You can trust me.” Nex leaned against the wall and crossed one leg over the other. “You can still wear the leggings you’re so attached to, and you should definitely wear those tall boots.”
“How do you know I have tall boots?”
“I had to move them to make space for my clothes.”
“Oh.” Kat fiddled with the sleeves of the dress, her face heating. “Do you—Do you like it?”
His gaze swept over her. “Very much. You look lovely.”
“Thanks.” Kat hurried inside the dressing room. She slumped against the door and released a breath that had caught the moment Nex complimented her. Her heart raced a little too fast, and she flattened her palm against her chest.Remember who you’re going on a date with tomorrow and who you’re not.
Chapter 11
Never Been Kissed
Lipstainapplied,Katassessed herself in the mirror. She pulled at her hair, wishing it was tamer. At least the frizziness was low today.
Once she left the bathroom, she put on boots and walked into the living room, where Nex watched TV. While things were better between them, he still drove her crazy with his habits, including always being half-naked. He currently had gray sweatpants on, no shirt, and was eating ice cream from the carton.
Kat set her hand on her hip. “How do you stay in shape when you eat like that all the time?”
“Rules are different for me, kitten. This isn’t my realm.” He glanced at her, pupils dilating as he took her in. “Fuck, you look sexy.”
Kat froze, lips parting while she restarted her brain. “Geeze.” She pulled at the neckline of her dress. “Don’t be subtle or anything.”
“Why should I? You look sexy.” He shrugged, looking back at the TV. “He doesn’t deserve how sexy you look.”
Kat forced her mouth to close while he ate ice cream and watched the screen. She smoothed her dress and sat on the couch away from Nex. Unable to keep her hands still, she repeatedly adjusted her skirt and removed nonexistent lint.
“What happened?” Nex asked, holding a picture of Kat and her parents at her eighteenth birthday party. The last party she had with them.
“Car accident.” Kat kept her gaze on her lap and fought the urge to pick at her nails. “Drunk driver.” She took a deep breath and followed a seam down her dress with her finger. “I was driving. Not drunk, just . . . driving. The truck hit the passenger side. They were both on that side.”
Nex’s hand covered Kat’s fidgeting one, and he shifted closer. His gentle expression surprised her since he was usually angry or sarcastic.
“I’m sorry, Katherine. When?”
“It’ll be a year on Christmas Eve.” Kat let his fingers weave through hers, though part of her screamedbad idea. Any second, she’d be on a date with someone else.
He squeezed her hand. “I would like to assume you know it wasn’t your fault, but I have a feeling you’ve somehow managed to convince yourself otherwise.”
“Not exactly.” Kat swallowed the lump forming in her throat. “I don’t—I don’t really think it was my fault. The drunk driver was in the wrong. I just . . . I wish I would’ve, I don’t know, paid more attention. Had faster reflexes. Something.”
“Don’t put that on yourself.” Nex brought her hand up and brushed his lips against her knuckles. “Loss is difficult enough without blaming yourself.”
