Kai’s arms tighten around me, locking me against him like he’s afraid I’ll disappear. His voice is steel and fire when he speaks. “You are not to blame for what he did, Tess.”
I nod against him, even if I don’t quite believe it.
His hands slide up my back, holding me like he can keep me from falling apart. “What can I do?” he whispers. “How do I make it better?”
“Make me forget,” I murmur against his skin.
He stiffens, pulling back just enough to search my face. “How?” His voice is raw. “Tell me, and I’ll do it.”
I answer the only way I know how.
I kiss him.
He meets my desperation with his own, tasting and teasing me with his tongue.
His erection presses against me, and he freezes, tearing his face away.
“Shit,” he hisses as I grind myself down onto him. “What are you doing, Hurricane?”
“I don’t want to think about Nikolai.” Even saying his name has fury burning hot beneath my skin. “I want to forget. Please,” I whisper, rolling my hips. “Help me forget.”
His eyes search mine. Looking for something—hesitation? He doesn’t find it.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” he asks, conflict warring inside him.
“I’m sure,” I murmur. “Please, Kai.”
Kai hesitates for another moment before he’s pulling me up from the couch and towards the stairs.
“I’d scoop you up like a romance novel hero, but”—he gestures at his boot—“unless you’re into slow-motion hobbling, you’ll have to wait three to five business days… then I’ll make love to you. Good?”
I snort. “Make love to me? What are we, eighteen?”
His deadpan expression doesn’t waver. “Fine. I’ll fuck you. But it’ll still be romantic.”
“Don’t treat me differently. Please, I can’t handle that.”
There’s another moment of hesitation in his expression before he nods.
“I’ll be waiting in your room,” I say as I slip past him, “naked.” I wink, then start heading up the steps, adding an extra sway to my hips that I hope looks sexy.
Kai groans behind me. “That’s unfair.”
I sneak a glance back at him. “Just an incentive to be a little quicker.” I turn back and hurry up the stairs before he can say anything more.
Once in his room and I start stripping out of my clothes hurriedly, fully intending to make good on my promise. I manage to get my jeans off and my top over my head as the door opens. Tugging it off I grin at him. “Interesting, looks like you just needed the right motivation to get moving.”
He growls, stalking towards me. It’s not a sexy stalk, he’s got a bulky boot on his leg for Christ’s sake, but arousal floods me all the same as he comes to stand in front of me and pushes a strand of hair behind my ear before his palms frame my face, thumbs stroking my cheekbones.
He kisses me—hot and urgent—his fingers digging into my waist, hands roaming over my body until they cup my butt,dragging me closer to him.
“Fuck, Hurricane, I’ve fucking missed you,” he groans into my mouth.
“You saw me this morning,” I snark, yelping as he bites into my lip.
“Get on the bed, woman,” he growls, lightly pushing me towards it.
I do as instructed, sitting with my head against the headboard, then watch my very unsexy private showing of Magic Mike as he strips for me. The fabric gets caught on his boot and he swears, expression turning impatient as rips the boot off then he shoves his joggers down his legs.