Page 14 of Damaged Prince
I’m hoping that with everything being out in the open, he doesn’t have to hide, and we can spend more time together.
“Then come with us. I’ll even extend the invitation to your brothers. I meant what I said. I’m not going anywhere. Laney is my girl. But I’m more than fine with sharing her with your brothers.” A smile kicks up on the side of Kai’s lips. “And you, of course."
My eyes bounce between the two of them, and hell yeah, there’s something between them; some kind of past I’m not aware of, but damn it, I need to know.
Elijah clears his throat, cheeks bright pink as he looks away for a moment before his eyes find mine. “I don’t know. I don’t want to intrude.”
“You wouldn’t be.” I give him a beaming smile. “I’d love for you to come. And if we can get your brothers to come too, that’s even better. I think we all need this, don’t you? A little time away from reality before school picks up again.”
“I mean, I can see about getting the time off work. And I don’t have anything to do with baseball until the new year,” he says slowly, like he’s not entirely convinced, while rubbing the back of his neck.
“Perfect,” I squeal a little too excitedly. “This is going to be the best vacation ever!” I laugh, biting my lip. “Wonder if we can beat last summer?”
Elijah’s eyes fill with heat, and I know I got him right where I want him.
A week in the mountains, alone with four of the hottest men I’ve ever met. Yeah, I can’t fucking wait.
***
“Alright, spill.” I turn to Kai, who’s watching me with an amused look on his handsome face. Eli just left, having to go in early so he can handle something at work.
“I have no idea what you mean,” he deflects, taking a sip of his coffee.
I turn in my seat, crossing my arms over my chest, and raise a brow. “Don’t bullshit me, Kai. I know there’s something going on between you and Eli. And I want details.”
Kai swallows and licks his lips. “Demanding little thing, aren’t you, Sweetheart?” he asks, raising a brow.
“Come on,” I sigh, pouting a little. “There’s so many secrets and it’s driving me nuts.”
He sighs, placing his coffee cup on the table. “I’m more than happy to tell you everything, I just don’t want to put Elijah in an awkward position. It’s not just my place to say. But what I can tell you is, I do not see that man as a cousin, what-so-ever.” His voice is a low rumble, and he said that statement with a look of want in his eyes.
I knew it!
“So, you like him?” I can’t help the giddy feeling that takes over.
“Laney,” he chuckles, shaking his head. “I will not gossip with you about a crush like some schoolgirl.”
“Ha!” I cheer, grinning like an idiot. “So you're telling me there’s a crush.”
He says nothing, just eyeing me with mirth.
“Malachi Krane,” I sass back. “You can’t just say something like that and leave me hanging, that’s just mean.”
“Would it bother you if I told you I’ve had feelings for Elijah in the past? I don’t want anything to come between the two of us.”
“No.” I shake my head. “Of course not. It would be hypocritical of me, seeing as I’m falling hard for four men.” I bite my lip, smiling. “If you wanted something with Eli, I wouldn’t be standing in your way. He deserves all the love in the world.”
“He does.” Kai’s face softens as he looks away, like he’s thinking of something. “But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We don’t know if that’s something he would even want to explore.”
“Oh, please,” I snort. “That man was watching you like a man with a childhood crush. He wants you.”
“Yeah?” Kai chuckles. “You think so, huh?”
“Iknowso.” Well, not exactly. But the only other person who seems to be able to get Elijah to flush bright pink like that is me. And I know why I get the reaction out of him. So I’m confident in my belief that it’s the same with Kai.
“It’s not that easy. We have a bit of a... history,” Kai admits. “It’s complicated.”
“What a better way to uncomplicate things than by being alone with the person for a week?” I wiggle my eyebrows.
