“You’re right.” I open my eyes and look up at him. “I’m sorry. You’re right.”

His hands come up, and he gently holds my face between his palms. “Let’s worry about one thing at a time.” He kisses me softly then leans back just enough so he can look me in the eye. “Let’s give our mothers this party. I know it will mean a lot to both of them.”

I nod and lean into his touch.

“I’ll be with you all night.” He kisses me again, but this time, before he can pull away, I nip his bottom lip.

He growls deep in his throat and his hand tangles in my hair, forcing my head to the side. My mouth opens under his, and the moment his tongue touches mine, I whimper. I have never been with someone like him, and as much as it scares me, I still want him more than I have wanted anything in a very long time. He slows the kiss and pulls away, resting his forehead against mine.

“You’re right.”

“I’m right?” he asks, surprised.

“Well, it would mean a lot to my mom to be involved, even if it is just a party.”

“And us?” he questions.

I debate for a moment how to answer him before pressing my chest against his. “I know you don’t think I’m giving us a chance, but I am. I have never been with someone like you before. You scare me.”

“Myl—”

“Oh, honey, I’m so excited!” my mom says, interrupting Kai. “Do you think we should have a photographer?”

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” I mumble, gaining a squeeze to my waist from Kai.

“I’m sure your brothers would love to see some pictures of you.”

My body freezes and I feel the blood drain out of my face as Kai’s arms band around me.

“You don’t look so well. Are you okay, honey?” my mom asks.

I nod, not able to speak.

“She’s had a long day. I’m going to get her to bed. Tomorrow is going to be another busy day,” Kai says.

“Of course,” Mom mutters, looking me over.

I give her a shaky smile and a quick hug before Kai leads me back towards our room. Once we’re inside and I hear the door close behind us, I walk to the bed, sit down, and then kick my shoes off before pulling my feet up onto the bed and tucking myself into a ball.

“Do you know that Rory was once my best friend?” I ask Kai as I watch him slip his shirt off over his head then pull his pants off, leaving him only in his boxers, which shows off the tattoo on his right hip that disappears into his underwear, the bottom of the ink ending just above his knee. I wish I could see the full extent of the artwork and get up close to the very detailed work.

“Thad’s brother?” he questions, pulling me out of my thoughts as he walks towards me, holding a shirt in his hand.

I nod as I watch the muscles in his stomach flex.

“Do you still keep in touch with him?” he asks.

I shake my head. “No. When I moved away from Nevada, I just left everything behind,” I say, sitting up on the side of the bed.

When he mutters a quiet, “Up,” his hands go to my stomach. Then he pulls my shirt off over my head and then quickly tugs the new one down. I reach behind my back and unhook my bra, pulling it off then out one of the sleeves of the shirt.

“Why did you run after graduation?” he questions.

I look up at him, and he searches my face. Part of me wonders how he could know about that, but I’m starting to understand that Kai knows a lot more than I could even begin to realize. And I wonder if his question now is more of a test than him just asking out of curiosity.

“I got accepted into culinary school,” I say softly, watching disappointment flash in his eyes.

I quickly slip my shorts off, watching as he walks around the bed and gets in behind me. I don’t know why, but I expect him to ignore me, to just turn his back to me and go to sleep, but instead, he comes to me, pulling me down with my back to his front. Then he slides one arm under my neck and wraps the other around my stomach.

“So, you guys were friends?” he asks softly after a moment.

I feel his breath on my neck, so I close my eyes for a moment, memorizing the feeling.

“We had all the same friends, and when we were home, it was like living with my best friend. I think it was harder leaving him behind more than anything else.”

“Huh,” he grunts, and a small thrill fills me that perhaps he’s jealous, but I squash it immediately, knowing he would never be jealous.

“I got an engagement announcement from him about a year ago, and I sent a congratulations card back in return, but I just couldn’t find it in myself to even pick up the phone to call him.”

“Something must have happened to make you cut off all ties with the people you considered family.”

“I think I was just trying to find my own way in the world,” I lie, gaining a squeeze from him.

“I wish you would talk to me,” he says quietly.

I turn to face him and bury my face in his chest, wishing I had the courage to share what happened to me with him.

“I’m so tired,” I tell him instead, breathing him in.

“Sleep, makamae,” he says, wrapping his arms tighter around me.

Even though I try to talk myself out of it, and even though I know it’s a huge mistake, I fall asleep feeling safe and wanted.

Kai’s face is between my legs, his large arms holding me in place, his hands holding mine against my thighs, making it impossible to touch him. I cry out in frustration as I feel my clit pulse in his mouth.