Not My Romance

“No fake mustache this time?” I joke as I drop into the passenger seat.

Kayden stares down at me, his clean shaven jaw clenched tight, his eyes searing into me. He makes me feel like I’m the only woman who exists.

When he gazes at me like that – so intense, so possessive – all my worries begin to drain away, seeping into nothingness.

“I don’t want to hide from you,” he growls.

Right there in the parking lot – not caring that somebody might see – he leans down and presses his lips against mine. I gasp in shock, opening my mouth, sinking into the pleasure faster this time. He snarls as our tongues clash, but then he sits back, as though with an effort.

“You drive me crazy,” he says, as he starts the engine.

“Well, right back at you,” I murmur, trying to make my tone sound playful, even if I feel anything but.

“Have dinner with me tonight. Your apartment building has a restaurant across the street. We can order from there and eat on your balcony… if you want?”

“Is that so nobody sees us?” I ask, smoothing my hands over my belly, as my core gives an urgent pulse, telling me to somehow make this man mine and mine alone.

I can see a tick in his jaw and I wonder if he’s going to snap at me for a second, but then he shakes his head. “I hate that we have to sneak around. I don’t want to, Kyra. I’ll understand if you don’t want to take things any further until the show is done… but I meant what I said. Those women mean nothing to me. I can’t explain.”

“You can try,” I whisper.

He gazes at me, eyebrows furrowed. “Will you have dinner with me tonight, Kyra?”

“You didn’t exactly leave me in the nicest way the other night. I thought you hated me for being a virgin.”

“No, no, no,” he protests. “It’s not that. It’s just… Hell, I’ll explain at dinner. Okay? I’ll try.”

Curiosity sparks inside of me. Something is clearly happening here, but I can’t let myself dare hope it’s the life I’ve been dreaming of.

What is it, then?

I have to know.

And, really, I’m not going to turn down a meal with the man of my dreams, despite the complications.

“Yes, Kayden. That sounds nice.”

Chapter Fifteen

Kayden

Kyra sits on the other end of the table. I’ve turned on the grate fires, flickering all around our table, the flames bouncing off her flushed cheeks and spreading warmth across the balcony. The autumn evening is cold, but the fires keep it at bay… the same way I’ll always keep the nastiness of life away from my woman, protecting her no matter what.

She makes my body stir as she looks down at the menu.

When we returned to the apartment, she excused herself and went into the bedroom. She emerged in a form hugging black dress, her hair tied up in a bun, pulled back to show her features. She’s all the more beautiful for not wearing makeup, prompting her to look even more innocent, radiant, and mine.

“Do you like it?” she asks, gaze aimed at the floor. “I thought since this is, you know, sort of a date… I’d put some effort in.”

My answer comes in the form of an embrace. I crush her against me, finding her lips and kissing her frantically, almost desperately. Every second spent close to her is like a physical trial as I fight the urge to grab her and drag her into the bedroom.

Breaking the kiss off, I keep my hands on her hips for just a moment longer. “I love it. You look beautiful. Perfect.”

Sitting at the table she looks up at me from her menu, eyes shining in the firelight. “I’m not sure what to get.”

“Get whatever you want. It’s my treat.”

“I was thinking about the burger, but…”

I narrow my eyes. No fucking way.

“Your body is perfect, Kyra. Your hips are downright mind-blowing. Your gorgeous round ass drives me insane. Everything about your body shape makes me want to claim you, each and every second of the day. Please never doubt how beautiful you are.”

She flinches, as though the force of my words hit her like a blow to the chest. “Wow, Kayden. I didn’t know you were a mind reader. How did you know I was thinking about that?”

“I guess I’m getting good at reading you,” I smirk. “It hurts me that you’d ever feel the need to doubt yourself. You’re so damn captivating.”

“Not many people would agree with you.”

“Good,” I growl, realizing I’m getting dangerously close to revealing the truth here.

But isn’t that what I promised, when she agreed to have dinner with me? That I would try to explain?

I remember what Jack said about holding off until after the show. But this evening was another dose of hell. I had to play a blind-date-style game with all five contestants, as I tried to guess whose answers belonged to who. I failed miserably, once again showing how little I give a damn about this show.