Close Obsession (The Krinar Chronicles 2)

Stepping under the hot spray of the shower, she closed her eyes and tried to think about something else besides seeing Korum today.

It turned out to be an impossible task. Her mind kept dwelling on what she would say to him when she saw him next, how he might act, whether he would be his usual mocking self . . . She desperately wished she could get away for a couple of days, just go home to her own apartment – but that was obviously not a possibility.

Exiting the shower, Mia toweled off and put on the robe. Steeling herself for a potential encounter, she ventured into the living room. To her relief, Korum wasn’t there. He must be at the trial, Mia realized. Checking the time, she was shocked to see that it was already three in the afternoon.

Padding into the kitchen, she requested a plate of fruit for breakfast and brought it with her into the living room. It was probably too late to go into the virtual world of the trial; if it started at the same time as yesterday, the presentations would be wrapping up in another couple of hours. So instead, Mia curled up on the couch and tried to distract herself by reading the latest Dan Brown thriller.

Looking up from the book, Mia checked the time. It was almost five o’clock. Her stomach rumbled, reminding her that she had barely eaten today. She was also still wearing her bathrobe and house slippers.

Getting up, Mia went into the bedroom and put on a pretty white-

and-pink dress and a pair of flat, strappy sandals. She had no idea when Korum would be done with the trial, but yesterday he was home by early evening and already making dinner when she got back from her conversation with Delia. For some reason, she didn’t want to look like a slob when he got home tonight, although she had no idea why she cared about that. For a brief second, she thought about leaving to take a walk in the hopes of avoiding him for a while longer, but then she decided not to be a coward. It’s not like she could go far, or even someplace where he wouldn’t immediately find her. The tracking devices embedded in her palms broadcast her whereabouts to him at all times. It was best to just face him and get it over with.

He came home an hour later.

Hearing Korum enter, Mia looked up from her book, and her heart skipped a beat at the sight. Dressed in the more formal trial clothes, he looked simply gorgeous, his bronze skin contrasting beautifully with the white color of his shirt and his powerful physique emphasized by the tight fit of his outfit. The look in his amber eyes was surprisingly warm, as if he hadn’t spent last night torturing her with the goal of exposing her silly feelings.

As Mia watched warily, he approached and picked her up from the couch, lifting her up for a brief kiss.

“I have a surprise for you,” he said, carefully placing her back on her feet and keeping his hands still on her waist.

“A surprise?” Mia asked, startled.

Korum nodded, smiling down at her. “We’re going out for dinner with Saret and one of his assistants.”

“Okay . . .” Mia said, frowning at him slightly. “That sounds good, but what’s the surprise?”

His smile widened. “The reason why we’re meeting with them is because they want to find out more about your psychology knowledge and experience, to better figure out how and where you could be of most use in Saret’s lab.”

“What do you mean?” Mia could hardly believe her ears. “What does Saret’s lab have to do with anything?”

“Well, since school and career are so important to you,” said Korum, “I wanted to make sure I’m not depriving you of anything by bringing you here. You seemed interested in Saret’s specialty earlier, and, from what I understand, your field of study is similar to his. One of his assistants recently left, creating an opening at his lab. Of course, there are already about ten applicants for the position, but I convinced him to take you on for a couple of months, just to try things out. Obviously, this will be a great learning opportunity for you, but you might also provide him with some unique insights, given your background –”

“And he agreed to take me on? A human?” Mia asked incredulously, her heart jumping in her chest.

“He did,” Korum answered. “He owes me a couple of favors, plus he said he likes you.”

“You’re telling me that I can work in a K laboratory alongside your top mind expert?” Mia said slowly, needing to hear him confirm it just in case. She was nearly hyperventilating with excitement. This was an unbelievable, impossible opportunity. How many humans had a chance like this, to study Krinar minds from their own perspective? Scientists would sell their soul to the devil to be in her shoes right now. Mia wanted to jump up and down and laugh out loud, and she knew there was a huge grin on her face.

“If you’re interested,” he said casually, but there was a gleam in his eyes that told her he knew exactly how much this meant to her.

“If I’m interested? Oh, Korum, I don’t even know how to thank you,” Mia told him earnestly. “Obviously, this is a phenomenal opportunity for me! Thank you so, so much!”

He smiled, looking pleased with himself. “Of course. I’m happy you like the idea. As to how you can thank me . . .” His eyes took on a familiar golden tint, and he sat down on the couch, pulling her down next to him. “A kiss would be nice,” he told her softly.

Mia’s grin faded and she tensed, remembering last night. For a moment, she’d forgotten what he’d done, what he’d forced her to say, too distracted by the amazing opportunity he was presenting her with. But now it was at the forefront of her mind again. Was he going to act like it hadn’t happened? If so, she would be more than happy to play along.

Staring him in the face, Mia buried her fingers in his hair and brought his head toward her. His hair felt thick and soft in her hands, and his lips were smooth and warm underneath hers. He tasted delicious, like some exotic fruit and himself, and she kissed him with all the passion and excitement she was feeling. When she finally stopped, his breathing was a little faster, and Mia could feel her own nipples pinching into tight buds underneath her robe.

“Mmm, that was quite a thank-you,” he murmured, looking at her with a soft smile. “Maybe I should find internships for you every day.”

“I might expire from excitement if you do,” Mia told him honestly. “Seriously, this is more than I could’ve ever expected or imagined. Thank you again.”

“You’re welcome,” he said, obviously enjoying her reaction. “Now, are you ready to go? The dinner is in fifteen minutes, and we shouldn’t be late.”

Mia got up and twirled in front of him. “Can I wear this, or should I change?”

“This is perfect. Just add some jewelry, and you’re good to go.”