Defiant Heir (The Heirs 3)

“Out for dinner,” I say, rolling a bunch of strands around the curling iron.

Hana’s eyebrows pop up. “Oh?” She moves some of the clothes out of the way then takes a seat on my bed. “With who?”

My eyes lock on my friend’s face. “Kao.” I watch as a slow grin spreads over her face.

“Just dinner, or dinner?”

Not able to hide my excitement any longer, I grin like a lovesick fool as I admit, “He finally asked me on a date.”

“Damn,” she gasps. “Miracles do happen.”

With my attention on Hana, the curling iron presses against my jaw. It’s only for a split-second before I yank it away. “Shit!” My eyes dart to the mirror, and leaning forward, I check to see if I freaking burned my face.

“What?” Hana asks.

Not seeing any marks, I mutter, “I almost burned my face.” I glare at the curling iron. “Stupid thing.” Remembering what we were talking about, I say, “You know Kao doesn’t rush into anything. He’s meticulous in everything he does.”

“True.”

When I’m done, I turn off the curling iron and place it on the table. I pull my fingers through my hair until I’m happy with the look.

“You’re gorgeous,” Hana compliments me. Rising to her feet, she says, “Let me see the complete look.”

I get up from the chair and twirl in a circle for her. I’ve decided to wear black pants with heels, and my favorite Gucci shirt, that’s black with gold writing. To round off the look, I’m wearing a taupe jacket. “So? Do you approve?”

Hana grins at me. “God, those pants make your butt look good. I’m going to steal them.”

“We should go get you a pair.”

“Oooh, shopping spree this weekend?” she asks.

“We can go on Sunday. I’m going to a potluck at Kao’s parents on Saturday.”

Hana chuckles, shaking her head. “I’ll never understand you and Kao. You know everyone thinks you’re a couple already?”

“Yeah,” I reply as I swipe on some lipgloss. “You know I don’t care what people think.”

“Also true.” She lets out a sigh. “As long as you’re happy.”

I turn to face my friend, and with a cheerful smile, I say, “I am.”

“Well, you’re good to go. Enjoy the evening.” Hana walks to my door, and opening it, she comes face to face with Kao, who was just about to knock. “Your girl’s ready,” she teases him before disappearing down the hallway.

Kao steps into the room and his eyes slowly drift over me, then he murmurs, “You look beautiful, as always.”

I take a moment to drink in the sight of him. He’s dressed in brown chinos with a light blue, button-up shirt that does nothing to hide his muscled body.

Yum.

My gaze meets his hypnotizing blue eyes. Everyone knows I’m a control freak, but Kao’s eyes are the only place I want to get lost in.

Since I discovered I had hormones, I’ve had a crush on him. But when I moved into the suite and I got to see him every day, it grew into love. Kao’s perfect in every way. He’s patient, caring, and has the kind of inner strength that makes you let down your guard. With one look, he can strip me bare.

“Hey, handsome,” I say. Picking up my necklace from the table, I walk toward him. “Can you help me put this on?”

Kao nods, and once he’s taken the piece of jewelry from me, I turn my back to him.

I feel his fingers skim over my skin as he moves my hair over my right shoulder, and it sends goosebumps rushing over my body. He clasps the necklace in place, and when he leans down and I feel his breath flutter over my pulse, my lips part and my eyes drift shut. His lips brush against my skin, and it makes my insides tighten.

Then he pulls back, and the moment fades as he asks, “Are you ready?”

Turning to face him, I nod. “I’ve been ready for years.”

The corner of his mouth lifts in a hot as hell grin. “Years?”

Pushing past him, I playfully bat my eyelashes. “That’s a secret I’ll share with you one day.”

“Hmm, I wasn’t aware we were keeping secrets from each other.”

I reach for his hand as I tease, “Just one.”

Walking into the living room, Noah’s eyes snap to us from where he was watching TV. “Drive safely.”

“Always,” Kao replies.

“And bring the leftovers home,” Noah calls after us as we walk out the door.

“Will do.”

Reaching the elevator, I ask, “Does Noah know we’re going on a date?”

“I didn’t tell him, but I’m sure he knows. There’s not much I can hide from him,” Kao answers.

We step inside as I admit, “I told Hana.”

Kao lifts our joined hands, and he presses a kiss to the back of mine. “That’s okay.”

Walking out of the building, I hear Nate, one of the juniors, call out, “Looking good, guys.”