Page 54 of Spotlight Hearts

That does something to me, something not quite in control, so maybe he’s right.

He tilts his head, deepens the kiss, and suddenly, it’s not slow anymore. His tongue brushes mine, and my knees actually weaken. Warmth and dizziness thread through me making me feel lightheaded, too.

“Don’t fall,” he murmurs against my mouth. “Bed’s right there.”

“I’m aware.”

“Are you?”

He shifts his weight, nudging me backward again until I feel the mattress behind my thighs again. He doesn’t push me down. He just stands there, crowding me, smiling as though he knows exactly how much he’s affecting me.

“You’re not as controlled as you think,” he says softly.

I swallow. “I’m plenty controlled.”

His thumb traces up my neck, until it rests beneath my jaw.

“Then prove it,” he murmurs.

He kisses me again—but this time it’s teasing. Brief. Almost chaste. He pulls away before I can sink into it, leaving me chasing air.

“That’s not fair,” I say, breathless.

He grins.

“There aren’t any cameras yet,” he reminds me. “Thought I’d give you something real.”

My chest tightens at that.

He leans in again, but slower now. Gentler. His lips press to mine in a way that feels less like teasing and more like claiming. His hand slides from my jaw down to my chest, palm flat over my heartbeat again.

“Relax,” he whispers against my mouth. “You’re allowed to like this.”

I do.

God, I do.

I lean into him fully this time—no hesitation, no checking the glass doors or the open sky. My hands slide down his back, gripping him the way he’s been gripping me. I kiss him like I mean it.

He makes that sound again—low and pleased. I could become addicted to that sound.

“This is my favorite version of you,” he murmurs.

My pulse jumps. “Which is?”

“The one that stops pretending.”

EIGHTEEN

LUCA

My heart is going to beat out of my chest. Who would have known that Kai had this side to him? The second I realized he had a feral side that was begging to be let out, I knew it was my mission to do just that.

I’m not sure he’s ever released control. His grip on it is iron tight. But I’ll get him to see that he doesn’t have to fear it. One touch and kiss at a time.

Sure, Harry said only a few days, but I’ve rented out the place for the full time if I can get him to stay. Ten days with Kai in my arms sounds fucking perfect.

My hands roam. Up his back under his shirt, nails scraping lightly down his spine. He arches into me with a shaky breath. I smile against his lips.