Page 59 of Keeping Kara

And the sick feeling increased tenfold.

Chaos dropped his hand from her hair and put a little space between them. He felt…sad? Betrayed? He had no right to feel that way. She hadn’t promised him anything. He’d just assumed she might feel the same way he did. Surely the feeling of rightness he’d had from the beginning wasn’t one-sided?

But it seemed as if maybe it was. Had always been. That he’d assumed things he had no right assuming.

“Arrow?”

“That’s great. I’m happy for you. Make sure he knows about your past. Not the details, not until you’re ready to share them, but at least that you were hurt in the worst way a woman can be hurt by a man. So he’ll go easy. Slow. Let you set the pace.”

“Oh. But⁠—”

“And you know that me and the rest of the guys are always here for you. We’ll have your back. If this guy doesn’t appreciate what he’s got in you, he’ll have us to answer to. And it’s probably best if your first date is in a public place. Oh! You can go to Anchor Point. I’ll see if Casper or one of the other guys can arrange to be there to keep an eye on you, just in case.”

“Arrow, you don’t⁠—”

“I need to make sure you’re safe, Kara. I just…I can’t be there myself. But that doesn’t mean I don’t care. I want you to be happy⁠—”

“Shut it, Arrow!” Kara practically yelled.

Shocked, Chaos stared at her in confusion. He had no idea why she seemed so upset.

“You’re such an idiot. It’s you, Arrow! You’re the one I’m interested in.”

It took a beat for her words to sink in.

“Though I’m not surprised in the least that you would go to such lengths to make sure I’m safe, and I appreciate it. It makes me even more sure of what I want. You. I like you, Arrow. A lot. You’re different from any guy I’ve ever been around, and I’ve spent the last week trying to figure out how to tell you that I wouldn’t mind us dating. That is…if you want…”

The last bit was said haltingly, as if she was unsure of herself.

Which was unacceptable.

Chaos closed the distance he’d put between them and clasped her head in his hands, tangling his fingers in her blonde locks before pulling her close and kissing her the way he’d dreamed of for weeks.

To his relief, she kissed him back. Met his kiss with an equal desperation and passion. He felt her hands grab his biceps and her fingernails dig in lightly, holding on as they kissed.

Sparks shot from his lips down to his toes. A rightness filled Chaos from the inside out. Any remaining doubts he’d had that this woman was the one were shattered in that moment.

Their tongues dueled, and she gave as good as she got. She wasn’t passive, nibbling on his lower lip and thrusting her tongue into his mouth to caress his own. Their heads turned this way, then that, both trying to deepen the kiss.

She walked backward, pulling him with her as she went. Her hands roamed, as did his. Chaos’s skin felt too tight. He felt like howling and crying at the same time.

She led them into his room and straight to the bed. Only then did she pull back.

Her lips were swollen and glistening, and she was breathing as hard as he was.

“Are you sure?” he asked, knowing if she said no or changed her mind it might kill him, but he’d back off.

“Clothes. Off,” she said in reply, as she reached for the hem of the T-shirt she was wearing.

Chaos fumbled with his flight suit. It took way too long to unzip it and shrug it off his shoulders. He pushed it over his hips and stood before her in an army-green T-shirt and boxers. He froze when he saw that Kara had stripped down to her bra and panties.

His brain short-circuited. He couldn’t believe she was here. In his room. Almost in his bed. He’d dreamed of this moment since she’d first stepped foot in his home, but never in a million years thought it would happen so soon. If at all.

He reached for his shirt—then hesitated when he saw a spark of fear in her eyes.

It was as if a bucket of cold water had been thrown over him. He needed to take his own words to heart. Words he’d just said to her while they’d been in the kitchen. Of course she was nervous. She’d been assaulted, her choices had been taken away from her. She needed to be in control here. And Chaos was more than willing to give that to her.

Smiling, he walked to the other side of the bed to give her some space. Then he threw back the covers and got onto the bed. He lay on his back, put his arms over his head, and said gently, “You’re in charge, sweetheart. Whatever you need, whatever you want…I’ll give it to you.”