Fault Line (Coastal University #2)

by Ki Stephens

She’s in her element now, confidence radiating from head to toe—from her wide smile to her self-assured posture to the notable pep in her step. She’s a fucking vision, isn’t she?

“We all know there’s a thin line between love and hate, Kaia.”

“You know what? Fine. As embarrassing as this is, I’m looking for a hookup tonight. If you have any friends that aren’t total jerks, I’d be down for a setup.” At her request, there’s an uncomfortable pinching sensation in my chest. For some reason, I’m rattled by the thought of her hooking up with one of my teammates. It’s not because I want her for myself—to date her or anything like that—but it’s just the principle of the matter. Kaia Karras is mine to fuck with.

“You know, I missed you last week.” “What?” “I missed talking to you,” he admits, his gaze intense. “This ignoring shit you’ve been doing? Yeah, it doesn’t really work for me.” I’m momentarily speechless. Honestly, I assumed that he didn’t care either way if we talked. “Holden,” I murmur softly, uncertain of what else to say. “Kaia.” He parrots my tone. “Look, if you’re pissed at me, then just tell me. Fight with me. Yell at me. But don’t shut me out. I don’t like seeing you everywhere, knowing that you’re just gonna look the other way.”

“You must know I want you, Karras,” I admit, my heart hammering in my ears. “I’ve wanted you for as long as I can remember. And if you’re looking for just one night, then count me in.”

“You still think I don’t like you?” I lean back, running a frustrated hand through my hair. “Kaia, I fucking adore you.” Her brow furrows. “What?” “I admire the hell out of you. I think you’re smart, funny, witty, beautiful.” I stop myself before I get truly carried away. “There’s never a dull moment when we’re around each other.”

“Don’t worry, baby,” I murmur, sliding my hands up her firm thighs. “I’ll be so fucking good to you.”

“Karras,” I murmur, my voice low and soft. “Let me try again for you. Let me be that guy.” She blinks, her gaze flicking up to meet mine. “That guy?” she echoes. “If you’re struggling, I wanna be the guy you call for help. The one who can make you forget about everything else and just . . . be in the moment.”

“So, what you’re saying is that you want to be my last resort?” A smirk tilts my lips. “As long as I’m your something.”

“I just can’t seem to get enough of you,”

“If it wasn’t obvious by now—I kinda give a shit about you, Karras.” I tense up in his arms. “Ah, I see.” “And I think you give a shit about me, too.” “Yeah,” I quietly, hesitantly agree. “Yeah, maybe I do.”

The truth is, I want this girl for a million other reasons than what she can do for me in the bedroom.

I want to wake up with her in the mornings and not have to worry about whether or not I crossed a line. I want to take care of her when she’s sick and not have to practically force her into letting me. I want to fight with her and not have to fear that she’ll never speak to me again.

And I’m falling deeper and deeper every damn day, despite the fear that she might never let me in fully.

“There’s nothing fucking wrong with you, Kaia,” he says fiercely, pulling me even closer. “All that shit you just listed—it’s what makes you human. Uniquely fucking perfect. I don’t like you in spite of who you are. I like every little piece that makes you whole. I’m not getting bored of you, ever, so don’t even let your mind take you there.”

“You know,” I say, wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her against me. “I’ve had a thing for you pretty much since the second I laid eyes on you.”