Kian

by Tijan

“Don’t tell him anything. You remember what I’ve always told you. Don’t trust anyone. Got it?” “Even you?” He grunted. “That’s probably a good idea, too.”

He sighed. “This is where I go.” I nodded. “I know.” He didn’t leave.

I didn’t either. We stayed and stared at each other for another minute, and then he began backing away. I turned around and looked out over the city. I heard the roof’s door open and close, and I knew he was gone, but I’d see him again tomorrow.

No one knew Jordan lived here. No one would know. I saw the interest in her tonight. She wanted to get to know me. The feeling was mutual. I wanted to understand her more than I already did.

He moved his mouth, so he was whispering right into my ear, his lips grazing my ear, “Change your mind. Please change your mind, Jo. I’m showing all my cards here.

I have no shame.

I knew then, if he found me again, I wouldn’t have the strength to turn him away again. I would succumb. I left the closet, but I had to admit that I wanted him to try again.

Jo’s hand grabbed mine at the sight of the pool. I glanced down, but she had been captivated by the water. She didn’t know she reached for me. This meant something. It had to mean something.

My gaze fell to her lips. “They’d like to delude themselves into thinking that I’d do the same for them.” “You wouldn’t?” Her chest rose but never went back down. I moved closer to her. “No. I did it only for one person.” I looked back up, right into her eyes. “And I’d do it again.”

I gasped, but his lips were touching mine with a smooth pressure. I was lost in the feelings. His hands were gentle on my face, and then he paused. I felt him grinning against my lips. He breathed out, “Is this okay?” Winding my arms around his neck, I surged against him. “Hell, yes.”

“When I’m with you, it won’t be while we’re hiding. It won’t be when I can’t hold your hand in daylight. It won’t be when I have to call you a different name. And it won’t be fucking. It’ll be tender. It’ll mean something.”

He added, his voice rough, “It’ll be when I can call you mine to the world. Until then, let me cool off.” He quieted for a beat. “I’ll be back. Don’t go anywhere.”

I meant what I said. If I take you, I want you to be mine all the way. Not mine in hiding. Not mine when you have a separate life. Mine. Just mine.”

She never knew the power she had. She thought she was a nobody, but she was the somebody everyone wanted.

I was hers. Whether she realized it or not, I was giving all of myself to her right now.

I was a bad guy. I had done bad things but never to her. I wanted her to know that. She was the exception. She was the one, the only one, my soul would uphold above all else.

I’d been in love with Jordan since I saved her. I just never knew it.