Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81358 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81358 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Devlin nodded as he swirled his spaghetti on his fork. Kai turned his attention to his own plate, hating that he’d ruined Devlin’s good mood. He hadn’t needed to remind the man that he’d lost his husband and nearly his own life over an invention that made life better for everyone. Of course he was gun-shy about trying to invent anything else. If it had been Kai, he probably would have told the world to go fuck itself.
“Do you cook often?” Devlin asked after a couple of minutes of awkward silence.
“Not really.” Kai searched his mind for ways to expand on that, but there wasn’t much to say. “I’m…I’m not home often. I tend to grab most meals on the go.”
“It must be exciting. All that travel. You’ve probably been everywhere.”
Kai nodded, though he wasn’t quite sure what he was nodding at. He slowly chewed his food, trying to figure out a safe comment. The job had stopped being exciting a long time ago. Now it was just a job. He enjoyed it. He was damn good at it. But it wasn’t particularly exciting anymore. Maybe just draining.
“I’ve been lucky enough to travel to many interesting places.” A safe if boring comment. From the corner of his eye, he could see Devlin staring at him, waiting for him to expand on that, but he wasn’t comfortable talking about where he’d been. He didn’t think Devlin would betray him. But any information that Kai placed in his brain put him in danger.
Conversation died off as they finished eating their spaghetti. Yes, it was a little bland and boring, but Kai honestly couldn’t remember eating better spaghetti, and a large reason for that was the fact that Devlin had made this for them.
Devlin placed his fork down on his empty plate with a clink and wiped his mouth with his napkin. “I’m sorry if my questions make you uncomfortable. I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable in my home. You’re welcome here.”
He’d been misunderstood completely. Grabbing his empty dishes, he followed Devlin into the kitchen, where he had started rinsing his plate and bowl to place in the dishwasher. He stepped right up to Devlin so that his chest brushed against the man’s shoulder, crowding close into his personal space. Devlin froze like a deer that suddenly realized that he’d been spotted by a predator.
Giving in just this once to dark wishes, Kai bent his head, pushing his nose into Devlin’s hair. He could hear Devlin’s breathing hitch while Kai fell into the enticing scent of shampoo and the barest hint of cologne. He closed his eyes, basking in his ability to stand this close, to feel the warmth of Devlin’s body at long last.
“Your questions don’t make me uncomfortable,” he whispered. “I worry about telling you something that could one day put you in danger. I don’t ever want to put you in danger. You need to be kept safe. You and Jake.”
“Oh.” Devlin sighed, but at least it sounded like a happy sigh.
The words came a little easier now. Somehow it was easier to talk to Devlin when they were so close, and yet Devlin couldn’t read his expression. Or maybe because he couldn’t see Devlin’s disappointment.
“I can talk to people. Make small talk and jokes, but it’s all an act for a job. You’re not a job. I don’t want to act with you, but it’s been a long time since I’ve been me around someone. I don’t know what to say. I’m afraid you’re going to think I’m a complete idiot. Or boring.”
Devlin leaned away from him and Kai instantly straightened. He started to take a step away, but a wet hand grabbed his wrist, halting him. “Boring? I don’t believe it. You’ve got to be one of the least boring people in the world.”
A hint of a smile was starting to tease at the corner of Kai’s mouth, but he was more concerned with Devlin’s mouth and the large grin shining up at him. They were only inches away. It would be so easy to just lean forward and steal a kiss. But talking. They were talking.
“I think you’re confusing my job with me. Some might find my job interesting, but I am very boring.”
“Still don’t believe you. No way you’re boring, and I look forward to proving that I don’t find you boring.”
Kai couldn’t begin to think of how Devlin planned to prove that, but he was open to anything if he would just keep lightly rubbing his thumb on the inside of his wrist. The caress was so innocent, but it was effectively scrambling all his thoughts. Why weren’t they kissing yet? This seemed like a wonderful idea. Definitely not a boring thing.
“Is that why you’ve talked to Jake and not me? Why you haven’t stopped by for a visit?” Devlin’s voice had lost some of his confidence.