Chapter 36 A Kiss

Chapter 36 A Kiss
Tate

I rolled onto my back, staring up at the dark ceiling. I’d been tossing and turning for the past thirty minutes, trying to chase sleep that completely eluded me.

A million things ran through my mind. Julie was back in my apartment. While I’d been able to spend the first night with her—courtesy of a night off from Mrs. Sinclair—I couldn’t do that tonight.

Julie hated sleeping alone. 

Back home, she’d crawl into my bed late at night. Even though she claimed she wasn’t scared and just found my mattress more comfortable... I knew better. 

And now? She was alone in my apartment. I couldn’t help but worry. Were the terrible nightmares back? Was she staying up all night, scared out of her wits?

If she hadn’t dumped her phone during her desperate attempt to run away from home, I would have called her. But I couldn't reach her, and I hated the thought that she couldn’t reach me either if something went wrong.

A sigh escaped me as I pushed off the blankets and sat up. I checked the time on my phone.

2:34 AM.

Wow. It had been way more than thirty minutes.

I’d tucked Leo into bed at nine, then spent hours preparing for an upcoming midterm. 

I was a Junior now and I couldn’t afford to let my GPA drop. I'd stayed up studying until midnight, but now it was halfway to three, and there was still no sign of sleep. Great.

Rubbing my hands down my face, I swung my legs out of bed, reached for the switch, and flicked on the light. I could really use a drink right now. Or ice cream. Anything to take the edge off.

But a part of me was anxious about going downstairs. 

The Sinclairs definitely had security cameras, and I didn’t want to be caught wandering around at an ungodly hour.

Still, the restlessness won. 

After pacing my room for another three minutes, I finally summoned the courage, unlocked my door, and stepped out.

Clutching my robe tightly around myself, I tried to keep my footsteps silent as I walked down the staircase and made my way toward the kitchen.

There was no one in sight. The staff were asleep, and the house was dead quiet. It was a little eerie being the only thing moving in a mansion this size.

The kitchen itself was bathed in pitch darkness. I'd noticed it was a household routine to turn off all the main lights at night, leaving only the hallways illuminated.

"Oh God. Where is it?" I whispered to myself, groping along the wall.

Because my job revolved entirely around Leo, I wasn't exactly familiar with the kitchen's layout. 
Hell, I had no idea if I’d even find ice cream, a bottle of whiskey, or anything else to ease my anxiety and boredom. Worse, I had no idea if I was even allowed to touch their food.

I ran my hands along the smooth wall, hoping to stumble upon the light switch.

Suddenly, there was a slight movement across the room. I froze. My eyes darted through the shadows, trying to pinpoint where the sound had come from.

I saw nothing. God, I should have brought my phone for the flashlight.

There was a flick and then light flooded the kitchen. I squinted at the brightness, shielding my eyes with my hand.

When my eyes had adjusted to the light, I looked around and my heart jumped to my throat as my eyes fell on Kade on the other side of the counter, just resting his elbows on it casually.

His eyes —that looked darker than usual— were on me. I placed my hand on my chest trying to calm my racing heart.

It was just Kade. It was just Kade.
"Jesus. You scared me," I hissed in a hushed tone.

He raised a single brow, straightening up.

My eyes involuntarily drifted down his body. He wasn't wearing a shirt.

I’d seen my fair share of half-naked guys before, but this... this felt entirely different, and I couldn't explain why.

It was the same anatomy—broad shoulders, defined biceps, and a sharp V-line that disappeared into the low-slung gym shorts on his hips.

Does he do anything besides work out?

My fingers itched to feel how strong those biceps are. My eyes returned to his and I flushed.

Great. He’d caught me staring.

He cocked his head to the side. "Are you done?" he asked. His voice was lower than I’d ever heard it—a deep, gravelly rumble that I felt right through me.

My stomach did a dizzying flip. 

Frowning, I stepped away from the doorway and headed toward the refrigerator, trying to regain my composure.

I needed to grab whatever I could find and get the hell out of there.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about," I lied flatly. I’d rather die in denial than admit I was admiring him.
I pulled the fridge open and stared at the items in it. Disappointment curled in my stomach when I realized there was no ice-cream in it.

Did they run out of it or they just didn’t keep some in the fridge?

“What are you looking for?” His voice was raspy and sounded a little closer. I whipped around, shutting the fridge. He stood where he was at.

I gave a small shrug. “Ice-cream,”

Meeting his gaze, I crossed my arms over my chest. His eyes slowly traveled down my body, mirroring what I had just done to him. It was pathetic to admit, but everywhere his gaze touched suddenly felt warm.

Too warm.

I was sleep-deprived. That was the only logical explanation to the reason I felt funny.

“Ice cream,” he repeated as his eyes travelled up to mine. I tilted my head to the side.

Thinking about it now, I hadn’t seen him all day. Since he was avoiding me because of whatever reason. I was surprised, he hadn’t walked away yet.

He shook his head, and my eyes fell to the amber liquid in the glass bottle on the counter. I frowned. "You’re drinking?"
He glanced down at the liquor and shrugged.

"Couldn’t sleep. Figured it would help." His eyes locked onto mine again. "Why are you up, Tatum? And don’t tell me it’s because you suddenly had a craving for dairy."

I pressed my lips together. That was exactly what I was going to say. 

"Well, that is the reason." I tightened the sash of my robe, and his eyes narrowed.

"Don’t lie to me."

I pursed my lips, changing the subject. "Would you pour some of that for me?" I asked, nodding toward the bottle.

He stared down at it. "There’s no extra glass. You’d have to drink directly from the bottle." His gaze darkened a fraction. "And you’d have to come closer."
“Stop acting like I’d pounce on you and slit your neck,” he added dryly and I chuckled before I could stop myself
.

I coughed, trying to hide the smile. “It’s very possible. You’ve made it clear you don’t like me,”

He nodded. 

“You have no idea,” he mumbled. 

I wasn’t expecting those words to sting, but they did. First Brayden earlier today, and now Kade. It was delusional of me to think I could magically fit into their world or become their friend.

"So, do you want it?" he asked, tipping the neck of the bottle toward me.

"I’m good," I mumbled, stepping backward. I glanced at him over my shoulder. "Goodnight, Mister Kade."
I made my way towards the door and was almost out when his voice stopped me.

“Tate.”

I could swear he’d never called me that before. He barely ever addressed me by my actual name. I hated how much I liked the sound of it rolling off his tongue.

“Do you need anything?” I asked without turning around. We weren’t friends. We were just acquaintances stuck under the same roof and I, his worker.

There was a small sigh.

“You should have the drink. It would help you sleep,” he said quietly and my jaw tightened.

“I could do well in the morning without a hangover. I’m good, seriously.” I mumbled and there was a brief silence.

That was it?

I took a step into the hallway, but a hand suddenly gripped my upper arm, spinning me around. He was close.

So close that I could smell his cologne mixed with the smell of bodywash. It smelled intoxicating. Comforting.

He stared down at me, brown eyes boring into mine with such intensity that made my knees a little weak.

Without breaking eye contact, his hand slid down my arm to my wrist. His fingers brushed against mine for a heartbeat before he pressed the glass bottle into my palm, curling my fingers around it.

My stomach fluttered and my heart slowed down.

“You should have the drink,” he repeated slowly, his eyes dropping to my lips.

A shockwave of electricity zipped down my spine. People always talked about how ungodly the hours after midnight were, and they were right. So fucking right.

Because it made absolutely zero sense why I was suddenly craving his touch. Why I wanted Kade.

"The more you try to force this on me, the more suspicious I get," I breathed out.

Kade leaned down slightly, bringing himself entirely to my eye level.

It was, without a doubt, the most attractive thing I had ever seen a man do. The warmth in my stomach pooled lower, settling between my legs.

"Poisoning you is the last thing on my mind, Tatum," he murmured, and I pursed my lips. That…that doesn’t sound right.

“Are you…” I trailed off, pursing my lips. “…high?” I completed.

For the first time since we crossed paths, he cracked a smile. At me.

I blinked, and it was…gone. I regretted it immediately.

“You think I am?” he asked, straightening up. I raised my head slightly to meet his gaze.

“Ovulation maybe?” I pressed further, and amusement replaced the usual blankness in his eyes.

“I don’t think your brain works in hours like this. Go to bed,” he muttered and turned away. I stared at his back and the planes of his shoulder.

He really had an incredible build, and he should keep it under a shirt. Always.

I was slightly disappointed that he was backing away. I clutched the bottle to my chest.

“Yeah, goodnight,” I said, and he didn't reply. Weren’t friends. I should never forget that.

I walked out of the kitchen and headed back upstairs.

When I reached my bedroom door, I hesitated for a fraction of a second, glancing back toward the stairway. 

A stupid, reckless part of me hoped he’d follow me up. I was entirely convinced I wasn’t the only one who had felt that sudden pull.

"Stupid girl," I muttered to myself, turning the knob and pushing the door open. 

It was ridiculous to want Kade to make a move. We weren't in the same social class. I was just an employee.. He wouldn't risk it, he had a girlfriend, and I…

I shook my head. Stupid.

I pushed the door shut, except it didn’t fully shut. A foot was stuck ‌between it. My eyes widened slightly as the door opened wider and Kade came into sight.

My throat went completely dry. Every coherent thought vanished from my brain.

"What are you—"

"I'm really sorry," he interrupted. His voice was thick, almost…strained? 

He took one step in, his hand slipping into the back of my hair.

His eyes searched mine for a second before pulling me towards him, angling my head to the side and then…

He kissed me.

Jesus Christ.