Page 76 of Bound By Ink

I nod. He brings me a plate of pasta in a creamy chicken-and-mushroom sauce. He stabs a fork into it, twisting the spaghetti around it before bringing it to my lips. My tongue flicks out before my mouth opens around the fork of food. I press my hand to my mouth as he removes the fork. I chew, groaning at how delicious it tastes.

“Good?” He smiles, and I nod frantically.

“Sogood.” I grin. I’ve always loved Killian’s cooking. His mum is a great cook. She taught me when I lived with them. But his always tastes so much better. He fixes himself a plate and heads to the table. I hop off the counter and join him. We eat in silence. It’s comfortable, though.Just being near him feels normal. I love how everything’s changed, while feeling like nothing really has. He treats me the same, but also differently. He certainly looks at me differently, but the way he does makes my skin heat and tingle and my heart swell. I keep glancing at him while I eat. Caught between an “I can’t believe we’re together” and “Where do we go from here?”

Killian

Chapter 43

I feel like I haven’t seen Scott all week. He’s been busy at uni, and I’ve been busy in the shop, but I need to see him. I want more “Come out with me.”

“Where?”

“To dinner.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Go get changed.”

“Why?”

“Fuck, Scott, I wanna take you on a date.”

“Oh.” He stares at me, but nods.

He’s still so clueless. I don’t know what happened between us, but it’s like we’re not sure how to behave around each other in public, and I want things to be clear. I want to talk to him. So, I get cleaned up, and I push into Steven’s room.

“Hey, I need to borrow a shirt.”

He waves his arm towards his wardrobe. He’s lying on the bed in his boxers, one hand stuffed down them, cupping his balls, the other wrapped behind his head.

I sort through his wardrobe, finding a black shirt. After tugging it off the hanger, I turn to face him. I rip my T-shirt over my head, tossing it on the floor, and snatch his deodorant off the dresser before giving myself a good spray.

“No, don’t mind me, fuckface, just help ya’sen,” he spits in a sarcastic tone, which I ignore.

“Cheers, dude.” I grin, winking.

“You’re not gonna fuck my brother in that shirt, are you?” He shudders, and I chuckle.

“I might.”

“Eww, you two are fucking gross.” He screws his face up as if he can smell something rank.

“Hey, can I talk to you?”

“Erm, I suppose, but Ido notwant to know anything about your sex life. It’s bad enough having to hear it through the walls.” He physically shivers; his discomfort makes me smile wider.

“Does it bother you?” I sit at the end of the bed, staring at my best friend. Knowing I probably should have asked him before, but everything kind of just happened.

“Dude, it’s weird as fuck. He’s my little brother. I hate it, but also after everything that went on with that cunt, Derren. I’m glad, in a way, it’s you. I know you’ll look after him. He’s a good kid.”

“Eww, do not say he’s a kid.” It’s my turn to shudder now, and a smirk passes his face.

“Dude, he is a kid. He’s my kid brother, and you’ve always treated him like your own, until now. He’s twelve years younger than us.” He sits up, resting his hand on his knee. “I can see how much you guys love each other, though. So, yes, it’s weird as fuck. It’s so fucking weird, but also I know he’s safe with you. Hurt him, and I’ll kick youin the nuts. Otherwise, we’re good, and please don’t fuck him in that. I fucking love that shirt.”

I bark out a laugh and grin, not making any promises. I head to Scott’s room and knock on the door.

“Come in,” he shouts. I click the door open.