Page 91 of Unsuitable

He shifts on his feet. “I don’t mean to be an arsehole to you.” His eyes come back to mine, and there’s something earnest about his expression.

“So then, don’t be,” I say softly.

He sighs, his eyes lifting to the ceiling. “It’s not that easy.”

“It’s as easy or as hard as you make it.”

His eyes flash back down to mine. “You make it hard.”

Fire ignites in my belly. “You know what? Fuck you, Kastor Matis!” The words are out before I can stop them.

“Did you just say that you wanted to fuck me?”

My eyes slice to his. His face is serious, but there’s a twinkle in his eyes.

The bastard is making fun of me.

“No.” I grit my teeth. “You know exactly what I meant.” I drop my arms, putting my hands on my hips. I let out a sound of exasperation. “God, can you just stop being such a twat?”

There’s a moment of silence.

Then, in a deadly serious voice, he asks, “Did you just call me a…twat?”

My heart bangs hard against my rib cage. Then, I steel my spine. Defiantly tipping my chin up, I say, “Yes, I did. Because you are acting like a twat.”

He stares at me for the longest time. His face is perfectly blank.

Then, I see his lips twitch, and he bursts into laughter.

Full-on belly laughter.

I’ve heard Kas laugh before but nothing like this. It’s a beautiful, infectious sound. Before I know it, I’m laughing, too, and it feels good.

“I can’t believe you called me a twat,” he says between laughs.

“Well, you deserved it.” I chuckle.

He wipes his eyes. “Yeah, you’re right; I did.”

Our laughter has ceased, and now, we’re just staring at each other. Eyes caught on eyes.

Something changes in the air between us. It’s like the laughter cleared the anger away, and all that’s left behind is pure chemistry and heat. And it seems to be strengthening in its intensity with each passing second, drawing me to him.

My pulse starts to beat in my ears. My skin is tingling. My stomach is coiling and tightening.

Kas’s gaze slides down from my eyes to my mouth.

I lick my lips, like an automatic response.

I watch as his eyes heat and flare.

My whole body sets ablaze under his hot stare. If I were ice cream, I’d be melting right now.

Jesus Christ, stop being such a girl, Daisy.

I wrap my arms around my chest. The movement seems to bring him back to the now.

He drops his arms and slides his hands into his front jeans pockets.