Page 37 of Graves

I step even closer. He backs up again until he’s against the kitchen island.

“What are you doing?”

“I want a better look at you,” I answer.

I’m only doing this because I’m drunk. But fuck, if he doesn’t feel the tension between us, there’s no helping him. The pulse in his neck is hammering like Liam doing a drum solo.

I breathe in Koh’s earthy scent and can’t help noticing how his closeness brings me a peace I’ve been searching for since my release. He loosens the knot in my chest and lets me breathe again. It just feels good to have him near.

Surprisingly, it seems to do the same for him. He doesn’t try to escape. The tension leaves his body and he stops holding the beer like a shield between us. He knows what’s coming when he sets the bottle down, and he seems okay with it.

Without thinking anymore, I lean in and kiss him gently on those beautiful, soft lips. His warmth floods into me and fuels my hunger for more, so I press closer, chest against chest.

I breathe him in and get greedier with every breath.

A shiver races through my chest, down my back, and through my legs.

How is this possible?

The man takes my breath away.

I place my hands on his hips, feeling his lean build, then slide them up his sides, over his chest, and into the back of his neck.

To my surprise, Koh kisses me back. I have no idea what his hands are doing—I don’t feel them on my body—but I don’t care.

It’s been so fucking long since I kissed someone. A little fun won’t hurt. Plus, Koh turns me on in a way I didn’t expect. Sure, I’m drunk and still riding the high from the show. My dick is twitching and every fiber of my body wants more.

When I push further and seek his tongue, I feel Koh’s hands on my chest. He rips his mouth away and shoves me back.

“What the hell?” he asks, breathless.

I can hear the grind of his teeth as he stares at me with narrowed eyes. He’s bad at pretending the kiss didn’t affect him.

“You were talking too much,” I answer flatly.

Koh wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and glares at me. “I didn’t say anything. Why would you do that?”

I frown, confused. “Seriously? You want an explanation when it’s obvious you liked it?”

“I don’t know what came over me,” he says, heading back to the couch.

“You know, you can really be an asshole,” I snap.

“Me?” he spins around, furious. “You’re the one acting like an arrogant rockstar who thinks he can do whatever the fuck he wants.”

“What?” I make a face, genuinely lost. “I just thought you were cute! Jesus! What’s wrong with having a little fun? You’re obviously into guys.”

“And because you’re a rockstar you think that makes it okay?”

“Huh? You kissed me back! And just so you remember—the whole world hates me!”

“Yeah! Because you’re a murderer!”

For a second, I can’t breathe. I stare at Koh with my mouth open. “Like I don’t already know that,” I force out, grabbing my beer and turning away.

“Aran,” he says, like he wants to apologize, so I turn back. “Why did you give me tickets to the show?”

“Isn’t it obvious? As thanks for keeping the place in good shape. Plus, we live together now. If I hadn’t invited you, you’d hold it against me eventually.”