𝗪𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗞 > 𝗞𝗮𝗶 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗶

act i; part viii

The Date

The nerves hit me the second I opened my door and saw Kai standing there. He looked effortlessly handsome, his dark hair perfectly tousled, his suit fitting him like it was made just for him-which, knowing Kai, it probably was. The man had a way of making everything look easy, but standing there, about to go on our first real date, I felt anything but.

"You look stunning," he said, his voice low and sincere as he looked me up and down.

I glanced down at my dress, a simple black number that I'd never felt quite right in. But the way Kai's eyes lingered on me made me feel like I was the only woman in the world. "Thanks," I managed to say, though my voice was shaky.

Kai smiled, his hand reaching out to take mine. "Ready?"

I nodded, even though I wasn't sure I was. But I couldn't back out now. Not when he was looking at me like that, with so much warmth and something else I couldn't quite place.

The drive to the restaurant was quiet, the tension between us thick but not uncomfortable. It was the kind of tension that made my heart race and my thoughts scatter. Kai held my hand the entire time, his thumb tracing soft circles on my skin, grounding me.

When we pulled up to the restaurant, my stomach twisted with anxiety. It was one of those places I'd only ever seen in movies-chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, valets rushing to open car doors, and a red carpet that seemed out of place in the real world. I suddenly felt out of my depth, like I didn't belong here, like everyone would know I was just pretending.

But Kai didn't give me time to dwell on it. He helped me out of the car and kept his hand on the small of my back as we walked inside. The warmth of his touch did little to soothe my nerves, but I appreciated the effort.

As we were seated, I couldn't help but notice the way the waiter's eyes lingered on me. He was overly attentive, his compliments a little too flowery, and the way he leaned in when he spoke to me set off alarm bells. Kai noticed too, and I saw the flicker of irritation cross his face.

When the waiter came back to take our order, his gaze lingered on me for a moment too long, and I felt Kai's hand tighten on mine under the table. "My wife will have the filet mignon," Kai said, his tone even but with an edge that made it clear he wasn't playing around.

I nearly choked on my water. Wife? I glanced at Kai, my eyes wide, but he didn't miss a beat.

"And for you, sir?" the waiter asked, looking a bit paler than before.

"I'll have the same," Kai replied, his voice firm. The waiter nodded quickly and hurried off, not even daring to look at me again.

As soon as he was gone, I turned to Kai, raising an eyebrow. "Wife?"

Kai just shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "He was getting on my nerves."

I couldn't help but laugh, the tension easing slightly. "And the ring?" I asked, holding up my hand. "Did you forget something?"

"It's getting resized," he said smoothly, his eyes locking onto mine with that intensity that made it hard to breathe. "Besides, you didn't seem to mind."

I bit my lip, trying to suppress the smile threatening to break free. "I guess I didn't."

Dinner was a strange mix of nerves and comfort. The food was incredible-easily the best meal I'd ever had-but I couldn't fully enjoy it. I was too aware of Kai, of the way his knee brushed against mine under the table, of the way his eyes kept drifting to my lips whenever I spoke. There was something in the air between us, something electric that I couldn't quite name but felt deep in my bones.

And then there was the way I was looking at him, the way I couldn't stop looking at him. Every time our eyes met, my heart skipped a beat. There was a heat in his gaze, something dark and consuming that made me feel like I was standing on the edge of something dangerous.

"You keep looking at me like that," Kai suddenly said, his voice low and rough, "and we're going to have problems."

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I quickly looked away, my pulse racing. "I don't know what you're talking about," I mumbled, though the blush on my face probably gave me away.

Kai just chuckled, a deep, rich sound that made my stomach do a little flip. "Sure you don't," he said, his tone teasing.

The rest of the meal passed in a blur of heated glances and soft laughter, and by the time dessert came, I was more relaxed, though the butterflies in my stomach never quite settled.

As we finished the last of our wine, Kai leaned in, his expression suddenly serious. "Promise me something, Evie."

I looked at him, my heart skipping a beat. "What?"

"Promise me you won't avoid me again," he said, his voice soft but firm. "No more running."

There was no hesitation in my answer. "I promise."

His eyes softened, and he reached out to gently brush a strand of hair behind my ear. "Good girl," he murmured, his voice sending a shiver down my spine.

Before I could say anything, he leaned in closer, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispered, "If you ever do something like that again, you won't like the consequences, little bunny."

The threat in his voice was playful, but it sent a thrill through me all the same. I swallowed hard, my skin tingling where his breath had brushed against it.

"I'll keep that in mind," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

Kai smiled, a slow, satisfied smile that made my heart race all over again. "See that you do."

The ride home was quiet, but it wasn't the uncomfortable silence from before. This time, the silence was filled with unspoken words, with promises and threats and a tension that was almost unbearable. When we finally reached my apartment, Kai walked me to my door, his hand never leaving mine.

As we stood in front of my door, he turned to me, his eyes dark and intense. "I'll see you soon, Evie," he said, his voice a low rumble that made my knees weak.

"I'll be here," I replied, my voice breathless.

He leaned in, his lips brushing against mine in a kiss that was soft and sweet, a stark contrast to the heat that had been building between us all night. But it was enough to leave me wanting more, to make me ache in a way I didn't fully understand.

When he finally pulled away, I was left standing there, breathless and flushed, my heart pounding in my chest. Kai smiled, a wicked, knowing smile, and then he was gone, leaving me alone with my racing thoughts and the lingering heat of his kiss.

As I closed the door behind me, I leaned against it, my mind spinning. I had promised not to run from him, but I had no idea what that would mean for us. All I knew was that I was in deep, and there was no turning back now.