Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 84544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
“What about Kairo? Does he know how you are?”
This time it was Isidore’s turn to sigh heavily and roll his eyes at his sister. “Do you have any idea how loaded that question is? Can you be more specific? Do you mean does he know that I’m neurotically overprotective?”
“I mean,” Athena said with heavy emphasis, “does he know that you don’t casually date? That you don’t sleep around. That you have a heart bigger than the ocean but you don’t let people get close to you.”
“No, probably not. We haven’t talked about that kind of stuff. And what you walked in on was the first kiss.”
Athena wrinkled her nose at him and frowned. “Well, that sucks. I don’t want to ruin anyone’s first kiss. You’re going to have to do that whole thing over.”
Isidore threw up his hands. “I thought you’ve just been arguing that I shouldn’t be kissing him at all.”
“You really shouldn’t, but if you’re going to kiss him, you should at least get it right.”
Lowering his head, Isidore pinched the bridge of his nose and rubbed his eyes. Athena had a knack for giving him the worst headaches. “You’re killing me, and I think you’re doing it on purpose.”
Athena looped her arm through Isidore’s and snuggled close, laying her head against his shoulder. “I’m not trying to be a pain in the ass. Just tell me whether you’ve thought any of this through.”
“No, I haven’t. Not at all. I kissed him on impulse. He said I needed to stop putting everyone else first and take what I wanted for once. So I did.”
A low groan lifted from his sister and she smashed her nose into his arm. “Stop. Just stop. Quit giving me new reasons to like him. One of us needs to use common sense right now.”
A smile finally returned to Isidore’s lips as he kissed the top of his sister’s head. She was constantly complaining that he wasn’t thinking of his own needs enough. “Common sense has little effect on the desires of the heart.”
There was no question in his mind. His heart wanted Kairo. He didn’t have everything figured out yet, like exactly what it wanted from Kairo or how this was all going to work out. Okay, so maybe he didn’t really have any of those answers. Wasn’t it enough that he knew that he wanted Kairo? He wanted to kiss the man. He wanted to kiss him until their lips were swollen and sore. He wanted to explore every centimeter of Kairo’s body with his eyes, fingers, and mouth—in that order. He wanted to hear him laugh, gasp, and moan in pleasure.
It was even getting to the point that he wanted those laughs, gasps, and moans to belong to him alone.
But Athena wasn’t worried about that part. She wanted to know about the aftermath of their sexual fun. Was it possible for them to have a relationship? Was that something Kairo would even be interested in? Particularly with him?
It was a bitter truth to swallow that he wasn’t brave or especially good in a fight. He couldn’t use a gun or other weapons. He’d taken basic self-defense, but that was only going to carry him so far in a real fight. Why would Kairo even be interested in him in the first place? Yes, he knew he was attractive and rich, but that only made for a good one-night stand. While he might not know what he wanted for their future, he did know that he wasn’t interested in a quick fling.
But he could learn. He could learn how to use weapons and be more assertive. He could learn to be good in a fight, and then maybe Kairo would let him tag along on their jobs. He could be useful.
Yes, this was going to work. He could do this for Kairo.
With that settled in his mind, he smiled at his sister, who was now watching him with a new questioning look. “Don’t worry. I’ll figure this out and I’ll be careful. I want him, Athena. I want him, and I’ve never wanted anyone before. Let me at least try.” His grin turned a little lopsided. “Even if I can’t have him, I want to at least enjoy this for a short time. Make a good memory.”
Her smile seemed a little helpless, but some of the sadness had leaked from her expression as she stared up at him. “If I didn’t think he was a good guy, I would be making a much bigger stink about this. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
Isidore leaned over and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Sometimes that can’t be helped, but I appreciate your concern.” When he straightened and looked down at her, he finally realized something was missing. “Where is Joey?”