Page 71 of Bad Influence
He looks at me, an almost smile on his face. “If I wanted to take you somewhere tonight, would you want to go with me?”
I straighten in my chair, setting my book aside. Is he… asking me on a date? Surely, not. I mean it sounds like a date, but it can’t be one. I would love to go on a date with him. I’m afraid Killian isn’t the sort who dates. Gerry has never told me about him having a girlfriend in the past. There must have been someone, so I guess either the relationship didn’t last long or the news just never got to me.
I lean in closer and lower my voice, “Are you asking me on a date?”
Killian also leans closer and lowers his voice, “Do you want me to ask you on a date?”
Up close, his eyes are a clear, stunning blue. “You asked me to go with you tonight. Does that mean it’s a date?”
“Why can’t we be two friends hanging out?”
His answer disappoints me and also hurts me. I don’t want to be his friend. Maybe I did when I moved in here but somewhere in the weeks since, I’ve stopped wanting it.
“Yeah, that’s good.”
I uncross my legs and stand up to leave. I’m not in a fun mood right now and I don’t feel like bantering with him anymore. Before I can even take a step, Killian grabs my hand and spins me around. I’m not expecting it so I fall forward towards him and just barely have the sense to brace my hands on the armrest of the chair. I hover over him as he lounges like a king.
“What are you doing?” I demand.
“Trying to make you admit you want to go on a date with me,” he says.
I wrinkle my nose in distaste. “I want no such thing. You’re delusional.” I don’t want to let him have the satisfaction.
His mouth does that almost smile thing which is starting to annoy me a little. If he wants to smile, why doesn’t he just smile? “And if I say I want you to go on a date with me? Am I still delusional then?”
My ears burn with a blush. “Then why didn’t you just admit it?”
He raises his shoulder in a shrug. “I like to see you blush. Makes me wonder how far this color travels down your body.” His thumb brushes against the top of my burning cheek. “I want to paint you just like this.”
“Like this?!”
Killian nods, hands coming up to cup my face. He arches up slightly, his nose brushing mine. “Yes, just like this. On top of me.”
I don’t miss the double meaning of his words. When I breathe in to try to calm my erratic heartbeat, all I smell is him, something soft and woodsy. My pulse pounds between my legs as I inhale deeply.
“How…how will you paint me if I’m over you?” I whisper.
“You’re asking technical questions,” he says. “I’ll have to paint from memory. Or better yet, take a photo.”
There’s a circle of dark blue around his irises which has me fascinated. I want to look away, but he’s got me hooked on the spot.
“A photo?”
“If you’ll allow it.”
“I…okay.” I swallow. “But I’ll have to get on top of you.”
This time, his mouth moves into a small smirk. “We’ll get to that soon, butterfly. For now, you have to get ready for our date.”
Killian’s hands lower from my face to my arms as he stands up, taking me with him. I feel a sudden head rush from his proximity and the swift move. He keeps a steady grip on my arms, not letting me go.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“A hockey game.”
“A WHAT?”
We’re literally at a hockey game. I’ve never been to a sports game in my life.
