Page 320 of Ruthless Court

Mouth open, eyes watering, whatever remains of my dignity abandoning me completely.

Kane looks down.

“That was attractive.”

“I’m exhausted.”

“You almost swallowed your own glasses.”

“I’ve had a long evening.”

“You listened to poetry and kissed me.”

“Both required stamina.”

His grin appears.

I know that grin now.

Not the one from television.

Not the irritating one he flashes when he thinks he won.

This one starts in his eyes.

I like it far too much.

“Come on.” He slides off the tailgate. “I’m taking you home.”

The word home catches strangely.

Briar isn’t technically home.

Chicago is.

Except lately, when I picture Chicago, I see my old bedroom as somewhere I used to live.

When I picture Briar, I see Lila’s books stacked sideways because she refuses to organize anything correctly. Noor’s postcards above her desk. The radiator banging at three in the morning.

Maybe home can move.

Kane holds out his hand.

I take it.

That still feels new.

He helps me down even though I am fully capable of exiting a truck without assistance.

Then he opens the passenger door.

I stop.

“You know I can operate this too.”

“Yes.”

“You’ve opened every door tonight.”