Noah's breathing was jagged, his pulse pounding in his neck as Kai leaned over him. The intensity of his stare was oppressive—dark, uninterpretable, devouring.
"W-what are you doing?" Noah stuttered, shoving back into the bed.
Kai grinned, his fingers stroking Noah's cheek, his voice low and measured. "What does it look like?"
Noah's teeth gritted. "Get off me, Kai."
Kai didn't move. Instead, he cocked his head, analyzing Noah as if he were deciphering a mystery. "You pretend like you despise this." His thumb followed the curve of Noah's lips, and Noah trembled. "But I see straight through you."
Noah swallowed hard, trying to maintain his composure. "You're making things up—"
Kai emitted a quick laugh, shaking his head. "Am I?"
And then—he spoke it at last.
"You drive me crazy, babe. And you know it."
Noah's eyes went wide, a wave of heat coursing through his chest. The words lingered, more substantial than anything Kai had ever uttered to him.
Silence.
