“It’s okay. Thank you for coming. I think I can get to my apartment by myself.” She just needed to get away from him before all these feelings about him overwhelmed her. It was getting more and more challenging to find the line between friends or something more.
“Kayla, please.”
She hesitated. That did her in, and he caught up to her.
“We don’t know why she targeted the restaurant or if she’s decided that she has something against you specifically. I’m just worried about you.”
What was she supposed to say to that? That was part of the problem, though. As long as he kept saying things like that, calling her baby, and kissing her, she couldn’t keep her distance. If she didn’t, then she ran a real risk of losing her friend, and that was more important to her than anything else.
They didn’t speak as they rode the elevator up. Kayla’s thoughts were all over the place. She wanted him, there was no denying it. But at what cost? Evan was an amazing guy, and she couldn’t imagine her life without him in it anymore.
The elevator dinged and they stepped out. It was a quick walk down the hall to her door.
“Thank you for letting me walk you up,” Evan said at her door. “I know I’m being a bit much. Today scared the hell out of me.”
“Do you want to come in for a minute?” Apparently, her mouth was making decisions without her brain’s input.
She just opened the door and Evan followed. There was no doubt that he would. The question was, what happens now?
“Kayla, I need you to promise me something.”
“What?” she said wearily.
He stepped forward and cupped her cheek as he held her gaze. “Never run into danger again. I think I lost ten years of my life today.”
“I didn’t do it on purpose. I was checking out the noise.”
Somehow his gaze was even more tender than before. “You have cameras. I just need to know you’re safe.”
“If it helps, I don’t intend to do it again.”
“That helps, a lot.”
She reached up and touched his hand, leaning into it. “Really, thank you for being there for me today.”
“Always.”
She pushed all thoughts away from her mind and went only on instinct. Leaning forward, she pressed her lips to his.
Evan froze for a moment before he pulled her closer, her body melding into his. He deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring, dancing with hers. It was different than their last kiss. There was no rush.
Kayla let her hands roam over him. Bold now with his reaction, she wanted more. Her hands ran through his hair, her nails scratching his scalp as he moaned.
Evan pulled back a fraction, and she opened her eyes in question. “Kayla, I have to go or I won’t want to stop.”
“I didn’t ask you to.” Kayla closed the gap again, pressing her lips to his.
“Are you sure?” he asked.
She backed away with a sigh, linking her hand in his. Instead of words, she’d show him that she was sure. He went willingly with her down the hall and into her bedroom.
Reaching the bed, Kayla turned and faced Evan again. His eyes were dark, and it turned her on even more than she already was. His look made her feel powerful and desired.
Kayla sat on the bed and scooted backward, looking up at Evan and arching a brow. “This is what I want as long as you want it too.”
He backed away, and she thought he was going to leave. If he did, she’d die of embarrassment.
It was only a step back though and his eyes roamed her body. “Take off your top and skirt,” he ordered.