Tension

Both

A server puts the drinks in front of them. Kai picks up the glass of Long Island and hands it to Jessica who thanks him with a smile before picking up his own glass of whiskey. They’re sitting in a private booth, away from the crowd. 

Jessica is surprised that they managed to get a private booth at such a short notice. Is Kai an important guest here?

“Are you a VIP here?” she asks. “The guards outside seem to know you.”

“I have conducted a few businesses here,” Kai simply replies. Jessica narrows her eyes at that.

“Don’t tell me you’re involved in anything shady,” she says. “I’d hate to arrest someone on my night off.”

Kai raises his eyebrows. “I run legal businesses and have no shady deals,” he replies. “And what about you? Do you work with the authorities?”

“I’m a detective,” Jessica grins. “So, if you have any funny business, you’d better watch out!”

She giggles softly, almost like a musical laugh. Kai is captivated by her voice, his possessiveness over her only increasing every second. His mate is a detective, impressive yet it makes him anxious. What if someone hurts her?

“You look too young to be a detective,” he notes.

“That’s because I graduated early and completed my time as uniformed officer early as well. My dad was so proud of me when I got promoted to a detective.”

“And your mother?”

“She…she passed away when I was really young,” Jessica admits in a small tone. 

Kai can sense the sadness in her which is making him anxious. They’ve only met but seeing his mate grieving is making him want to hug her and protect her from all sadness. But doing so will anger her so instead he says, “I lost my parents when I was young. I was raised by a family friend in a small town until I became of age to take over the business.”

Jessica is surprised at this. She thought he was raised in luxury but it seems that he hides his scars too. For some reason, there’s a strong desire in her to touch him. She instinctively reaches out to stroke his cheek.

Kai feels her soft fingers on his skin, which only fuels his longing for her. Her scent is not helping either, seducing every fiber in his body. Jessica seems to have sensed the crackling tension between them and it’s impossible for her to stop herself. 

This isn’t like her. She doesn’t just randomly chat with strangers and caress their skin but there is something about this man which is intensifying her need to be with him even if it’s only for a while.

She wants to writhe in his arms all night long and just forget about everything else. Weeks of suppressed emotions are raging within her and all she wants is to have a passionate moment with this stranger.

Is this normal? Or is she being crazy?

Kai slowly reaches to touch her lips with his thumb. Jessica slightly purrs, feeling his soft finger play with her lips. How would his tongue taste? She wonders, blushing.

He leans closer, his musky aroma making her go crazy.

“My hotel is nearby,” he whispers. “Should we continue this there?”

Jessica’s heart is hyperventilating. She’s out with a stranger and has been invited to go with him to his hotel. Everything about it screams danger and under normal circumstances, she’d be alarmed.

But she can’t ignore her need for this man. Something tells her that if she doesn’t accept it, she’ll regret it for the rest of her life. She wants to have fun for one night and isn’t this what the man is offering?

It’s wrong. Yet, it feels right.

“Yes,” she whispers. “Let’s go.”

Kai smirks and takes her arm. Jessica follows him outside to his car. Once she spots the Maybach, her eyes widen but she barely has any time to marvel at it as Kai opens the door for her.

“Let’s go, Ms. Detective,” he winks. Jessica gets into the car, followed by Kai. 

“To the hotel,” he orders the driver. The latter nods and they drive off. 

Jessica blushes harder when Kai grasps her palm and lightly kisses it. This small action makes her heart flutter and she can feel his hot gaze on her. He’s sitting close to her, very close actually. She turns to him, their faces really close but he’s not kissing her yet. He wants to savor every part of her, make her scream his name in pure ecstasy. The tension between them is increasing by the minute and they can’t wait to reach the hotel. 

The ten minute ride felt like an eternity. When they finally reach the hotel, Kai pushes the door open. He holds out his hand for her as if giving her a choice if she wants to come with him or not. Jessica slowly takes his hand and they walk towards the lobby together.

Jessica is awed by the grandeur of the Sky Plaza Hotel. It’s one of the most luxurious hotels in the country known for its lavish guests and services. The whole place looks as if it has been dipped in gold. Bright golden lights illuminate the areas around her and there is a ceiling above her head which is made up of millions of broken glasses, reflecting everything in them. Before she can admire the scenes, Kai leads her to the elevator.

“You’re living here?” Jessica asks as they enter the lift. “Are you here only for a few days?”

“My mansion isn’t ready yet so I’ll be staying here for a couple of days more,” Kai replies. 

Mansion? He must live in a completely different world than hers. It intimidates her a bit but then she reminds herself that they’ll know each other only for one night.

The elevator takes them to the topmost floor. When it opens, Jessica finds herself standing in the middle of a majestic foyer with gleaming marble floors. Chandeliers are dangling intricately from the ceiling, casting shimmering rays of light over the rooms. The plush, velvet sofas look inviting while hand-painted frescoes adorn the walls with the drawings of the moon. 

A mahogany table is placed in the dining room adjacent to the living area.

Jessica is awestruck by the beauty of the penthouse and at Kai’s unique choices. 

“You really have good taste,” she compliments as she touches the mahogany table. Kai doesn’t reply but is intensely staring at her. Jessica smiles as he closes the distance between them.

Suddenly, he grabs her waist and lifts her to sit on the table. Jessica gasps lightly, feeling his sturdy chest pressing against her soft buns, the sensation itself giving her sheer joy.

“Do you want to explore more?” he asks in a husky tone. He leans closer and places a kiss on the nape of her neck, making her shiver. Her thighs part as she wraps her legs around his waist.

“Maybe later,” she whispers back. “I want to explore something else right now.”

“And what is that?” he murmurs as he slowly trails the kisses from her neck to her jawline, making her moan.

“You…”

Without another word, he locks their lips together in a frenzied kiss.