Chapter 3

Yes. Just emotional overload. We both simply needed this.

But one thing I understood right away: I definitely didn’t dislike this guy. Not at all.

Kaylen slowly pulled back, giving me a chance to breathe. In the half-dark, his eyes looked almost black, and his breath burned against my wet lips. My palms froze on his shoulder blades.

“Bri?” His voice came low and hoarse. “I definitely can. Tell me”—he looked into my eyes—“are you okay? You’re a little tense.”

I swallowed hard, my chest rising and falling. I felt like I had to produce some smart line right now to break the tension. But nothing came to mind.

“You’re an amazing kisser,” I said instead. “I almost drowned. You know, if you were the guy I was planning to build a happily-ever-after with, I’d be trying my absolute hardest to seem passionate and brave. But since it’s you…”

The corner of Kai’s mouth twitched in the faintest smile.

“Since it’s me?”

“I can be honest,” I added, feeling my cheeks burn. “All my preparation for this moment is pure theory, above-the-waist touching, and gossip in the girls’ dorm. Travis and I never got this far. We wanted to do it on my birthday. Okay, I wanted to,” I corrected myself at once, “but he knew school came first for me, otherwise I never would’ve agreed to a relationship at all. And… I’m talking a lot, aren’t I?”

“No,” Kai answered quietly, concentrating as he stroked my collarbone with his thumb. “And?”

“I’m not tense. I have no idea how I’m supposed to act. And, honestly, on a purely physiological level… I’m a little scared it’s going to hurt. So let’s keep expectations low. Just… guide me.”

Kai bent lower.

“I promise, Bri. No high expectations and no rushing. If it hurts, tell me and I’ll stop.”

“Okay.”

He kissed me again, and this time I met his lips and kissed him back. The kiss was soft, light, and unhurried, as if we were listening to what we felt, giving our bodies time to get used to each other’s closeness. After that, I didn’t even understand at what point it became pure physics, obeying no formula at all.

Kaylen’s lips simply slid to my neck, and an electric current instantly raced down my spine while goose bumps rose over my skin. His palm moved over my stomach, exploring me, and slipped lower. When his fingers worked under the edge of my panties, I sucked air sharply through my teeth and clutched his shoulders again.

“Relax, Bri,” he whispered against my lips, lifting his head. “Breathe. We’ll do this when you’re ready.”

“Why do I feel like you’re defusing a bomb?”

Kaylen’s quiet laugh sent a prickling sensation through my whole body. I already liked the way he laughed.

“The important thing is remembering protection in time. Believe me, Bri, I’m hanging on by a thread.”

His touch was confident but careful, and my body opened toward it on its own. And that astonishing contrast—broad male shoulders, hard muscles, and the absolute tenderness of his fingers where no one had touched me before—made my brain shut down completely. No life charts. No red flags. No risk analysis.

Only searing heat and desire spreading through my body, pulling low in my stomach in a pulsing knot when Kaylen’s fingers found what they were looking for. He exhaled hot and rough against my ear.

“Bri…”

That made me move toward him and bury my fingers in the damp hair at the back of his head.

“Yes, Kai. I think I’m ready…”