Page 62 of Wild King

He sets the tray down next to the lasagna, and I touch his arm softly. “She’s not the only woman who thinks you’re pretty great. Honest.”

Leaning down, he presses a soft kiss to my lips that makes my stomach flutter. “I can’t tell you how happy that makes me.”

For a moment, he stares into my eyes, and I think something magical might happen, but then he returns to his showman style and stands up, opening his arms wide. “And you will have all of these fine delicacies right here in the fabulous kitchen at Chez King.”

Just then, a loud bang outside makes the two of us jump, and for a few seconds, it’s like neither one of us knows what just happened. Then a smaller boom goes off, and both of us smile.

“Fourth of July,” he says. “I almost forgot.”

“I don’t think the people around here are going to let you forget. Does someone in the area put on a big fireworks show?” I ask.

Kellen nods and walks over to the oven to preheat it for our food. “There’s usually something at the local high school. I think it’s going to be the soundtrack of our date tonight.”

I wave off that idea like it’s no big deal. “Fireworks seem about right for us.”

Looking back at me, he smiles, and I swear he’s sexier than I’ve ever seen him. “They do, don’t they? I’m taking this as a sign.”

“Fireworks on the Fourth of July?” I ask with a chuckle.

“Yeah, why not? It’s not my Independence Day yet, so I’ll have to settle for fireworks all around my first date with you.”

A hint of disappointment lies beneath his words. I want to tell him I might have good news for him in a day or two, but I remain silent and simply smile.

Tonight isn’t about what the rest of the world thinks or what story some media outlet ran with yesterday. No, tonight is about a fresh start for both of us.

Whatever everyone outside this house thinks doesn’t matter tonight. All that matters is Kellen and me and our first date.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Kellen

Last nightwith Salem was great. I think we might have turned the corner, and now we’re ready to see if this attraction between us can really be something. I know I want it to be that, but I’m not sure about her.

I finish my shower and contemplate what to say when I see her today. Ronan says women like when you talk to them, so maybe I’ll just do that. It worked last night. It seems too simple, though.

Is it really that easy? I guess we’ll see.

Five minutes later, I’m heading downstairs with butterflies in my stomach at the thought of seeing her this morning. What the hell is wrong with me? I never get nervous around women.

Maybe I’m coming down with something.

When my foot hits the last stair, I hear a familiar voice and those butterflies flitter away, leaving my stomach to twist into a tight knot. What the hell is Matthias doing here? I swear that guy has an innate cockblocking ability.

Isn’t it enough I’m here not causing any problems for the company or him? Does he really have to pay us a visit to check on how we’re doing? That feels like it could have been an email or text, if you ask me.

I listen to hear what he’s saying since I’m sure he isn’t here to see me. I’m still persona non grata to him, I’m sure. I bet if I could be a fly on the wall over at the old house that I’d find out he and Ava are thrilled to have me stuck here.

Out of sight, out of mind.

They just don’t want to accept that I know the truth, even if nobody else does. I know what happened with them and Theo, and I don’t care if every other person in the world thinks it’s okay. I don’t, and that’s not going to change anytime soon.

I creep down the hall toward Salem’s office and hear him talking to her about something, although I can’t quite make out exactly what they’re saying. Maybe if I get close to the door I’ll be able to hear them better.

It doesn’t escape me that this is sad for a grown man to do, but dealing with Matthias has become nothing less than a chore in the past year. I don’t know what’s happened to him. He was never fun, but at least he was a decent guy and a pretty good brother. Yes, he could be a moody ass, but I almost want to think that’s just part of who he is.

Ever since he took over as head of King Industries, though, he’s been insufferable.

I get as near to the office as possible and listen. Five seconds into my eavesdropping, my hands are balled up into tight fists and I have to hold myself back from marching in there and leveling him with a single punch.