Chapter 9

NINE

K ira’s heart raced as she checked her reflection in the mirror one last time, smoothing down the sleek, black dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. She had spent hours getting ready, wanting to look perfect for her date with Rex.

The sound of her doorbell sent a thrill of anticipation through her, and she grabbed her clutch and hurried to the lobby of her apartment building. When she reached the front entrance, she was greeted by the sight of Rex leaning against his sleek, black sports car, his muscular frame filling his tailored suit in a way that made her mouth go dry.

“Wow,” he said, his eyes widening as he took in the sight of her. “You look... incredible.”

Kira felt a blush creep into her cheeks. “You don’t look so bad yourself, handsome.”

Rex grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he opened the passenger door for her. “Can I offer you a ride?”

Kira wanted to ask if on him or the car but held back. She slipped into the car and cool leather seat with a grin. “You really know how to sweep a girl off her feet, don’t you?”

“Only the special ones,” Rex replied with a wink, closing the door and rounding the car to the driver’s side.

As they pulled away from the curb, Kira couldn’t help but steal glances at Rex out of the corner of her eye. He looked so strong and confident behind the wheel, his jaw set in a determined line as he navigated the busy city streets.

“So, where are we going?” she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Rex’s lips twitched in a small smile, his eyes never leaving the road. “It’s a surprise. But trust me, you’re going to love it.”

Kira felt a shiver of excitement run down her spine at the promise in his words. She had never been one for surprises, but with Rex, she was willing to make an exception.

As they drove, the tension between them grew, the air crackling with electricity. Rex’s hand rested on the gearshift, his fingers tantalizingly close to Kira’s thigh. She had to fight the urge to reach out and touch him, to feel the warmth of his skin against hers.

“You know, I’ve been thinking about you nonstop since yesterday,” Rex said, his voice low and intimate. “About getting you all to myself, away from the rest of the world.”

Kira’s breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding in her chest. “Is that so?” she managed to say, her voice slightly breathless. “And what exactly did you have in mind?”

Rex’s grin turned wicked, his eyes flashing with heat. “Oh, I have a few ideas. But I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise.”

Kira bit her lip, her skin tingling with anticipation. She had never been so attracted to someone in her life, had never felt such a powerful pull toward another person. It was both thrilling and terrifying, like standing on the edge of a cliff and knowing that one wrong move could send her tumbling over.

Finally, they pulled up to the pier, the moonlight glinting off the water like a thousand diamonds. Rex parked the car and came around to open Kira’s door, his hand outstretched to help her out.

Kira placed her hand in his, a jolt of electricity running through her at the contact. She let him lead her down the pier, her heels clicking against the weathered wood.

And then she saw it - the yacht, bobbing gently in the water, its sleek lines and polished chrome gleaming in the moonlight. Kira’s eyes widened, her mouth falling open in surprise.

“Is that... yours?” she asked, her voice filled with wonder.

Rex grinned, his chest puffing up with pride. “It is. I loan it out to the pack, but tonight I wanted to do something special for you, something that would sweep you off your feet.”

Kira shook her head, a laugh bubbling up in her throat. “Well, mission accomplished. This is... incredible, Rex. I don’t know what to say.”

He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering on her cheek. “You don’t have to say anything. Just enjoy the ride.”

They boarded the yacht, the crew greeting them with champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Kira felt like she had stepped into a dream, the luxurious surroundings and attentive staff making her feel like royalty.

Rex led her to a candlelit table on the deck, the flickering light casting a warm glow over everything. He pulled out her chair for her, his fingers brushing against her bare shoulder and sending a shiver down her spine.

As they sat, Rex’s knee brushed against hers under the table, the contact sending a jolt of heat straight to her core. She took a sip of her champagne, hoping to cool the fire building inside her.

“You really went all out, didn’t you?” she said, her voice slightly breathless. “I feel like I’m in a movie.”

Rex grinned, his eyes darkening with desire. “Only the best for you, Kira. I want tonight to be perfect.”

The dinner was a sensory delight, each course artfully presented and bursting with flavors that danced across Kira’s tongue. The succulent lobster tail, the perfectly seared scallops, the decadent chocolate lava cake - every bite was a revelation. But as much as she tried to focus on the food, Kira found her attention constantly drawn to the man sitting across from her.

Rex was in his element tonight, his confidence and charm on full display. He regaled her with stories of his travels, his voice low and hypnotic as he described far-off lands and exotic adventures. Kira hung on his every word, her eyes wide with wonder and her heart racing with excitement.

But it wasn’t just his stories that had her captivated. It was the way he looked at her, his gaze hot and intense, like he could see straight into her soul. It was the way his fingers brushed against hers as he passed her the wine, sending sparks of electricity shooting up her arm. It was the way his knee pressed against hers under the table, the contact feeling both innocent and incredibly intimate at the same time.

As the meal went on, Rex’s flirting grew bolder, his comments more suggestive. He complimented her dress, his eyes lingering on the curves of her body in a way that made her skin heat. He told her how beautiful she looked in the candlelight, his voice rough with desire. He even fed her a bite of his dessert, his fingers brushing against her lips in a way that made her whole body tingle with anticipation.

Kira felt like she was drowning in sensation, her head spinning with the heady combination of wine and attraction. Every nerve ending in her body felt alive, attuned to Rex’s every move. She couldn’t remember the last time she had felt this way, so completely consumed by another person.

As the yacht glided smoothly through the water, the city lights twinkling in the distance, Rex reached across the table and took her hand in his. His skin was warm and slightly rough, the calluses on his fingers a testament to his strength. He brushed his thumb over her knuckles, the gentle caress sending shivers through her.

Kira’s heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat. She let him lead her to the center of the deck, the music swelling around them as he pulled her into his arms.

They swayed to the gentle rhythm, their bodies moving in perfect sync. Rex’s hand was warm on the small of her back.

“You feel so good in my arms,” he murmured, his lips brushing against her ear. “Like you were made just for me.”

Kira melted against him, her head resting on his chest as she listened to the steady thrum of his heartbeat. “Maybe I was,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the music.

Rex’s arms tightened around her, his breath hot against her skin. “I’ve been wanting to kiss you all night,” he growled, his voice rough with desire.

Kira tilted her head back, her eyes locking with his. “Then what are you waiting for?” she challenged.

Rex’s eyes flashed with heat, and then his lips were on hers, his kiss fierce and passionate. Kira moaned into his mouth, her fingers tangling in his hair as she pulled him closer. She had never been kissed like this before, had never felt such a powerful surge of desire.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathing hard, their eyes glazed with passion. Rex rested his forehead against hers, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

He pulled her close, their bodies molding together like two halves of a whole. Kira could feel the hard planes of his chest against her breasts, the strength of his arms around her waist. She looked up at him, her eyes locking with his, and felt a jolt of pure, unadulterated desire course through her veins.

Rex’s gaze was dark and intense, his pupils dilated with want. He moved with a predatory grace, his muscles shifting beneath his suit in a way that made Kira’s mouth water. She had never seen him like this, so raw and unguarded, his carefully crafted facade stripped away to reveal the primal, animalistic side of his nature.

They swayed to the music, their bodies moving in perfect sync. Kira could feel every inch of him pressed against her, his heat seeping into her skin like a brand. She closed her eyes, losing herself in the sensation of his touch, the sound of his heartbeat, the scent of his cologne.

Rex’s hand slid lower on her back, his fingers splaying out over the curve of her hips. Kira’s breath hitched in her throat, her body arching into his touch like a cat seeking attention. She could feel the hard length of him pressed against her stomach, the evidence of his desire impossible to ignore.

“Kira,” he murmured, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear. “Do you have any idea what you do to me?”

She shivered at the sound of her name on his lips, at the raw need in his voice. “Why don’t you show me?” she whispered back, her own voice hot and breathy.

Rex growled low in his throat, the sound sending a bolt of pure, electric desire straight to Kira’s core. He spun her out and then back into his arms, dipping her low over his arm in a move that took her breath away. Kira clung to his shoulders, her nails digging into the fabric of his suit as she fought to keep her balance.

When he righted her again, their faces were mere inches apart, their breath mingling in the scant space between them. Kira could see every fleck of gold in his blue eyes, every individual eyelash casting a shadow on his cheekbones. She licked her lips unconsciously, her tongue darting out to moisten the suddenly dry flesh.

Rex’s gaze zeroed in on the movement, his eyes darkening with hunger. “Kira,” he rasped, his voice low and rough. “If you keep looking at me like that, I won’t be held responsible for my actions.”

Kira’s heart raced at the promise in his words, at the barely leashed tension in his muscles. She knew she was treading on dangerous ground. But in that moment, she didn’t care. All she wanted was to lose herself in the heat of his touch, the passion of his kiss.

“Then don’t hold back,” she whispered. “I want everything you have to give me, Rex. Everything.”

He made a low sound in the back of his throat, his hand tightening on her hip. And then his lips were on hers, hot and demanding, his tongue sweeping into her mouth with a possessiveness that stole her breath. Kira moaned into the kiss, her hands fisting in his hair as she tried to pull him even closer.

They kissed like they were drowning, like they were the only two people in the world. Kira could feel the heat of his skin through his clothes and taste the wine on his tongue. She nipped at his lower lip, relishing the growl of pleasure that rumbled through his chest.

When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathing hard, their chests heaving with exertion. Rex rested his forehead against hers, his eyes closed as he struggled to regain control.

“Kira,” he said, his voice rough and unsteady. “I... I want you. More than I’ve ever wanted anyone in my life. But I need to know that you want this too. That you’re ready for what this means.”

Kira’s heart swelled with emotion at the vulnerability in his words, at the raw honesty in his gaze. This was the turning point, a moment that would define everything that came after. And she knew with a certainty that went bone-deep that she was ready to take that leap.

“I want this, Rex,” she said, her voice steady and sure. “I want you.”