Page 16 of Carnal Games

It tastes likehome.

Chapter Five

Iris

The next morning, I wake up fresh and giddy with thoughts of Mr. Severe—Kian—in the forefront of my mind. I finally know one personal thing about him. Even if it’s just his first name.

Rolling over on the bed, I pick up my phone from the nightstand and there’s a text waiting for me from Nathan. My first reaction is to panic, thinking he knows I’m crushing on his older brother, with whom he has a dysfunctional relationship.

Is this how I’ll feel every time I talk to Nathan? That our friendship is formed on a lie and isn’t true and genuine?

If we remove my ulterior motive, our connection does feel sincere and sweet.

Or will it always have that shadow of deceit?

Perhaps, I’m overthinking again. I just need to ensure I don’t subconsciously manipulate his feelings regarding his brother. I need to see that my deep crush on Kian and friendship with Nathan are two separate entities. As long as the two don’t cross each other, I’ll be fine.

Yep. That’s what I need to do.

I read Nathan’s text and my initial panic vanishes.

NATHAN: Hey, crazy Iris.

My chuckle floats in the quietness of the room at reading his nickname.

ME: Hey you!

A minute passes before his reply lights up the screen of my phone.

NATHAN: Are you free tonight?

ME: Do you mean from my stalking proclivities?

NATHAN: Of course.

NATHAN: Interested in taking a break from it?

ME: What did you have in mind?

NATHAN: A party.

ME: What’s the occasion?

NATHAN: My parents’ 35thwedding anniversary.

I sit upright in my bed, hitting the back of my head against the headboard in the process. Wincing, I stare at his message over and over.

He’s inviting me to his parents’ house!

Right in the heart of my scary reaper’s sanctuary! Or should I say lion’s den?

Except, I’m the predator, aren’t I?

Either way, the thought of being in the vicinity of Mr. Severe inhishome. His bedroom. His space that no one but people close to him have known and entered, where he lets his guard down. It excites me like no other, sends my heartbeat skyrocketing.

It was a faraway dream.

A fantasy that I thought will never come true.