Page 194 of Carnal Games

Crap.

“She is,” replies Nathan calmly. “It’s also not a crime wanting to seemyfiancée off after being apart from her for a month. Or being reluctant to leave her alone, considering the risk to her life, not that you’d understand.”

Damn it, Nathan.

Kian’s jaw clenches ever so subtly at the taunt. Before the tension between them escalates, I interrupt, “You have an important meeting in an hour, Mr. Singhania. We should leave now, if we don’t want to be late.”

His gaze locks on mine and I beg for him to let it go.

A heartbeat later, he nods and grabs the car keys from the entry table just inside the door. As he locks it behind him, I turn to bid farewell to Nathan.

“Stay safe,” he says, cupping my face. “Call me if you get off work early.”

I quickly nod, noticing Kian go rigid beside me as Nathan continues holding me. “I’ll see you lat—”

My sentence goes unfinished as a set of lips presses against mine.

My fake fiancé’s.

My mind goes blank, my body paralyzes. Just as the nerves in my brain start functioning again, yelling at me, and I raise my hands to shove Nathan off me, he pulls back.

It was a short kiss, not even three seconds long.

“See you tonight,” Nathan says casually, finally stepping back.

I’m too flabbergasted to say anything.

Why would he do that?

In the three years we’ve been together, he has never pulled this move. Not even when we were alone. It’s always been platonic. The Nathan I know is respectful and doesn’t pull a dick stunt.

So why today?

Amid my panic, I realize in front of whom he did it, causing horror to seize my bones.

No. No. No.

I face Kian, expecting him to be furious and seconds away from throttling his brother. God knows I am. Nathan is seriouslymessing with my chances and creating obstacles between Kian and me.

When I peer at Kian, the dread worsens.

His always stormy gaze is vacant, which is so much worse than naked rage. My stomach knots because he’s suppressing his wrath. Nothing good will come of it if he explodes. Any chance of repairing their relationship will be blown into smithereens.

I never wished to come between two brothers this way.

The sad part is knowing that Kian is holding himself back, not just for my sake, but for Nathan’s as well. Having witnessed the violence in his gaze after I was attacked, I know if it were another man kissing me, he’d be dead on the spot. Nevertheless, it can’t happen again.

Nathan is reckless and spiteful when it comes to his brother. I need to talk to him soon before he does something he regrets.

I open my mouth to garner Kian’s attention when he beats me to it.

“Elevator,” he orders in a clipped tone.

Without looking at either man, I strut toward the elevator and push the button. Kian’s heat against my back heightens my senses. I fight the urge to lean against him. To kiss him and erase Nathan’s taste.

We step into the car once it arrives a few seconds later. Nathan has gone back inside the apartment. I count the seconds until the door closes, locking us inside, and twist toward a silent and intimidating Kian.

“Kian,love—”