Page 10 of Bonds of Starfall

None of it mattered. Not when she was with Kit.

Later, when her stomach was full and her eyes sagged with exhaustion, she found herself resting her head on her hand, even knowing it was in poor manners.

Kit ran a finger over a discarded orange peel, deep in thought. "I am proud of you," he said.

There was now enough alcohol in her system to make her thoughts spill unbidden from her traitorous lips. "Of course you are, you love me." She smiled. "Don’t worry—I won’t let myself die. I don’t want to go back to the Stars just yet. I’ve not met my Soulbond, you know. Who knows, I could find my Soulbond at the Academy…"

But probably not. Rin had been wishing to meet her Soulbond for twenty-two years now… Wishes were futile.

Kit made a gruff sound as he watched her. "The Academy is no place to meet a Soulbond. A lot of egotistical bastards, if you ask me."

"Butyouwere at the Academy."

Scorching heat simmered in Kit’s eyes, concealed by teasing looks. "I know. If any of those dicks at the Academy try anything, use the pistol I gave you. Plead self-defense. The Blackfall name will get their attention, so while you have it, prove they shouldn’t mess with you."

The rant had turned deadly serious.

"I’m not going to shoot anyone if they try to kiss me, but if they try to hurt me… well, I won’t be held accountable," Rin teased. She jolted when something hard hit her shin. "Ow! You kicked me."

"Don’t think about kissing or Soulbonds when you’re there, Rin. You’ll only get your heart broken."

She crossed her arms under her breasts, the action tugging the already low neckline of her black, skintight gown further down her chest. Kit’s brown eyes dipped.

"Stop being so overprotective."

She was pinned to the booth by his stare.

His white button-down strained over the muscles of his chest as he reached across the table and notched a finger under her chin. "Only for you."

Her heart fluttered in her chest, her pale grey eyes growing wide. Was this another episode? So soon after the first?

But no, there was no telltale tightening in her chest or cold sweats cascading over her body. This was an entirely new sensation. She would blame it on the shots.

The leather of the booth creaked as Kit stood. He opened his wallet, threw down some bills, and then held out a hand for her. "Come on, let’s go home. You’re tired, and you have to get moved into the dorms before Monday."

Rin followed the veins in his wrist up to his forearm, then finally met his gaze. She swallowed as she placed her hand in his, and he helped her to stand. Her bare thighs stuck to the leather;she used her free hand to hold down the hem of her dress. Swaying, she braced a delicate hand on his lower stomach.

"Careful," Kit murmured.

She looked up, realizing just how close they were. And just how quiet the steakhouse had become as the evening had worn on and curfew loomed. Only a few people were left, and staff scurried about, wiping down tables and righting chairs.

Kit tucked a strand of her white hair behind her ear, fingertips burning against her skin. Her lashes tickled her cheeks as she blinked up at him.

Her lips parted, but she never knew what she might have said, for Kit gave a small shake of his head. Clearing his throat, he used his grip on her hand to tug her to the door and outside.

"We’re cutting it close to your curfew," Kit commented as they left the gilded awning outside the steakhouse and walked the ornate paved sidewalk. Over the high-rises, the sun was low, golden rays catching off the gleam of the city.

"Don’t have a curfew anymore. I’m a trainee now," Rin replied tartly. Her fingers curled around his elbow as he led her to the parking garage.

His answering hum rumbled through her. "Nice try, sprite. You don’t have your registration card yet."

The dim, echoey space of the multi-level parking garage made their footsteps sound louder. It was relatively vacant since it was so close to dusk.

All normal citizens had to abide by the curfew for their safety. No one was allowed out after dark. That’s when Rogue activity grew exponentially; though, they were still active during the daylight. The only exception was those with the clearance to be out—Kit, as a member of the Fleet. And now Rin—or at least, in theory. On her first official day, Monday, she’d receive her registration card, legally declaring her fit to be out after curfew.

Not that that had stopped her in the past… But at least now she wouldn’t have to be careful about being caught.

She was distracted from her thoughts by a soft beep of the car alarm as they approached, the vibrant headlights flashing in the dimness.