Page 16 of Kill for a Kiss

He laughs, leaning back again, as if he’s won some invisible battle. “Relax. I’m just messin’ with ya.”

I breathe out slowly, the tension in my shoulders not quite easing.

“I like you,” he says suddenly, his voice light.

I startle slightly. “What…?”

“I like you,” he repeats, his tone casual, almost affectionate. “You’re cute when you’re all flustered.”

My stomach flips. My eyelids flutter in confusion. I watch as Stanley leans forward even more, his arms crossed on top of the table. His biceps flex as he flashes his teeth. His black shirt clings to broad shoulders, his muscular build impossible to ignore.

“You’re quiet,” he says, “but not in a way that makes it awkward. I like that.”

I nod, acknowledging his words, though my mind is racing. I can’t tell if it’s the way his eyes linger on me or the fact that he’s so assured, soat easewith his effect on me. Either way, my chest tenses.

“So Elle…” His voice is deeper now, pulling me back in, and he looks me over, eyes intense. “Anyone ever tell ya that you’re cute when you blush?”

I freeze, the heat in my neck spreading across my face. “…I’m not blushing.”

“Mm-hmm,” he hums, his grin pulling at his lips. “I don’t know about that.”

I grip my teacup tightly again, the porcelain cooler now beneath my fingertips, trying to steady myself. The way he’s looking at me makes it difficult to breathe, and I don’t know how to respond.

Just when I think I might collapse under the weight of his gaze, his grin softens as he laughs between his words. “Don’t worry, it’s adorable as hell.”

His voice is too much. It’s like a pull, a force, and I instinctively slide one hand down onto my lap and curl my fingers around my shirt’s hem, trying to push the heat away. My gaze darts to the door again, as though Clo might suddenly swoop in and guide me through this talk. But the hallway remains empty.

“Already planning an escape? Shit, I must be losin’ my touch.” He chuckles, resting his head on his palm as he leans on his elbow. “I promise you, Elle, you’re gonna like me.”

“That’s…an interesting assumption.”

“Not an assumption.” He points a finger in my direction. “You’re already warmin’ up to me. And if you’re not yet, well…I’ve got other ways to warm you up.”

A prickle runs down my spine. My lips part, but he’s already leaning closer.

“Relax, Elle. I meant by flirting with you.” He smirks. “Unless you were hoping for another way we could warm each other up?”

I freeze again, my mouth going dry. I’m trying to gather a response, but it feels like everything in me is stuck, caught between the heat and the quiet desire to either lean in or pull away. “Oh.” I clutch my shirt, my fingers trembling slightly.

“That’s cute,” he says with a chuckle. “You weren’t expecting that, were you?”

I clear my throat, hoping to steady myself. “I—”

“No need to use your pretty voice,” he interrupts, winking. “I can already tell. I got ya flustered.”

I look down at my lap, not sure how to respond to that either.

Pride’s obvious in his voice when he keeps speaking. “Like Ma said, I’m quick at reading people. For example, I know you’re trying very hard not to stare into my eyes right now.”

I choke on my breath, not expecting that at all. His laughter follows, rich and contagious, warm in a way that almost makes it impossible to be anything but delighted. It’s a laugh much like how Kaye beams at me with her brightness.

“Busted,” he teases, and I feel myself melting a little.

My hands loosen, the tension I was holding starting to ebb as I reach for my teacup, trying to calm my pounding pulse. But his eyes are still on me.

Stanley catches the small smile I fight to suppress. “Oh no,” he teases some more. “Did I just make you smile? Are you falling for me already?”

I shake my head, laughing lightly. His gaze lingers on me, but I don’t mind as much.