Page 30 of Kill for a Kiss

I blink. “I—” My voice catches. I clear my throat. “I was just—”

“Checking me out?” His smirk widens.

I don’t deny it. Can’t, really. Heat blooms across my cheeks. He steps a little closer.

“I was hoping,” he says, “you’d stick by my side a little longer.”

My fingers curl against the fabric of my shirt. I glance past him, but only for a second, thinking I’ve seen a shadow. Then I look back at him.

Stan tilts his head back, studying me like I’m something he’s half-solved, when I haven’t even figured out what’s going on with me. “You like movies?” he asks.

I nod, unsure where this is going. But I feel flustered under his gaze again.

“Perfect. Watch one with me.”

I blink. “Really?”

“Why not? I don’t want the night to end yet.” Then he leans in. “Do you?”

My lips part. I try to answer, but nothing comes out. I should say no. I should be more cautious. Clo might be back soon, and Stan has been flirting with me all day. But he’s watching me now like he already knows I’ll say yes. And the strange thing is…I want to.

I try to keep my voice steady. “What kind of movie?”

He taps his chin in thought. “Something thrilling. Y’know, so I have an excuse to check on you if you get scared. Maybe even hold your hand.”

A short laugh escapes before I can catch it. “That’s…shameless.”

“And you’re adorable when you blush.”

I don’t know what to say to that. My face is already warm.

“Come on, Elle,” he says, coaxing. “Just one movie.”

Before I can decide, before I can overthink it, his fingers brush my wrist, light but sure, and then I’m moving, following him. We take the stairs up, and at the landing, the butler appears, his posture perfectly trained. “Good evening, Miss Elle. Mister Stanley. Madam Clo sends her regrets. She won’t be joining you tonight. Urgent matters to attend.” Then he disappears, walking down the opposite way.

Stan barely hides the smile tugging at his mouth. He turns to me, eyes alight. “Well,” he says. “Would you look at that? Just the two of us tonight.”

My fingers curl slightly. “I…guess so.”

He winks. “Guess that means we can get up to all sorts of trouble.”

The words are playful. But the look he gives me is warm and wicked. Stan leads me down a quiet hallway, fingers still brushing my wrist. His pace is relaxed, but soon, he stops at a door. We’re on the bedroom floor for the family. Mine is down below in the guest suite.

“So…are we still watching that movie?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

Stan turns. His grin softens. “Course we are. Can’t wait to show you the setup. It’sperfect.”

The door swings open. And it truly is incredible, big and bold. Definitely not a guest room like mine. He’s already settling onto the edge of the bed. I hover in the doorway for a second too long.

“You’re the youngest. You probably get the nicest room,” I say before I can stop myself. I wince immediately, pressing my lips together. That was supposed to stay in my head, but Stan’s presence made it so easy to slip out of me.

He smirks, smug. “Hell, yeah, I do. But I earn it.” He pats the space next to him. “C’mere, Elle.”

I raise abrow but before I can decide, he presses a button. A projector whirs to life. Lights dim. A screen unfurls from the ceiling.

“See?” he says. “Perfect. Now get over here before I start thinking you’re intimidated by how hot I am.”

I try not to smile, failing completely. “You really think that…?”