Page 13 of Rooting for Kiran (The Mate-Cute #1)
THEA
Morning comes awfully quick for a night of passion like the one Kiran and I just shared. After I use Kiran’s bathroom to shower and get ready—alone, to ensure I’m not made late by his sexy shenanigans—I wander out and find him leaning back against the counter with a cup of coffee in one hand while the other rests atop the marble surface.
Of course, he’s shirtless and donning gray sweatpants that leave nothing to the imagination.
“Last night didn’t cure you of your boner problem?” I tease.
He sexy-grins into his mug, showcasing his million-dollar smile of straight, white teeth. “I don’t think it can be cured when you’re around.”
I roll my eyes. “Puh-lease, I’m sure you’ve had similar or better.”
“I haven’t.” Kiran’s tone is serious and flat when he answers. “But I probably won’t be able to convince you of that. If you decide to keep coming arou—”
My hand flies straight up in the air, halting his words. “One-night stand, Kiran. Remember? That’s what we agreed to. I’ve got way too much going on for a relationship.”
“I’m busy, too, Thea. Doesn’t mean we can’t even attempt to pursue something.”
“No,” I reply. “Please, don’t try to pressure me about this.”
He playfully shrugs. “Okay, okay. No peer pressure, got it. I’ve heard about that DARE class you all take in school growing up.”
Walking closer to him, I set my bag on the floor and lean on the island to face him. “Are you saying you’re like a drug, Kiran?”
His towering frame spins toward the coffee maker, where he pours some of the steaming liquid into a to-go cup that he then offers to me. “Me? Nah. But what we shared last night? Whatever that was is definitely addictive. I’m not sure I’ll even be able to give myself a good enough hand job to compete with it.”
That’s what I’m worried about, too. The last thing I want to admit is that my drawer of sex toys might not be able to satisfy the needs I’ll have after our night together, but I hope like hell I’ll get over it.
I have to. There’s no other choice.
Halfway to the greenhouse, Kiran does one of those one-handed turns of the steering wheel, and I swear the action speaks directly to my vagina, because I can literally feel my heartbeat down there.
Leaning my head back against the headrest, I close my eyes and slowly breathe in and out, trying to calm my body down.
“Thea,” Kiran croaks. “I can smell you.”
I peer over at him. “Excuse me? I showered.”
He reaches a hand over the center console, placing it on my thigh and squeezing. “Your arousal. I can smell it. You’re horny. What did it for you, baby?”
“You’ll laugh at me.”
His hand moves a little higher, bunching my skirt up, and his pinky dips down between my thighs, rubbing along my slit through my underwear. “Never. I like that something I do turns you on so much. Tell me so I can make sure to do it again.”
Spreading my legs, I pull my skirt up even further, allowing him more access. What’s one more orgasm for the road? A great way to start my morning before work, that’s what.
“It’s the way you turn the wheel with one hand in place. Fuck, it does something to me.”
Kiran sneaks his hand in through the side of my underwear, immediately locating my clit and rubbing in circles so hard and dedicated that I’m already on the verge of letting go.
His truck slows before he turns again. “Like this, baby?” He inches through the turn, showcasing his expertise, and I come unglued.
“Yes! Oh, Kiran. Shit.” The words tumble from my mouth one after the other as I ride the wave of ecstasy.
We bounce over a bump, and I squeal as his fingers move inside me, where he curls them before pulling his hand back out and inserting his fingers into his mouth. “Mmmm,” he moans. “Delectable.”
I smack his arm. “Would you stop?”
He shakes his head. “I will not. Your taste is unlike anything you can imagine. I’m thrilled to score another chance to get you off and taste you again.”
I roll my head to look at him as I readjust my clothes. “What about you?”
Taking my chin between his thumb and forefinger, he gives it a playful squeeze. “I’ll be okay, sweet girl. That was all about you.”
“Thank you,” I whisper. “You’re a very sweet man, Kiran.”
“And you’re even sweeter,” he murmurs back to me as we pull into the parking lot of his greenhouse, where a wave of sadness crashes over me.
I wish I could say I had the time, energy, and desire to explore things with Kiran, but I can’t. I shouldn’t. There are too many risks involved. Besides shifting part of my focus onto a partner and trying to fit them into my well-oiled schedule, there’s the risk of getting hurt, yanking me ten steps backward.
Even though my last breakup was my choice, it still did something to me—something that has me wondering if a relationship is worth the worry. I’m comfortable with my life. Why risk it? Dating today sucks anyways—I’ve heard the stories.
Leaning over, he places a kiss on my temple. “Don’t be a stranger, Thea. And thank you for a wonderful night.”
I turn my head and crash my lips to his as if it’ll be the last time, which I guess it is.
“My pleasure… Quite literally.” I wink before grabbing my bag and getting out to head to my car.
“Thea!” Kiran calls after me.
I briskly walk back to his truck and open the door. “Yeah?”
“About my, uh, alien form. Can we agree to keep that between us?”
I nod. “Yeah, of course.”
His eyes grow serious. “Not even your friend, Wren. Okay?”
“Got it, Kiran!” I shoot him a thumbs-up as I shut the door and head back toward my car.
As I back away from the greenhouse, Kiran—who’s now standing out front—turns and waves at me.
He’s dressed in khakis again, with an emerald-green hoodie that matches his eyes. His hair is a tousled mess from our evening of bliss, and his smile is warm and sweet as I wave back.
I can’t help but wonder what it’d be like to come home to someone like him…
But I also wonder why talking about his alien form needs to be a secret…