CHAPTER 9
Enchanted by the flush that spread across Kian’s face, Alec was tempted to reach out to touch his mate just to see if he could feel the heat. “See, now that is something I don’t understand about you.”
Kian’s head bowed down, his gaze studying the floor. Unable to stop himself again, Alec lifted a hand and hooked his finger under Kian’s chin, forcing his head up until he once more made eye contact. “Why do you get embarrassed? How would you know if it was real or not?” he asked.
The pink of Kian’s cheeks turned a deeper shade for a moment before Kian knocked his hand away. Alec curled his fingers in so he wouldn’t try to touch him again. Alec was at a loss.
Everything within him implored him to get as close as possible to Kian. Not even the dire consequences that would be triggered by becoming involved with him could keep him from Kian. Staying away from his mate was impossible, no matter how hard he’d tried.
Kian glanced at his watch, something he’d done at least twice since he’d arrived. “Do you have somewhere to be?”
“Actually, my bestie made a promise not to go back to the dorm until two so he is waiting to make his escape.” Kavi stepped up to them and Alec found himself scowling at the interruption.
It was irrational to want Kian all to himself since he needed to stay as far from him as possible. He should be happy Kavi was there. Maybe then he could find the strength to put some distance between them.
A tall, well-built man had his arms around Kavi. They looked like the perfect couple in their matching costumes. Kavi, wearing white knee high boots, miniskirt with form fitting tie-dyed shirt, hair perfectly straight down his back.
The man, Alec assumed was Kavi’s boyfriend, was wearing an outfit that looked like every stereotype picture from the sixties. He even had the goofy big afro that was about 3 feet in height.
Both looked happy, something Alec wasn’t sure he would ever find when the only person he’d ever desired was right next to him - the one person he could never have.
“Alec, it’s good to see you again,” Kavi said. “Have you met my boyfriend, Brandon?”
Alec shook Brandon’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Before Brandon could respond, Kavi said, “Kian, if you want to leave, I wouldn’t mind, so long as Alec was willing to see you safely home.” Kavi’s wink had Alec on alert. Clearly Kavi was trying his hand at matchmaking.
There was no way Alec should be alone with Kian when all he wanted to do was wrap his arms around him. Just the thought of that lithe body pressed against his, had Alec’s body heating.
“No, that’s all right.” Kian blurted out the words as if he couldn’t say them fast enough.
Alec was both relieved and upset that Kian didn’t want to have anything to do with him. He couldn’t exactly blame him after their last disastrous date.
“I insist.” Kavi took Kian’s hand and pulled him off the wall he’d been leaning against. “You were up very early this morning.” Alec wasn’t at all fooled when Kian turned a dazzling smile on him. He wouldn’t be as concerned for Kian’s safety if he took him home. “You don’t mind making sure Kian gets home safely, do you, Alec?”
He should say he couldn’t, but he didn’t want to say no. It might be wise to stay as far from Kian as possible, but Alec wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to do that. “I would be more than happy to see you home, Kian, if you want to leave.”
“It’s settled then,” Kavi said, not allowing Kian a chance to disagree. “I probably won’t be home for a few more hours.” In the next moment, Kavi whirled away into the crush of people, pulling Brandon behind him.
It was obvious from Kian’s clenched jaw he wanted to say something. It was equally obvious when his gaze darted around to the crowd that surrounded them he didn’t want to make a scene so he kept his mouth closed.
It wasn’t ideal. He may not deserve it but Alec preferred if Kian wanted to spend time with him. Still, any time in Kian’s presence was better than nothing, even if he was still mad at Alec after their date.
“Ready?” Alec held out his arm for his mate to take, but Kian ignored it, turned on his heel and stormed outside.
It wasn’t difficult to catch up to Kian. Matching his stride with his mate’s, he let the heat he could generate radiate off him in order to keep Kian warm. Temperatures were dipping near freezing and as gorgeous as he looked in his skimpy outfit, it wasn’t practical for a night as cold as it was.
They walked in silence for several minutes, which didn’t sit well with him. Alec hated how he’d left things with Kian on their date. He would do anything to change it. If only it wouldn’t put him in danger.
That didn’t mean he wanted Kian to hate him either. Guilt ate away at Alec until he finally decided to say something. “How have you been?” Okay, not exactly smooth but it was the best he could come up with.
“Good.”
He’d been hoping for more than one word answers. So he tried again. “I never did ask on our date, but what is your major?”
“Civil and environmental engineering.”
Four words. Not much progress but he’d take it. “That sounds pretty impressive. What exactly is that?”
He heard Kian sigh, as if resigning himself to talking. “There are many engineering fields, including city planning, as well as how to keep as much of the environment intact when building.”
The more he talked about his major, the more animated he became. “It’s a fascinating field that’s making leaps and bounds into finding ways to bring back our water and landscape to help stop the extinction of animals and plants. Not to mention, making our water drinkable without dumping a ton of chemicals into it.”
The excitement in his voice had Alec desperate to touch Kian. It might be dangerous if one of his kind saw them, but it was killing Alec not to touch his mate.
That simple touch of his hand on Kian’s arm stopped his mate in his tracks. Unable to stop himself, Alec tugged Kian forward until they were a mere inch apart. Their gazes clung to one another, neither able to break the spell.
Never in his life had he been as connected to anyone as he was with Kian. It went far beyond physical. He would swear their thoughts meshed, their very souls merged.
For a crazy moment, all he knew was the need to taste his mate’s lips. To know if they were as soft as they appeared. He went so far as to lean down until their warm breaths mingled. It was as if an invisible thread was pulling him toward Kian and he was helpless to stop it.
They were stuck like that for a heartbeat when reality slammed into Alec like a sledgehammer. Images of what would happen to Kian if they were found together, cascaded through his mind. He could never be with Kian. To do so would mean disaster, one Alec refused to allow to happen, not to Kian.
Anger at himself flooded through him. “Let’s go.” His voice was hard and unyielding as put a hand on Kian’s elbow and forced him to walk with him toward Kian’s house.
But his mate was made of stronger stuff than that. After two steps, Kian jerked himself free. “Leave me alone. I will get myself home.” His voice was hard. Tears shimmered in those sweet blue eyes showing Alec just how much he’d hurt his mate – again. “Just stay away from me.” Then he took off, walking quickly away from him.
Alec’s heart shattered. He was a fool. He didn’t understand how he was attracted to a human, but he damn well knew he had to stay away from Kian. He followed to ensure Kian got home, but that was all. He couldn’t afford to let himself get involved with Kian, no matter how impossible it was to stay away.
If only it were that easy. For the moment, he heard Kian’s soul call to him, Alec went to him, just as he did every night.
It might have been a bit creepy to watch over Kian as he slept, but there was no keeping Alec away.