Page 223

“Every day you were gone. All seventy-nine of them.”

“Sounds terrible,” I say, as if I don’t know that exact feeling. I thought about Khaos, too. Often.

Nodding, he admits, “It was. I had to resort to stalking all of social media just to get a glimpse of you.”

“I doubt that.”

“Tuscaloosa, New Orleans, Kansas City, Tulsa, Topeka…”

Now I’m smiling and there’s nothing I can do to hide it. He’s naming the Heart and Hype stops, and if I’m not mistaken, he’s naming them in order.

“How…”

“I told you, I searched for every account, story, tag, hashtag I could find you on.”

“But…why?”

“So I could see you.”

“You’re crazy.”

Khaos draws me closer to him, lifting me onto my toes at the same time.

“Yeah. About you.” His lips touch mine, nudging them apart with a single lick, then he’s pulling back, rasping, “Every interaction with you leaves me needing more.”

Afraid to break the spell, I whisper, “You don’t need more.”

“I need all of you.”

My eyes switch between both of his, only finding sincerity. And hunger.

“Then take me.”

I’m lifted off my feet entirely.

“Right now?” I practically squeak out.

Khaos freezes. “Did you mean later?”

“Well…maybe after I pee. And get a drink. And…”

“Eat something?”

I shrug. “A piece of toast wouldn’t hurt.”

With a roll of his eyes, he puts me back down, muttering something about a houseplant. I don’t know if he has one or what, but he seems worried about it as he disappears inside his room. He returns a few moments later holding a pair of swim trunks.

“I’ll go make you something. Come down whenever you’re done.”

“Are you mad?”

“No. I’m just learning.”

“Learning what?”

“How to take care of you.”

“Um. You don’t have to take care—”