“Isn't it time for you to go after the guy who has caught your interest?” I reminded him of the goal, yet it drew a reaction I did not expect.

His left hand trailed down my spine, making me shiver. His right hand slipped out from under my shirt and winded itself around the back of my neck. While a trickle of familiar excitement ran down my body, I was left speechless.

A lover's embrace with Kade. What was happening? My mind stuttered to a halt. A second later, his forehead touched mine, warm breath brushing my chin.

“I am,” he said, calmly.

He was … What? … Uh …

It appeared the intimate and unexpected gesture had fried my brain. It took conscious effort to backpedal in my mind and understand his reply. Think, Evan.

I encouraged him to go after the guy he was interested in … Wait, what?!

“Kade?” I ignored my increasing heartbeat.

Either this was some joke I didn't grasp yet, or the situation was quickly getting out of hand. I hoped for the former because the latter meant my muse would get hurt. Shit, please, no.

Kade started to nuzzle my temple, his thumb beneath my ear picking-up its soft caress in unison. Damn, that felt good …

Focus, Evan!

“Hmmm?” His content rumble would have been lost to my ears if he wasn't so close.

I had a distinct feeling he might have forgotten we were in a club, with people possibly ogling the only couple on the dance floor that wasn't dancing anymore. I took a deep calming breath to collect my jumbled thoughts.

I needed to set this mess straight and as gentle as possible.

“What are you doing?” I attempted to use logic to diffuse this landmine.

“What does it look like?” Kade countered. His lips brushed my skin where they were, and my cheek tingled at the feathery contact.

I tried to get some distance between us, but he held me firmly. How was I supposed to maneuver us out of this situation and salvage our friendship at the same time? My gut told me it wouldn't be possible anymore, not if my muse was in too deep.

“Kade, listen—” I loosened my hold on his shoulders, and in return, he tightened his.

“I want to kiss you,” he interrupted me, continuing to nuzzle me.

The unexpected request threw me off guard.

Many men wouldn’t have asked, but this was Kade. He ticked differently. Some lines he crossed only if allowed, which is why I came to admire his strong will and self-control. He had kissed me before, sure. Innocent kisses as congrats or part of some joke or dare. But this would be different, and that's why he was asking for permission.

“You already did in the past, dozens of times.” I tried to lighten the mood and patted his shoulder. Keep him talking, Evan. “In fact—”

“Not a meaningless kiss. A lover's kiss.”

Another tingling quiver ran down my body as I felt his lips brush against the corner of mine. His hand left my back and cupped the side of my face.

“You do realize I'm not your lover?” I pointed out the flaw in his logic.

“You could be,” was his instant response.

This was Kade. I marveled at his confidence and hated to be the one to burst his bubble, but I had to bring him back to reality, fast.

“No, I couldn't, Kade.” I gripped his shoulders and pushed him away.

Gently, but firmly. The signal was crystal clear. Kade complied only to lock our eyes. I was winded to witness raw need and passion in them. The breathtaking light grey of his swallowed by burning black.

“You know I don't swing for men,” I continued. “We've covered this already.”

“Ev …” Kade closed his eyes for a moment, swallowing the desperate voice down.

I could see a battle waging on, and I could only hope the right side won.

“I know you think …” He stopped himself only to continue a breath later. “I don’t think you swing for women only.”

A laugh bubbled in my lungs, begging to be let out. I managed to suppress it, but I’m sure Kade felt it ripple through my body despite my shut lips. It was amusing and a bit disappointing to see how many people misinterpreted my open-mindedness and easiness around other people, other men.

Hell, I had nothing against being bi. I think it would be both fun and practical to beat for both teams. I had tried to make out with a handful of men over the years and the conclusion was always the same: Men didn't stir any interest in my pants.

I took his hands away and squeezed them.

“I do, Kade. I'm sorry to dash your hope, but you know we can't be more than friends. Good friends,” I emphasized.

He heard me, but he didn't believe me. I could see that written all over his determined face.

“Let's go grab another beer and talk about you getting laid …” I laughed at his crooked grin and wink. “With somebody other than me! You clearly need to get your rocks off if your depraved mind is even considering me.” Please, let the solution be as easy as that.

“This topic is not closed, Evan,” my muse relented.

That was also Kade. He was not only confident, but also a patient man. He knew when to back off and wait for a better opportunity to nail his point down.

Instead of returning to our table, Kade walked me to the bar, his hand on my waist. The funny thing was that despite the predicament we were in, these small snippets of his possessive side were exciting to witness. My artistic side absorbed every detail like a sponge, wishing to see more. More of that incredible intensity, his silver eyes piercing mine with raw need. I’d be insane not to enjoy being Kade’s universe for a short moment.

My fingers tingled from wanting to touch his face and memorize such a powerful emotion. It really deserved to be captured on paper someday. I curbed my immediate yearnings so my muse wouldn't misinterpret my actions. Kade went after what he wanted, and apparently, he wanted me now.

The thought still confused the heck out of me.

I questioned myself on how this could have happened. Why would he interpret our friendship as something more? One thing was clear, though: I had to put some distance between us, at least temporarily. Just until he picked-up somebody and got me out of his system.