Chapter 151.

An hour later, Christian was barely watching the screen.

Kylie had pulled her legs beneath herself on the couch. Her hair had fallen forward over one shoulder, and her bangs blinded her eyes.

She chewed her popcorn softly, and unwrapped another pack of biscuit, and mindlessly poured it into the plate with her eyes glued to the screen.

The light from the television moved across her face. The lights softened her facial features.

Christian looked at her then back at the screen. He expected them to talk while they watched the movie. He didn’t expect her to be so silent.

Kylie raised a brow. "Please stop staring." She sighed almost inaudibly. "You have a movie before you."

Christian leaned back.

A few seconds passed.

Then she smiled. "You know, you were less annoying the first time you came here."

Christian turned toward her. "And here I was thinking you hated me more from that day."

"Just stop speaking." She said in one breath. "And stop staring at me."

Christain gave her a light salute.

Kylie rolled her eyes at him, and turned back to the screen.

The movie kept playing. It was a comedy, but Kylie rarely laughed, while Christain eyes remained on her with zero attention on the tv.

Christian shifted slightly.

Their knees touched.

Kylie looked down with a glare.

Christian looked down too. He smiled. Pissing her off might be his guilty pleasure.

The contact was barely there. But it felt like too much. Kylie slowly moved her knee away.

Christian noticed. He didn’t stop her. He simply looked back at the television. "Coward," he murmured.

Kylie’s head snapped toward him. "What?"

He smiled. "Nothing."

She narrowed her eyes. "You called me a coward."

He gave her a slight bow. "I would never."

"You just did."

She stared at him.

Christian smiled. His eyes softened in awe. "Okay. I’m sorry I called you a coward." He apologized.

He turned back toward the screen.

Kylie watched him for a moment. Then she smiled despite herself.

.....

The movie eventually ended.

Neither of them could remember how, or what really happened in the movie.

Kylie picked up the remote. "Another one?"

Christian looked at the time. "Nah."

She raised a brow. "Already tired?"

"A little."

"Then sleep." she suggested.

He looked at her. "Are you?"

"Am I what?"

"Tired?"

She shrugged. "Not really."

Christian stood.

Kylie looked up at him. "What are you doing?"

"Stretching."

He rolled his shoulders.

Kylie laughed quietly. "You’re old."

"I’ve been through trauma."

"You’re twenty-nine."

"Exactly." He pointed at her with approval. "Ancient."

She stood too. "I’m getting another drink."

Christian watched her walk toward the kitchen.

Then music began playing.

Kylie stopped. She turned. "I didn’t put that on."

Christian held up his phone. "I did."

She stared at him. "Why?"

"Because this movie is depressing."

"So what are you doing now?"

He put his phone on the table. "Improving the evening."

"It’s almost midnight."

She licked her lower lip, and sighed softly.

Christian held out his hand. "Dance with me."

Kylie stared at him. "No."

"Why?"

"Because we’re not dancing."

"Why not?"

"You’re weird."

"That’s not a reason."

"It is to me."

Christian stepped closer. "Come on."

"No."

"Just one song."

"No."

"Half a song."

"Christian."

"One minute."

She folded her arms. "Why do you want to dance?" she asked. "I don’t dance."

He shrugged. "We can try. You tell me when you want to stop."

She stared at his outstretched hand.

He didn’t move. His expression wasn’t playful anymore. It was warm, open, and waiting.

Kylie slowly unfolded her arms. She took his hand.

Christian’s fingers softly closed around hers. He pulled her gently closer.

Kylie nearly bumped into him. She stopped. Their faces were close.

Neither spoke.

Christian looked down at her.

Kylie looked up at him. She searched his eyes, and swallowed visibly.

Christian smiled. "Relax." He placed one hand lightly at her waist.

Kylie’s breath caught.

His other hand held hers. He didn’t pull her any closer. He simply waited. Then he moved slowly. He took one step, and then another.

Kylie followed.

She laughed softly after a few steps to the background blues. "You actually know how to dance?"

"I’m full of surprises."

"I don’t believe you."

"You should."

"You’re stepping on my foot."

Christian looked down. "I am not."

"You just did."

"That was your foot."

Kylie smiled. "Your foot was on mine."

"That sounds like something someone who can’t dance would say."

She shook her head with a small smile.

They moved again. The song was slow.

Kylie’s hand rested lightly in his.

Christian’s hand remained at her waist.

There was space between them. A careful amount. But every time they moved, that space seemed to disappear.

His eyes moved over her face. "Can I stay a week?"

Kylie’s smile faded. "What are you really aiming at, Christian?"

The song continued.

"I just want to know you better." Christian guided her into a slow turn.

Kylie held her breath as she came back toward him. He caught her hand. She stepped closer than she’d intended.

His hand tightened slightly around hers.

Kylie held his gaze. "I have a guest room. If you can strictly remain just around that corner, then I’m good."

They took another step.

"Thank you." He appreciated it.

He can’t go home now. He might hurt his mother if he gets in contact with her. And if he doesn’t go to her, she would come to him with her marriage proposal.

It would be better if he stays with Kylie.

His gaze dropped briefly to her mouth.

Kylie noticed. Her breath caught.

His eyes returned to hers. He didn’t move, and neither did she.

The song continued around them.

Christian’s thumb moved once over the back of her hand. Kylie looked down at their hands, then back at him.

The tension broke just enough for them to breathe.

He stepped back slightly.

Kylie released a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.

"Another song?" he asked.

She shook her head. "No."

"Scared?"

"No."

"Then why?"

"Because I don’t trust you."

Christian smiled. He leaned slightly closer. "And yet you keep letting me stay."

Kylie held his gaze. "Tonight is different."

"Because?"

She didn’t answer.

Christian didn’t push. He simply nodded. "Okay."

The music ended.

The apartment became quiet again.

Kylie looked toward the clock. "It’s late."

Christian nodded.

She rolled her eyes. "I didn’t invite you here to make you sleep in your car."

"That’s thoughtful."

"Don’t make me regret it."

"I wouldn’t dream of it."

She walked toward the hallway. "Guest room."

Christian followed.

Kylie stopped at the doorway. "Take the left room down the hallway."

He stood there for a moment.

Neither moved. She knew what he was about to say. She could see the gratitude in his eyes.

She gave him a small smile. "You’re welcome."

Christian nodded. He turned toward the guest room, then stopped. "Kylie?"

She looked back. "Yeah?"

He hesitated. "Goodnight."

Her expression softened. "Goodnight, Christian."

He disappeared into the room.

Kylie remained in the hallway for several seconds. She looked at the closed door, then down at her hand.

She could still feel his fingers around it. She touched her lips unconsciously, then she shook her head.

She turned away. Absolutely not. She wasn’t doing this. Not with him. Not now. Not after tonight, and not ever.

Somewhere behind the closed guest-room door, Christian was smiling too.