Kiss the Stars (Falling Stars #1)(6)

I traced my fingertips over the image, wishing it could somehow seep into my soul, breathe its life back into me.

I thought I felt a flicker of it.

Energy.

A depth that had been missing that billowed and blew. A soft whisper that breezed through the room.

Chills flashed, and the fine hairs on my arms and neck lifted in a whoosh of awareness.

I froze, throat closing off as that sensation twisted and cut into me with a stab of fear. As I realized I was not alone.

Ever so slowly, I shifted around.

One-part terror.

One-part curiosity.

My eyes narrowed as I struggled to peer farther into the hushed shadows at the far end of the room where I felt the crash of energy emanating from.

A brewing of intensity.

My heart shivered in my chest as a dark figure sitting on an oversized chair slowly came into view.

At the sight of him, a scream gurgled in my throat, though it got locked in the barbs of tightness.

My stomach twisted into a thousand knots.

I should run. No doubt. Just get the hell out of there and pretend like I hadn’t even noticed a man lurking in the far corner.

But I was frozen.

Slammed by another bolt of that severity.

Bound by shockwave after shockwave of energy that surged and rocked, gluing my feet to the ground.

He just sat there, not making a move, eyes clearly watching me even though I couldn’t make them out through the darkness.

“Oh my god, you scared me,” I finally managed to force out. My gaze darted to the door, searching for the closest emergency exit and not knowing whether I should use it or not.

Oh, I should.

I knew I should.

But I just stood there, robbed of the sense of flight, stammering, “Wh-wha-what are you doing in here?” at the faceless silhouette.

The outline of him was nothing but wide shoulders and hard body, legs stretched out in front of him so casually.

Like he couldn’t feel that his presence was singlehandedly tilting the earth on its side.

The man emitting his own gravity.

He barely shifted, the rocks glass he rested on the arm of the chair glinting in a ray of light as he rolled the base in a slow circle.

“Seems to me the exact same thing as you.” His voice was gravel, controlled with a razor-sharp edge.

Intrigue billowed, wrapping me in bindings.

I’d always considered myself decently intelligent. Graduated salutatorian of my high school class. Earned a full ride scholarship even though finishing my degree had been rough considering my circumstances, but I had done it and I’d done it well.

Had started my own business.

And there I was, struck dumb.

Senseless.

Fascination taking me over like it was the only wisdom I knew.

“What’s that?” I asked instead of rushing out the door where my common sense had clearly already fled without me.

“Hiding.” The word was a deep drone. He sat forward. The air stirred. I sucked in a breath as heat gathered in the atmosphere and covered my flesh in a flashfire of anticipation.

What the hell?

“Though I doubt we’re doin’ it for the same reasons,” he said.

I could feel the flit of his gaze racing over me.

Assessing.

Calculating.

“You don’t know anything about me.” It came out a shaky defense. I didn’t even know why I was offering it. Why I was even humoring this conversation.

Although there didn’t seem to be anything humorous about it.

This feeling that had become all too real and potent.

Instant.

Urgent.

He slowly stood to his full, towering height.

Oh God. Chills streaked and sped, and I was standing there on shaking knees.

“No. But I’d say you’re pretty easy to read.” His words were gruff.

“And what is it you think you’re seein’?” My voice trembled, and God, I needed to shut my mouth and get the hell out of there. Red flags were getting thrown all over the place.

Out of bounds.

My feet carrying me in a direction I definitely did not need to be traveling.

Because Lyrik was right.

Not all of his guests could be trusted. Not all of them were good.

And this guy screamed danger.

Trouble.

But on an entirely different level than the jerk downstairs.

Because I was feeling compelled. Drawn into the darkness swarming the space. Rushing and crashing.

Somehow, I got the sense that if I got any closer, I was going to get swallowed.

“Fear.” His arrogant statement rippled the air.

I gulped.

Maybe I’d had it all wrong. Maybe he was the hunter who was scenting his prey. That he could smell the way I was drawn. Helpless to whatever the hell this attraction was—something I’d never once in all my life experienced before.

A dark lure.

I took a step backward like I could possibly get away from it.

He took one forward.

It brought him into a stream of light.

My mouth dropped open and my belly bottomed out.

I couldn’t tell if he was terrifying or beautiful.

Terrifyingly beautiful.

Yes, yes, that was it.

Tall and lean. Different than my brother, though.

Shoulders wide. Corded muscle visible, arms rippling with strength. The guy wearing a tee and tattered jeans and Vans to a gala in the Hills.