The kitchen smelled like instant coffee and cinnamon toast.

  Kay padded in, freshly showered and wearing an oversized hoodie—Zayn’s, not hers. He leaned against the counter, sipping coffee, eyes dark and unreadable.

  They didn’t say much.

  The silence was thick.

  Tense.

  He handed her a cup without looking at her.

  She murmured thanks, heart still racing.

  “You regret it?” he asked finally, voice quiet.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Kay sipped. “No. Do you?”

  He didn’t answer right away.

  Then, “I regret that we can’t do it again.”

  She looked up sharply.

  “Because we shouldn’t,” he clarified, jaw tight. “But I want to.”

  Kay’s breath caught. She didn’t trust herself to speak.

  Then another buzz broke the moment.

  Ravi: Leaving now. Be there in 45.

  Zayn looked at her. “You should clean up. Your room. The sheets. Make it look like you weren’t in mine.”

  Her cheeks burned. “You’re really good at making this feel like a mistake.”

  “I’m trying to protect you, Kay,” he snapped.

  She flinched. “Maybe I don’t want to be protected.”

  Another silence.

  Zayn cursed under his breath and crossed the room in two strides, backing her into the fridge. “Then don’t make that face.”

  “What face?”

  “The one that makes me want to kiss you again,” he growled, eyes burning into hers.

  And just like that—he did.

  Hard.

  Quick.

  Addictive.

  Before pulling away and whispering, “Go. Before I forget why I shouldn’t.”

  Kay bolted to her room.