Chapter 192.

About two hours later, Kylie stood in front of the mirror. She ran one hand slowly over her hip, smoothing down the glittering black dress.

It hugged her figure perfectly.

The dress was bold.

The kind of dress that made a woman look twice at herself before walking out of the house.

Kylie smiled at her reflection. Her smoky black eyes complimentrd her blonde bangs so well. She tied her hair up in a sleek ponytail, putting her slender neck in display.

Tonight wasn’t about being careful.

She adjusted one of her earrings.

That was when she heard the bedroom door open.

She looked at the door through the mirror.

Christian stood in the doorway.

He didn’t say anything.

His eyes moved over her slowly for the first five seconds.

Kylie watched his reflection.

The silence between them stretched.

She turned around. "Problem?"

Christian closed the door behind him.

"No." His voice was calm.

"Then why are you staring?"

"You’re going to a club dressed like that."

She glanced down at herself. "Like what?" She asked, sounding comlletely clueless.

"Like you want every man in New York to forget how to behave."

Kylie scoffed lightly. "That sounds like a them problem."

Christian walked toward her.

Kylie didn’t move.

He stopped in front of her. "You’re going without me?"

Kylie raised an eyebrow. "Yes."

Christian’s eyes narrowed slightly. "You said you wanted me to stay."

"I did." She nodded.

Christain swallowed softly. "You said you wanted me here."

Kylie searched his eyes. "I did."

"And now you’re going to a club."

"Yes." She answered, and blinked once.

He stared at her.

Kylie smiled sweetly. "Are you keeping a list of the things I once said?"

"I might be." Christian stepped closer.

His expression softened.

Kylie could feel the warmth of him standing so close. She should have stepped away. Instead, she stayed.

Christian lifted a hand and rested it lightly against her waist.

Kylie looked into his eyes. "I need the club." She almost whisoered. Her eyes trailed down to his lips for a second and then, she met his eyes again.

"I thought you agreed to let me stay."

"I’ve been unconscious, Christian."

Her voice softened. She reached up and caught the front of his shirt.

"I need to go out."

His expression changed. The teasing disappeared. "You don’t have to prove anything. I know you’re fine."

"I know."

"Then why?"

"Because I want to." Kylie looked at him carefully. "I just need to."

Christian said nothing.

"I want to spend one night not thinking about what happened."

His thumb moved gently against her waist. "And you think a club will do that?"

Kylie lifted her hand and slowly traced her index finger along his cheek. "You’re not my prison guard."

"I know."

"I can’t go with you." She rubbed her thumb on the bridge of his nose. "You’re not my boyfriend."

His jaw tightened. "You say that everytime I come over, Kylie." His fingers traced the small of her back. "Don’t you think it has already gotten into my thick skull?"

She tapped his cheek lightly. Her eyes softened. "See you when I get back."

She tried to step around him.

Christian caught her around the waist.

Kylie smiled quietly as he pulled her back against his chest. "Christian."

"I need to go with you."

She looked up at him.

His expression was serious now. "I can be your bodyguard."

Kylie sighed. "You already placed two men before my door."

"Three."

Her eyebrows rose. "Three?"

"One is inside the building."

"You’re silly."

"I don’t care."

Kylie shook her head. "I need one night without security following me around."

"They won’t interfere."

"They’ll still be there."

"Yes."

She narrowed her eyes. "You’re proving my point."

Christian’s arms remained around her waist. "I don’t want Noah happening again."

The teasing left Kylie’s face.

She understood.

This wasn’t jealousy anymore.

He was scared. Not for his pride, but for her.

Kylie reached up and touched his jaw.

Christian looked down at her.

"I know you’re scared."

"I am."

The honesty caught her off guard.

She hadn’t expected him to admit it so easily.

His voice lowered. "Someone walked into your apartment and found out you almost died."

Kylie swallowed.

Christian continued. "I don’t think I’m ever going to forget that."

She looked away.

"I want you to remember that I’m still here." Christian’s expression softened.

Kylie smiled faintly. She turned back to meet his eyes. "But I also need you to understand that I’m still here too."

He stared at her.

Kylie touched his cheek again. "So let me go dance."

He looked at her for several seconds. Then he leaned down. His lips brushed lightly against the side of her neck.

Kylie closed her eyes.

He kissed her again, softer this time. Then he rested his forehead against hers.

"Blue."

She opened her eyes. "No, Christian."

She smiled. "Talk to you when I get back."

She slipped out of his arms.

Christian watched her. "You’re really going."

"Yes."

He sighed.

Kylie grabbed her purse from the dresser. "Don’t look so tragic."

"You’re going to regret that dress." He sighed.

She turned. "Why?"

"Because I’m going to spend the entire night imagining every man in that club staring at you."

Kylie grinned. "That sounds like a you problem."

Christian shook his head. "You enjoy this."

She popped her lips. "Very much."

Christain walked toward her. He pulled her into his arms again, and then suddenly, the door opened.

Emilia walked in.

She stopped abruptly.

Kylie stopped.

Christian stopped.

Emilia’s eyes moved from Kylie to Christian. Then to Christian’s arm, which was still loosely around Kylie’s waist.

She immediately turned her face away.

"Oh my God."

Kylie burst out laughing. "Emilia—"

"Nope." Emilia covered her eyes with one hand. "I saw nothing."

Christian cleared his throat.

"I literally walked into the room."

"I know!"

"And you two were—"

"Nothing happened."

Emilia’s eyebrows rose beneath her hand. "Sure."

Kylie crossed her arms. "What do you want?"

"I came to tell you we’re leaving in ten minutes."

She peeked through her fingers. Then immediately covered her eyes again. "And apparently I should have knocked."

"You absolutely should have."

"I thought you were alone!"

Christian’s mouth twitched.

Emilia pointed toward him without looking. "You’re the reason this is awkward."

Kylie took Christain arms off her waist. "Why is it his fault?"

"Because he’s the one standing behind you like—" She stopped. "Nope."

She shook her head. "Not finishing that sentence."

Kylie laughed softly.

Christian finally stepped away from her.

Emilia lowered her hand. "Thank you."

Christian nodded. "I’ll give you two a minute."

He moved toward the door.

Kylie watched him leave. Then she looked at Emilia.

Emilia looked back. "So."

"So?"

"You’re taking him."

Kylie frowned. "Who?"

"Christian."

Kylie rolled her eyes. "He might be coming as security."

"Security?"

"Yes."

Emilia thinned her lips. "I’ve been here all day. Since Christain is here already, I should text Adrian. In a few days, we won’t have this much time."

Kylie narrowed her eyes. "You don’t wamt to join me again?"

"I would have loved to, Khy." Emilia let out a small breath. "Give Cbristaim a chance. Just give him tonight."

Kylie nodded after a small thought. Then, she grabbed her purse. "Come on." She urged Emilia. "If I should step out with Christaim, you should at least walk me down."

They walked downstairs together.

Christian was already waiting near the entrance.

He had changed into a dark shirt and jeans, showcasing his lean atletic figure, and gorgeous face.

Kylie stopped halfway down the stairs.

She looked him over, and smiled to herself. Then, Kylie hooked her arm through Emilia’s.

"I love you." She declared.

Emilia gave her a playful tight glare. "I tolerate you."

"Same thing."

Emilia laughed. "Bye, Babe."

Kylie nodded, and pulled her into a hug. After she parted the hug, she stepped outside with Christain.

A black SUV waited at the curb.

Kylie stopped.

She looked at Christian. "You brought an SUV?"

"I was just dropping by before I saw you all dressed up."

She stared at him, and then sighed dramatically.

Christian opened the passenger door. "Get in."

Kylie stared at him. "Excuse me?"

"Please, Princess. Please get in."

She narrowed her eyes. "Better."

She climbed inside.