Leaning forward onto my handle bars, I look up at Kinsley’s front door. I was only here yesterday. I never come around two days in a row, but like an itch I couldn’t scratch, something told me I should swing past. If I had it my way, she wouldn’t leave my side. This girl is addictive, but she has kept me at arm’s length since the day we met. The playful visits have been fun but I want more; I need more. She doesn’t know it yet, but Kinsley Fallon is mine. I’m just biding time until I show her who she belongs to.

Slipping the key into the lock I try to open the door — it won’t budge. It feels as though something is pushed up against it. What the fuck. Deciding I don’t want to cause a scene today, I jog around the back and enter through the laundry.

The apartment is silent. “Kins?” I shout, but as I walk down the hall and towards the front door, I see her. My heartbeat thunders in my chest at the sight of her; slumped against the hardwood door, her hair slick with sweat and breathing shallow. Rushing over I pull her into my arms. “Hey — Kinsley? Wake up!” After the longest thirty five seconds, she opens her heavy eyes, but they aren’t focusing yet. “Fucking hell, please look at me.”

“Tanner?” she whispers.

“Hey, yeah, it’s me.” I lift her into my arms and carry her upstairs, she stays quiet, still dazed. The feeling of her in my arms, leaning into me is almost too much. I place her in bed and her heavy eyes look over me before they close again.

“Stay,” she mumbles as she drifts off to sleep – or passes out again? I have no idea what is going on. All I know is that I’m not going anywhere; this girl has never asked me to stay, and if this is my one shot at breaking down one of her walls, I’ll take it.

Sliding my phone out of my jacket pocket, I send off a text, cancelling the rest of my day. I only had two property evaluations to do, they can wait. I toss my jacket onto the couch in the corner of her room and take in her space. The floor-to-ceiling bookcase is full, perfectly organised showcasing what must be her favourites, she has this corner set up as a little reading nook. Floor pillows and a basket of throws sit alongside the couch. As much as I drop past, things seem to escalate so fast that we never make it up here. That thought alone forces me to adjust myself.

Kinsley Fallon is a drug — intoxicating, forbidden and utterly addictive.