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SMILE

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Red and blue lights flashed across the darkened street, illuminating Sophie's house in erratic bursts as she stood in her driveway, arms wrapped tightly around herself. Her gaze remained fixed on the red smiley face smeared across her garage door, the mocking symbol pulsating in the harsh light. 

She swallowed hard, fighting back the angry tears stinging her eyes. She had known, deep down, that something like this was inevitable. With her stalker's involvement in the recent murders, it was only a matter of time. But the real question burned in her mind—why now? Why hadn't he marked her sooner? Why hadn't he killed her yet?

Her thoughts were interrupted as she glanced over her shoulder, catching sight of Kai talking to Detective Jack Samuels. Their conversation appeared casual, familiar, as if they shared some unspoken understanding. Sophie narrowed her eyes, observing the way Kai patted Jack on the arm.

Kai turned and strode back toward her as the red and blue lights painted fleeting shadows across his face. "The detective said they'll assign some officers to keep an eye on the house," 

Sophie let out a sharp scoff, her arms tightening around herself. "Yeah, he said that last time," 

Kai pressed his lips into a thin line, his gaze sweeping the street. After a beat, he stepped closer. "Maybe you shouldn't stay here tonight," he suggested. "Come to my place."

Sophie studied him for a long moment, her arms still wrapped tightly around herself. The offer was tempting, but she hesitated. She took a deep breath, letting the tension ease slightly from her shoulders.

"Okay," she agreed finally, her voice quieter than before.

Kai gave a small nod, the corners of his mouth curving into a faint, reassuring smile. "Let's grab what you need and get out of here."

Sophie glanced back at the red smiley face, the sight of it sending a sliver of dread up her spine. Without another word, she turned toward the house, Kai falling into step beside her.

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Sophie watched as Kai crouched down and retrieved the key hidden beneath the rock in front of his house. The simple action tugged at memories she thought she'd buried, her gaze drifting upward to take in the house she hadn't seen up close in years.

Kai unlocked the door and pushed it open, stepping aside to hold it for her. Sophie offered a faint smile as she crossed the threshold. She expected a rush of familiarity, for the house to feel like it once did, but instead, it felt cold, lifeless—like walking into a funeral home. Even the faint, stale smell reminded her of one.

The door clicked shut behind her, and the two moved toward the kitchen. Kai flicked on the lights. Sophie ran her fingers along the countertop as she let out a soft breath. 

Kai leaned against the counter, his arms crossed as his piercing gaze settled on her. "You want something to drink?" 

Sophie glanced at him. "Got any liquor?" 

Kai nodded, the corners of his mouth twitching upward as he pushed off the counter. "I might have something," he said, turning toward the cabinet above the sink. 

Sophie leaned her hip against the counter, crossing her arms. Her eyes lingered on him for a moment before drifting around the room again.

Kai finally pulled down a bottle of amber liquid and held it up. "Whiskey. That work for you?"

"Sounds perfect."

He chuckled, grabbing two glasses from another cabinet. "Coming right up."

Kai poured the whiskey, the sound of liquid splashing against glass filling the quiet kitchen. He handed her one of the glasses, their fingers brushing briefly. Sophie noticed how warm his hands were despite the cold still clinging to her skin from the rain earlier.

She took a sip, the burn of the whiskey spreading through her chest, her eyes meeting his over the rim of her glass.

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After finishing their drinks, Sophie found herself upstairs, standing in the shared bathroom. She had changed into a warm, oversized T-shirt and a pair of fresh underwear. Wrapping her arms around herself, she padded down the hallway back toward Kai's room.

As she passed his parents' bedroom, something caught her attention. The door was padlocked. Her steps faltered, and her brows furrowed in confusion. Why would they lock it? she wondered, staring at the door for a beat longer than necessary. Shaking her head, she pushed the thought aside. Maybe it was too painful to keep it open.

When she entered Kai's room, she found him sprawled across his bed, now dressed in his own set of pajamas. He looked relaxed, typing away on his phone, the faint glow illuminating his face.

"Where's Winter?" Sophie asked, her curiosity piqued by the silence in the house. 

Kai glanced up from his phone, locking it with a click before setting it on the nightstand. "Probably out with her lover," 

Sophie cringed, her nose scrunching slightly. "Lover? Really?"

Kai raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "How else would you describe it?"

"There are literally a million other ways you could've said that." 

Kai tilted his head, his expression shifting as he eyed her. "You still cold?" 

"Freezing," Sophie admitted with a small shiver, rubbing her hands along her arms for warmth.

Without hesitation, Kai pulled back the comforter, patting the space beside him in invitation.

She hesitated for a moment, her eyes flicking between him and the cozy warmth of the bed. Finally, she gave in, crossing the room and slipping under the blankets. The moment she settled in beside him, he opened his arm, silently inviting her closer.

Sophie rested her head on his chest, his warmth immediately seeping into her. His arm slid around her waist, holding her gently. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat under her ear was soothing, and for the first time that night, she let herself relax.

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Sophie hadn't expected to sleep as soundly as she did, but there was something about being near Kai that quieted her restless mind. She turned her head and saw him lying on his stomach, his face turned toward her, his arms tucked under the pillow.

A small smile played on her lips as she took him in—his disheveled hair, the strands of blue falling haphazardly across his face, the way his features seemed so serene in sleep. He looked nothing like the man who could command a room with just his presence. Here, he was just Kai, vulnerable and peaceful.

She couldn't resist the urge to reach out, her fingers brushing the messy strands of blue hair away from his face. Her touch lingered as she traced a line down the side of his cheek, her fingertip barely grazing the stubble that had grown.

This was everything she had ever wanted—him in her life, in Micah's life. Like a real family. Her chest tightened with a bittersweet ache as the thought settled over her. Despite not agreeing with all his views or the way he campaigned them, there was no denying that he was a good man where it mattered most.

From the moment he learned about Micah, he had stepped up, offering to be a father without hesitation. He had taken care of her when she needed it most, and she realized how comforting it was to be the one cared for, rather than always carrying the weight of responsibility alone.

Her eyes wandered down his form, taking in the taut muscles of his arms as they flexed subtly with each movement. The way his back shifted, each contour defined, sent a spark through her chest, trailing lower with every passing second.

An undeniable ache began to build low in her abdomen, spreading through her with an insistence she couldn't ignore. Her teeth caught her bottom lip, dragging it slowly as a heat bloomed on her cheeks. 

Kai began to stir in his sleep, a soft groan escaping his lips. Sophie froze, her heart sinking slightly. She couldn't help but wonder if he still suffered from the PTSD dreams that had once plagued him. Her eyes scanned his face for any signs of distress, but before she could overthink, his arm slipped around her waist, pulling her back against him.

Her breath hitched, a soft squeak escaping her lips at the unexpected intimacy. She didn't protest, though; the warmth of his body against hers was a comfort she hadn't realized she missed. However, it was impossible to ignore the very real evidence of his morning longing pressed against her lower back.

A sly smile crept onto her face as she hummed at the feeling, purposefully wiggling her hips slightly closer to him.

"I know what you're doing," Kai murmured, his voice thick with sleep and raspier than usual.

Sophie's stomach flipped at how devastatingly attractive he sounded.

"Hmm?" she replied, feigning innocence as she turned her head slightly toward him. "I have no idea what you mean."

Kai chuckled softly, his breath warm against her neck. "Sure you don't," 

Kai's hand trailed along her waist before splaying his fingers out possessively over her hip. Sophie bit her lip, suppressing the grin threatening to break across her face.

"You're playing a dangerous game," Kai murmured, his voice low and gravelly, laced with teasing. His lips brushed against the back of her neck, the sensation sending a surge of warmth through her.

"Me?" Sophie asked, her voice light and innocent, though the tilt of her hips as she pressed herself closer to him told a different story. "I'm just lying here, minding my own business."

Kai chuckled, the sound vibrating against her back. "You're a terrible liar," he muttered, his hand sliding lower to rest on her thigh, his thumb stroking the sensitive skin there.

Sophie's breath hitched, her playful demeanor faltering as her pulse quickened. "Maybe," she admitted softly, her voice almost a whisper.

Kai didn't need any more invitation. In one swift motion, he shifted her onto her back, his body hovering just above hers. His gaze locked onto hers, the intensity making her feel both small and electrified.

"Use your words," he murmured, his lips hovering just above hers.

"I want you to fuck me," Sophie breathed, her hands coming up to tangle in his hair, pulling him down to meet her kiss as she wrapped her legs around him, bucking her hips slightly to feel him press into her heat.

Kai hummed in satisfaction against her lips. His body was warm and solid above her, one arm braced against the mattress to hold himself up while the other moved with a slowness. His hand slipped beneath her shirt, the heat of his palm trailing a teasing path over her stomach, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake.

Sophie arched into his touch, her breathing uneven as his fingers grazed her lower abdomen before settling over the curve of her breast. His movements were confident, yet gentle, his thumb tracing idle patterns that made her squirm beneath him. Their kisses grew hungrier, lips and teeth colliding as if neither could get enough of the other.

She parted her lips, brushing her tongue against his in invitation, and Kai responded immediately, deepening the kiss. His fingers dipped lower, pressing against the damp cotton between her thighs. The firm yet insistent circles he drew sent waves of pleasure coursing through her, and a soft moan escaped her, muffled against his mouth.

Kai broke the kiss briefly, his lips trailing down her jaw to the hollow of her neck as his hand continued its rhythm. "You're already so wet," he murmured against her skin, his voice thick with desire.

Sophie's hands found his hair, tugging slightly as her hips instinctively pressed up into his touch. "Kai..." she breathed, her voice shaky and pleading, the building tension in her core making her dizzy.

Kai's fingers slid slowly along her slick folds, teasing her as he moved the fabric of her underwear aside. The deliberate brush of his touch made her tremble beneath him, her body responding to the gentle invasion of his finger slipping into her warmth. Sophie let out a soft, breathy sigh, her back arching as he began to pump slowly, building her pleasure with each movement.

He added another finger, stretching her with skilled precision. Her breath hitched, a faint moan escaping her lips as he curved his fingers to hit just the right spot. When he withdrew, the loss left her yearning for more, but the sight of him bringing his fingers to his mouth, tasting her, sent a fresh wave of heat through her.

Kai's gaze locked onto hers, dark and filled with primal hunger as he shifted. He rose to his knees, lifting her thighs to rest on his. His fingers hooked into the sides of her underwear and slid them down her legs, the damp fabric discarded to the side without a second thought.

With the panties gone, his hands moved to the hem of her shirt, lifting it slowly to reveal her breasts. The cool morning air brushed against her skin, tightening her nipples further as he paused, taking in the sight of her. The raw hunger in his expression sent shivers through her, making her need for him mount by the second.

Kai swept his hair back from his face as he shifted back just enough to free himself. He pushed his pajama pants down, his length springing free. Sophie's eyes followed the motion, her lips parting slightly, her hands moving to cup her own breasts. Her fingers teased her hardened peaks as her gaze locked onto his, her body thrumming with anticipation.

Kai's smirk widened as he leaned forward. He positioned himself at her entrance, his tip nudging against her folds, teasing her one final time. His lips found hers again, capturing her moan as he pushed forward, sinking into her fully.

Sophie gasped into his mouth, her body arching to meet his as he filled her completely, the stretch both intense and satisfying. Kai groaned softly, breaking the kiss to press his forehead to hers, his breath hot against her lips as he paused to let her adjust. 

Kai's hand gripped her hip with a bruising intensity, anchoring her as his hips moved in a steady, intoxicating rhythm. Each thrust sent waves of pleasure coursing through her body, drawing a symphony of soft gasps and moans from her lips.

Sophie's arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer, her fingers tangling in his unruly hair before sliding down to trace the sharp line of his jaw. Her hand rested momentarily on his sculpted chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breaths as his pace quickened.

His hand left her hip, skimming the curve of her waist and upward, his fingertips ghosting over her skin before settling at her collarbone. From there, his fingers moved to her neck, wrapping gently but firmly around her throat. A deep, satisfied hum escaped her lips, her eyes fluttering shut for a moment as she surrendered to his touch.

Kai's eyes never left hers, his gaze dark with desire. His hand shifted again, brushing up to her lips. His thumb traced the edge before slipping two fingers inside, parting her lips and resting on her tongue. "Do you like the way you taste?" 

Sophie's eyes locked onto his. She closed her lips around his fingers, tasting the remnants of herself on them. Her cheeks flushed as she nodded, a soft moan vibrating against his fingers. She let her tongue swirl around them, her gaze never wavering from his.

Kai's smirk deepened, pulling his fingers from her mouth slowly, dragging out the moment. "Good," he murmured, leaning down to kiss her fiercely, as if rewarding her compliance. His lips claimed hers with a possessive hunger, and the connection between them burned brighter, igniting them both like a fire neither wanted to extinguish.

That interaction seemed to have sent Sophie spiraling, her entire body attuned to the intoxicating rhythm they shared. She felt her peak just within reach, each thrust pushing her closer to the precipice. Her hips moved in perfect harmony with his, chasing the sweet, inevitable release with mounting desperation.

Her breaths came in sharp gasps, and her fingers dug into his shoulders as if anchoring herself to reality. When the crest finally broke, she couldn't hold back her cries of ecstasy. Her head tipped back, and her lips parted, a series of uninhibited moans spilling from her as the intense waves of bliss overtook her.

Her body trembled against his, her thighs twitching from the overwhelming pleasure. The sensation seemed to flood her from head to toe, leaving her feeling weightless and utterly consumed by the moment. She rode the aftershocks, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she struggled to catch her breath.

Kai slowed his movements just enough to savor the sight of her unraveling beneath him. His dark eyes devoured the way her body responded, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips as he leaned down to press a lingering kiss to her temple, whispering against her skin, "You're so pretty when you cum." 

The sight of her unraveling beneath him, the way her body trembled and her cries filled the room, sent Kai hurtling toward his own release. He quickened his pace one final time, a guttural groan escaping his lips as he buried himself deep and spilled his seed into her. His movements slowed to a halt, his body shuddering with the intensity of his climax.

As the last waves of pleasure coursed through him, Kai collapsed onto her, his weight warm and comforting against her body. His head found the crook of her neck, where his breath came in uneven pants against her damp skin. 

Sophie's hand instinctively rose to cradle the back of his head, her fingers tangling gently in his hair. She held him close, their bodies still entwined as they came down from the high together. Her other hand softly traced the curve of his back, soothing and intimate, as if trying to memorize the moment.

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