Craving My Brother's Best Friend (Bailey and Kaleb) novel Chapter 27

**The Night We Borrowed Fire from a Broken Star by Selvin Arlo Crest**

**Bailey’s POV**

The hour was late when I finally stepped out of the library, the cool night air wrapping around me like a comforting embrace. All I craved was to be with Kaleb, to melt into his warmth and let his kisses sweep me away into a blissful oblivion.

Ever since that transformative night, Kaleb had changed in ways I couldn’t quite articulate. It was as if a new layer had been added to our connection, and now, we spent every night together, lost in moments that felt both thrilling and terrifying.

Yet, I kept this newfound intimacy a secret, even from Selena. How could I explain what we were? We had no label, no definition, and the mere thought of asking him what we were felt like it would shatter the delicate balance we had created.

As I walked, I slowed my pace, glancing back over my shoulder. The street was empty, but my heart raced, as if sensing something lurking just beyond my line of sight. I could have sworn I heard footsteps trailing behind me, echoing my every move.

I tightened my grip on my bag’s strap, urging myself to walk faster. It was probably just my mind playing tricks on me, conjuring shadows in the dark.

“Okay, calm down,” I murmured softly, trying to reassure myself.

I made a sharp turn onto an unfamiliar road, one I didn’t usually take. The footsteps shifted too, quickening in pace, and an unsettling tightness gripped my chest.

Someone was definitely following me.

“Great, just great,” I muttered under my breath, anxiety creeping into my thoughts.

Just as I reached for my phone, a voice broke through the tension, calling my name.

“Bailey.”

I froze, my heart skipping a beat, then spun around to find Kaleb standing there, illuminated by the soft glow of a streetlight. His brown hair fell across his forehead in a way that made my heart flutter.

“Where did you come from?” I asked, trying to regain my composure, my breath still uneven.

He tilted his head slightly, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. “I was in the area.”

“In the area?” I echoed, skepticism lacing my tone.

“Yeah,” he replied nonchalantly, stepping closer to me. “Why? Did something happen?”

I rolled my eyes, but my voice softened more than I intended. “Not really, but I thought someone was following me.”

His expression shifted; his eyes darkened for just a moment before they softened, filled with a warmth that made my heart race. “Relax, princess. You’re safe with me.”

The way he said it sent a delightful shiver down my spine. I noticed his right hand was wrapped in a fresh bandage, the wound beneath it still angry and raw.

“What happened to your hand?” I blurted out, instinctively reaching for him before I could stop myself.

He pulled it back slightly, then relented, allowing me to see the injury.

“Training,” he shrugged, as if it were nothing significant. “Nothing big.”

“Training?” I repeated incredulously. “That doesn’t look like nothing. It looks painful.”

“It’s fine.” His voice was calm, but the look in his eyes warned me not to pry further. “I’ve had worse.”

I bit my lip, a mix of concern and admiration swirling within me.

He tilted his head toward the street, his gaze softening. “I’ve missed you. Come on, let’s grab coffee.”

“Coffee? At this hour?” I raised an eyebrow, skepticism creeping in.

He smirked again, that charming grin that made my heart flutter. “Why not?”

I narrowed my eyes at him playfully, but I couldn’t help the smile that broke through. “You’re a nightwalker.”

“And yet here you are, still following me,” he teased back, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

He was right; I would follow him to the ends of the earth if it meant spending more time together.

The coffee shop he led me to was a cozy little nook, tucked away on a quiet corner, bathed in warm light that beckoned us inside. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloped us as we entered.

Kaleb ordered a black coffee, while I opted for something sweeter, a guilty pleasure I couldn’t resist.

As we settled across from each other, I couldn’t help but notice how his injured hand rested on the table, a silent testament to his strength and vulnerability. I longed to reach for it again, to comfort him, but I held back.

“So,” I began, taking a careful sip of my drink. “What brings you to this part of town? I’ve never seen you at the library before.”

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race. “What do you think?”

“I think you’re stalking me,” I teased, a playful glint in my eye.

“Maybe I am,” he replied, a hint of seriousness in his tone that sent a thrill through me.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify