Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 59: Stay Away
The city lights blur past us as Karl drives, the tension in the car so thick I could slice it with a knife. My

mind is still spinning from the events of the last hour—the creepy guy on the subway, the group of

leering men, and then Karl, showing up like a storm, sweeping everything away.

My eyes shift to him for a moment, taking in his stern profile, the jaw set in a hard line. His knuckles are

white on the steering wheel. It’s clear he’s still riled up.

“Hey… Thanks for picking me up,” I finally manage to say, breaking the oppressive silence.

“You don’t have to thank me. It’s the least I could do,” he replies, his eyes never leaving the road. The

words hang in the air, laden with unspoken emotions and thoughts neither of us is willing to navigate

right now.

Soon enough, we pull up in front of my apartment building, and Karl kills the engine. We both sit there

for a moment, contemplating the space between us, both literal and metaphorical.

“Let me walk you up,” he finally says, a subtle softness creeping into his voice.

I hesitate, weighing my options, but then nod. After everything that’s happened so far tonight, some

company up to my apartment door would be appreciated.

“Okay. Thanks, Karl.”

We step out of the car, and as we walk to the building, I can’t help but notice a dark red stain on his

pristine white shirt. It’s blood. My stomach churns at the sight.

“You’re hurt,” I blurt out.

He glances down, a wry smile pulling at his lips. “Don’t worry. It’s not mine.”

Despite the churn of emotions and the image of Karl punching that guy square in the jaw flashing

through my mind, relief washes over me. “Even so, you should get that cleaned before it sets in.”

We reach my apartment door, and I unlock it, pushing it open. The familiar scent of home envelops me,

offering a much-needed sense of normality after what just happened. I gesture inside. “You could come

in for a minute. Let me clean that for you.”

The tension between us is palpable as we stand in the threshold of my apartment. For a moment, it

both teetering on the edge of something undefined and precarious,

and daring to

breaking the moment, his

meaning.

a soft chuckle, even though the feelings inside of me are

I really needed

reply, my voice

longer, as if

closing the door softly behind us.

of our footsteps as we head

I gesture for him

It should

sitting down while I rummage through the cupboard under the

I straighten up and grab a clean cloth from the drawer, dousing it in the

step closer to him, the atmosphere in the room

I reach for his shirt, gently dabbing at the

palpable reminder of the strength that lies just

he says, his Adam’s apple moving as he speaks. His voice is deep and gravelly,

way I remember

when he would

about what it would be like to wake up

But I quickly push

shirt. I’d hate to see it get

“I could just

my thoughts betray me, drifting

through my mind—the feel of his arms around

name whispered in that deep voice. My heart starts to

I ask, my voice a little

party early tonight without saying goodbye. Everything

hesitates, his eyes meeting mine for just a second before looking away. “I had some things to

about.”

vagueness of his answer hangs in the air, like a puzzle missing crucial pieces. I want to

his expression stops me. The mood

to risk

us, punctuated only by the

by my closeness as I am to his. And for an instant, I

to close the

as

silence that says more than words ever

the floor, suddenly aware of how dangerously close

complicate everything.

I murmur, lowering my hand. “Wash it

lifts to my chin, gently but firmly turning my