Kai had been nervous before, sure. He’d faced off against skeletons, serpents, and power-hungry warlords, but nothing—nothing—prepared him for the moment his lips met yours.

It was supposed to be simple. A casual, maybe even chill first kiss. But this was Kai, and nothing about him had ever been chill.

The moment your lips brushed his, a wave of heat surged through his body. His heart pounded, fire crackling beneath his skin. It felt good. Too good. His fingers tightened against your waist as he deepened the kiss, completely lost in the warmth of you—until the unmistakable scent of burning fabric filled the air.

You pulled back with a gasp. "Kai!"

He blinked, dazed. "Huh?"

You pointed behind him. The couch—the couch—was up in flames.

"Oh, crap!" Kai jumped into action, frantically smacking at the flames. You grabbed a blanket and helped him smother the fire, both of you coughing from the smoke.