“You’re incredibly beautiful, Isla,” he complimented. I could feel my cheeks turn red. Kai has a way with words.
I want him. He wants me. But why is he holding back?
I dropped my arms from around his neck, tucked my hair behind my ear before I moved away from him, sitting back down on the couch. “If I don’t step away from you now, I won’t be able to stop myself from doing something I know you’ll regret.”
“Am I that irresistible to you?”
A sly grin plays at the corner of my mouth. “I’d be more than happy to make it hard for you to resist me.”
“Oh, yeah? How would you do that?” Kai licked his lips.
“Do you want to test me?” I dipped my voice low, moved closer to him and he swallowed hard. He shook his head slowly and scooted further away from me. I changed the subject. “So, what do you want to do tonight?”
“Swim,” he continued. “Might as well make use of the penthouse suite.”
I looked down at my clothes before our eyes locked in place. “I didn’t bring any swimwear.”
“Didn’t stop you the last time,” he joked.
I raise my eyebrows at him and smiled. “Fine. What else?”
“Twenty-one questions,” he replied.
I can’t help but smile. “Twenty-one questions? Really? Sounds like you want to get to know me, Kai Storm.” He nodded. “Do you treat all your call girls like this?”
Kai smiled at me, his voice was shaky and nervous. “You’re my first one.”
I narrowed my eyes. “That you’ve wanted to get to know?”
He shook his head. “You’re my first call girl.”
Woah. What the fuck is he talking about? That doesn’t sound right. A surprised look crossed my face. “What do you mean your first call girl? Ever?”
“Ever,” he replied.
“That can’t be right, Kai. You acted like you knew what went on at those parties a couple of weeks ago.” Hell, he called for one when I turned up unexpectedly in his room. Why is he lying to me?
“I’ve heard of those parties, Isla. I’d never been to one before.” Kai avoided my gaze.
“I still don’t believe you.”
He looked up at me. “It’s true.” Suddenly, the hotel phone rang. Storm stood up from the couch, walked over, and picked it up, locking eyes with mine. “Storm here. Yeah, thanks. Okay. Come up now.” He hung up the phone, his attention was still on me. “The penthouse is ready. They’re bringing up a luggage handler to move my bags. You need to hide in the bathroom again.”
I smiled at him before I got up and made my way to the suite bathroom. While waiting for the handler, I sat on the toilet seat and took out my phone, sending a text message to Holden.
Hey, Holden. Sorry I missed your calls. Hopefully you’re resting in bed recovering.
The dots moved and I got a reply almost instantly. Don’t kill me. I had to go into work, but I’ve just arrived back home. Daisy’s birthday is coming up. Keep next Friday free. We’re going to a strip club. Don’t ask.
I smiled with his last text. I was pulled my thoughts when I heard Kai yelling.
“You can come out now.”
I stepped outside of the bathroom and he reached out for my hand. Taking it willingly, we made our way to the lift and headed up to the penthouse floor. He unlocked the door and he led me inside. Somehow it looked even bigger than the last time I was there. I dropped my bag at the entrance and scanned the room. “I can’t believe how huge this place is.”
“It’s pretty decent. Perfect actually,” Kai continued. “Are you hungry?”
“Starving, actually.” My stomach grumbled at that exact moment. Storm smiled and searched the suite for a room service menu, handing it to me.
“Order anything you want.”
“Don’t mind if I do.” I scanned the menu for something to eat. I’ve had food here before, plenty of times, but the items offered in the penthouse suite are completely different than the meals offered in the standard rooms. “This looks good.” I pointed to an item that caught my eye.
“Ribs? Really?”
I smiled at Kai, giving him a wink. “I love my meat.” Kai chuckled at me before taking the menu out of my hands. After picking his item, he made the call to the restaurant. We spent the time waiting for the meals, sitting down on the lounge talking.
“How did Holden manage to land a job here?” Kai asked.
“He knows the hotel owner’s son, who’s a friend of his. When he finished the management course, they offered him a job,” I answered. “He’s really good at what he does.”
“He’s a good guy. I wish I hadn’t cut ties with him. We just kinda grew apart.” Kai’s tone was soft with regret.
I wonder what Kai was like when he was younger. God, imagine if Holden was friends with him when we first met. Would anything have happened between us? I was pulled from my thoughts when the doorbell to the penthouse rang. Kai stood up and opened the door. A waitress brought the food inside on trays. After he tipped her, we sat down on the couch to enjoy our meals. Kai’s gaze was on me as I devoured the pork ribs.
“I bet this is a real turn on for you, Kai,” I winked at him.
He couldn’t help but laugh. “Watching you eat is really something.”
“You’re going to make me self-conscious,” I joked. I love my food. I really don’t give a shit what he thinks about the way I eat. It’s pork ribs. Who the fuck doesn’t like pork ribs? Right. Vegetarians. We finished our meals and Storm took the plates and trays, leaving them just outside our suite. He returned, sitting back down next to me.
“Okay, you ready?”
“For what?” I respond. My eyes narrowed at him.
“Twenty-one questions.”
“Oh. Not really, but that was our deal.” I smiled at him. I was suddenly nervous. Answering questions about my life was not something I was used to. I’m a private girl. I prefer keeping to myself, especially when there are things about my past I don’t want anyone knowing.
“You don’t like people getting to know you?”
“Um. No. It’s fine. I mean sure, there are things I want to stay hidden.” My palms started to sweat, and my heart rate increased. I felt terrified, but I tried not to show it.
“Like what?” Kai was curious.
“Stuff about my past I’m not willing to share with anyone.” My tone was direct and firm. I was definitely concerned about the questions he was going to ask me. I hate thinking about my past let alone talking about it. Hell, not even Holden knows everything. It was hard telling him bits and pieces. I didn’t give him the whole story.
“Fair enough,” Kai continued. “First question.” I brought my hand to my lips and bit the skin on the corner of my fingers. Kai gently grabbed my hands and placed them in his. “It’s okay.”
“Sorry.” I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and sighed. When I opened them up, Kai was smiling at me. I couldn’t help but smile back. “Okay. First question.”
“Favorite food?”
Thank God. An easy question. “Anything meat,” I answered. I’ve always loved food, and love cooking. If my apartment wasn’t so damn small and disgusting, I probably would be cooking more often. “What about you, Kai?”
“I have to agree. Favorite movie genre?”
I thought for a moment, lifting my hand from his and bringing my finger to my lips. “Comedy. No wait. Horror. No. Comedy. Yeah. I love a good laugh.”
Kai chuckles. “I would have thought Romance.”
“That would be my favorite book genre. A little obsessed. Who doesn’t love a good romance novel?”
“I’m more of an action guy myself,” he smiled.
“I could have guessed. I love action movies too provided that there’s not a lot of talking. I want guns, fighting and flipping cars.”
Kai’s smile widened at me. “Okay, next question.” I love getting to know him. These questions aren’t so bad. “Why were you on the bridge that night?”
Ugh. What the fuck, Kai? My eyes moved away from his. I hated myself that night and I can’t believe he’s asking me about it. Kai noticed the hurt expression on my face.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that question.”
No, Kai. You definitely shouldn’t have. My previously calmed nerves were in full swing. The tip of my foot was bouncing up and down. Kai stood up and reached out his hand to me.
“Let’s go for a swim.”
I nod as I took his hand. I want to do anything else but talk right now. Too afraid to open my mouth fearing something might slip out, and I can’t have that. Kai can’t know. We stepped out into the courtyard and made my way to one of the lounge chairs. Removing my clothes, I was left in my lingerie. Kai’s eyes were on me the whole time, and I couldn’t help but smile at him. “You’re not swimming in your suit, are you?”
He shook his head and I watched intensely. Kai undid his belt and lowered his pants to the ground before kicking them to the side. Grabbing the hem of his top, he lifted it up over his head and threw it on the lounge chair. Walking to the edge of the pool, I stretched out my arms before diving in. When I came back up for air, I sleeked my hair back and away from my face. Kai was at the edge of the pool when he dived in, and swam right up to me.
I smiled before I turned away from him and made my way to the other side of the pool. Kai was fast soon catching up to me. Sucking my bottom lip, Kai walked towards me that I had no choice but to move back to the edge of the pool. His hands gripped my bare waist. The heated water suddenly turned cold, shivering with his touch. Pressing his body against mine, he leaned into me. Our lips softly brush up against each other, my arms instinctively move around his neck to deepen the kiss we both moan into. The feeling of his bulge against my body was hard to miss. When he pulled back from the kiss, we try to catch our breaths.
“Fuck,” he whispered.
“Do you think you can resist me now?” I purred.
8
The Other Woman
“Do you think you can resist me now?” I purred.
Kai’s eyes were filled with hunger. It was the same deprivation that was coming through mine. We both wanted each other, there was no mistaking it. He smiled at me before throwing himself back into the water, standing up, and smoothing the hair off his face, smirking at me.
“I think I’m okay resisting you for now.” I smiled back before my hands reached around to my laced bra. “Don’t you fucking dare,” Storm knew what was coming. I giggled as I unclasped my bra, holding it in the air and tossing it aside.
“Oops,” I teased, biting my lip. His eyes wouldn’t move away from my breasts, but I couldn’t tell if he was upset or turned on. Maybe a bit of both.
Kai swam to the stairs and made his way out of the pool, while I stayed in the comfort of the heated water until he returned with a white fluffy robe in his hands. “Out,” he demanded.
I guess he’s pissed. “Are you serious?” I huffed. God, I was just teasing him. I can’t believe he wants to kick me out of the pool.
“Yes. Please get out,” he begged.
I swam to the stairs and made my way out of the pool, covering both breasts with my hand. Kai walked up to me and gently wrapped the robe around my body. It felt warm, like it had just come out of the dryer. Placing each arm in the sleeve, I grabbed the sash and tied it together, ensuring the robe was closed.
“If you don’t cover up now, I don’t think I’ll be able to resist you much longer.” Kai smiled.
My cheeks were red and I started to feel nervous again. Turning away from him, I made my way inside when he grabbed me by the arm and pulled me to him.
“Fuck it.” Kai’s lips crashed onto mine and our tongues met instantly. Grabbing me by my ass, he carried me inside before sitting down on the lounge chair with me straddling him. Our mouths still attached and our tongues enjoying the taste of one another, the heat from our breaths combining into one.
I grinded my body on his, and I swear I’ve never felt anything harder in my life. God, I want him.
Kai’s hand slipped underneath my robe, lifting it slightly above my hips, where he grabbed a tight hold off my ass. A growl escaped from the back of his throat. My fingers ran through his hair as we continued to kiss. By the time he pulled away, my lips were swollen and tingling. Sweeping my hair to the side he cups my face in his hands.
“Why do you keep doing this?” I breathed, feeling slightly furious at him.
“Doing what, Isla?” His eyes narrowed.
“This hot and cold thing you’ve got going on. If you want me so damn badly, then take me. You’re teasing me right now and it’s killing me.”
I don’t know how long I can keep this up for. I’ve never worked so hard to be with a person, but he seems worth it.
“It’s…it’s killing me too, Isla,” he hesitated.
Why is he so afraid to be with me? It’s not like he hasn’t paid me the money. Is there something else going on? God, I hope he’s not married, or has a girlfriend. Fuck. I wouldn’t be able to handle that.
I moved my hips over him. “Then let me please you. I want to taste you and feel you inside of me. Why are you resisting this?”
Kai took a deep breath, arguing with himself before he whispered. “I can’t. Please. You need to stop doing that.”
“Are you married?” I need to know why he’s fighting me. There has to be a reason.
“God, no. I would never be kissing you if I was married or had a girlfriend.”
Oh, thank God. If it’s not another woman, what else could it be? “There has to be a reason, Kai.”
“Please, I can’t,” he begged, running his hands over his face and through his hair.
I can’t be too mad at him. Fuck. I’m hiding something too. “Is it me?”
Storm grabbed my face and held it in place. His next words didn’t ease my angst. “No. You’re perfect. It’s me.” I nodded and moved my leg over him, sitting back down on the couch. Kai took a deep breath, an apologetic expression appeared. “I’m sorry.”
“Maybe we should hold off on the kissing,” I muttered. My voice was low and shaky, a lump formed in my throat. Kai looked at me and nodded slowly. A sadness was in his eyes that I just wanted to melt away.
He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “I think that’s a good idea.”
“Do you want me to leave?” I’m not sure if he wants me here anymore. I don’t want to leave, but I might not have a choice.
“What?” Snapping his head towards me. “No. I want you to stay, Isla.”
Stay with him? In the same bed? Ugh. That might be too hard. I’ll be too tempted to do things to him that he clearly doesn’t want me to do. “I’ll sleep in the spare bedroom for the night.”
Kai looked disappointed. “You don’t want to sleep next to me?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’m not myself when I’m with you and I don’t think I could be trusted,”
“Yeah, maybe you’re right. I don’t think I could trust myself either,” he continued. “I’m actually getting tired.”
I nodded and smiled sweetly at him. Tightening the robe, I stood up with him. “Show me to my room, please?” Kai stretched out his arm and I placed my hand in his, which caused an electric surge to course through my body. He led me to the bedroom which was next door to the ensuite.
“Is this okay?” Our hands were still locked in place, I gently pulled away.
“This room is bigger than my own apartment. It’s more than fine,” I was grateful that I had a decent place to sleep for the night. At least I have the appointment with the real estate agent tomorrow. I fucking need a new place to live already!
Kai narrowed his eyes. “How small is your apartment?”
“Small, moldy and infested with crawlies. I’ve recently started to look for my own place,” I explained.
“Why are you living in such a bad place?” Kai was curious. Having this conversation might open up some old wounds.
I don’t think I’m ready for that. Kai nudged my arm when I didn’t respond. “Hey, Isla. You can tell me, you know?”
I took a deep breath. “I was living with my parents before but as soon as I could afford to, I moved out. It’s hard getting a place here that’s decent, but reasonably priced. Everything is so expensive. I’m trying to save up to get something clean.”
“You didn’t want to stay with your parents?”
My head dipped low. “I hate them both. I haven’t spoken to either of them since I left.” Asshole untrustworthy parents. So fucking glad to be rid of them.
“Why?”
Locking my eyes with Kai, he could see them swell with tears. I need to get out of here. I can’t talk about this with him. I’m so exhausted. Emotionally. Physically. It’s too hard.
“Sorry. I shouldn’t be asking you this,” Kai apologized.
“It’s okay. I just don’t get along with either of them.” I lied.
“Does Holden know?” Kai continued. “Wait. Sorry. I won’t ask you anymore questions.”
“No, it’s fine, I just…Somethings I don’t want to talk about. Holden doesn’t know everything.”
He nodded. “Well you can stay in this room as long as I have the suite.” Kai offered, smiling.
“Except on the night of your party,” I joked. Kai winked at me.
“Maybe even then,” he continued. “Goodnight, Isla.” Kai leaned over and pressed his lips on my cheek.
My eyes closed until he pulled away. I smiled before stepping inside the bedroom, shut the door and leaned against it before sliding down. My heart was racing. Being drawn to Kai is hard, especially when he clearly feels the same way I do. Biting the inside my check to stop my tears from falling. How can I be affected this much by one person that I hardly know? Maybe it’s because he saved my life that night. I took a deep breath before standing up and making my way to the bed. Removing the covers, I slid in and put the blankets over me again. Curling up into a ball, I tried my hardest to fall asleep, but all I could do was think of Kai, wondering if he was doing the same.
His Desire Page 8
