Unfolding Kiara: Second Chance Best Friends to Lovers Romance (The Unfolding Duet Book 2)

by Mahi Mistry

  I dropped the fork. “But I am not sure if it will work out between us.”

  My ma raised her eyebrow at me. “Are you not sure or are you scared?”

  Even my little sister backed her up, “Please marry Kiara, Ethan. She is like an Indian princess and I adore her! You can be her Prince Charming.”

  Liam grinned at her and gave her a high five while my mothers grinned at them. I raked a hand through my hair and wondered how on Earth Kiara wooed my family. My ma was right. I feared losing her, but I was not sure if our relationship would ever work out. We were trying to conceive before ever going on a date or even getting married.

  Marriage? Yeah, right.

  I sighed and looked at my family, smiling and chattering with Liam.

  I was way over my head.

  I bit my bottom lip, my fingers clutching my handbag tightly. I told the taxi driver the directions to Ethan’s home. I had been waiting for Ethan to pick me up when Liam had called me. I was not expecting to hear that Ethan had injured himself. He didn’t give me many details, just that he was alright, and the personal doctor was treating him at his home.

  Tipping the driver, I rushed out of the taxi and entered the house. My heartbeat was pounding when I saw Liam and another man in a suit with a stethoscope around his neck sitting on the couch.

  “Where’s Ethan?” I breathed, “Is he okay?”

  Liam gave me a small smile as the doctor explained that he got a rotator cuff injury which was a common injury in swimmers. He would have inflammation in his injured shoulder for a few days and wouldn’t be able to swim for a couple of weeks. I thanked him when he took his leave after prescribing a painkiller and asked to ice his shoulder twice a day and call him if the pain worsened.

  “Thank you for calling me,” I said to Liam, his grey eyes looking anywhere but at me. He nodded, sliding his hands in his pockets when he stood up. “You can stay for dinner,” I offered.

  Liam’s eyes pierced mine, raking over my face. He looked the same as he had before, but his jaw and cheekbones looked sharper, his grey eyes darker. “I don’t want to disturb you guys,” he said. “And as much as I would love to stay and see you scold him, I have to take my leave.”

  After locking the front door, I went to Ethan’s room, knocking before I entered. I let out a sigh when I found him sleeping soundly on the bed, stacks of pillows under his right bandaged shoulder. Sitting beside him, I brushed his hair back and caressed his cheek with my thumb. His eyes stirred, and I took my hand away when he woke up, his half-lidded eyes landing on me.

  “I am sorry I woke you up.”

  He smiled at me and took my hand in his, his fingers enveloping mine. “You didn’t. Did you eat? I was going to buy you that kimchi you love, but I couldn’t.”

  I poked his healthy side, frowning at him, “Why on earth would you over-train yourself like that, Ethan? The doctor told me this happened because you trained yourself to the point that your muscle tore itself.”

  Ethan leaned up, sitting on the bed with the support of pillows despite my concern. He hushed me by placing his finger on my lips. “I needed to swim, Bella. This isn’t the first time I have hurt myself during training.”

  My eyes went wide and before I could ask him, he continued, “You don’t need to worry, okay? It will heal in a week. But look at the bright side.”

  I furrowed my brows when he grinned mischievously. “What bright side?”

  Leaning close, his warm breath tickled my ear as he whispered, “You can role-play as my nurse.”

  With my cheeks flaming red, I smacked him, “Is sex all you ever think about?”

  He chuckled when I stood up from the bed. “Every time you are close to me, yes, sweetheart.”

  “You are insatiable,” I muttered when I left his room with a small smile playing on my lips.

  “Kiara,” Ethan moaned again while I focused on typing up the last paragraph of the chapter I was working on.

  “Hmm?”

  “Let’s fuck, I am bored.”

  “Okay, you go ahead,” I answered aimlessly and pushed my glasses up the bridge of my nose. My fingers returned to tapping on my laptop keyboard.

  “You didn’t hear what I just said, did you?”

  “No, I will eat later.”

  As I finished writing the last sentence, I felt his warm body heat radiating on my back. I smiled when he turned my chair around.

  “Are you finished?” he asked, nodding at my laptop.

  I murmured a small yes and wrapped my hands around his neck when he removed my glasses to press a soft kiss on my lips. I opened up to him, our tongues meeting in a soft caress. Aching desire clenched in my lower belly. I leaned back, his warm breath fanning on my cheek as his stubble grazed my palm.

  “You know we will not have sex, Ethan,” I tried to say that with a stern voice. But with him in front of me, looking delicious with his tousled hair and hazy blue-green eyes, my voice wavered.

  His hands trailed on my waist. “Fine, let’s make a baby together.”

  My thighs clenched, and blood rushed to my face. He was truly insatiable.

  I stood up from the chair, maintaining the distance between us so he couldn’t seduce me. “Your shoulder is—”

  “Healed. You talked with the doctor, and he said that I can even start training.” He gave me a mischievous smile, “Cardio to be precise.”

  I sighed and pulled my hair free from the bun. “That doesn’t mean you are healthy enough to have sex—ah!”

  I should have known better not to say that out loud. My back landed on the soft sheets and Ethan hovered above me. A soft moan poured out of my lips when he settled between my thighs, his hips pressing against mine. I felt the hard heat of his erection press into me.

  Knowing he had to support himself on his hands, which might strain his muscles. I rolled us over, his eyes trailing down my top to the pebbled peaks of my nipples. Holding his jaw, I said, “We are not having sex . . . or making babies tonight. I don’t want you to hurt yourself, Ethan.”

  He let out a defeated sigh, his warm hands stroking my thighs, “Okay, Bella. I will let you go. But only for tonight.”

  I smiled at him and was about to leave his lap when he pulled me back. “I need to ask you about something,” he said, his thumb rubbing the pulse on my wrist.

  “Remember your mother’s paintings? I wanted to ask if you would like to set up an auction for them. It could be for children with cancer, like the gala we attended, or any other charity you want to support,” he finished with a small smile.

  I let his words soak in for a moment. A grin covered my lips, and I hugged him. “That’s a brilliant idea, Ethan! I think she would want this too.” I claimed his lips for a sweet moment. “But I would need to talk to my brother and father before we go further.”

  “Of course, Bella. I know Mr. Stone and a friend of mine, Khalid, would love to help us.”

  “What?” My breath hitched in my throat, “You know Khalid Al-Latif? The Khalid Al-Latif? The brother of the Sultan of Azmia? The artist who painted Limerence?”

  Ethan narrowed his eyes at me. “Yes, I do. Don’t be so surprised. He was my and Rio’s roommate for a year. We shared an apartment when he was in New York.”

  “I think I might faint.”

  He rolled his eyes and pinched my ass, making me grin. “Talk to your family, and if they agree, we can plan the charity together if you want.”

  “They will,” I kissed his cheek. “Thank you for being so thoughtful, Ethan. I would love to plan this with you.”

  The shy smile I received in return was one of the sweetest ones I have ever received, and I would cherish it in my heart. I went to my room and video called my brother and father. I told them about Ethan’s idea, and as I had suspected, they willingly agreed to it.

  “So, you are living with Ethan?” my brother asked, crossing his arms.

  “How are things with him?” Dad asked. Folding the newspaper he was reading, he removed his glasses
to look at me.

  I forced my cheeks not to flush and replied, “Things are great, Dad. You know how he is.”

  They both nodded, narrowing their eyes at me. Karan asked, “Do you like him?”

  “Of course, I like him.”

  “Love him?”

  Yes.

  I cleared my throat, “I am not sure about my feelings at the moment, Karan.”

  Dad pressed on, “If you could marry him, have kids with him, would you?”

  You have no idea, Dad.

  “Dad! You both need to stop whatever you are doing. I like him, maybe more than that, but—”

  “She loves him,” Karan said to Dad.

  My father agreed with a small smile, “She does.”

  “When do you think they will get married?” Karan asked.

  “By next year, I suppose.”

  With my cheeks flaming red, I shook my head at them. “You both are unbelievable. I am going. Goodnight and take care of yourself.”

  I ended the call and sighed, laying down on the bed. A small smile played on my lips and butterflies flapped in my stomach at the weird feeling in my heart. I giggled and hid my face with my hands.

  I was so whipped it was embarrassing.

  “So are you guys dating?”

  My hand squeezed Kiara’s underneath the table when Jake looked between us, my jaw clenching. When Kiara received a call from him yesterday, she decided that it would be a good idea to talk it out with him. Kiara wanted me beside her and I couldn’t refuse.

  “Why would it matter to you?” I said, my voice cold and clipped.

  His blue eyes softened. “You’re right, it shouldn’t. I . . . I wanted to apologize for acting like a jerk that day, Kiara. For not telling you about Ben or Stacy.”

  The waiter interrupted us yet again for the umpteenth time asking if we needed any more water or wine. I should’ve known meeting him at a restaurant for lunch was a bad idea. I was sure the waiter wanted nothing more but the latest gossip. Looks like all three of us are going to be in tomorrow’s celebrity headlines.

  When the waiter left, Kiara replied, “I wish you had told me earlier. But it doesn’t matter now. I hope you are mending things with her and especially Ben. He thinks of you as a superhero.”

  Jake looked away when I noted a hint of sadness and hurt flashing in his eyes. He must be overcome with guilt for not knowing about his son until it was too late. I wondered how it would have been for me and Kiara if she had the baby and told me about it after a year. I would be mad for missing out on helping her during her pregnancy, miss the labor, miss the first time he or she spoke or walked.

  “Jake,” Kiara whispered, “Take care of your family, okay? You, as well.”

  He smiled at her, “I will, Kiara. How have you been?”

  Her golden flecked brown eyes glanced at me, a warm smile tugging at her lips. “I am happy.”

  Her reply made me smile and after our lunch and making small talk, we finally said our goodbyes. Jake patted my shoulder and said, “Take care of her. She really likes you.”

  I sighed, running a hand through my hair, “Yes, Mom! I am not twelve. Yes, I am fine.”

  Kiara snickered, dimples poking her cheeks as she raised her eyebrows and came toward me. My eyes followed the soft curves of her lithe body. Her messy long hair, her nipples poking against my t-shirt she was wearing and her long, tanned legs. I was hard just looking at her. Especially when she held my arm and sat on my lap, her hand massaging my shoulders. I bit my lip from sighing and tensing when she leaned down, kissing the base of my throat.

  “You don’t talk to your mother like that, Son.”

  I closed my eyes, my hand tightening around Kiara’s round ass, stopping her from grinding on my hard-on while I was talking to my mother. I narrowed my eyes at her as her brown eyes were sparkling with mischief. She unbuttoned my shirt, her hands splaying over my chest. She kissed me, making all the dirty sounds from her mouth. I felt like the luckiest man on this planet.

  Ignoring the tension building in my abdomen, I replied, “I am sorry, Ma, I am a bit busy and Kiara is—” I stared at her hair, she was trailing her kisses down my body, removing the belt. “She is eating food. I mean, cleaning the dishes of the food we ate. Yes, mmhmm.”

  I was confused, angry, and aroused.

  I heard my mom mutter something to her wife and said, “Don’t forget to arrive early, Ethan. Eveline misses you, and she will be surprised because we told her you have work to do.”

  Kiara stopped, leaned over me and stroked my hardened length through my pants. I almost choked, my eyes going wide. Holding her wrist, I stopped her. I ignored her pout and replied, “I won’t forget, Mother. Ahh, look, I have to go. The faucet is leaking.”

  “I didn’t hear it breaking—”

  “Ma. How about I call you later? It is flooding the kitchen and Kiara is freaking out.”

  She was laughing, hiding her face in my neck while her hair tickled my skin.

  “Don’t forget to bring your girlfriend when you come here, or you won’t get to eat the cake.” She hung up the phone, and I put it on the coffee table, rolling Kiara underneath me on the couch.

  “You think this is funny?” I pinned her hands above her head when she kept laughing. Her eyes were closed, and soft bubbly laughter poured from her throat. I loved hearing that sound.

  Kiara said, in between her chuckles, “Your faucet . . . leaking. Ah—Ethan!”

  I tickled her, her infectious laughter echoing in the room. As I stared down at her petite frame thrashing in my arms, a light flared in her brown eyes. I felt content. I wanted nothing else but that.

  Kiara laughing in my arms. Every day and night for the rest of my life.

  Stopping, I spread her legs to wedge myself between them. Her breathing grew erratic. I loved how responsive she was to my touch. She stared up at me as if she felt the same way.

  My blood pounded in my ear when she cupped my cheek lovingly and whispered, “Come here.”

  Smiling, I leaned down, capturing her lips in a soft caress while her body arched against me, wanting me to press against her. I gave what she wanted. Her soft sighs against my cheek and neck made me grind against her, eliciting a soft moan. One thing I learned from living with Kiara was that she has a very high sex drive. She was almost insatiable until she begged me to fuck her.

  I pulled away first, her eyes wide and cheeks flushed. She frowned. I looked down. Her t-shirt was lifted, her thong on the side. I had done that, but no idea when. When we kissed, every inch of her being possessed me. Shaking my head, I pecked her lips and straightened her clothes.

  “What happened?” she asked, leaning on her elbows, and it took all the self-control in me not to unzip myself and slide inside her.

  Swallowing the lump in my throat, I straightened my shirt, buttoning it. She had sneakily unbuttoned it. “Not now, Bella. I have to be at the studio in half an hour and talk with Elliot.”

  It had been weeks since my injury, and I was in much better shape. I had told her about the new sponsors who were impressed with my volunteer work. They were a new athletic wear brand but had blown up in a year because of their organic, comfortable clothing. They wanted to partner up with me and possibly have my photo on the front cover of a magazine. She was so happy that we made love on the couch. She had ridden me from heaven to hell until I took the lead.

  Kiara didn’t seem pleased. “But you have half an hour.”

  A chuckle escaped my throat as I helped her up. “Not right now, Kiara. I can’t be late for this shoot.”

  A twinkle formed in her eyes and I knew I shouldn’t have said that when her hand wrapped around my crotch, throbbing with need when she stroked me. The saucy vixen licked her lips and whispered, “You won’t be late if we—”

  I shook my head, clearing the daze from my head, “I meant when I said no, sweetheart.” I gave her a pointed look, and she politely took away her hand and stepped back, still pouting.

  “Okay,
I apologize. I have to get ready for my appointment.” She walked back to the room, removing the t-shirt, and I groaned looking at her perfect ass, the slight red hue of pelts from the day before.

  This woman will be the end of me.

  Like a wounded puppy, I followed her. “What appointment?” I asked and wondered if she was . . .

  I watched her get dressed when she replied teasingly, “My dick appointment, of course.”

  Raising my eyebrows at her, I slowly walked toward her and pushed her against the dresser, her ass pressing against my hips. I asked, “Does he know what turns you on? That making you laugh while being deep inside you makes you cum?” I ground out, a moan slipping past her lips. “Or that you love being spanked like the bad girl you are, hmm?”

  It took a little time for her to answer when she shakily replied, “N-No.”

  I pressed my body against her, my hand fondling her breast as I kissed her neck and purposely left a hickey while she melted in my arms, my fingers pinching the hard nipples. “Then I suppose you should cancel that dick appointment and wait for me when I come back.”

  “Ethan!” she shrieked when I smacked her ass and squeezed her butt. Kiara turned around, her brown eyes already turning dizzy as she licked her lips. “When will you be back?”

  I grinned, loving how easily she got sexually frustrated. “Getting eager, are we?”

  She glared at me and, looking away, and started braiding her hair. I kissed her cheek. “I will be back after dinner, so don’t wait for me.” I knew she would want to cuddle, talk, or have sex so I added, “I will bring something for you.”

  Her eyes lit up looking at my reflection in the mirror. “Alright, Ethan. Now, go before I pounce on you and tie you to the bed.” She turned, winking at me, and smacked my ass when she left the room.

  I chuckled, rubbing the stinging area, and took my car keys. “God, I love it when you talk dirty to me. Come on, I will drop you off.”

  I knew she was going for her therapy session. She told me it helped her before, but now it was monthly visits, because she wasn’t having any anxiety attacks and didn’t have to dose up on sleeping pills to get a few hours of sleep. I smirked at her, knowing well why she got a good night’s sleep. Kiara blushed and looked away, still holding my hand, which was over her thigh, and squeezed it.