Conquer (Desired Affliction Book 2)

by C. A. Harms

  Megan stood silent in the doorway as I dialed Kole’s number. I was shaking and the tears continued to fall. I knew he would be at work, but I didn’t give a shit.

  When he answered he sounded out of breath.

  “Hey, beautiful girl.”

  I angrily swiped away a tear that was running off the tip of my nose. “When were you planning on telling me, Kole?” I asked. “When were you gonna tell me that you and Miley had a slumber party?”

  I heard something fall or drop, creating a loud boom. There was some shuffling on the other end of the phone, followed by a door shutting. “Lexi, listen to me, I was gonna talk to you about this when you got home. It isn’t what you think.”

  I laughed. “Was she at our apartment?”

  He blew out a heavy breath, “Yeah, but—”

  I shook my head. “Kole, when in the hell are you ever gonna put my feelings regarding Miley first?” I could tell he was panicking.

  “You are first! Always,” he assured me.

  By him saying this it only pissed me off even more. “No, I’m not, Kole, because if I was she wouldn’t have fucking been in our home. She had no right being there.” I paused for a few seconds to breathe deeply before I could continue. “Did you have sex with Miley?”

  It sounded as if he growled. “Hell no! I never slept with her. I couldn’t do that to you. God damn it, Lexi. I fucking love you. No…no!”

  I felt the air rush from my lungs. I hated doubting him.

  “I gotta go, Kole. I need to think.” I just needed some time.

  I pulled the phone from my ear but not before hearing him say. “Think about what?”

  I hit end and dropped my phone to the bed as it started to ring with Kole’s incoming call.

  I turned and walked from the room and passed Megan, saying nothing.

  Chapter 25

  Kole

  My phone shattered as it collided with the wall in my office. I collapsed into my desk chair running my hands through my hair, pulling at the ends. “Mother fucker!”

  I hadn’t heard my door creep open. Looking up quickly, I found Radley standing in the open doorway, staring at me in shock. His eyes flipped from me to the shattered remains of my phone on the floor.

  I blew out an exhausted breath.

  “She knows,” I said in explanation of my outburst. “Lexi knows. She fucking hung up on me saying she had some things to think about.” I felt my chest tighten almost to the point of being unable to breathe. “I can’t lose her, Rad…I can’t. Lexi’s the other half of me.”

  I looked directly into his eyes with pure honesty as I continued. “I swear to you, Radley, nothing…nothing,” I emphasized the word, “happened with Miley. I could never hurt Lex like that. Now I feel like I’m gonna lose her anyway. I feel so fucking lost, I don’t even know what the hell to do.”

  Radley took the seat across from my desk and slouched back. He watched me closely before speaking. “Do you wanna know what my ass would be doing right now if my girl was hundreds of miles away and I could lose her?” I waited silently. “I’d be on the first flight out of here and fighting for her with everything I had.”

  I took in what he said. “So when can you be ready?”

  His expression changed as he wrinkled up his eyebrows. “Why the hell do I gotta go?”

  I laughed lightly and stood from my desk. “Because you miss your girl, that’s why. Oh, and because I may need backup.” He followed behind me and I could faintly hear him grumbling.

  I signed into the front desk computer and found two flights, one leaving at 6:00 am the next day, and another leaving in less than three hours. I booked two tickets without asking Radley and paid with my credit card. After I printed out the information I turned to face him.

  “Hurry your ass up, dude, we fly out at four-fifty and we’ll arrive around eight. Go pack fast and meet me at my place.”

  I grabbed my bag and left him staring after me dumbfounded. I crawled into Lexi’s car and drove home to pack myself.

  Less than an hour later a very grumpy Radley and I sat in airport waiting for our flight.

  “Hey, did you tell Meg we’re coming?”

  He turned looking at me still slightly irritated that I was dragging him along. “No, did you want me too?”

  I shook my head continuing to bit my nails nervously. “Nah, I can’t give Lexi a heads up. Maybe you can text her when we’re sitting in front of the house.” He laughed lightly and I smiled as much as I could manage.

  By the time we boarded the flight I had chewed my fingernails to the point of pain. My nerves were going crazy and I couldn’t calm myself no matter how hard I tried. Nothing would calm me until Lexi was in my arms and we were okay.

  Radley slept most of the flight, which did nothing for my nerves. I had no one to help keep my mind occupied. I spent the entire flight running different scenarios through my head.

  I had to hope Lexi wouldn’t be even more pissed off because I showed up.

  Once the flight landed we quickly found our way to the car rental desk. I had already reserved a car online. We stood in line waiting for the car and my irritation level was through the roof. When the middle-age woman began asking me the required questions, I attempted to not sound like a complete ass. Once I had the keys in my hand to the Dodge Charger I practically ran to the car.

  “Dude, slow the fuck down.”

  I heard Rad as he jogged after me. I went up the aisle of cars hitting the lock button on the key fob until the black car honked and its lights flashed.

  “Move your ass, man,” I yelled over my shoulder to him as I climbed in to the driver’s seat.

  I had requested a car with GPS in it. I pulled it out of the orange bag, plugged it in and mounted it on the dash. After punching in the address I got off of one of the letters from Lexi’s dad, I backed out. It showed that we were only about twenty miles away.

  As we got closer my stomach began flipping even worse. “Hey, you want me to let Meg know now?”

  I thought about it for a second. “Dial the phone, but let me talk to her.”

  As he dialed I could tell he was hesitant, but he passed his phone to me. When Megan answered she sounded like she was choked up. “Hey.”

  I wasn’t sure what to say at first I know she thought it was Rad. “Hey Megan. It’s Kole. Are you okay?” I heard her sniffles.

  “I’m fine. Where’s Radley? Why do you have his phone?”

  At this time the GPS showed we were less than two minutes away. “Radley’s with me and we’re here. We flew in about thirty minutes ago and I’m minutes from Lexi’s dad’s house now. Can you meet us out front?” When she replied I had to hold the phone away. It was a few decibels too high.

  “Oh my god, are you serious?” she asked.

  I pulled the car against the curb. There were cars lining the streets. “We’re here now. Are all these cars for the cookout? Is it still going on?”

  She sounded as if she was moving. “Yep. It turned into more of an adult hangout.”

  I looked up and found Megan walking out the front door. I hung up the phone without saying anything more and handed it back to Radley just before Megan launched herself into his arms.

  I didn’t want to break up their reunion, but I wanted to find Lexi.

  “Where is she?”

  Megan lifted her head slightly from Radley’s chest. She shrugged her shoulders, “Not sure, probably out back. She’s pissed at me because I held the truth from her. She won’t talk to me right now.” I instantly felt horrible for putting Megan in this place.

  “I’m gonna fix this, Meg, I promise.” She nodded her head but I could tell she was hesitant.

  She led us inside and through the kitchen. There was a wall lined with huge windows looking out over the pool. Just as she went to open the slider someone entered. A petite blond woman walked inside. She looked from Megan and Radley to me and then back to Megan. Before she could ask, Megan spoke up.

  “Kate, this is my
boyfriend Radley, and that’s Kole.” She pointed toward me and I extended my hand to her. She shook it softly.

  “Kole,” she repeated my name. “As in Lexi’s Kole?”

  I nodded and she smiled brightly. Before I could object she wrapped her arms around me and gave me a welcoming hug. “It’s great to have you here. Lexi didn’t tell us you were coming.” She released me and looked up at me.

  “She has no idea. I hope us just showing up isn’t too rude.”

  She squeezed my hand, “You’re always welcome Kole. Now, let’s go surprise Lexi. She seemed sad today; I think she misses a certain someone.”

  I followed her as she led me out of the door. My eyes locked immediately with a tall, thinner man. His hair was the color of Lexi’s and I would know that nose anywhere; only on him I didn’t consider it as cute. Kate guided me in his direction.

  Before she had a chance to introduce us, I extended my hand. “You must be Keith, Lexi’s dad.”

  He nodded his head taking my hand into his, “Yes I am, and you’re Kole,” he said with a smile. It’s really nice to meet you.”

  We shook hands before releasing, “Thank you, sir, nice to meet you too.”

  He turned toward the pool pointing. “Lexi’s out by the pool. It’s a good thing you’re here. A few times I thought I was going to have to kick Adam out of here. I think he has a little crush.”

  I immediately tensed. Who was Adam? “Thank you. I’ll go find her if that’s okay.”

  Her father stepped aside and smiled. “I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you.”

  God I hoped so.

  Once I rounded the deck and turned I saw her. She wore a short sundress and sandals. Her hair was wildly wrapped up into a messy bun as she lounged back in a chair with her feet propped out in front of her on a small table. I felt my cheeks heat and my jaw tense as I noticed the guy sitting entirely too close to my girl. I knew instantly that this must be Adam.

  Megan stood next to me. “Is that Adam?”

  She nodded. “Yes, he’s Kate’s brother. He’s been drooling all over Lex since he got here. He undressed her with his eyes within the first thirty seconds of meeting her and hasn’t really let up since.”

  I felt like grabbing the little prick by his throat and slamming him to the ground. I swore if he leaned in any further I wouldn’t be able to control the urge. I was pissed that he was flirting with her.

  I stood watching as my girl laughed at something he said and my stomach tightened. Fucking hell, this was hard to watch.

  Chapter 26

  Lexi

  “How long are you staying here, Lexi? Because I’m thinking I wanna hang out here as much as possible.” Adam grinned that pretty boy grin I’m sure worked wonders in the past.

  Did this guy seriously think he was gonna get anywhere with me. “Not sure.” I cleared my throat, “You do know I’m engaged and pregnant, right?”

  He stared at me a little too long before he answered. “In my eyes, engaged means there’s still a chance you’ll back out, and I like kids.” He said with a shrug and I rolled my eyes.

  Something caught my eye causing me to look up. I immediately froze. “What the heck?” I whispered. Adam turned, looking over his shoulder toward the direction I was staring and I saw Kole tense when his eyes flipped to Adam and back to me.

  Adam turned back around facing me. “Let me guess…Kole?”

  I just nodded my head and stood up before I slowly walked over to meet him. I still wasn’t sure how I felt about this.

  Once I reached him I whispered, “What are you doing here?”

  He looked a little pissed off so I chose to hold back my bitchy comments. He had the nerve to be pissed because Adam and I were talking, but he was inside of our apartment, alone, with his ex-girlfriend.

  He lifted his hand to my hip and possessively pulled me closer against him. His lips sealed over mine and for a moment I caved to his demands.

  I had missed his kisses so damn much.

  I pulled back because it registered what he was doing when I looked up to find his eyes connected with something over my shoulder. He was attempting to prove a point with Adam.

  That’s all this was to him, just another one of his caveman, she’s my woman things.

  This only pissed me off more. “If you two idiots are gonna start this immature little game, leave me out of it.”

  Kole’s eyes flipped to mine, but he never smiled. “This is no fucking game, Lex. You’re mine and that dumbass better figure that shit out real quick.”

  I just shook my head and pushed past him.

  I avoided walking past too many people as I approached the gate on the side of the house. I unlatched it and walked toward the front yard.

  I could hear him approaching quickly behind me, so I began walking faster.

  I had reached the driveway and was walking toward Kole’s Avalanche with the sole purpose of gaining some space.

  He gripped my elbow and spun me around. “Lex, stop!”

  I glared up at him. “What?”

  He dropped his arm to his side, letting his early cockiness fade. “Do you want me to leave, Lexi?” I stared at him silently. “Are we ever gonna get past this fucking garbage? Are you ever gonna understand how much I love you, how much I need you?”

  He blew out a deep breath. “I love you…and I swear to you nothing happened. She barged in and I was just getting out of the shower. I thought it was Rad because he was coming over. I wrapped the towel around my waist, ran for the door to let him in, and there she stood.”

  I waited as he explained what apparently happened the day Miley was in our apartment. “I stepped into the bedroom to quickly get dressed.” He ran his hand through his hair in a frustrated state. “When I came out, she’d let herself in and I made her leave. Radley walked up as she was coming out, and as you can see by the bruise, he busted my eye up.”

  He reached out and looped his finger through the belt on my sundress. “I love you, Lex. I always will. No one can change that. You’re the only one I want, now and always.” I couldn’t hold back the tears. “You are the reason why I strive so hard, because I want to be able to give you the world. I won’t let anyone get in the way of that.”

  I let him pull me close to his chest and he wrapped his arms around me. I felt his lips rest against my forehead as he whispered more of what he needed to say. “I know you wouldn’t hurt me. You have to learn that there is no way I will ever hurt you. I need you in my life, Lexi. Please believe me when I say nothing happened.”

  I’d missed him.

  I’d missed his touch, his words, even the way he smelled.

  Feeling him this close was something I knew then that I needed more than anything else. I looked up into his eyes and he stared back into mine. Slowly Kole lowered his lips to mine, but he kept his eyes open watching me. I held back the smile at the thought of him watching me.

  I mumbled from under his lips, “Close your eyes, you fool.”

  He laughed lightly and let his eyes flutter shut just as I felt his tongue swipe mine while backing me up against the side of his truck. Feeling Kole’s body pressed tightly to mine spiked my need for him and I ran my hands up through his hair. He lifted me by placing his hands onto the back of my thighs.

  I instantly wrapped my legs around his waist tightly as I squeezed him closer.

  I felt Kole grind himself against me, then from behind the vehicle I heard a noise. I turned just in time to see Adam walking around the back of the truck. He stopped when he saw us. “Hey, Lexi, are you okay?”

  The noise that erupted from within Kole sounded like a growl. He lowered me to the ground quickly and spun around to face Adam.

  “Are you fucking kidding me? Hang it up, man, give it a rest. You do know we’re engaged and she’s carrying my baby, right?” Kole took another step toward Adam and I grabbed his arm. He never turned to face me. “You need to just walk away. Because you’re really starting to piss me off.”

  I co
uld feel the anger boiling within Kole. I pulled on his arm and looked past him to Adam.

  His eyes finally connected with mine. “Adam…you can go back to the party. Things here are fine.”

  He stared at me attempting to read my expression. I lovingly ran my hand across Kole’s stomach stopping just before reaching his hips. I felt him relax just a little as Adam turned and walked back toward the house.

  I waited until Adam was out of view, “Hey, caveman, you okay?”

  It took a few seconds before he looked at me. “Who the hell does he think he is? Did he actually think I would hurt you? What did you tell him?”

  I stepped back from Kole, releasing my hold on him. “First of all, don’t take that tone with me. I never told him anything. He knew I was upset earlier and he has been following me around the entire party. For your information, I made it perfectly clear how much I love you—repeatedly. That’s more than I can say for you.”

  I turned to walk away from him and he grabbed my hip and pulled me back to him. Why the hell was he so damn stubborn?

  “Let go, Kole.”

  I felt him shaking his head against the side of mine. “Never.”

  After a minute of holding me securely, he turned me to face him. “I’m sorry. I just don’t like other guys looking at you.”

  I looked up into his eyes. “Do you think it’s easy for me to watch Miley drool all over you? I know you two shared something a long time ago, but she still feels it. I can’t say that I blame her, but it isn’t easy for me to see. The way you feel about Adam right now—threatened and maybe a little jealous—imagine feeling that every day.”

  He hugged me close. “Listen to me. I love you. I came here for you. I can’t lose you. I need you.”

  I looked up at him a little confused. “You’re not losing me, Kole. Why would you think that?”

  He rested his forehead against mine and closed his eyes. “I thought you were gonna leave me over the Miley thing.”

  I placed my hands on his face raising his head from mine. “I was upset and hurt that you and Megan didn’t tell me right away. I was angry and I didn’t want to say anything I would later regret. I just needed some time to think and calm down. It’d take a lot more than that to make me leave you.”