Tomorrow: Kingsley series book 1

by Haylee Thorne

  “Mr. Kingsley, I, uh,r-really appreciate your, uh, h-help,” I stutter.

  He buckles himself in and then our eyes lock. Holy shit… those eyes… wow. I bite my lip to stifle the gasp that threatens to escape my lips.

  “Please, call me Mika. There is no need to be so formal.”

  I find myself mulling his name over in my head and quickly push away the voice inside that tells me I’d love nothing more than to scream his name as he takes over the edge.

  “Okay. I really appreciate your help…Mika.”

  I flash him a smile.

  “Oh and please feel free to call me Raeva or Rae. My friends call me Rae.”

  His eyes still have not left mine and it’s as if neither of us can pull away.

  “I actually prefer to call you by your given name. Raeva. It is a beautiful name. “Very... ” he pauses as he searches for the right word, “fitting.”

  Sean pulls out into traffic and the sudden movement breaks our intense eye contact. I remind myself that he is off limits and is probably just being nice. Wait…did he just call me beautiful? I shake my head. Off limits, Rae. We make small talk and I can tell he is trying to make me feel comfortable. We are almost at my house when I finally start to feel at ease. The sound of a ringtone startles me. Mika fishes his phone out of his pocket and looks at the screen. He mutters an apology before he answers.

  “Kingsley,” he says curtly.

  I try my best not to listen to the conversation but, seeing as I’m only half a foot away from him, it’s virtually impossible.

  “I want those annulment papers served by tomorrow morning. I don’t care. She is in a coma, not dead.”

  Wait…what? Is this seriously happening right now?

  “Take care of it,” he snaps as he ends the call.

  Quite deliberately I keep my gaze out the window. Well damn, if that wasn’t more effective than an arctic shower. How can someone be so cold? I cannot believe that I thought this man was a nice guy. All I want is to get out of this car as soon as possible. Poor Mikaela, what kind of man serves a woman in a coma with annulment papers? I am actually starting to get angry on her behalf. I hear him suck in a deep breath and I know he’s trying to collect himself. Neither of us speaks and I shift uncomfortably in my seat as the silence in the car thickens the air. I am more than grateful when Sean pulls into my driveway and am unbuckled before he has even come to a full stop.

  “Thank you very much for the ride Mi…um... Mr. Kingsley,” I say as I scramble to exit the vehicle.

  I think I am going to make a clean exit but then he gently, but firmly, grabs my arm. “Raeva,” he breathes, my name sounding like a soft plea as it falls from his incredible lips.

  “I’m sorry about—”

  I pull my arm from his grasp and hold up both hands.

  “Please Mr. Kingsley, it is absolutely none of my business. Again, thank you for the ride home. Goodnight.”

  I walk off, genuinely surprised by how even and clipped my tone was as I spoke those words to him, my stomach tied in knots. I don’t break my stride until I reach my front door. I find my keys mercifully fast and manage to unlock it without fumbling. I cannot help but turn before I enter my house. I see Mika shove his hand through his hair and I wonder why it appears as if he too is affected by my swift departure. I step inside and lock the door behind me.

  When my alarm went off this morning I felt like it was too soon. I had barely slept a wink, despite the fact that I went to bed very early last night. It took me a while to collect myself and I ended up pouring myself two glasses of wine before hitting the shower and going to bed. I laid there, thinking about all the events of the day and what I had overheard. I just cannot wrap my head around it. Remembering how kind he has been to me, or the look on his face when I had practically run out of the car, doesn’t seem to fit with his cold words.

  “I want those annulment papers served by tomorrow morning. I don’t care. She is in a coma, not dead.” I sigh as I put on my scrubs.

  I jolt when I hear a curt knock on my front door. I look up at the clock—it’s 5:45 a.m.—who would possibly show up at my house at this ungodly hour? I look out the peephole and am taken by surprise when I see Sean on the other side of the door. I take the chain off and unlock the deadbolt. I open the door and cock my head as I regard the handsome man on my doorstep. His dark hair is almost as black as night and is slightly too long. His emerald green eyes are sparkling brightly at me. Sean smiles at me as he tips his hat and tells me good morning. I smile back politely as I return his morning greeting. “I’m here to take you to work and collect your keys so I can fetch your car for you.” He must see the look of confusion on my face because he answers my unspoken question in a matter-of-fact tone.

  “Mr. Kingsley sent me.”

  As if that should explain everything.

  “Mr. Kingsley? Why? This isn’t necessary,” I mutter.

  Sean frowns at me for a moment.

  “You didn’t pick your car up yet. I checked so you’ll need a ride and, since you will be at work all day, it just makes more sense if I pick up your vehicle for you, Ms. Ray. Please just accept my help. It will make my life easier since Mr. Kingsley really insists,” he says with an awkward smile.

  I know I should send him on his way and be highly annoyed by the fact that somehow he knows I have yet to collect my vehicle. I don’t want to cause the man any trouble and the last thing I need is to piss off the husband of my patient—even if he is filing for an annulment. Plus, it really does make more sense as I do want my car back as soon as possible.

  “Alright then, I will need just a bit longer. Would you like some tea? Or I can make some coffee?”

  Sean looks relieved but he refuses my offer and insists on waiting outside in the car. I suspect that he wants privacy when he calls his employer to tell him that I have accepted the ride. It takes me another fifteen minutes to get ready and Sean politely holds the door open for me when I walk up to the car after locking up. I climb in the car and buckle myself in but before Sean closes the door he hands me a cell phone. There is a note attached to it that says ‘Please read and reply’. I swipe my finger over the screen and see that there is a text message.

  Mika - Good morning, Raeva. I trust you slept well?

  Seriously? I glance over at Sean who has slipped into the driver’s seat with a stoic expression on his face. I can’t help the smile that curls my lips as I reply.

  Raeva - Good morning, Mr. Kingsley. I have had better nights. Thanks for the ride this morning.

  His reply is almost instantaneous.

  Mika - Please, call me Mika…you’re welcome for the ride. Thank you for accepting it. Anything I can do to help you sleep better?

  I can’t help it. My face breaks out in a full-blown grin.

  Raeva - I hardly think that’s appropriate, Mr. Kingsley.

  Again, the reply is instant.

  Mika - I don’t think anything I said was inappropriate. Call me Mika, PLEASE.

  I chuckle out loud as I send my reply.

  Raeva - Please refer to my previous message, Mr. Kingsley.

  Mika - Are you always this difficult?

  Raeva - Yes.

  Mika - Duly noted.

  Raeva - I am about to arrive at work. Have a good day, Mr. Kingsley. Thank you again.

  Mika - Have a good day, Raeva.

  Sean pulls up outside of Hillcrest and rushes over to open the door to let me out. He assures me that he will be taking care of my car and wishes me a good day. I thank him as I give him a bright smile, still giddy from the back and forth texting with Mika. I am still grinning from ear to ear when I walk into the building. It isn’t until I enter Mikaela’s room that I remember what Mika is going to do to her today. What in the actual fuck? Why am I flirting with this guy? What is wrong with me? What is it about this guy that makes me forget about whatever else is going on around me?

  After I catch myself drifting in and out of thought during the shift change repor
t, I force myself to push any thought of Mika out of my head. I take Mikaela’s vital signs and document them before giving her a bed bath, paying special attention to washing her beautiful hair. As I am drying and styling her golden locks, I softly sing to her. I turn as the last note rolls from my lips and swallow the sound as my eyes lock with Mika’s strikingly beautiful blue eyes. He’s leaning in the doorway, looking even more prepossessing than I remember. His beautiful lips curl into a devastating smile and it is almost enough to knock me over. “You have a beautiful voice, Raeva. I could listen to you sing all day.”

  I feel myself flushing at his words. I break eye contact and note the huge bouquet of wildflowers. He sees me notice them.

  “These are Mikaela’s favorite.”

  He shrugs and smiles. I am utterly confused at this point. Is the man bipolar? Or is he just cruel, delivering annulment papers with flowers and a smile? I plaster a fake smile on my face and walk toward him.

  “That is very sweet, Mr. Kingsley. Shall I put them in water?”

  I hold out my hands to receive the flowers. He takes a step toward me, cups my elbow, leans in, and whispers in my ear.

  “Still being difficult, I see?”

  My treacherous heart rate accelerates at his touch and my head is spinning. This man is giving me whiplash.

  “I’m sure I have no idea what you are talking about, Mr. Kingsley,” I croak.

  I tug my elbow from his grasp and mutter something about giving them some privacy. I walk into the sitting area and just stand there for a moment. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I walk farther into the room and grab a vase from a beautiful—and I suspect antique—oak cabinet, and start arranging the flowers.

  “Have dinner with me tonight.”

  His voice is so close it startles me. I turn around to find that the man is seriously invading my personal space. He lifts his hand and slowly caresses my cheek with the back of his hand. Being this close to him clouds my judgment and, before I can consciously make any rational decision, I lean into his touch and close my eyes.

  “I really want to get to know you better, Raeva. I want to explore this attraction between us. I know you feel it too.”

  Somehow his hoarsely spoken but arrogant words snap me out of the trance I tumbled into. I shake my head as I look at him with disbelief. Then I get angry—really angry. Who the hell does he think he is?

  “Are you being serious right now?” I snap.

  The expression on Mika’s face transforms from gently smiling to utterly confused and that annoys me even more.

  “How can you come in here, bringing that poor woman flowers, all while you plan on having her served with annulment papers this morning? And to top it off you hit on me—her caregiver? That’s your wife in there! Have some respect! You may be the hottest man on the damn planet, but I am definitely not interested in being your next conquest. I don’t care what happened between you two but she is a human being who deserves to be treated with kindness and respect. And going out with a married man? I am definitely not that kind of woman. You, Mr. Kingsley, are a jackass,” I hiss.

  Mika raises his eyebrow. I see a flicker of shock in his eyes but it’s quickly replaced with twinkles of amusement.

  “My…wife?” he says slowly. “You think Mikaela is my wife?”

  He throws his head back and laughs heartily. Seriously? He’s laughing at me now? He must see from the look on my face that I am not amused because I can see a spark of guilt in his eyes.

  “Oh Sweet Pea, I am afraid that you have some wrong information. Mikaela is most definitely not my wife. She is my twin sister.”

  My hand flies to my face and I find myself wishing that the floor would just swallow me whole. To say I’m mortified would be the understatement of the year. I am nailed to the ground. I don’t know where to look and all I really want is to disappear. I know I need to apologize but what can I say? Mika hooks his finger and thumb around my chin and angles it so that I am forced to look up at him. He looks at me for a moment as if appraising me or perhaps searching for words. I don’t know. What I do know is that my entire body is burning with desire, a simple touch from this man igniting a fire within me.

  “You are quite the little firecracker, aren’t you?” he chuckles. “Say that you’ll have dinner with me tonight.”

  I open my mouth to answer but snap my lips shut since I seem to have lost the ability to speak.

  “I guess you’ll need more convincing,” he says.

  A wicked grin blooms on his face and before I can even register what is happening, his mouth crushes onto mine. He does this with such passion that it feels like he’s claiming me with his lips. I gasp in surprise and Mika takes the opportunity to drive his tongue into my mouth, deepening the kiss. The way he invades my mouth so possessively, with a hunger that matches my own, causes my initial hesitation to evaporate. He skillfully licks and strokes into me and I am rendered helpless to resist, my tongue just as curious—just as hungry—as his. I cannot help but wonder what it would feel like to have his very talented mouth explore my body. My thoughts are lost as my desire for him surges. As a moan escapes my throat, Mika releases my chin and pulls me into him. I throw my arms around his neck, needing him even closer, deeper inside me, desperately wanting him to continue the sweet assault of his mouth on mine. My nipples harden against his chest as I feel the impressive evidence of his arousal pressing against my belly. The heat pools in between my thighs, my hunger for him growing by the second. I cannot bring myself to come up for the air that I need, the hunger too intense. I’ve been thinking about his lips on mine and how our tongues would dance since the first time I laid eyes on him, wondering if he would be able to live up to my fantasies. Damn if he does not disappoint. Shit, the man has exceeded my fantasies. His large hands slide across my sides once, twice, and a third time before they cup my face as he gently breaks the kiss.

  “Dinner tonight?” he breathes as he rests his forehead on mine.

  I tell myself that this is a bad idea, that I should say no, but I don’t. Instead I swallow hard and then nod. We both stand there waiting for our ragged breathing to return to normal. I suddenly remember where I am, clear my throat, and step back. I smile at him shyly and he returns my smile with a huge boyish grin.

  “So…the hottest man on the planet huh?” he teases.

  I feel myself flush and I cannot help but giggle.

  “Shut up, Mika,” I say, slightly embarrassed as I playfully hit him on the arm.

  His grin grows as he catches me calling him by his name. He bestows a gentle peck on my lips.

  “It’s about time, Sweet Pea.” He sounds pleased.

  I note that it’s the second time he has called me that and although I have never been a fan of any kind of terms of endearment, I find myself liking him calling me that very much.

  “I have to get going,” he says after a moment.

  “Sean will pick you up after work and take you home to change,” he proclaims.

  “What? My scrubs won’t do?” I challenge him. Mika chuckles.

  “I would certainly have no complaints since it would mean I don’t have to wait as long to see you again. So if you want to forgo getting changed, I will instruct him to bring you straight to me. Is that what you want, Sweet Pea?”

  He looks at me, amusement written all over his face. He’s got me and he knows it.

  “No, that’s not what I want,” I admit.

  He leans in and his lips lightly brush my cheek.

  “Tonight, Raeva,” he murmurs before he strolls out, leaving me feeling a myriad of emotions.

  The day goes by surprisingly fast, especially if you consider that I couldn’t get the thought of Mika’s lips on mine out of my head. Just the memory of the kiss we shared was enough to ignite a heat in me that would melt the North Pole. I was in such high spirits that I wasn’t deterred when Mrs. Sims and I had some more ‘pleasant’ exchanges. The woman seriously has a problem with me and for the life of me I don
’t know why. When I exit the building, Sean is already standing outside holding the door of the car open for me. He has a huge grin on his face as he greets me. I climb into the car and the first thing I notice is two beautifully wrapped boxes. On top of the smaller one lies an envelope with my name written on it. I pull out the card inside and flip it open:

  Raeva,

  We have dinner reservations in an hour and a half.

  I thought you would look amazing in this dress.

  I have been assured that the shoes match perfectly.

  Can’t wait to see you.

  X Mika.

  I stare at the card for a moment and try to decide how to feel about this. I stifle a gasp as I open the smaller box, which obviously contains the aforementioned shoes. Inside I find an exquisite pair of black pumps and, judging from the red soles, know that they are a very expensive pair of black pumps. Part of me is hesitant to open the bigger box, but a bigger part of me is giddy and curious. I open the box and this time I don’t even bother to try and hide my reaction—I gasp, very loudly. Inside I find a beautiful black dress. I gently lift the dress up by the straps so that I can better admire the skillfully woven silk and lace fabric.

  “He doesn’t do things half way, does he?” I ask Sean.

  He looks at me through the rear-view mirror and chuckles.

  “No ma’am, can’t say that he does.”

  I desperately want to ask him how many women he picks up for his boss or how many presents he delivers but decide against it. I tell myself that I’m just having dinner with the guy. I only said yes because I felt bad for berating him for no reason... right? Right. I almost laugh out loud at myself. The fact that the man is drop-dead gorgeous has absolutely nothing to do with anything... right? Right. I don’t know what to expect at all. Really all I know is that no matter what I try to tell myself, I am absolutely looking forward to finding out.