by Alora Kate
“This is taking it slow.”
“Isn’t life too short to be taking it slow?”
“Ki.”
I wanted her.
Desperately.
Hypnotic.
Beautiful.
“I’ve wanted to talk to you about things, lots of things.”
Change of subject.
Good.
“You still in trouble?”
“People think I am.”
“What people?”
“If you get in the tub, I’ll tell you.”
“Ki.”
She reads my mind.
She gets me.
“Like you said, it’ll ruin the mood if I tell you. But I need to tell you because I like you. And I’m coming over again.”
“When?”
I wanted her more than not.
She made me smile.
She made me calm.
“We both have to work in a few hours. So, I guess we could see how the day goes? Or maybe I’ll have to serve you again.” She laid back down in the tub. “Are you in trouble, Mr. Bale?”
“It’s wrapped up.”
“Good.” She lifted her foot up and pointed at me. “We should call it a night.”
“It’s morning.”
She shrugged a shoulder. “I texted Alexa earlier this evening saying that I’d be late. She can serve some envelopes on her own. Plus, you’re the boss, and you need a nap.”
I stood and grabbed a towel.
I held it high so I couldn’t see her, and she smiled at me after she wrapped it around herself. “Can I wear one of your shirts?”
“Yes.”
Blue.
Black.
White.
Shit.
It didn’t matter.
I grabbed one.
She changed.
I tossed the wine bottle in the trash.
I stripped down to my boxers and waited for her.
She walked in with my white T-shirt on and curled up next to me. She gave me a light kiss and whispered in my ear, “I’m not wearing any panties, Mr. Bale.”
Christ.
This woman.
So. Perfect.
She stayed the night.
In my new bed.
I held her all night long.
It was the best night that I could remember.
Chapter 21 – Ki
I walked into the front door of our office, and Alexa jumped out of her chair. “I’m done with men, Ki! Totally fucking done.”
I tossed my phone on my desk and opened my arms to her. “Come here.”
She hugged me tightly. “I hate guys.”
“You love having guy friends.”
“Not when they’re married.”
We pulled apart and I gasped. “The detective!”
“Yes. I should have known. This is our job. We catch people cheating; we don’t do the cheating!”
“You didn’t know, Lex.”
“That’s not the point.”
She sat back down and put her feet up. I took a good look at her; her feet were bare, she wore jeans and an old T-shirt from our college days. Her hair was up in a sloppy ponytail, and there was not one speck of makeup on her face. “You’re very casual today.”
She pouted. “I’m depressed.”
“You’re pissed, Lex, and I don’t blame you.”
She kept looking out the front windows; I sat down in my chair and texted Prescot, letting him know that I made it safely, even though he put me in a cab and made sure they dropped me off in front of my door. He was going to get some things taken care of at the office and try to clear up his schedule for us to hang out more this week.
“Lex.”
“What,” she snapped.
“I got drunk last night and took a bubble bath.”
Her attitude changed, and she swung her chair around and scooted toward me. “You’re wearing the same clothes . . .” she paused and peered at me. “Tell me more.”
“It’s not that great; he didn’t join me.”
“Why not?”
“We agreed to take it slow.”
“Fuck that, jump the man already.”
“I tried.”
Her jaw dropped. “Spill the beans, woman.”
“He watched me take my bubble bath. He didn’t even look at me when I got naked. His tub is glorious, Lex; you’d love it. Anyway, we talked and laughed all night, and when we crawled into bed early this morning, I told him I wasn’t wearing any panties.”
“Did you mess around?”
“No. He cuddled me, and then I passed out.”
“Look at you, Ki. Being all brave and sexual. I like this side of you.”
“It was the wine.”
“So what? At least you went for it. It’s been way too long since the Brayden thing.”
“What if I can’t love Prescot? I’m so worried I still can’t move on.”
“You’re dating the guy; it’s new. Just let it happen and stop thinking about Brayden breaking your heart. If it’s meant to be, then it’ll be. And it’ll be great!”
“Remember your own words then, Alexa. The detective wasn’t meant to be.”
“We were just sleeping together but he didn’t have to cheat on his wife.”
“I’m sorry, sweetie.”
“Stupid cheating bastard. I’m telling his wife.”
“Lex, don’t bring the drama.”
“I’d want to know if my husband was cheating, Ki. Think about our business.”
Her comment only reminded me of my situation with Prescot, and how I failed to tell him about his wife. It was almost too late. I could have lost him because I didn’t say anything.
“Well, I’m telling her and I don’t want to talk about it again.”
I dropped the subject and went upstairs to change. I wanted to call Prescot just to hear his voice, even if it only was to hear a single word. The man of few words has completely taken up residence in my life. I’ve heard the beginning was always the best of a relationship. The honeymoon period. The unknown, the excitement of it all, and I’ve only had that once, with Brayden. The only man I’ve been with. The only man I’ve ever had feelings for.
But I wanted that to change.
I never thought in a million years someone like Prescot would like me. I’m a dull, plain girl, and he’s a big-shot lawyer, full of tattoos and life experience. He was older. Already divorced.
Was I in over my head?
Was it going to be too much?
I had to try.
It was time to move on.
I had to get my heart back. Somehow, I had to move on with my life and stop living in the past. I had to stop questioning life and start living it. Enjoy it. Be a part of it.
I checked my jeans before tossing them aside and found my father’s card still in my back pocket.
I still hadn’t made up my mind.
I still hadn’t heard from my mom.
Maybe this was something best discussed in person.
But did I really want to see her?
The man who helped raised me was an asshole. I have no good memories of him. He was always yelling at my mom, calling her names, and he never looked at me like he loved me. Over the years, I begged my mother to leave him. When it was time for me to leave for college, I begged her once again to move with me, start a new life, but she wouldn’t leave. She still had hope. She still thought the man she fell in love with all those years ago was still there. She wanted him to come back to her, but not me. I was done living as a doormat.
I set the card on my nightstand and went back downstairs.
“What’s on the books today?” I asked Alexa, who was still sitting in her chair with her feet on her desk.
“I don’t want to work today.”
“Thank fuck. Let’s go get some alcohol.”
“Aren’t you hungover?” she asked dropping her feet as if she knew I was going to say no.
“Nope. The bubble bath really hel
ped.”
“You’re staying home tonight?” she asked slipping on her hot pink flip-flops.
“Yes. Let’s go grab an early happy hour and then watch that horror movie we tried to watch the other night.”
She hooked her arm in mine after we locked up. “I told you, being our own boss was the best way to go.”
###
“Ki,” Alexa slurred, holding herself up on the barstool with her arm, “I’m drunk.”
“You’re totally drunk.” I had a great buzz, but dragging her home was going to be hard on my own, so I called Prescot. He said he would send a town car for us, so I had the bartender help us outside. We were regulars at this bar, and he’s helped us a few times before.
As if it was planned, the town car pulled up as soon as we got outside. The driver ran around the car and opened the door, and Prescot stepped out.
“Why are you here?” I asked, completely caught off guard. The disappointment on his face made me realize how that question had come out. He grabbed Alexa and swooped her off her feet and placed her inside the car.
“I didn’t know you were coming,” I said when he put his hand out to me.
“Ki.”
God. One word. That’s all it took, and I knew what he meant. He was here for me. He wanted to be here for me. I was instantly turned on. I sat next to him and held his hand the entire ride home. Alexa passed out in the car, and he carried her upstairs and placed her on her bed. Her room was painted light pink with white trim. Her favorite flower was pink lilies, and she had some in a vase but they were dead. I wasn’t sure why she hadn’t tossed them out yet, unless her detective friend gave them to her, which meant they’d be gone tomorrow.
Prescot stepped out of the room, and I undressed her so she was only in her panties. She hated wearing clothes to bed, and she mumbled the entire time I was trying to help her. She insisted that she wanted to sleep naked, so I covered her up and let her have her way. Before I was able to sneak away, she sat up and wrapped her arm around my neck. “You are the best, Ki. Don’t let me tell you otherwise.”
I chuckled at her drunken words and helped her lay back down.
“Just saying,” she mumbled while I snuck out of the room. I closed the door and saw Prescot waiting for me by my room
“What happened to the apartment?”
“Spring cleaning,” I said while walking toward him. We still had a few things to take care of, but it was much better.
Not much time had passed, but I was ready to stop taking it slow. I was going for it. Living my life in that past had to stop; at some point, I needed to move on, and I was choosing to move with Prescot. I stopped in front of him and pulled my top up and over my head, tossing it aside.
He glanced down and slowly slid his eyes to me. “Ki.”
“I like the way you say my name, Mr. Bale.” I had no idea what I was doing, or if it was sexy or not, but I wasn’t about to stop now. The worst he was going to do was turn me down, and I was prepared for that to happen.
“Ki.”
“Say it again.”
“Ki,” he rumbled and picked me up in his arms. I slammed my lips to his and kissed him like I would never have the chance to kiss him again. He pushed my door all the way open with his foot, never breaking our kiss, and laid me on my bed, hovering over me.
“I thought we were taking it slow?”
“All I know is that I want you, Prescot.”
“You’re drunk.”
“I’m buzzed.”
“Difference?”
“I’m buzzed, and in complete control of my actions. I have a little extra pep in my step, but I could still walk a straight line.”
He leaned in and ran his nose up my belly and between my breasts.
“Don’t you want me?” I asked softly when his eyes met mine.
His hands slid under me to undo my bra told me everything I needed to know.
I took his actions as the green light I needed to explore his body. He had the advantage, and I wasn’t about to miss my opportunity to touch his skin. I ran my fingertips across his broad shoulders before trailing them over his sculpted chest and stomach. Inching my fingers lower, I lightly removed his shirt and let my eyes take in every inch of his tattooed skin. He was patient and stilled his movements so I could trace my fingers across his designs. I peppered light kisses across his chest and stomach; then as I moved lower, he stopped me.
It was the first time I saw a wicked smile on Prescot’s face, and it suited him entirely. This was a different Prescot, a cross between the confident hot-shot lawyer and the gentle man I have grown to know. He trailed hot kisses down my neck, across my chest, and lower, removing all clothes that stood in his way. I gasped as I felt his fingers explore areas I have not been touched by another man in some time, and his chuckle sent shivers from my earlobe to the tips of my toes.
I can’t even begin to imagine how much time we spent exploring each other’s bodies, it felt like a mix of hours and seconds, and I couldn’t take the idea of not having our bodies connected. His eyes caught mine as our soft moans filled my quiet bedroom and I gave him the slightest nod, ready for him. He kissed me harder, struggling to move away to grab a condom from his wallet. Each time the cool air hit my body, I clawed him back for more. He flashed me a lopsided grin before he opened the condom wrapper and tossed it to the floor.
Prescot was a man, in all the sense of what a man was when I saw him roll on the condom.
“It’s been awhile,” I told him when he hovered above me.
“Ki.” I’ve never heard his voice so soft. I knew he’d be gentle
“I love that I can read your mind.” I hooked my feet behind him, and he kissed me slowly as he pushed inside me.
He was generous and kind.
Passionate and slow.
He filled me completely, and it felt amazing.
He took his time.
I was wanted and needed. He looked at me like I was the only person in the world, like I was special.
He made me feel like we were the last two people on Earth.
His actions told me that I could be loved again.
Chapter 22 – Prescot
Ki.
Totally hypnotic.
Her body.
Her kisses.
Everything.
Connection.
Warmth.
Simple.
“Ki,” I ground out as she came around me.
“Prescot,” she whispered in between breaths.
I came. Hard. Fast.
“Ki.”
She nodded, slowly releasing her grip on my shoulders, and I held myself up with my arms.
She got me.
No one ever got me.
But she did.
Her eyes sparkled.
Her smile glowed.
“Prescot, your arms are shaking.”
I slid out of her and tossed the condom aside. “I’ll get it later.”
“Good, I don’t want you to leave.”
She tangled her arms and legs with mine and placed a small kiss on my chest. “I think for once I’m speechless.”
“I know.”
“It was beautiful, Prescot.” Her hand trailed down my chest and leg and then back up again. “So beautiful, and I think I’m going to ruin it.”
“How?”
“With words.”
“Because you’re in trouble.”
She sighed.
I’d protect her.
But she needed the words.
“Ki. Sweetheart.”
She tilted her head back and I ran my thumb over her cheek. “I’m not going anywhere, Ki. You have me.”
She took a breath.
A deep one and then nodded.
“I know who’s following me. He was hired by a man who says he’s my biological father. I’ve yet to hear from my mother to confirm it, but I think he already did a DNA test on me.”
Hired man.
Following.
Danger.
“Why did he hire someone to follow you?”
“My father,” she said sarcastically, “does illegal things. Drugs. Guns. Who knows, but he’s got enemies. Somehow, they found out. Then my father. So, he hired someone to protect me.”
“He can fire him now.”
She smiled and pulled my hand to her mouth and kissed it. “Thank you, but I think it’s more complicated than that. This father of mine says he’s from Miami, and he really thinks I’m in trouble.”
“I’m sorry.”
“There’s more.”
Christ.
Trouble.
Ki.
My beautiful, simple Ki, who means something more to me each time she smiles at me or tempts me.
“He’s sick.”
“Your father?”
“Yes.”
He needs her.
“He needs my bone marrow, Prescot, and I don’t know what to do. He’s my father, but I don’t know him. The man who raised me wasn’t a good man though. He still isn’t a good man. His words were harsh and wrong. They still are. I left home as soon as I graduated, and I barely talk to them. My mom won’t leave him. She still thinks he’ll wake up one day and be the man she fell in love with. She has a dead-end job, no life or friends. I feel bad for her, but she won’t leave him, regardless of the many years she’s been treated like scum. So, we aren’t close, never really were.”
Bone marrow.
Pain.
Suffering.
“I think you’ve already made up your mind, Ki, and now you’re trying to justify your decision. You’re a smart, courageous young woman, and you know what you want and don’t want. You want to help him. If he passed and you never tried to help, it’d kill you, Ki. You’d never be able to let it go. Helping him doesn’t mean that you have to be his daughter, or get to know him; it just means you’re doing something remarkable and unforgettable. You’re selfless, Ki.”
She rolled on top of me with a tear in her eye.
“You have beautiful words.”
“For you, I do.”
She gave me the softest smile.
Beautiful.
Her bare breast brushed against my chest when she leaned down to kiss me deeply.
So soft.
I was ready for more.
I pushed up, she sank down.
Soft moans in my ear.
Ki took control.
