Pride and love filled him at her words. He wanted to be a good man for her. He wanted to be everything for her. He knew he would strive, every day, to be the man that she saw when she looked at him. “You amaze me…how you see me.”
She shrugged. “I only see what’s really there.”
He shook his head, a little dazed, and she pulled him down for a long kiss that left him breathless. After a moment, she pulled away. A little breathless too, she asked, “What are you going to say to your parents…when you talk to them again?”
Kai sighed and leaned back on his elbow. “I don’t know. I’m not really sure what to say. I mean, I love them, but I still have some questions over things they did. I’m still not happy that they lied to me. I’m not happy that my mom had an affair.” He paused, thinking about his mom and dad. “How could she betray her husband like that?”
Jessie sat up in bed, still not covering herself, and Kai sat up with her, trying not to be too distracted over that fact. She sighed, her hand running down his arm. “Maybe she found herself in love with someone she wasn’t supposed to be in love with.” Her eyes darted down his body. “Maybe she tried to do the right thing, when she got in too deep.” She peeked back up at his face. “She couldn’t have known you weren’t Uncle Nathan’s, not in the beginning.” Kai frowned and she quickly added, “I’m not excusing what she did, I’m just saying…she got herself in a bad situation, and she made a hard choice to stay with her husband, to raise you as a family.”
Kai nodded and looked down. He did understand about being in hard situations. He did understand about falling in love with someone he wasn’t supposed to be in love with. The fact was, if his mother hadn’t done what she’d done, he wouldn’t be able to be with the woman he loved right now. In a weird way, his own romantic happiness, let alone his very existence, was born from his mother’s infidelity. He supposed he shouldn’t really condemn her for that.
Shaking his head, he looked up at Jessie. “Why didn’t they just tell me when they found out? They got divorced when I was thirteen, because Dad found out I wasn’t his. Why keep up the…pretense for so long?”
Jessie lovingly stroked his hand resting over her knee. Tilting her head, she shrugged. “That’s exactly why, Kai. You were thirteen. Your parents were going through a divorce. Uncle Nate obviously loves you…he didn’t want to break you.”
Kai sighed and laced their fingers together. “Why now then? Why after all this time…”
Jessie shrugged, leaning into him so her breast was touching his arm. Even though their conversation had turned serious, Kai smiled at the contact. She sighed and kissed the edge of his tattoo. “I don’t know. Maybe they finally felt that you were old enough? Maybe it’s been eating away at them all this time, and they just needed you to know the truth.”
Kai looked up at her face, knowing she didn’t have any of these answers, but liking having someone to share his concerns with. “Why send me here? Why couldn’t they tell me themselves?”
She smiled crookedly at him, like she knew she didn’t know any of the answers, any more than he did. She still answered though. “They had to be terrified. You and your parents are close, right?”
He nodded and looked away. “Yeah, I mean, I talk to my mom nearly every day, and my dad, before I left we were tight…” Kai sighed forlornly, returning his gaze to the comfort of her body. “I wish one of them had told me, or both of them, together.”
She shrugged, her chest moving in an intriguing way that made Kai smile again. “I don’t know what their reasons were, but if it were me, I’d be terrified of losing you.” He looked up at her face and she bit her lip as she searched his eyes. “Maybe they thought it would be better if it didn’t come from them?”
He leaned in to kiss her, then sighed against her lips. “Better for whom?”
She kissed him softly a few times, sucking on his lip. “I’m sorry they did that to you, Kai.”
His body starting to forget the conversation they were having, he unlocked their hands and cupped the breast that had been teasing him. Rolling the weight in his fingers, he rubbed his thumb over the peak. He heard her inhale sharply, felt her chest start to heave more.
“Kai…” she whispered, desire clear in her voice again. “What are you going to do now?”
A list of all of the things he could do - to her - was shuffling through his head, but he was pretty certain that that wasn’t what she meant. His hand slipped down her chest anyway, ducking under the covers, aiming for the sweet spot that he hoped was completely saturated for him. His fingers were delightfully rewarded with a hot wetness as he slid between her folds. She arched her back and moaned his name as his lips traveled up to her ear.
“My plans haven’t changed. I’m still going to go home, Jessie.”
She looked over at him, her breath fast as her body writhed under his fingers sliding against her. “What?” she managed to get out, her eyes rolling back in her head. “But…”
Hiding a grin, Kai encouraged her to lie back on the sheets. She did so, a frown on her face struggling to take precedence over her rising passion. His searching fingers twisted to probe inside of her, pressing against the sensitive spot there while his thumb circled around the sensitive spot on the outside. He’d discovered early on that she immensely liked that. She gasped and clutched his shoulders, her frown forgotten.
Almost jealous of his hand, he rubbed his hard member against her thigh. In her ear, he panted, “I need to talk to them face to face. I just can’t do it over the phone.” She moaned, moving with determination over his hand. Dropping his head to her shoulder, he groaned into her skin, “I was hoping you would go with me, help me through this, like you always help me.”
She moaned yes, and he felt his stomach clench like he was going to release all over her, just hearing her voice. Pushing his fingers deeper into her, he frantically kissed her neck. “God, I don’t want to be apart, Jessie. Now that we’re together, I don’t want to ever be apart. Come with me. Please, say that you’ll come with me.”
Clutching his head to her, she arched her back as she clenched around his fingers. “Yes, I’ll come…yes, god, yes, I’ll come.” She expressed her desire to go with him several more times and Kai smiled into her skin as he felt her orgasm again.
He really wasn’t sure if she was actually agreeing to come home with him, or if she was even aware of what he’d really asked her, but at her reaction, he didn’t mind. Kai loved satisfying her, and would do it over and over again if he could. Besides, he was pretty sure she’d say yes, once he asked her again during a less…provocative time. He was sure there was no way Jessie would ever turn down a trip to what she considered paradise.
As she moaned his name over and over, coming down off of her high, Kai pictured her glorious, writhing body, skimpily covered by tiny bits of bikini, an outfit she’d once told him she rocked. He pictured her smiling at him in the ocean, the sun beating against her skin, the wind billowing in her hair, the water splashing up her thighs.
He grinned as he watched the ecstasy wash over her face, a small smile on her open mouth as her breath started to calm down, her eyes closed as she relished the pleasure he’d just given her. Kai suddenly couldn’t wait to go home.
Chapter 23
Father and Son
The early morning sky was a clear, perfect shade of blue near the horizon. As it lifted from the earth, the blue shifted to lavender and then a rosy shade of pale pink. It almost looked like the world was blushing, watching the two young lovers lying beneath it.
Jessie smiled as she stared out her bedroom window. Kai rustled beside her, but was still deep in sleep. Jessie knew from experience that he’d sleep a bit longer, unless she woke him up. He’d been a fixture in her bed for the past couple of days, and she was getting to know his patterns. If she really needed him awake for any reason, she knew exactly just how to get him there. She’d also discovered that he immensely liked being woken up with her lips securely wrapped around
him.
She’d practiced that the other night, when she’d woken up predawn with an ache that needed to be satisfied. She blamed it on the erotic dream she’d been having, but truly, Jessie thought it was just the novelty of freely having the man she never thought she’d get. Well, that, and Kai was the most unbelievable lover she’d ever had. That didn’t hurt either.
Kai had taken some time off work, not able to face his real father yet, so Jessie had followed suit, feigning her sudden illness for a little while longer. Her roommates were also keeping their distance, both of them staying away from the house after they got off work, only venturing home late in the evening, when they probably figured the two love birds were done for awhile. Jessie felt a little guilty about it…but not really. She and Kai had endured some pretty hard times; they were reveling in the fact that as far as their relationship was concerned, those hard times were over.
Jessie sighed and reached a hand out to touch the tattoo on his back. Twisting her fingers to mimic the swirls, she thought about the hard times yet to come. Kai needed to deal with his real father, needed to speak with his parents, and they both needed to talk with their grandmother. It seemed a little unfair to her that most of the emotional moments coming up were Kai’s, and not hers. If she could, she’d take his pain for him, to spare him from feeling it. But life didn’t work that way, so all she could do was be there for him. And she intended to. She’d be there every step of the way.
Smiling, Jessie thought of Kai asking her to go to Hawaii with him. Once he’d asked her again later, and she’d really understood what he was saying - she’d been a little preoccupied the first time he’d asked - she’d gotten a flutter of excitement in her stomach. True, it was going to be a hard trip for Kai, and Jessie planned on supporting him in every way that she could, but, outside of the difficulties, she was finally going to paradise. She was a bit excited about it.
But first things first, they needed to talk to Grams. At the bare minimum, they needed to let her know that they were aware of Kai’s true parentage, and they wanted to confess to her that they were in love, that they were together. They figured that out of all of the family members directly involved with this, she would be the first that they could tell.
Yawning, Jessie quietly slipped out of her bed and put on some warm lounge pants and a loose, long-sleeved t-shirt. She didn’t bother with actual dressing, or underwear, since she was pretty sure once Kai woke up, she’d just be undressing again, but it was chilly in her home and the comfort was nice.
Smiling at Kai’s sleeping body as she made her way to the door, her eyes drifted to the pile of his stuff sitting on a chair next to her dresser. He’d briefly gone to his apartment a couple of times, to pick up some things that he’d needed. Used to small spaces, he’d carved out a nice little corner for himself in her room.
She grinned as she opened the door, thinking she’d have to do some laundry for him soon, to save him from making another trip back to his place. She didn’t mind though. Jessie loved doing things for him, and laundry was a pretty simple way that she could show her affection. Besides, she wanted him to stay as long as possible. Clean clothes were a pretty good incentive.
Nearly skipping her way down the hall, she noticed the kitchen light on. Realizing that other people in the world were still going on about their routines as normal, not having put everything on hold for an amazing, rock-your-world love fest, she figured it was Harmony, prepping for her day.
Laughing, she slung her arms around her friend as she came up behind her. Harmony startled in filling her coffee cup, spilling a bit over the sides. “Oh, Jesus, Jessie. It’s way too early for you to scare me like that.”
The redhead twisted to look at Jessie and Jessie knew exactly what she would see – a woman grinning like an idiot from ear to ear. She couldn’t help it. For the first time, it what felt like forever, she was finally happy. Perfectly and contently happy.
Harmony smiled softly and shook her head. She was all done up for work, a paralegal in a local law firm, and her hair was swept into a perfect, orderly bun at the nape of her neck. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you…glow like that.” She tilted her head and took a quick sip of her coffee. “I’m glad he makes you so happy. You deserve it, after that last creep.”
Jessie sighed and leaned back against the counter, her head swimming with thoughts of the gorgeous boy asleep in her bed; she could barely even recall what that last “creep’s” name had been. “Yeah, yeah he does.”
Harmony took another sip of coffee, laughing quietly at her sighing-with-love friend. Raising a pale eyebrow she asked, “Are you two ever going to rejoin the real world, or just make living here feel like I’m back at my college dorm for eternity.” She laughed again on the end as she lightly shook her head.
Jessie wanted to be embarrassed about her and Kai’s…eagerness, but she was just too happy to be. Smiling, she shrugged. “Sorry about that. We’re just…making up for lost time.” She tilted her head and sighed again.
Harmony sighed too and patted her shoulder. “I know. I guess we can put up with it for a little while longer.” Walking past Jessie to the living room, she put on her stern face. “Just a little bit though, Jessie.”
Her friend was smiling warmly before she turned away though, so Jessie was pretty sure she was teasing. Well, mostly teasing. She probably was tired of the clear sounds of ecstasy continually drifting out of Jessie’s bedroom. Staying where she was against the counter, Jessie sighed and smiled to herself. She knew she was being a little crazy-in-love, but she didn’t care. She was. She wanted to relish the feeling for as long as it lasted.
Glancing up at the pot of coffee on the counter, she was just thinking about pouring herself a cup, when she swore she heard a noise at the front door. She switched her gaze to the clock on the microwave, sure she was hearing things. It was hardly a decent hour for someone to visit.
Furrowing her brow, she walked into the room where she could hear Harmony softly talking with someone. When she fully entered the room, her jaw dropped at who she was talking to. She’d only seen him once before, but Jessie would never forget those eyes, not when she was staring into their near duplicate on a frequent basis.
Mason Thomas, the man who was Kai’s very reason for being alive, was standing in her doorway, looking like he’d rather be just about anywhere else.
Harmony twisted from the older man at the door to Jessie when she heard her approach. “Uh, Jess, this guy says he needs to talk to Kai?”
Harmony stepped back from the door when Jessie stepped up to it. “Mason? What are you doing here?” She glanced down the hallway at where Kai was still obliviously sleeping, then back to his reluctant father.
Mason swallowed uneasily, rubbing his hands together in the frigid, almost winter air outside. “I’m sorry for the intrusion, especially this early in the morning, but I was wondering…is Kai here?” His tropical eyes almost had a pleading quality to them that Jessie found confusing. Kai had never thought the man liked him…but he seemed almost…worried.
Jessie shrugged. “Yeah, he’s sleeping.” She tilted her head to indicate where he was. Mason closed his eyes briefly, the relief visibly washing through him. Even more confused, Jessie blurted out, “How did you find us…him?”
Mason’s eyes opened and looked past Jessie, to the point where his long lost child was. “It took a bit of investigating.” His eyes returned to hers. “I spoke with his mother earlier this morning.” Grimacing, he shrugged. “I explained to her that Kai had found out the truth a few days ago, and I hadn’t seen or heard from him since.” He grimaced. “Once she got past her panic attack,” he sighed, “she mentioned his grandmother.”
Jessie’s eyes widened. “Did you talk to Grams?”
Mason’s eyes narrowed. “Right…you’re the cousin…well, technically you’re not, but you do share the same woman that Kai has always believed was his grandmother.” Jessie could only nod, not quite wanting to go into the family dynamics wi
th this man. He shrugged. “I needed to find him, to make sure he was…okay. I called her…she mentioned you…” He shrugged again.
Jessie ran her fingers down her face. Great, her grandmother knew that Kai was aware of the truth. Kai’s mother knew also. She knew they couldn’t hide in their newfound utopia forever, but she had wished to at least ride out the week. Sighing, she stepped aside and welcomed him in.
Harmony gave Jessie a swift hug and wished her well before popping out the door for work. Jessie had Mason sit on the couch and told him she’d wake up Kai. If he was at all curious about their relationship, he didn’t seem to show it. His only real feeling seemed to be concern and discomfort. As he sat with his hands steepled over his knees, his feet antsily bouncing up and down, it was quite clear to Jessie that he was completely out of his comfort zone. But he was here anyway, here to speak to Kai…his son. That said a lot about the man to Jessie.
Leaving him alone and nervous on her couch, she ran into April just as she emerged from her door. Yawning and rubbing her eyes, she pointed down the hall. “Someone here?”
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