“Well, yes and no. I would love to be asleep right now, but the baby would love Uncle Dex’s Bananas Foster on top of some vanilla ice cream…”
“Kalilah! You scared the shit out of me.”
“Sorry! I debated it for at least thirty minutes, but it’s not like you gave me keys to The Food Lab or anything.”
“Darling, even if you had the keys, you shouldn’t be letting your pregnant self in a restaurant in the middle of the night. That’s not safe at all.”
“What’s a girl to do? Remember she has the world’s best chef on speed dial…”
“You’re such a damn suck up. Do you have bananas, brown sugar, vanilla, and rum?”
The elation in her voice was high when she spoke. “I have bananas and rum, but I’m positive a certain super sexy chef has everything else in his pantry.”
She was right. No lies were told. It didn’t stop Dex from bitching. “Dammit Kalilah, be very happy that I love you and Benjamin.”
“Who’s Benjamin?”
“One of the names I’m trying out,” Dex told her as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
“Dex, I never said you could name him,” she returned with a laugh.
“You want Bananas Foster, I get to call him Benjamin tonight.”
“Ugh…Deal. Benjamin is waiting.”
Despite the hour and his exhaustion, Dex found himself smiling as he left for Kalilah’s house. In a little over twenty minutes, Dex was drizzling Bananas Foster over some vanilla bean ice cream while the very pregnant Kalilah performed one hell of a victory dance. She’d even dropped it like it was hot once before snatching up her bowl. Dex laughed and served himself, settling next to Kalilah on the couch as she munched happily on a piece of banana.
“You don’t look all that rested. What’s on your mind?” Dex tensed at Kalilah’s question. Well, that escalated quickly.
“I have a lot of things to sort out. Your sister is one of them.” Dex let the cool ice cream slide down his throat trying to milk the fuck out of its comfort food status.
“Do tell. What’s the issue?”
“Big picture? She seems to think my cock is an independent contractor.”
Kalilah laughed in her bowl. “I’m sure she’s aware there’s a head, two arms, and two legs attached to it.”
“Could have fooled the hell out of me. I’ll start a conversation, happen upon a question she can’t answer, and get cursed the fuck out. I’m exhausted, Lee.”
“She’s a handful, but this is all new for her. Anything happening between y’all are all firsts. Jackson wasn’t a boyfriend. There wasn’t any companionship, communication, understanding, or love. Just some asshole who said all the right things to get her naked.”
Dex mulled over Kalilah’s explanation, it would explain quite a bit of her behavior. While he didn’t have much experience with a long-committed relationship, he’d dated enough and had enough self-discovery to know what he wanted.
“I get that, but we didn’t speak for three weeks, and I know she didn’t do much reflection at all because it’s the same stuff. She went straight for sex. I can tell she still doesn’t know what she wants. Now, I’m just letting her breathe like wine.”
“The pre-baby shower sex didn’t fix anything, I take it,” Kalilah quipped before licking her spoon with pure pleasure.
“Here we are four days later and nothing. I was able to get some things off my chest. Maybe she’s doing the thinking she should have been doing months ago. I’m running out of time. I’m obligated be in California for at least a year. I’m going to miss y’all. Little man will probably be walking by the time I see him in person again.”
“Sit her down and tell her the truth. Tell her you love her.” Kalilah’s advice pierced him. His head jerked in her direction, surprised by the observation.
“Crazy being on the other side, isn’t it?” Her smile was full of empathy.
“Yes, it is.” Dex worked another spoonful of ice cream around in his mouth. “I can’t. She wouldn’t take it well, yet. At least she didn’t accuse me of going after you,” Dex joked with a laugh.
“Honestly, before the baby and the wedding, she was convinced you were secretly in love with me.” Dex and Kalilah had their first real laugh together since he’d been back from Spain. Their lives were pulling them in different directions. It was nice to just hang out.
“A year ago, this would have been a major infraction. I would want to know why my baby brother is at my damn house at three AM getting all cozy with my woman.” Nick’s smirk belied his statement. “Y’all are rude. I like Bananas Foster and ice cream.”
“We saved you some.” Kalilah and Nick kissed like they’d been separated for years, and Dex felt the throb of emptiness and that stab of longing he’d felt at the baby shower. He wanted that kind of love so much he was almost jealous.
His irritation with Cayla rose again. If only she’d just cooperate. After some brief goodbyes, Dex let himself out and slunk off to his SUV. He wasn’t going to work in the morning. He needed to prepare for life without Cayla.
Just in case.
Chapter 29
“This should be a crime,” Kalilah cooed around the straw of her smoothie.
“Downright unlawful,” Natalia agreed.
“I’m pretty sure this is already illegal in a few states,” Cayla chimed in, her eyes were affixed to the vision before her.
Dex, Nick, Max, and Felix were all sweaty from doing manual labor – their sweat soaked bodies glistened in the sun because they’d all somehow lost their shirts while rearranging the lawn furniture and planting trees as per Kalilah’s request.
“I can’t believe you’ve been hiding him at work. That is not the body of an analyst,” Natalia said to Cayla, her eyes never leaving Felix’s muscular ass.
“I’d never noticed, honestly.” Grumbles about “bullshit” and “hogwash” came from the girls. “I’m serious! I’d only noticed his looks a couple months ago, and I’d congratulated him on being extra hot. True story. Ask him.” Cayla words slipped off when Felix turned in their direction.
Holy fuck. Cayla had no idea Felix’s body was so insane. He was downing a bottle of water like his life depended on it. His throat muscles worked while the sweat rolled down his neck, his sculped chest, and his chiseled abs that tapered into a delicious v and disappeared into his shorts to accompany his happy trail. How in the hell did she work with him for five long years and not notice all his Spanish hotness?
Dex grabbed a bottle out of the cooler; she knew instantly that God gave her blinders because she was destined to experience Dex.
“Notice the timeline, Natalia?” Kalilah laughed before continuing. “Cayla didn’t notice Felix until Dex broke her the hell off.” Cayla could muster up some righteous indignation, but it was pointless. Kalilah was right, and she had other things on her mind.
“Yup. Dex hit it for the first time on my lunch break, and I’d deemed Felix extra hot the moment I returned to work.” Kalilah and Natalia laughed with wide eyes and mouths agape because that was the last thing they’d expected Cayla to say.
“Looks like we are finally rubbing off on her.” Natalia smiled like a proud momma.
Cayla’s eyes shifted back to Dex. Now that she’d made it six whole days without jumping on his man parts, she was ready to exhibit some personal growth. She was still unsure of the future, but she had to call a spade a spade. She was being difficult with the no dating rule. How could she be willing to jump his bones in private and refuse to go out with him? Wasn’t he getting all the benefits without the bonding? What sense did it make to be against dating him? Why was she so willing to spread her legs for a guy she acted like she didn’t want to be seen dating?
Just then, Dex poured the rest of the water on his head, soaking his blond locks and chest. She was instantly as wet as his hair and chest. Oh, that’s why. Dex let himself into the house to use the restroom. That was her cue. She slipped in behind him and waited near the do
or.
“I thought we talked about this,” he admonished gruffly when he reappeared.
“I didn’t come in here to jump you in the bathroom in someone else’s house with everyone outside. I wanted to talk to you. Ask you a question.”
His hands were on his delicious hips, his posture defensive. “Shoot.”
“Are you able to take off this weekend?”
“You mean like tomorrow and Sunday.”
“And Monday, if you don’t mind…”
“I didn’t say I was taking the time. Why would I need to?” He cuts her off, his tone was curt and challenging.
Cayla rung her hands, her eyes cast down to her toes. She didn’t like this abrupt version of Dex. She liked the other version. The animalistic, flirty Dex.
“Never mind. It’s crazy last minute. Forget I mentioned it.”
Dex tilted her chin up, forcing her to look him in the eyes. His demeanor was softer than a few moments prior. “Ask me what you were going to ask, Cayla.”
“I wanted to know if you would go on a weekend getaway with me? I have everything planned. Lodging, activities, and dates…”
She trailed off, Dex was still silent. His face was blank, not giving any indication of how this conversation was going. Cayla would be mortified if he turned her down. Her bravery was waning. She took a step back.
“Are you saying you want to date me?” Dex voice grew huskier with each syllable. “Are you suggesting we do something other than fuck?”
“Yes? Well, no.” Cayla corrected quickly. Just hearing him say the word gave her one-hundred different fantasies. “I’m saying we should date IN ADDITION to sex.”
Cayla glowed from inside of her body out to her fingers and toes; Dex had just smiled at her for the first time in a month. A genuine smile. A smile tinted with sexy promises. The old Dex was staring back at her. Her heart raced, suddenly overcome with an emotion she didn’t want to explore.
“I’m sure I can move some things around,” he took a step closer to her, making her throb with a look. “If you’re sure that’s what you want.”
Nodding, Cayla decided to keep her mouth shut; she was willing to jump him, sweat and dirt be damned.
“Send me the details,” Dex’s retreating form told her. He stopped before opening the door and looked back. “I guess I’ll see you in the morning.”
Dex loaded up his car with their bags for the weekend. His nerves zipped through his body firing on all cylinders. It was finally happening; he and Cayla were taking a step in the right direction. He’d missed their conversations before all the bullshit. Dex had gotten a glimpse of what it was like to be together when his home – or should he say Kalilah’s home – was being renovated. The first few days were bliss; he had her before bed and woke up to her in the morning.
It would have been perfect if they were in the same place, emotionally. As it was, they were light years apart; Dex was in love and ready commit, while Cayla was just accepting the notion that they should date. His nerves turned all the way up. What if he slipped up this weekend and told her how he felt? That could be disastrous. Or worse. The fear that he’d been blocking since she’d invited him jumped in the driver’s seat and took the wheel. What if she retreated? Again.
He settled in his SUV, waiting for her to finish locking up her home. Vowing to remain optimistic, he focused on the present. Currently, a soft pink sundress-wrapped Cayla was floating towards his vehicle with a brilliant smile on her matte pink lips. Shades hid her eyes, and her hair was in a rah rah rah high ponytail. Damn, now he’s having cheerleader fantasies. She filled his nostrils with the scent of vanilla and honey when she climbed in and closed the door.
To his surprise, she pecked him on the lips with a shy good morning. That was new. She’d never kissed him in greeting. Some of the doubt floated away. They just might make it through the weekend without killing each other.
They drove in a comfortable silence for thirty-five minutes until Cayla gasped.
“Dexter!”
Dex raised an eyebrow. “You do know my name is just plain Dex, right?”
“I know,” she said dismissively. “I’m annoyed. I altered your name to demonstrate my annoyance. Dex Anthony Sinclair.”
“What did I do that fast?” Dex sighed hoping this would not be the actual start to their weekend.
“You cancelled our reservation for tomorrow night!” she complained, waving the email on her phone in his face. “Why are you cancelling stuff?”
“Oh, that,” Dex said relaxing. “You don’t need the hotel for Sunday night. We, or shall I say, my parents own a house on the lake in Spicewood.” He waved the keys in her face. “A hotel would be a waste of money.”
“The whole point was for me to treat you.”
“You are between jobs, and the house just sits there empty the whole time.”
“I know, but you don’t have to watch my bank account for me.”
She wasn’t mad. Yet. And Dex didn’t want a non-argument to turn into a real one, so he played his tested and true trump card. “Darling, I don’t need a hotel to get you naked. Your pussy will taste just as good at the summer house.”
Cayla squirmed in her seat and crossed her legs. She looked out the window for a second. “Fine, you didn’t alter anything else. Did you?”
And end scene.
“Nope. We’re still staying in a damn treehouse tonight.” The mention of that treehouse brought a huge grin to her face. Dex had to know the story. “Why are you so giddy about the treehouse?”
“Well, it’s different. Plus, it promised to be cool and romantic. I got the whole package…”
“But that’s not why you’re giddy,” Dex interjected.
“I always wanted one.” She sighed, her eyes wistful.
She spent the rest of the time talking about her childhood shenanigans with Kalilah and how she used to watch those impossibly untrue children movies. The ones where the kids did what they wanted all day. The ones with the parents who were never around or too stupid to realize their kids were doing crazy shit. The ones that made you think living in a small country town was the shit. Those movies usually had some sick ass treehouses that she could never have because they lived in the suburbs.
Dex listened, not wanting to break the spell. She was opening up to him, and he didn’t have to drill her with questions. Their weekend looked promising. The closer they’d gotten to their destination, the more nervous she became. Dex could feel her energy bouncing off him. He’d decided to have a positive outlook on her nerves; he’d hoped they meant she was starting to care about him enough to want his opinion.
Dex studied the itinerary in his head. “Cayla, did you tailor this weekend around me?”
“I scheduled it with you in mind,” she confirmed, not understanding the questions.
“I mean did you choose the activities based on what you thought I would want to do? We’re ziplining, wine tasting, hiking, and sailing…”
“Well…yes. I don’t know if you remember, but I have no idea what I would want to do.”
“I do remember. That is why I’m bringing it up. I know for sure you like shopping, and it isn’t on the itinerary.”
“You also pointed out this morning that I don’t have a job,” she volleyed with a smile.
“Who said you would pay?”
“Me. I planned the weekend to be with you, not spend your money.”
Her conviction made his heart flutter. Nick was right – not that he doubted him. Kalilah and Cayla weren’t trying to weasel their way into a rich man’s heart just to gain access to his money. They were focused on the person. He smiled to himself when he remembered Kalilah’s insistence for Nick to give her a pre-nuptial agreement with terms that made him comfortable. She maintained that if they didn’t work out for any reason, she didn’t want him trying to get her killed to keep his assets. Nick laughed for thirty minutes before he assured her that no asset was more important than her. In the end, he still gave her one for
her comfort.
“Why can’t we do both?”
Cayla shook her head with conviction. “No, Dex. Just…no.”
“I don’t think you get where I’m going with this, Cayla. I know what I like to do. You don’t. We should spend time exploring that. I’m willing to take adventures with you in and out of bed.”
Cayla blushed again. “Noted. I’ve never done any of the things on the itinerary, so it’s still a good start.”
“Okay,” he conceded, he’ll tell her about the changes he’d made later.
Chapter 30
“Selfie, Dex!” Dex rolled his eyes.
“That’s the third one today. What’s with all of the pictures?”
“Trip memories. You don’t want to take pictures with me, Dex?”
Grabbing the phone, Dex pulled Cayla’s bikini clad body against him and posed for the selfie. Her phone display showed them both smiling with the sunlight reflecting off their sunglasses. Dex changed the setting adding a three second timer. When they posed for the next selfie, he claimed her mouth, kissing her until he heard the shutter sound.
“Add that to your memories.” Passing the phone back to her he asked, “Do you plan to add to the Gram? Or tell all your followers in your Twitter-verse that you’re on a weekend getaway with Dex Sinclair?”
Dex already knew the answer, and the pursing of her lips confirmed his theory. He opted not to be offended. Baby steps, he reminded himself. It is one thing to go on dates and tell your siblings; social media was a completely different animal. Dex’s page still said “single” although it was very complicated, and now that his pages were public – thanks to Izzie’s low-level harassment – he knew posting “couple pictures” was one step too many for Cayla.
He pulled her into another kiss before she could respond. They were having a good day, and he wanted to keep up the momentum. They’d toured a beautiful vineyard and sampled their most popular wines while snacking on a cheese tray laden with select cheeses, fruit, and crackers. Although Cayla frowned while tasting most of the wine, she’d concluded that she would be willing to do it again.
Admit It Page 19