“You okay?” he asks in a strangulated plea.
Unable to speak, I move my head up and down. The initial hurt is soon replaced with need as my body adjusts to Kai’s intrusion.
He breathes heavily but doesn’t move. I nudge my hips upward while wrapping my legs around him. My name escapes his mouth in a half moan before he moves back and forth.
Kai’s head rises, and our gaze interlocks. He continues to plunge in and out at a slow, sensual rate while holding my stare captive. The longing displayed in his eyes heightens my sensuality of being wanted, desired. As if I’m the only person who’s ever mattered.
I can hardly breathe. I’m so overcome by emotions.
Kai quickens his pace, and my lower muscles constrict around him. Surprised by how good this feels, I run my hands along his sides to his back and dig my nails into his taut skin. My back arches involuntarily, causing the tips of my breast to graze his chest and eliciting another sexy moan from his mouth. Kai’s eyes stay locked on mine as he pushes deeper and faster. His body trembles beneath my touch, and I grip tighter.
“You’re so tight,” he says as if it’s the most pleasurable sensation he’s ever felt. “I’m sorry, I’m not going to last much longer.”
His left hand slides down to work his thumb against my swollen nub. My breaths become broken as pressure rebuilds, hinting at another orgasm I didn’t think was possible. A moment later, an unfamiliar sound erupts from deep inside as pleasurable shockwaves seize my entire lower half.
“Kayla,” Kai screams out during his release, and then crashes on top of me. “I…”
Kai doesn’t finish his thought and keeps his body pressed to mine while his breath catches back up to him. I drag my fingertips slowly along his back in complete bliss.
I’m glad I waited to share this moment with Kai. It was perfect. And I know waiting for someone special was the right thing to do, despite everything Staci kept telling me. I may be inexperienced, but I can’t imagine it gets any better than this.
Kai is someone whom I could fall in love with. Heck, maybe part of me has already. A hint of sadness infiltrates my mind, and I try not to think about flying home in less than two weeks. I close my eyes, desperately trying to push that thought aside. For now, I’ll just enjoy our moment.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Kai~
I’m such a dick.
Moonbeams shine through the window sheers, casting a glow on Kayla’s figure. Her hair’s natural highlights practically glimmer red from the brightness. The smoothness of her silky, cream skin tantalizes me. I hook my index finger in my mouth and bite down to keep from caressing her. As tempting as Kayla is, she needs the rest. The corners of my mouth draw up as I drink in her sight. There’s a peacefulness to her expression that makes the inner beast in me roar, knowing I’m the reason behind her satiated condition.
Kayla offered a piece of herself, and I’d be a damn idiot not to recognize the hidden meaning. But I still shouldn’t have accepted, no matter how incredible we are together. Or how fucking great her body feels beneath me.
I take a deep breath and flop onto my back. Running a hand over my face, I try to block the image of her quivering body out of my head. But it’s impossible. She looked and felt too good. For being inexperienced, the passion she expressed, I swear she knew exactly what to do. Her movements were sensual…perfect.
What occurred between us tonight was more than great sex. I’ve had great sex before, and that doesn’t even compare. What we shared was different. More intimate. I’ve never connected with anyone on that level. Ever. And holding her gaze while I slid my cock back and forth, it broke me. “She’s mine” was all I could think. Hell, the words “I love you” almost flew out of my mouth when I came.
Which is crazy. Totally crazy.
I’ve only known Kayla for a small fraction of time. People don’t fall in love that quickly. No, there’s no way I love her. I don’t fall in love. We’re just good together. That’s all.
I glance over at her lying beside me and wince. A pang of longing followed by a fear of her morning regret races through me. God, I hope she doesn’t hate me when she wakes. I’m not sure I’ll handle any remorse.
A delicious whimper escapes Kayla’s mouth, and I shift to study her face as a smile crosses her lips. I mirror her expression and wonder what she’s dreaming. She emits another moan, and my dick twitches in response. Fuck! My heart races as a dose of reality slaps me in the face.
I’ve fallen for her. I may not be in love, but I definitely care for her. A lot. How did this sweet, shy girl from the Midwest find a way into my closed-off heart?
And what the hell can I do about it?
I clamp my jaw shut and force myself to look away. The sheer panels flapping in the tropical breeze catches my gaze. It’s late. Her mom has to be worried. I sit momentarily frozen at the thought of Cara dying. It doesn’t sound as if she has much time. Damn. No wonder John’s upset. The only woman he’s ever loved is dying.
And by the sounds of it, Kayla will have to face this by herself. Life’s unfair.
I slip out of bed to make the dreaded call to her mom. My gaze strays to Kayla’s succulent body. Her exposed shoulder practically begs for me to kiss it. But I refrain. With the least amount of pressure, I draw the cover over her skin and draw in a breath. She stirs, but doesn’t wake. As I shift away from the bed, my feet stumble on material. I reach down to grab my shorts, and Kayla’s underwear falls to the side. My body stiffens from the reminiscent of her sweet taste upon my tongue. Get a grip. You’re not sixteen. I shake off my immature antics and pull my shorts up in search of my phone.
Thank God, I programmed in Kayla’s mom’s number earlier. My first attempt at stalking pays off, I think as I grab my phone from the end table and flop onto the couch. I hurriedly answer back Mom’s concerned text. I hadn’t explained too much, just that a friend had needed me. There’s no doubt in my mind Mom understands. But my sister’s text goes ignored. Where Mom’s understanding, Lauren’s not as much. But I don’t care. Her wrath can be dealt with later. I take an encouraging breath and dial Cara’s number.
“Hello,” Cara answers frantically.
“Ms. Cannon, this is Kai. Kayla’s safe.”
“Oh, thank God.”
Guilt clenches my gut from the relief in her voice. “I’m sorry for not calling sooner. But Kayla fell asleep, and I hated to wake her.”
“Is she doing all right?” Ms. Cannon sounds a little exasperated.
“She was pretty upset when she first arrived, but she’s relaxed now.” I cringe at my word choice and pray Cara doesn’t figure out what eased Kayla’s tension. “Do you want me to wake her and drive her back to your condo? I don’t want her driving on these roads this late at night.”
“No, you shouldn’t have to go to all that trouble. Besides, it’s late.”
“I don’t have to be at work tomorrow until nine. It’d be no problem.” Why am I pushing this? It’s not like I want her to leave.
“No, she’s better off staying asleep. You don’t mind if she stays?”
Do I mind? Is she kidding? Refraining from saying something inappropriate, I settle for a “No ma’am.”
“Can I ask a favor, though?” Cara asks.
“Of course.”
“She left before I could tell her everything. And what I have to tell her, she’s…going to need someone to lean on the next few days. Can I count on you to be there for her? I’m assuming you care about her.”
“I do care for her. And if she needs me, I’ll be here, but I don’t understand.” What on earth could be worse than her finding out about her mom dying?
“I can’t explain right now, but I really do need to talk to her.”
“I’ll make sure she gets home tomorrow,” I assure her. “And Ms. Cannon, I’m very sorry for your misfortune.”
“Thanks, Kai.” Her voice sounds tired. “I’m counting on you.”
I close my eyes momentarily aft
er saying goodbye. That was one hard conversation. For many reasons. Replacing the phone on the coffee table, I turn off the lamp and return to the bedroom. Kayla’s silhouette makes me pause at the doorframe as I take in her sight. Damn. She sure looks good in my bed. A man can get used to seeing this every night. I can get used to seeing this. My dick stirs. Settle down buddy. You’re done for the night.
I drop my shorts and ease into bed. As I snuggle against her, my hand rests on the curvature of her waist, and I nuzzle my nose in the crook of her neck, breathing in her sweet scent.
She stirs, and a contentedness envelops me at how right this feels. But man, what have I got myself into? Leave it to me to fall for a girl who lives four thousand miles away, topped with a terminally ill mother, and a father she’s never met.
The next few months will be the hardest times of Kayla’s life, and I’ll be stuck on this island unable to be there for her. Why does that make me feel like the biggest dick this side of the ocean?
I push aside that worry and drift to sleep, still holding on to the hope that in the morning, she won’t have any regrets.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Kayla~
The sun’s warmth upon my backside is like a furnace radiating heat. Or is it coming from the front? There’s also a warm heaviness resting on my waist. And is my leg hooked over a thigh? I would be confused, but the woodsy scent filling the thickened air is unmistakable. My eyelids spring open to Kai’s sleeping body. Oh my God, I spent the night with Kai.
My heart races as I spring to a sitting position half panicked. My mom has to be worried sick about me. A vise grip clamps around my waist—a very bare waist—preventing me from scooting off the bed.
“Calm down, I called her,” a raspy voice says beside me.
I sag back onto the mattress and turn to my right side, facing Kai. “You called my mom?”
Kai’s eyes are still closed, but in a soft circular motion, his fingertips rub against my back. I shudder with the realization we’re lying next to each other completely naked.
“Yeah, last night. She was cool with you staying.”
“Thanks for doing that.” My heart melts at his thoughtfulness, and I wish I could snuggle closer to him. If I flipped, we could spoon together, but then my bare bottom would be against his…junk. Oh boy, bad idea.
“No problem,” he murmurs.
His gentle stroking slows to a halt, and I study him as his breathing becomes shallow. His chiseled face takes on softer planes when he’s relaxed. He’d look younger if it weren’t for the light stubble giving him a manly appearance. Heat rises in my cheeks at the thought of the roughness chafing my skin. My gaze drops to his ripped chest and sculpted arm that’s draped across me. The tattoo inked on his right deltoid shimmers in the sunlight, and I shift to get a better view to study the wide black designs. Biting my lip, I refrain from reaching up and touching his skin. I want so badly to trace along each segmented line. They flow in coordination with each other, curving to a narrow point. The tips remind me of flames. Weaved within the center of the design are red lines that form a symbol of some type. I frown. This ink must mean something more than just decorated skin.
“It’s tribal.”
My gaze cuts to his, and the smirk on his face should embarrass me to be caught ogling. But I’m way too curious.
“The tattoo is a tribute to my father.”
“A memorial,” I whisper. “The red lines almost form a cross.”
“Ah, very perceptive. It’s called a Marquesan Cross. It symbolizes a balance between the elements and harmony. I had the tattoo artist substitute the fireman’s Maltese Cross with the Marquesan to keep our culture represented.”
“Your dad was a firefighter?”
“Yeah, he died on the job.”
“Oh, that’s so sad but heroic.” Thoughts of Mom infiltrate my mind, and my eyes close as I process the new wave of sadness smashing against my chest. I hate that Kai lost his father, but part of me respects the fact that he can relate to what I’m going through.
“I wish I could tell you everything will be okay, but it won’t. At first, anyway. It’s going to suck. Big time.”
I let out a small laugh and reopen my watery eyes. “Yeah, it will.”
“You have to go back and talk to her today.”
“I plan to. I hate the way I left yesterday, but I couldn’t handle it. I needed time to think.”
He says nothing, but the way his fingers glide along my skin again makes me very aware of his presence.
“You know what pisses me off?” I ask.
His dark eyebrows rise, encouraging me to go on.
“She’s been showing all the signs. Fatigue, shortness of breath, coughing fits.” I turn away from him and shake my head. “How’d I miss all that? I’m going to suck as a nurse practitioner.”
“Hey,” he says.
My head turns back toward him and peers into those dark, brown eyes.
“You’re going to make a wonderful nurse.” His face grows serious as he stares back at me. “The signs are harder to recognize when the patient is someone you love.”
I turn to liquid again. This overly confident guy always says the sweetest things. Whether he’s aware or not, there’s so much more to Kai Hale than his swoon-worthy abs. Beneath his masculinity lies a genuinely caring guy.
“Thanks,” I murmur.
A moment passes, and my thoughts drift to our actions last night. As if on cue, my body responds accordingly, becoming electrically charged as a shiver ripples through me. A section of hair falls forward, and I try not to cringe at the way I must look.
Kai’s hand reaches to my face and tucks the errant strands behind my ear.
“You’re so beautiful,” he practically moans.
“Messy hair and swollen eyes turn you on?”
Kai chuckles. “No, but you’re sexy as hell. Especially in that thin cotton shirt you wore yesterday.”
I groan, but he continues talking.
“And I kind of like the bedhead look on you.” He ruffles the top of my hair. “Like I said, you’re beautiful.”
“Thanks for last night, for what we did. You’ll never know what that means to me.”
Kai shifts so fast on top of me it takes a moment to realize he pinned my arms above my head. With no barrier between us, his hardness rubs against my clit, fully waking my lower half.
Kai stares deep into my eyes for a moment. My breaths become short and labored underneath him.
“You don’t regret what we did?” he asks, apprehension thick in his voice.
“Not at all,” I say with assertion. “It was perfect.”
The concern in his eyes lifts; overshadowed by a darker, sinister look. I’ve seen desire in his eyes, but this is so much more. Almost predatory-like. I have a feeling Kai Hale is going to own me when it’s all said and done.
A guttural sound breaks the silence before his lips crash upon mine. His kiss ignites another wave of heat through my body, and my hormones practically beg for him to take me.
My arms, still above my head, are secured against the mattress, while his body dominates control. Kai scoots my hands together and wraps his long fingers around both of my wrists. His free hand works its way to my breast, cupping a handful and gently massaging. His thumb grazes my nipple before rolling the hardened nub between his fingers. With a hard squeeze, he tugs, and a wave of tingles rush straight to my core, wetness pooling between my legs. His mouth lowers to the neglected breast, and he flicks his tongue over the hardened flesh. I moan, and my hips involuntarily rise against his cock. If he doesn’t find a way to release this pressure soon, I’m going to explode.
“I should punish you for thanking me three times this morning. But first, I need to know if you’re sore.” Kai places my swollen bud between his teeth and bites down just short of causing pain.
My back arches to him, and another moan rifles from me. Exasperated, I breathe out, “Just do me already.”
Chuckling, he replies, “Yes, ma’am.” Kai releases my wrists and slides off me to grab a condom. In no time, Kai’s back where he needs to be, taking charge, until we both find our release point.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Kayla~
The apartment’s quiet. Too quiet. I almost think Mom is gone until I notice her sitting out on the lanai from her bedroom. I ease to the sliding glass door and open it. She turns and half smiles at me. Guilt punches my stomach from the darkened circles plaguing her eyes. How could I have been so selfish in leaving yesterday?
“I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t handle that very well.”
“Oh, I can’t say I blame you. It’s not an easy pill to swallow.”
She looks so gloomy. It kills me that there’s nothing I can say or do to make her feel better.
“Let’s go inside. There’s more I need to tell you.”
Her somber tone brings a wave of dread through me. I nod and retreat to the living room.
“I’m getting a bottled water, do you want anything?”
“Sure, I’ll take one.”
I meander to the couch and wait for Mom. A few moments later, she returns, and I gnaw on my lip when the water splashes against the sides as she passes me the bottle. Her hands continue to shake after setting her water down on the coffee table.
“Mom, what else can be wrong?” I demand.
She sits beside me and throws me a glance before quickly averting her gaze. The familiar sickening sensations returns, but I don’t understand why. Mom already told me she’s dying.
“There’s a secret I’ve kept from you, and it’s going to upset you.”
I throw a questionable glance her way, but she still refuses to meet my stare. “Other than you being sick?”
Impossible Love: An Unforeseen Destiny Novel Book One Page 14