When You Love Someone: Single Hearts series Book 5

by J. L. Stiles

  Nora smiled up at Kai as she hung her coat. “Sure.”

  “Whiskey and water?” Kai threaded their fingers together, squeezing a little as he caught her gaze, building the ever-present heat between them. It had been a couple of weeks since they’d confessed everything to one another, and Nora had been on cloud nine the entire time. They’d reconnected so fast, making it feel like no time had passed - but also keeping their lines of communication open, speaking often of Robbie and making sure they were both on the same page with progressing their relationship.

  Which was basically a long-winded way of saying they’d done a lot of talking - and hadn’t slept together.

  Yet.

  “Sounds good,” Nora said, biting her lip as she stepped into Kai’s body, her hand going to his waist to pull him in for a kiss. These days, their kissing was getting more than a little heated, so it didn’t surprise Nora when she heard Scarlett holler, “Get a room!” from over in the kitchen.

  Breaking apart and grinning sheepishly, Kai walked over to the drinks cart where Henry, Sade, Amelia and her partner, Thom, were standing. Nora made a beeline for Scarlett, a mock scowl on her face.

  “Thanks for that, you jerk,” she said, pursing her lips and nudging Scarlett’s shoulder as she came to stand beside her at the small island.

  “Well, somebody had to break you two apart for a minute. I’m surprised you got out of bed long enough to make it here.” Scarlett had an evil grin on her face, which widened as Nora’s cheeks flushed even further.

  “You’re fuckin’ ruthless,” Jake chuckled, coming up on Scarlett’s other side and shaking his head. “Leave her alone, Scar. I’m sorry for her bluntness, Nora.”

  “Oh, don’t apologize. I already know she’s insufferable.”

  Scarlett roller her eyes. “I may be insufferable and ruthless - but my cold, black heart still beats for you both. Now, tell me - have you guys boned yet?”

  Nora groaned as Jake roared with laughter, shaking his head before kissing Scarlett and walking away to join the others around the drink cart.

  “So? What’s the scoop? I wanna know before this shin dig really gets going.”

  “If you must know,” Nora said, rolling her eyes, “No. We haven’t. And it’s fine that we haven’t. We’ve spent the last two weeks just… reconnecting. Getting to know each other again.”

  “Right - but you’re not just friends anymore. So, what’s the point of all this ‘reconnecting’ if you’re not getting down to the nitty gritty?”

  Nora pulled a face, laughing. “The nitty gritty?”

  “Yeah. The good stuff. The deets. The true nature of why you’re together.”

  “Which is, as you say, to bone?”

  “Basically, yeah.”

  “Scarlett - you’re too much.” Nora shook her head, chuckling before finding Kai across the room. He was the tallest man there, for sure, so he was pretty easy to pick out. He was the only redhead. And his lips were the most perfect lips Nora had every had the pleasure of laying eyes on.

  And kissing. So much pleasureable kissing.

  “I mean, I’m not one to push you to do something you don’t wanna do, Nora,” Scarlett said into her ear. “But the thing is, you wanna do it. You guys know each other almost better than any of us know you. And you’re practically drooling right now, looking at him - which, I can’t blame you for because, I love Jake but Kai is hot.” They both laughed at that, Nora feeling her face redden again.

  Scarlett turned to face her then. “So my question is - what’s the holdup?”

  Nora’s smile faded from her lips as Kai caught her eye from across the room. He finished talking to the group he was with and started making his way over to her, his eyes never leaving hers.

  “I… honestly don’t know,” Nora mumbled, still watching Kai.

  “Then I’d say - get to it!” Scarlett said, nudging her shoulder once again. “Hey, Kai!” With a wave to him and a wink to Nora, Scarlett moved to stand next to Jake, sliding her hand into the back pocket of his jeans.

  “What was that all about?” Kai said, sliding a tumbler of whiskey and water across the island to Nora. “Your face is all red.”

  “Is it?” Nora asked, sighing before smiling up at him. “It’s just Scarlett being… Scarlett.”

  Kai shook his head and shrugged, smiling down at her and moving in a little closer.

  Just then, they heard glass tinkering from over by the drinks cart. Everyone swivelled their attention toward it, and to Henry, who was making to gather everyone’s attention.

  The room quieted down as Henry set down his glass. “I just wanted to tell each of you how much it means to Sade and I that you decided to be here with us tonight. I know it might seem a bit unusual for someone to be making a speech on games night, but -” He swallowed hard then and began searching the room. “Where is Sade?”

  “Over here!” Nora called, pointing to the corner of the kitchen where Sade was rummaging through a cupboard for another chip bowl. “Sade - I think you’d better turn around for this,” Nora said, an excited grin breaking across her face.

  “Huh? Oh!” Sade turned and noticed everyone was staring at her. Frowning and smiling all at once, she looked to Henry. “What’s going on?”

  Henry’s smile was warm and gentle, like it was just he and Sade in the room. “Baby - can you c’mere for a sec?”

  Nora turned to grin at Kai, who grinned back and waggled his brows at her. Walking forward a little, Henry reached into the front pocket of his jeans and pulled out a small velvet-covered box. Sade’s eyes widened and her mouth, painted in her signature red colour, dropped open.

  “Oh my God,” Nora heard her breathe. After a moment, Nora moved over to Sade since she hadn’t made to walk toward Henry.

  “Hey,” Nora whispered, placing her hand on Sade’s back and giving her a little push. “I think you’ll want to step out of the kitchen for this.”

  Tears shone in Sade’s eyes as she looked at Nora, her lips curving up into a smile. “Yeah - thanks!”

  Sade ambled over to Henry, who dropped down on one knee. The room had gone completely silent, creating a beautiful, loving energy around the two of them.

  “Sade Alexandria Thompson - I have loved you since the moment I laid eyes on you… when you stepped illegally into the kitchen of my bakery.” Everyone chuckled at that, grins breaking across Sade's and Henry’s faces at the memory of how they first met. Henry swallowed, continuing.

  “Since that day, you have proven to me that love isn’t just about two people sharing a life together - but it’s about two people building a life together. One that is beautiful and hard and happy and sad. A life that I couldn’t have possibly imagined for myself before you. I couldn’t go another day without telling you how much you mean to me - or without this ring burning a hole in my pocket.”

  Sade laughed, tears streaming down her cheeks. Nora sniffed, wiping away her own tears as Kai wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close into his side so she could rest her head on his shoulder.

  “Sade. Baby - would you do me the highest honour of becoming my wife?” Henry’s voice was low and soft, his smile almost faded from his face as he waited for her answer.

  “Are you fucking kidding me?! YES!!!” Sade screeched, throwing herself onto the floor in front of Henry before grabbing him around his neck to kiss him deeply.

  The room erupted into shouts and cheers. Nora turned to Kai, beaming. But although he smiled back, the look he was giving her now was one of longing and love and… even lust.

  Nora raised her eyebrow at him. “What’s that look for?” She asked.

  Finally, Kai’s lips split into a grin, one laced with a little mischievousness. “Nothing.” He shrugged, pulling her into him and wrapping his arms around her waist. “I’m just glad we got to see that.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him, not quite believing his explanation. “I am, too - but I call bullshit. What’s really going on with you right now?”

>   Kai bent his head down until their lips were almost touching, moving his nose back and forth over hers. “Seeing them so happy makes me think…” He paused, briefly pressing his lips to hers. “… of how happy I am. After being so unhappy for so long, being with you now feels like a dream. That’s all.”

  Nora realized that everyone had gathered around Henry and Sade to congratulate them both and to get a look at the ring. But Nora only wanted to be with Kai - and definitely not in a room full of people.

  Nora looked deep into Kai’s eyes, cocking an eyebrow at him suggestively. “What kind of dream, exactly?”

  Kai’s resulting laugh was deep and husky. He bit his lip, his grip on her waist tightening for a moment before he bent his lips to her ear, her breath catching in her throat as he trailed his tongue discreetly along her earlobe. She was tight enough against his body that she could feel him stir with excitement, her own body responding with a rush of excitement that dampened in her panties.

  Nora’s hands slid over his broad chest, coming to rest entwined behind his neck. “Let’s say our congrats - and then get the hell out of here.”

  Kai’s eyebrow cocked at her. “You’re the boss, Nor.”

  Kissing him quickly, she moved away from him and toward the door, giving him a look over her shoulder.

  “I guess we’ll see.”

  Chapter 7

  Nora stepped into the entryway of Kai’s house, anticipation and nervousness coursing through her. No one had made a fuss at their choice to leave the party (although Scarlett gave Nora an exaggerated wink before they’d closed the door) and she and Kai hadn’t really talked on the short drive home. Nora had barely looked at Kai for fear she’d jump him right there in the car - which she wasn’t entirely opposed to doing.

  Just maybe not for their first time.

  Having hung up her coat, Nora leaned against the stair railing, watching Kai remove his coat and shoes. The fire in the hearth was just embers now, making the house almost completely dark. Kai stood, flipping the deadbolt and turning to amble toward her.

  Nora moved back up onto the first step so she was almost level with Kai. She could see his chest moving quicker than normal, could hear the slight raggedness of his breath as he let his eyes roam over her face and body. She’d chosen to wear a body con dress that night, simple and black, but one that hugged all of her curves perfectly.

  Kai was clearly a fan.

  Catching his gaze again, she pulled her lip into her teeth before a rather wicked smile pulled at the corners of her mouth.

  “Come with me.”

  Turning on the stair, she ascended quicker than usual, the sound of Kai’s footsteps close behind her urging her forward. She’d been in Kai’s room many times before; she hadn’t slept alone since he’d returned. If things went where she was sure they would, neither of them would sleep alone again.

  “Wait - turn around.”

  Nora was just at the threshold of Kai’s bedroom when he spoke, so turned slowly back around to face him, running her hands up the doorframe and resting them just above her head, framing herself for him - and it had the exact desired effect.

  Without taking his eyes off of her, Kai stripped his sweater and t-shirt over his head, revealing abs that were the very definition of the term washboard. Unbuckling his belt, he easily stepped out of his jeans, and Nora no longer had to guess if he was already hard or not.

  Stepping over to her, Kai knelt to the floor, looking up at her as he slid his hands up the outside of her legs, lifting her dress up around her waist. At a leisurely, teasing pace, Kai began to lick her: the skin above her panties, the skin on the inside of her thighs and, finally, between her legs overtop the lace panties, which were getting wetter by the millisecond. His tongue was powerful, feeling almost like fingers as it probed and swept over her sensitive folds.

  Nora’s grip on the doorframe tightened as she closed her eyes and moaned his name, thinking only of this beautiful man on his knees for her.

  “Kai…”

  His hands traveled up her body, bringing the dress with them and up over her head so she was standing, framed in the doorway, in her underwear. Standing over her now, Kai tossed the dress into the bedroom behind them before bending his lips to hers, teasing, pulling back before their lips could connect, a wicked grin playing across his lips as she leaned into him.

  Figuring two could play at that game, she pulled back, eyes still locked as she slid her hand down his chest and abs - and right inside his boxer briefs. Even in the darkness, Nora could see Kai’s eyes widen at she took hold of him, moving her grip up and down his shaft with solid pressure.

  It was Kai’s turn to brace himself against the doorframe, his eyes fluttering closed and his forehead coming to rest against hers. With her other hand, she moved his boxers out of the way so that they could both watch what she was doing to him, Kai hissing and moaning, his breath coming faster with every stroke.

  Nora’s rhythm slowed, and she sighed as his lips and tongue arrived urgently at the skin of her shoulder, working up her neck and across her jaw until they were on hers. She let go of him as Kai’s hands came to cradle her face, their kiss desperate as he moved them out of the doorframe and into the room. The back of Nora’s thighs bumped the edge of Kai’s bed, their kiss breaking only so they could both clamber onto it.

  They’d made out on the couch before - but the weight of Kai on top of her, on his bed, in the dark, her in her underwear and him completely naked, was almost enough to put Nora over the edge. She bucked her hips against his groin, a thrill rushing through her when she felt his hard shaft rub against her wetness.

  Their kiss deepening, Kai’s hand moved down her body to stop in between her legs, moving the fabric of her panties to the side. Nora ripped her mouth away from his to groan loudly as she felt two of Kai’s long, solid fingers slide into her, his thumb running quick circles over her sensitive outside folds. Moving with his rhythm, Nora somehow found his hardness with her hand, her grip tighter, her stroking more urgent this time, Kai’s gasps and groans turning her on even more.

  Kai’s mouth moved back to her neck, biting and sucking before she felt his hot breath rush past her ear.

  “Do you want me, Nora? Tell me what you want.”

  Turing her head to meet his gaze, Nora gave him a quick, hard kiss. “I want you, Kai. All of you. Please.”

  Gently easing his fingers from inside her, Kai rose onto his knees, pulling her with him. Reaching behind her, he swiftly unclasped her bra, tossing it to the side. Her nipples immediately popped up to attention and Nora could easily see the lust in Kai’s eyes as he feasted on her naked breasts for the first time. Laying back, Nora lifted her hips so Kai could slip her panties off. She pulled him to her, bringing his head not to her lips but to her breasts, encouraging him to dive in.

  Nora wasn’t sure she had ever been this wet or this ready to have a man inside her in her entire life. Kai’s lips and tongue licked and roamed and sucked and flicked, and it was all she could do to stay on this side, her body’s energy leaping at every one of his touches. Watching him worship her body was like nothing she had ever experienced - and she couldn’t wait for him to come to her alter any longer.

  “I want to feel you inside of me. Please, Kai. Right now,” she breathed.

  Kai raised his eyes to hers, his breath shallow and fast but matching hers. Moving overtop of her but never breaking their gaze, Kai shifted his body upward until the tip of him touched her wettest part. Nora held her breath, her eyes getting wider and wider as she felt Kai easing into her, inch by inch.

  “Fuck, Nora. You’re so fuckin’ tight,” he said, his voice breathless. “Jesus, you feel so fuckin’ good.”

  He was only about halfway in; Nora moved her hands down to his ass, grabbing hold of him and lifting her hips to bring him the rest of the way. With a mutual groan, he was entirely inside of her, Nora’s breath coming back to her in gasps.

  Slowly, watching each other intently, they began to m
ove together, Nora barely noticing how loud her moaning was getting with each thrust. It had been a long time for her - but having Kai inside of her felt incredible, as if they were made to fit together, the length of him reaching further and further into the depths of her body.

  Nora raised her lips to his, needing to feel him on her even more as she moved to wrap her legs around his hips. Kai’s deep groan was enough to push her right to the edge.

  “Kai - I’m almost there.”

  He kissed her deeply, his tongue sweeping across hers before he moved his body down and out of her completely. Nora’s eyes widened at the shock of this, and Kai’s face split into a beautiful grin.

  “Just a little longer, baby,” he said, still grinning as his long arm reached over their heads to the bedside table drawer. A moment later, he rose from her, kneeling overtop of her in all his glory to roll a condom on - which gave Nora an idea.

  Wordlessly, she moved out from underneath him, running her tongue over his lips as Kai took her place, lying back on the bed. Nora slowly slung her leg over him and his hands felt like they’d set her on fire as he slid them up her thighs. Settling onto him, she let her hips grind into him, the sight of his eyes closing and his head going back almost more than she could take. Rising from his lap, Nora reached beneath her to grasp him, watching him as she slid all the way onto his cock, Kai groaning loudly in response.

  Nora resumed their rocking motion, bringing his hands up from her hips to her breasts. Kai opened his eyes then, his breathing coming fast, the look in his eyes pure lust. He sat up, his mouth almost level with her breasts, and he latched his mouth onto one while fondling the other, Nora’s head falling back as she rode him even harder.