Chapter 16 #2
What was going on here? I still couldn’t get over the fact that my grandfather was discussing the ideal date with Kain. But I loved how Kain made Grandpa laugh. Laughter was a form of healing.
We sat at my round kitchen table and enjoyed Grandpa’s meatloaf, a side of sweet potatoes with sriracha and lime, bacon-wrapped asparagus, and a spring-mix salad.
Kain had a second serving of everything. “This is the best meatloaf I’ve ever had.”
“That’s my specialty.” Grandpa cooked better than anyone in my family; even my grandmother and mom couldn’t match him. But that was because they didn’t have the same passion for it. It was a blessing to have a chef in the family.
Grandpa sipped his lemonade and said, “Tell us more about your work, Kain.”
“I’m a tattoo artist who owns a tattoo franchise and a gym. The Kessler Building is mine. My friends own the other three.”
I remembered reading about that in his bio. Kain Kessler was a billionaire whom many women wanted to date. What did he see in me?
“I like how the four buildings create the Etched Square,” Grandpa said.
“We’re proud of our space.”
“You should be.” Grandpa’s face brightened. “It’s an amazing accomplishment.”
“I’m also a trainer.” Kain flexed an arm, and my stomach lurched at his massive bicep. “I enjoy helping people get into shape.” He turned to me. “If you or your grandfather want to learn some self-defense, I can teach you.”
“Eva should learn.” Grandpa grinned at me. “I’m too old. Eva can be my bodyguard.”
I chuckled but considered Kain’s offer. Learning to defend myself was something I’d always wanted but never had the time for. The world had become more dangerous and unpredictable over the years.
My eyes trailed down his firm form. “Are you supposed to be eating the way you do? You even had a cupcake.”
“I’m not that strict about my diet.” Kain smiled, revealing perfect white teeth. “I burn all the calories off quickly. I’m not training for any bodybuilding show. Staying fit keeps me healthy. And it keeps the upstairs sane, you know?” He tapped his head.
“When you deprive yourself of certain things, you crave them. Balance is good. Look at me.” Grandpa pushed his belly out and rubbed his head. “I’ve gained twenty pounds, and I couldn’t be happier.”
“Your metabolism slows down with age.”
“Sure does.” Grandpa’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “You seem to have a good head on your shoulders. How old are you?”
Oh no. I gave Grandpa a disapproving look, but he shrugged innocently. I supposed older folks had no filter and therefore got away with a lot of things.
Why did I get the sense that Grandpa was trying to tell me something? Or was I overthinking it? This was my grandfather—a man who loved the simple life. He was maneuvering something behind the scenes. I could feel it. I’d inquire about it later when I had him alone.
“I’m forty-two and have learned how to navigate this crazy world we live in.”
Wow. He was sixteen years older than me. Sixteen years! I’d never been attracted to anyone that much older than me.
“Why aren’t you married?” Grandpa blurted out.
“Grandpa!” Heat bloomed on my face. His straightforwardness was often too much. What if Kain had a personal reason he didn’t want to share? I would hate it if someone put me on the spot like that.
Kain shrugged, his eyes flicking my way. “Just waiting for the right woman.” Then he switched his attention back to Grandpa. “How did you meet the love of your life?”
Smiling, Grandpa told him the story of his high school sweetheart. Kain was good with people, knowing exactly how to steer the attention away from him. I supposed this ability made him successful.
Lunch lasted three hours. When Kain prepared to leave, it surprised me that I wanted him to stay longer.
He rubbed his flat stomach. “That meal was delicious.”
How could someone eat two massive servings and a cupcake and not have even a little belly? Did he have some kind of internal machine that broke down food and made it all disappear?
I didn’t have any defined abs, and mine revealed a bump when I ate two servings of anything. Where did all the food in him go?
I imagined him working out at the gym, beads of sweat trickling down his chest, stomach, legs, and . . .
Oh my God. My wild imagination was dangerous.
I looked up, and he was staring down at me. My heart skipped and twirled as a wave of courage surged in me.
Grandpa was busy putting the leftover food into containers, leaving Kain and me alone in the hallway. We stood close, my head reaching his chin.
He glanced down, and his finger flicked something from the corner of my mouth. “You have a cute little smear of food here.”
Heat inflamed my cheeks. I had no words, especially when he licked the smear off his finger. The heat from my cheeks was nothing compared to the flame burning in my core. Holy shit.
“Are you busy next week? I have a banquet to attend.” His eyes intensified on me.
Earlier, his green eyes had appeared like a calm evergreen forest. But now they held a depth that drew me in.
Gold flecks burst in his irises, making them appear as if the forest were coming to life.
With every blink, shift of his head, and flicker of emotion, the shades of green transformed a little.
For a moment, I envisioned myself inside a sanctuary filled with soothing moss and forest shadows that held wild secrets.
When I didn’t respond, he asked, “Want to accompany me?”
He was asking me out again after I’d rejected him. Confidence in a man was attractive, and my resistance wavered.
Something clanked loudly in the kitchen, and we both turned in that direction. I was about to holler to see if Grandpa needed help when he exclaimed, “Just dropped a lid! Sorry, senior moment.”
I clamped a hand over my mouth, preventing a laugh.
“He’s a rare one.” Kain grinned. “He cracks me up.”
“He’s good with people. No one can resist him,” I said, still tossing his question around in my head.
“I can’t resist you either.” The amusement in his eyes turned into desire.
“I turned you down before. Aren’t you afraid I’m going to say no again?”
“When a man knows what he wants, nothing can stop him from getting it.” He brushed a finger down my cheek, and a shiver skipped down my spine one vertebra at a time.
“I wanted you from the very first moment I saw you. That’s never happened before.
” He leaned into my ear. “I know you’re attracted to me too. ”
I recoiled at his arrogance. “How do you know?”
“It’s in your eyes. You’ve been checking me out too.” His lips curved. “Go on a date with me. See where it goes.” A challenge flashed in his eyes. “If you don’t, I’ll keep bugging you until you say yes.”
“You’re older than me by sixteen years. Don’t you want a woman closer to your age?”
“I go by feelings.” He lifted a shoulder. “Besides, being older means I have a lot to teach you.” A wicked smile stretched across his handsome face. “Is there anything you’d like to learn? To know?”
I want to know what it’s like to kiss you.
But I was too embarrassed to say that out loud, especially when my grandfather was just around the corner, probably eavesdropping.
As though Kain understood, he leaned in and whispered, “I’ve imagined doing so many things to you. Very inappropriate things that would have your grandfather kicking me out right now if he knew.” His warm breath caressed my skin, and tingles rushed through me. “Give me the chance to show you.”
Gathering myself, I touched his cheek. “Why are you still single?”
“Like I told your grandfather, I’m waiting for the right woman. I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want you.”
His honesty warmed me, and I didn’t know what to say. Some people might not be concerned about the big age gap between us, but I was. Kain was an experienced man. Would he get bored talking to someone like me who hadn’t seen as much life as he had? Would he move on after one date?
Give him one date. You have nothing to lose.
Accompanying him at the event would allow me to get to know him.
Before I could reply, Grandpa walked into the room, groaning. I knew from his facial expression that he’d been eavesdropping.
“My back is sore from all the cooking.” He stretched to the side. “I heard something about a banquet? In case you’re thinking about inviting me, I won’t be able to make it. I’ve got a bingo game going on with Emilio. You kids go and have fun.”
“It’s not until next week, Grandpa.”
“Oh.” He looked up at the ceiling, pretending he’d forgotten something.
But I knew the wheels in his head were spinning fast. Looking back at me, he said, “Maybe you can take one of his self-defense lessons and come home to show me. You’re home all week.
” He turned to Kain. “Do you have time to squeeze my granddaughter in?”
“I always have time for Eva.”
“I’ll give you my bingo winnings as a thank you.”
Oh my God.
“No need for that,” Kain said, probably suppressing a laugh. “Thank you for lunch.”
I looked at Kain, and an amused glance passed between us—Grandpa had just set me up on a date at the gym. My grandfather was such a troublemaker.
“Thank you for the cupcakes, Kain. I’ll be having one tonight.” Grandpa went back to the kitchen, leaving me alone with Kain again.
“I can’t believe this,” I muttered.
“I can.” Kain looked down the hallway. “He’s a smart man. He knows what’s best for his granddaughter.”
“Is that so?”
“Meet me at the gym tomorrow, and you’ll find out.”