Chapter 16
Xiah
I eased out of bed and padded around the room, gathering my things, feeling a sense of déjà vu. However, this morning was vastly different than the first night I spent with Kove.
I quietly moved to the bathroom and emptied my bladder.
When I was done, I washed my hands and face before utilizing the complimentary toiletries to brush my teeth.
I finger raked my hair then exited the bathroom.
I took a minute to admire the beautiful man stretched out in the bed I’d just left and my heart clenched with disappointment.
I wanted this but last night ruined my chances. Kaden had been right when he promised to take every bit of happiness from me that I attempted to embrace.
Kove was on his back, one arm folded behind his head shoved under the pillow with the other across his torso, palm resting on his abs.
His face was peaceful. A huge contrast from the distress and anger etched into his features last night.
I pulled my lip between my teeth and stared for a moment longer, wishing I had a picture to capture the moment.
I couldn’t imagine there would be many more mornings like this one.
My fingers twitched at the thought which had me remembering my phone.
My eyes swung around the room until I located the pants he wore last night tossed over the back of a chair in the corner.
The muscles in my stomach tensed again at the memory of him in that damn suit.
God, this man was unfairly beautiful and sexy.
The dark navy fabric of the suit that covered his lengthy frame provided a preview of what was beneath it—toned, carved muscle, trim waist, and broad shoulders.
He moved with a lazy confidence, displaying the ego of a man who gave people time to admire how torturously sexy he was while arrogantly navigating at an unhurried pace that expressed the world would fucking wait because he was worth it.
And he was…
When I found his pockets empty, my eyes danced around the room once more and I still didn’t see my phone.
I moved to the living room and dumped my dress and shoes from last night in the armchair next to the sofa.
I did a quick scan of the open space and exhaled my relief when I located the device plugged into a corner of the room.
I freed it and made my way back to the sofa, settling into one side where I lifted my legs and crossed them at the ankles to check my messages. As expected, there were a slew of them from Koa, most were from last night but one from five o’clock this morning. An hour ago…
Instead of responding with a text, I called and she answered right away.
“You’re stressing me the fuck out, Xi. The only reason I’m not spazzing is because that man’s agent texted to tell me you were with him.”
“You’re talking to his agent?”
“Yes. She was a huge help with the Kaden thing last night. He was threatening to call his attorney to sue the entire city because they held him until I got there to put the documents in his hand, but the CSA team wasn’t having any of that.
Jase is very connected and has a problem with puss-wusses like the one you married.
He said to give him a few days to make some calls but your divorce will be final very soon. ”
“Wait, how? Is that even possible? And why would he help?”
“Sergeant stupid ass is the hold up. So in the simplest form, yes. The paperwork has to be signed and filed with a judge. If they have influence with a judge, the paperwork can be expedited. Jase didn’t provide all the details but he mentioned making some calls to get it handled.
As for why? I’m assuming there are multiple reasons, the first is your marriage tarnishes the image of a client on his roster and they want to make sure neither of them lose money because of Kove’s connection to you.
But also, Jase and Sovoya seemed really fucking pissed about the situation once I explained all the details. ”
“You told them?”
“Yes, Xiah, I told them because you have not a damn thing to feel bad about. Dickhead Denny played you. He fucked around and is about to find out.”
Puss-wuss…
Sergeant Stupid Ass…
Dickhead Denny…
I smiled at the way Koa was all gas no, brakes with the disrespect she delivered for Kaden.
“Do you really think this is going to work?”
“I do. Jase is kinda scary with his big fine ass. I made up an entire story in my mind about how this man gets down in real life. He’s got some shit with him, friend, but I trust that he’s going to handle it and has the pull to do so.
I kinda think Sovoya has a past too because she was pressing Jase hard to make this go away and it was more about you than her being concerned with how a scandalous marriage would fuck with your boy’s image.
All I know is Jase told me I would get a call in a few days with the name of the judge who would handle the case.
Told me to put whatever I wanted in the divorce decree and it wouldn’t be contested.
I’m not asking any damn questions, friend. I’m just filing that shit.”
“If this works, I’ll be able to move on with my life….”
I glanced toward the bedroom then dropped my head back on the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling.
“You absolutely will. You deserve this and him…”
Him…
“Yeah, well… I’m not sure he’s an option anymore.”
“Friend, if that man is penalizing you for some shit that was out of your control, I’m coming for his whole life.”
I grinned at the adamancy in her voice.
“Telling him I was married was within my control. He has the right to be upset.”
“I agree but nobody is perfect. We make decisions based on our circumstances. Y’all were only supposed to be sex. A fuck ’em freely type situation. It’s not like you knew hearts were going to be involved. Forgiveness is required.”
I burst out laughing. “Fuck ’em freely? Koa…”
“You know that’s what it was. The strings weren’t supposed to be attached but they are. Double knotted and everything. Shit happens, you adjust. If he can’t, then maybe he’s not the one.”
He’s the one…
My one and I don’t know that I can walk away from this and be okay.
“You know what’s crazy?”
“I know a lot of crazy shit, Xi. You don’t want me to run that list down or you’re going to question my morals.”
I grinned. “Girl…”
“But what’s up?”
“I knew he wasn’t going to be one and done. For sure not a fuck ’em freely. Everything about him and us felt like it was supposed to be. It wasn’t like some crazy connection or anything like that but the idea of us felt good. I wanted the good however I could have it. Temporary or not.”
“Is that why you didn’t tell me?” My eyes bolted across the room to find Kove standing with his hands pushed into the pockets of a pair of joggers. He also housed a tense and stormy expression on his face.
“Koa, let me call you back.”
“Why? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, everything’s good. I’m about to head home. I’ll call you when I get there.”
“Xiah…”
“I’m fine, Koa. Promise.”
“Okay, love you, friend. Make sure you call me as soon as you walk in the door.”
“I will.”
I ended the call with Koa and clutched the phone in my hands, needing something to keep me from fidgeting. “We talking or you want me to leave?”
He crossed the room and sat on the table across from me. His long body barely fit and looked awkward with his legs forced into the small space, placing his knees against the edge of the sofa.
“I’m not fucked up behind you being married. It’s more about the way that shit came out. A simple conversation could have been had and I would have known how to handle things. This isn’t just about us, Xi. This is my career. One that is just fucking starting and last night wasn’t a good look.”
“I know.”
“Do you?” He frowned, glaring at me.
“Yes, I do, Yaakov. The reason I turned you down in the first place was because of what I have going on in my life.”
He scoffed. “But you still didn’t tell me. Explaining details about your past could have fixed all that shit.”
“I’m not gonna disagree. I don’t have a valid argument for why I didn’t tell you that won’t sound selfish. But my marriage also isn’t an easy topic for me. Regardless, you deserved to know.”
He stared at me for a minute then yanked at his beard. “What’s your day looking like?”
I blinked in confusion at the shift in topic. “Um, I have showings this morning and that’s pretty much it. Oni and Krew Troy.”
“They reached out?”
“Yes, she went on the site and picked four houses to view and selected me as the realtor.”
All four properties were listed under Kinsley as the selling agent, but when Oni requested me, I became their representative as the buyer’s agent.
“I hope you don’t plan on driving them around in that toy ass car ’cause you’re damn sure not gonna get the sale.”
“What is your beef with my car?” I frowned.
“It’s a toy, Xi. Shouldn’t even be legal to drive.” He smirked and I narrowed my eyes, which made him laugh.
“Chill man, your car is cute. Shit isn’t safe but it’s cute. I have practice. I should be done by two then I want you to ride somewhere with me.”
“You’re still…we’re still…” Riding with him meant hanging out and I wasn’t expecting that. I had no clue what I expected but definitely not continuing to do what we had been doing…
He smiled sexily. “I’m not letting up on you over one mistake.”
“It was a really big mistake.”
“Yeah it was but I’m not unreasonable. I like you, more than I don’t like how last night went down. So unless you’re saying fuck this and me, then I want you to take a ride with me later.”
“Do I get to know the destination?”
“Nah, you’re just gonna have to trust me. You owe me that.”
“Fair enough.” I nodded, watching as he stood and leaned over the sofa to place a kiss on my forehead.
“Let me get dressed for practice then I’ll take you to grab something to eat before I run you to the crib.”
“I can call…”