Chapter 6
Grace
Kath had grilled me about Kai the entire way home from class and every day since.
Working night shifts at the only nearby bar and bistro, The Dusted Bull, saved me from her inquisition most nights, as Kath was asleep when I got home at two a.m. She worked the morning shifts at her family’s café, Jolt, for the rest of the week, giving me a small reprieve.
The quiet contemplation was nice, but after two days of dwelling on everything, I was going a little crazy. I needed someone to talk to.
How had Kai and I landed in basically the same place?
What was I going to do now, knowing he ran the class?
As if my mind had conjured him, he strolled through the saloon-style doors at the front of the rustic and run-down bar with a group of men.
Some I’d seen before; these towns were small, but not altogether like this.
It was only Thursday, and we had a consistent clientele throughout most of the week.
It was Friday and Saturday nights that got rowdy; I had to wonder if they were celebrating something.
Several of the men seemed to have started the party already and were louder and less steady than the others.
My heart beat double time as I watched him cross the room in his tight Wranglers, boots, and plaid shirt.
All that was missing was a Stetson, and he would be a walking cowboy fantasy.
The group took a booth near the pool tables and set up camp.
I was working the bar tonight and was still learning how to mix cocktails.
Something told me that wasn’t a skill I’d need with this crowd.
The one I’d guess to be the oldest made his way over to me.
He was tall and broad, with dark hair that fell around his face, kind gray eyes and a neatly shaped beard.
I’d seen him around from time to time. It was hard not to notice him; he was handsome.
I’d been told he was Maisie’s dad. The other staff teased Maze, who worked as a casual server on the weekends, about how hot her Daddy was, but as he was her actual dad, it was weird to hear the things they’d say about him even when she was around.
I often felt like I was missing something.
My religious upbringing had been highly insular, bordering on a cult, I found navigating the actual world a continuous process of discovery.
Kaydence’s romance books were helping. The things I’d learned already were eye-opening, to say the least, and often so hot that I became flustered in more ways than one.
I’d been so naive growing up the way I did; I didn’t get to experience even half the stuff in these books, but they gave me hope for what I longed for with my new freedom.
He had an air of authority about him, which I understood was appealing to some, but that was the opposite of what I wanted.
I was not interested in being hit on. This was the main reason I hesitated when the owner, Avery, offered me the bartender job.
I was still learning how to interact with people normally and being in customer service was diving in the deep end.
I’d come a long way in four weeks, but still had a long way to go.
“Hi, what can I get ya?” I smiled as he approached.
“Whiskey neat, Maker’s Mark 46 if you have it, and six of whatever IPA is on tap. Oh, and a soda and lime, thanks.” He ended with a brief nod, and I’d bet he normally wore a cowboy hat, and that gesture would make all the ladies swoon. “I haven’t seen you around, darlin’. What’s your name?”
“I’m Grace. Aren’t you Maisie’s dad?”
“Sure am, and proud of it. Did you say your name was Grace? Been here long?” He glanced over his shoulder as he spoke, checking on his crew. I followed his gaze and was startled to find Kai watching me with a serious look on his face.
Our gazes caught as I was frozen in place and only snapped out of it when cold liquid spilled over my fingers.
“Shoot,” I squeaked. Focusing back on my task, my cheeks heated at having made a silly mistake, but no yelling or curse words came, no fists or blows assaulted me.
Taking a deep breath, I confirmed to myself that I was safe. Cain wasn’t here.
As I placed the third beer on the counter, I looked up to find Kai had replaced Maisie’s dad.
“Hey.” He spoke so softly; it sent a shiver down my spine. “What are you doing here?”
“Ah…working?” Duh. I mentally facepalmed myself.
Real smooth. Why was I so flustered? Kai had been my best friend; I’d told him things no one knew.
But so much time had passed. I’d changed; he’d probably changed, too.
I didn’t know how to get back to what we once were and the way he made my heart race and butterflies dance to life with just a look was unnerving, yet thrilling.
His face lifted in a smirk as his eyes assessed me. “I can see that. I meant how long have you worked here, and how come I’ve never seen you before?”
“I’ve been here for about three weeks, but this is my first week tending the bar. I was in the kitchen before.” After setting the last beer down on the second tray, I rang up the total. “Is your friend coming back?”
“Why?” Kai growled.
My eyes widened at his gravelly tone, but I wasn’t scared. Something else was happening to me. My belly swooped, and I felt flushed.
“Gracie?” Kai’s voice softened as his hand caressed mine on the counter.
My gaze locked with his, and my cheeks heated.
What was wrong with me? Kai was a friend.
His sapphire-blue eyes held me captive. Kindness, familiarity and yearning swirled there.
Along with a longing for something that could never be. He was breathtaking.
After snapping myself out of it, I removed my hand and began shifting from foot to foot. “Is he coming back, ah…to pay?”
“Oh, probably not.” He glanced back at his group. “I’ll grab this round.”
I rang up his order and handed him the terminal to pay.
“Would it be entirely inappropriate to ask for your number?” The apples of his cheeks reddened as he handed back the terminal.
“I’m sorry, what?” Was he hitting on me? No way!
“I’ve missed you, Gracie. Having your number would be better than trying to continue to write to you.” His lips lifted into the sweet smile I remembered from the boy who’d been my best friend.
A laugh burst out of me, and his smile grew. “I don’t know; I think the idea of letter writing is a dying art, and it’s kind of romantic.”
“If it’s romance you want, I’m all in. I’d happily shower you with all the romance you deserve.
” He winked as he leaned forward on the bar, his cologne mixing with stale whiskey and the beers he hadn’t taken back to his table.
His gaze held mine again, causing my heart to race and my palms to sweat.
He reached for my hand again, pulling me closer.
“Please, Gracie.” He was so close now, his words ghosted over my skin—
“Radar! Quit flirting and bring us our drinks!” A hand came out of nowhere and clapped Kai on the shoulder, causing us to jump apart.
My breath was coming in quick pants. I quickly excused myself and dashed to the kitchen.
Avery was sitting on the edge of the prep counter, chatting with Axel, our chef as I pushed through the swinging doors.
She took one look at me and gasped. “Grace, are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“I’m fine…just need a minute. Can you watch the bar for a sec?”
“Sure.” She pushed off the counter and winked at Axel. “Later, love.” Turning to me, she said, “Take your break. I’ve got you.”
I mumbled my thanks, as I opened the back door and rushed outside.
Completely out of sorts, I paced back and forth.
I’d liked Kai back then, but it was an innocent sort of like of a best friend and that of two sheltered teens trying to find their way.
Now he was here, and Kath was right; he’d grown into such a handsome man.
But it was his kindness and the familiarity of our youth that drew me to him.
But how did he affect my body so viscerally without even touching me?
Something about him called to me. He made my heart race in a way I’d never experienced before. I was safe with him. He had once been my home, my North Star.
As I braced my hands on my knees, I inhaled deeply. Shake it off; you’re being silly. Kai didn’t think of me that way, I was sure. Once my breathing returned to normal, I stretched my arms up over my head and stared at the night sky.
How many times had I gone to the lake at home after Kai left and talked to the stars, hoping he was safe and happy?
Wondering if he was looking up at those same stars from a different place in the world and thinking about me.
It had been hard to lose my sister when I was fourteen and then my best and only friend two years later. I’d been so alone.
Knock, knock, knock.
Turning towards the metal knocking, I found Kai leaning against the wall, watching me.
“How long have you been there?” I questioned as my pulse skyrocketed yet again.
“A while,” he smirked. “Long enough to give you a moment to freak out.”
“I was not freaking out!”
He raised a dark eyebrow at me.
“What? I wasn’t!” I was stubborn and could never admit what his presence did to me.
Our time apart had only intensified everything.
Every innocent yearning, forgotten emotion and hidden desire came rushing to the surface tenfold now that I’d found him again.
I crossed my arms over my chest and stood my ground.
His gaze heated as he prowled towards me.
I backed up until I hit the wall. He caged me in with his thick arms on either side of my head, the veins in his forearms bulged, showing how strong he’d become.
I couldn’t believe how much he’d grown. He’d always been taller than me, but now he was over six feet and had packed on so much muscle.
He was no longer the gangly eighteen-year-old I’d said goodbye to six years ago.
I felt so delicate, and completely overwhelmed by his presence even though we weren’t touching.
“Kai,” I breathed his name, my senses going into overdrive.
I’d never felt this need before. My blood heated and my skin tingled. Desire—that’s what this was. I wanted Kai. To have him caress my skin, to kiss me, take me. Oh, my goodness. What was happening?
“Wildflower,” he whispered my old nickname, and it was almost my undoing.
My heart hammered, my knees weakened and a deep warmth blossomed in my belly.
Kai’s chest rose and fell, as if he, too, was holding back.
“Can I?” he asked as he ran his thumb slowly over my bottom lip, down to my chin, and teased my neck before settling over my thrumming pulse point below my ear.
The soft touch set me on fire. “Please, Kai.” I leaned forward until we were a breath apart.
“Fuck,” he rasped as his mouth collided with mine and his hand gripped the back of my neck, pulling me flush against him.
My body ignited as I let his tongue duel with mine.
He tasted like lime and happiness, and I couldn’t get enough.
I don’t know what was happening or what possessed me, but I gripped his sides and managed to flip us so his back was against the wall.
He moaned my name as I pushed my body flush against his, feeling his hardness against my stomach.
I rocked and rubbed my body against him as my hands came up under his shirt to explore his abs.
His lips were addictive as he continued to devour my mouth.
His hands reverently encircled my waist, branding me with heat as desire surged inside me.
A dazzling warmth spread through me, the world bursting into vibrant, laughing colors.
Each new touch was a revelation, leaving me gasping for air, for hope and more, so much more.
“Touch me, please, Kai. I need you to,” I whimpered.
What was happening to me? I was turning into a needy harlot. This was not like me at all.
“Gracie.” His voice sounded pained as he kissed a path down my neck to my collarbone, nipping and sucking as he went. Goosebumps pebbled my skin everywhere he touched. I’d never been so turned on.
“Kai.” I groaned his name, the sound a low growl as my hips continued their rhythmic dance against his, a desperate plea for more, for something to quench the fire burning inside me.
Suddenly, I was cold and being held at arm’s length.
“Kai, what are you doing?” I gasped as shivers racked my body from the abrupt loss of heat and the unfulfilled desire still surging through me. What the actual fudge sticks!
“Just give me a sec,” he panted as he held me away from his body. Kai released me and stood to his full height, gripping his hair in his fingers and beginning to pace.
My arms wrapped around myself. I was rooted to the spot, watching him experience a little freak out of his own. Turning to me abruptly, he was in front of me in two strides. He cupped my cheeks, placing a soft peck on my lips.
“Wildflower, I’ve wanted you for as long as I can remember, and while I’d love nothing more than to touch you right now, it wouldn’t be a quick and dirty fuck for me.
You deserve to be cherished, ravished and pleasured properly and not in an alley behind the bar you work at.
” His forehead touched mine, and a wave of warmth washed over me, as I all but melted.
“I’ve always cared about you, Kai. You were my best friend.
I’ve been closed off for so long; these feelings are all new to me.
I’ve never felt such fierce desire before.
I want to explore this with you. After being trapped and beaten down for so long, I want to be your Wildflower again.
And I don’t want to waste any more time not living the life I want.
” A nervous flutter arose in my belly as I met Kai’s gaze, anticipating his response.
I’d never spoken so directly before. Since I had always been a shy kid and learned quickly never to speak out against Cain, it was refreshing to speak my mind.
Kai was safe to do so. He’d never hurt me.
“Oh, Gracie,” he embraced me in a hug, and I breathed him in. “I can’t believe you walked back into my life so casually. I’d love nothing more than to explore everything with you.”