Chapter 45
The fragrant aroma of garlic, coconut milk and spices wafts down the narrow alleyway, and my stomach grumbles in anticipation.
“Ready to try some real Polynesian flavors?” Kai asks, squeezing my hand. “This is going to be just like what my mom would make, or at least close to it.”
My heart flutters at the mention of his family. I’m desperate to learn more about his culture, his upbringing, all the things that made him into the fascinating man walking beside me.
We duck under a faded awning into a small, bustling restaurant.
Kai greets the woman behind the counter in a language I don’t understand, but the warmth in his tone is unmistakable. She waves us over to a small table in the corner, already laden with colorful dishes.
I slide into the seat across from Kai, barely containing a gasp. The food looks like nothing I’ve seen before, vibrant and aromatic. My mouth waters.
Kai grins, clearly pleased with my reaction. “Go on, dig in. Try a bit of everything.”
I reach for something unidentifiable but delicious smelling, realizing I have no idea what I’m about to put in my mouth. My stomach clenches nervously. What if I don’t like it? I don’t want Kai to think I’m uncultured. But one look at his expectant face and my anxiety fades. I trust him.
Taking a bite, an explosion of flavors dance across my tongue. “Wow,” I breathe around my mouthful. “This is amazing!”
“I’m glad you like it,” Kai says.
“What do I say if I love something in your language?”
“Say, ‘Chur’!’” he teaches me. “It’s like saying ‘Oh sweet!’ but with more excitement.”
“Chur!” I repeat enthusiastically, the unfamiliar syllables tumbling awkwardly from my lips.
“You can also say, ‘Faaaaaa!’”
“Faaaaaaaa…?”
Kai throws back his head and laughs, the sound rich and vibrant. A blush steals across my cheeks, but I can’t help laughing along with him.
When his laughter fades, he fixes me with a heated look. “With the right inflection, that can also mean something else entirely.”
My blush deepens as I register the desire in his gaze. The food is momentarily forgotten. I clear my throat, fighting to regain my composure. “I guess I’m learning fast, huh?”
“Faster than you know,” he says softly.
A delicious shiver runs down my spine. This date is turning out to be more enlightening than I ever could have imagined.
Our food crawl continues down the street, Kai teaching me more phrases as we go. Some are humorous, others flirtatious, which we use playfully.
“Not even, ow!” he exclaims.
“Not even… ow?” I quirk a brow.
“That’s the one!”
“What does it mean, though?” I ask. “Like… it doesn’t hurt or something!”
“It’s more like ‘no way’. But…if you really want to impress,” Kai says, leaning close to whisper in my ear, “say ‘you’re hardout skux!’ It means ‘You’re handsome’... not that you need to use it on anyone but me tonight.”
Heat blossoms across my cheeks at his proximity, his breath warm against my skin. I swallow hard, meeting his gaze. “You’re… hardout skux, Kai,” I say softly. “Am I saying it right?”
The smile that curves his lips is slow and sinful. “Better than I could have hoped.”
We continue down the street, the banter and casual touches coming more easily. I find myself relaxing into the flow of conversation, no longer overthinking my responses. With Kai, I can just be. It’s freeing and intoxicating all at once.
I steal a glance at him as he speaks animatedly about the history of his tribe, noticing the passion that lights his eyes. He’s sharing parts of himself that most people never get to see. I feel impossibly lucky in this moment.
This date is turning into an education of the best possible kind. I’m learning not just about Polynesian culture, but about the complexity of the man beside me. And with every new discovery, I find myself falling deeper under his spell.
After dinner, we arrive at a sleek cocktail bar, dimly lit and filled with the murmur of conversation. Kai leads me inside, where he’s instantly approached by several people, and he comfortably greets patrons and staff alike by name. There’s an ease to his manner that speaks of familiarity and frequent patronage.
“Everyone knows you here. It’s like you’re a celebrity!”
He looks at me and laughs, and although the lighting is dim, I swear a blush passes over his cheeks.
As we settle onto bar stools, he admits, “I may have failed to mention that I co-own this place.”
I stare at him, stunned. “You what?”
He grins, clearly enjoying my reaction. “Surprised?”
“You could have given a girl some warning!” I say, shaking my head even as I laugh. Trust Kai to spring something like this on me.
“Where’s the fun in that?” he teases, signaling the bartender. “The usual for us, Luke.”
As Luke mixes our cocktails, a couple of women sidle up to the bar on either side of Kai. They eye him appreciatively, their smiles turning predatory when they notice me. I see the way they look at him, like he’s something to be conquered or possessed. It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.
Don’t they realize there’s so much more to him than appearance? Beneath the charm and playboy fa?ade is a depth of character I’m only just beginning to fathom. Kai is culture and contradiction, sensitivity and strength. He’s everything they can’t see.
I love the fact that his background is different from my own, but it’s not why I’m with him. There are so many things I admire about him. I just get the vibe their interest in him is surface level, as if hanging on his arm in Instagram photos will make them more attractive by association.
My hands tighten around the stem of my glass, a surge of possessiveness washing over me. I want to shield this side of him from their gaze, to keep his complexity for myself alone. The depth of my emotions startles me. I’m in deeper than I realized. And if the look in Kai’s eyes is any indication, he knows it, too.
The woman on Kai’s right runs a hand down his arm, her gaze lingering on his tattoos. “I just love your tattoos, they’re so...exotic. I bet you have a gorgeous accent as well. I’ve heard about people from where you’re from… you’re all so… gorgeous. I’ve longed to meet a man from there.”
A flare of irritation sparks in me at her objectification. I move closer, sliding an arm around Kai’s waist and meeting her look with a smile. “Aren’t my husband’s tattoos amazing? Each one has a story that’s even more fascinating. Right, Kai?”
His arm wraps around me in turn, grin flashing. “That’s right, wifey.” The woman’s smile falters at the implication, and Kai gives her a polite but dismissive nod. “Thanks for the compliment. Have a good night.”
She stalks off in a huff, her ankle twisting awkwardly on her impossibly high heels and almost sending her careening to the floor, with her friend hurrying after her.
I let out a breath, the tension easing from my shoulders.
Kai’s hand squeezes my hip, drawing me against his side. “My hero,” he murmurs, humor glinting in his eyes. “How will I ever repay you?”
“I’m sure you’ll think of something.” I arch a brow and meet his gaze, unable to resist the flirtation. “Nice ‘neutral stare’, by the way.” I grin.
A deep laugh rumbles in his chest. “Careful. I may take that as a challenge.” His gaze turns molten, igniting a slow burn of heat low in my belly. “Ready to get out of here?”
I nod, my pulse leaping at the promise in his tone.
We drain our drinks and head out into the night, Kai’s giant arm remaining comfortably snug around my waist. The cool air is a relief after the close warmth of the bar, sharpening my senses. Kai hails a cab, giving the driver an address I don’t recognize.
“Where are we going?” I ask as we slide into the backseat.
“My place.” He grins, eyes glinting. “I thought it was time I showed you where I live.”
Anticipation thrills through me at the implication. I lean into him as the cab pulls away from the curb, my pulse racing with the unknown. What else will Kai reveal to me tonight? I can hardly wait to find out.
The cab rolls to a stop outside a stylish high-rise, all sharp angles and glittering glass. “This is me,” Kai says, ushering me through the lobby. We take an elevator up to the penthouse, and the automatic doors open into a spacious loft with panoramic views of the city.
The space is modern but warm, decorated in a blend of sleek and rugged with artful nods to Polynesian influence. Kai gives me the tour, pointing out details of personal significance with casual intimacy, as if I’ve been here many times before.
It’s a glimpse into a private world he rarely shares. I soak in each detail, piecing together a fuller picture of the man behind the charm. Here, in this place he calls home, I find Kai laid bare. It’s a massive change from the last time we were together, in a neutral hotel room full of beige and other neutral tones. This is much more exciting, much more personal. And I want nothing more than to lose myself in every part of him.
When the tour ends in the bedroom, I turn to find Kai watching me with a smoldering look. Heart pounding, I close the distance between us and press my lips to his. There’s no pretense, no suggestion of a nightcap that neither of us is remotely interested in.
Kai returns the kiss hungrily, his giant hands roaming my body. He lifts me onto the bed, leaning over me as our kisses grow more heated.
“I want this to be unforgettable for you,” he murmurs against my skin. His lips trail down my neck, igniting sparks with each touch. “Let me show you how much you mean to me.”
I arch into him with a gasp, desire flooding my senses. “With you, it’s always more than I could have imagined.”
Kai grins, his eyes darkening, and proceeds to prove my words true in the most pleasurable way. His hands and mouth move over me expertly, drawing out responses I never knew I was capable of. Before long I’m trembling at his mercy, my senses overloaded with bliss.
Kai guides me from the bed and presses me up against the floor to ceiling window, my palms pressed against the cool glass. Below us, the city is a sea of twinkling lights, a breathtaking view from up here in his penthouse.
His massive cock slams into me from behind and I gasp, seeing stars. So deep, so hard—it’s almost too much.
“Look at that view, Dylan.” His voice is a low rumble against my ear. “Gorgeous, isn’t it?”
I can’t speak, can only moan in response. He knows what he’s doing to me, the bastard. Knows I’m helpless against the pleasure and the sight before me.
Another sharp thrust. “Isn’t it?”
“Yes,” I gasp. “Stunning.”
“Not as stunning as you.” His hands slide up to cup my breasts, rolling my nipples between his fingers. I clench around him and he groans. “So responsive. So fucking sexy.”
He quickens his pace, slamming into me over and over, and I’m floating, weightless, nothing anchoring me to the earth but Kai’s hands on my body and his cock inside me. The tension building and building, pleasure rippling out from where we’re joined until I shatter around him with a cry.
Through the haze of my orgasm, I’m dimly aware of Kai following after, his hips stuttering against my ass as he empties himself inside me with a groan.
We stay there for a long moment, both catching our breath. The city glitters below us, but in this moment, I have eyes only for Kai.
Kai pulls out slowly, leaving me empty and aching. But before I can protest, he presses a button and a sex swing descends from the ceiling.
My breath catches. I’ve joked about these with my friends, fantasized about using one, but never tried it.
Kai grins at me, all wicked intent, and helps me into the swing. He secures my hands above my head so I’m unable to touch him. My legs are spread wide apart, leaving me completely exposed and vulnerable.
Helpless.
I whimper, desire flooding me anew. Kai runs a hand down my body, stopping just short of where I need him most.
“Look at you,” he murmurs. “So wet and ready for me.” His fingers dance across my inner thighs, my hips jerking towards his touch. “Patience, darling.”
He turns and opens a box I hadn’t noticed before, withdrawing one toy after another. A vibrator. A set of ben wa balls. A feather.
I swallow hard, watching with wide eyes as he approaches me, tools in hand. He’s going to take me apart, piece by piece, and put me back together again.
The first touch of the vibrator against my clit has me gasping. He moves it in slow, maddening circles, bringing me to the edge again and again only to pull away. The ben wa balls fill me, the slight movements of my hips causing them to shift inside.
By the time he picks up the feather, I’m writhing in the swing, desperate for release. He drags it across my skin, my nipples, down between my legs. I’m sobbing with need, with pleasure, with—
“Come for me, Dylan.”
The vibrator presses hard against my clit and I shatter, screaming his name. Wave after wave crashes over me and still he doesn’t stop, drawing orgasm after orgasm from my trembling body until I’m limp in my restraints, boneless and sated.
Only then does Kai turn off the vibrator and remove the toys. He lifts me gently from the swing and carries me to the bed, curling around me and pressing soft kisses over my face and neck.
“You were exquisite,” he whispers. “I know it’s quick to say, but I think I love you.”
I smile, utterly content in his arms. “I think I love you too,” I whisper as I fall asleep.
I wake slowly, still nestled against Kai’s chest. It’s still dark outside, just a brief nap brought on by the afterglow of amazing sex. He’s stroking my hair, his other arm wrapped securely around my waist.
“How do you feel?” he asks, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
“Amazing.” I tilt my head up for a proper kiss. “Thank you for that.”
“My pleasure.” He grins. “In more ways than one.”
I laugh and swat his chest. “You’re incorrigible.”
“You love it.” His expression softens. “I meant what I said earlier. You’re exquisite, Dylan, and I love you with all my heart.”
When Kai finally joins me in release, I cling to him breathlessly. We lie together as our heartbeats slow, the city lights casting a soft glow over his features. The night we spent together months ago went by in a drunken haze, enjoyable at the time, but the details were quickly forgotten. Tonight is different, a far more meaningful experience. From the way he holds me close to his perfectly sculpted body, I can tell he feels the same.
I trace the lines of his tattoos with a fingertip, mesmerized by the stories behind them. But what fascinates me most is the story of the man himself, one I’m only just beginning to discover.
Kai pulls me closer, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I hope tonight showed you a side of my world,” he says softly. “It sucks I have to go back home for a bit to deal with some family stuff, and I wish I could take you with me. I want to share even more with you, Dylan.”
“I can’t wait,” I reply, and mean it with all my heart. I’m eager to see where this connection might lead, feeling more drawn to Kai than ever before.
My breath catches at the emotion in his eyes.
He kisses me again, slow and sweet, then pulls back with a sigh. “We should get up. We both have big games to prepare for, remember? We need to get you home so you can get ready.”
I groan, burrowing into his chest. “Can’t we just stay here forever instead?”
“Tempting.” He strokes a hand down my back. “But if we don’t get up now, I’m going to want to continue what we started. And we both know if that happens, we won’t make it to the game at all.”
He has a point. I lift my head again. “Fine. But after we win, we’re coming straight back here.”
“It’s a deal.” Kai presses a quick kiss to my nose before sliding out from under me. “Now come on, time for a shower.”
He holds out a hand to help me up. I take it, lacing our fingers together, and follow him into the bathroom.
I turn on the shower and step under the warm spray, sighing as the water cascades over my body. Kai steps in behind me a moment later, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me back against his chest.
“That was amazing. You were amazing,” he murmurs, dropping a kiss on my shoulder.
“It was.” I tilt my head back, resting it on his shoulder as his hands glide up to cup my breasts. “You were incredible.”
“So were you.” His thumbs tease my nipples, sending sparks of pleasure down my spine. “The way you moved, the sounds you made...you’re the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Heat floods my cheeks at the praise even as my body responds to his touch. “Kai...”
He chuckles, giving my breasts one last squeeze before sliding his hands down to my hips. “Sorry, I got carried away. We do need to get our heads back onto the actual game.”
I turn in his arms, looping my own around his neck. “After that, I’m definitely going to need a rematch.”
“Definitely.” Kai grins down at me, eyes dark with promise, before leaning in for a long, deep kiss full of desire and promises.
By the time we finally climb out of the shower, we’re both breathless and flushed. After drying off and getting dressed, Kai pulls me in for one last kiss before I get ready to head out.
Insisting on walking rather than having him drive me home, I leave Kai’s apartment with a rush of emotions—excitement, respect, and a growing infatuation. My skin still tingles from his touch, my mind replaying moments from our date on a loop.
Everything about tonight was perfect, from the authentic Polynesian cuisine to learning bits of Kai’s native language. Most of all, I loved seeing him in his element, surrounded by people who appreciate him for who he really is.
Kai isn’t just another pretty face or fantasy. He’s depth, culture, passion—everything I didn’t know I needed. I’ve always felt like the odd one out, never quite fitting in. But with Kai, as with the others, I can just be myself. He sees beyond the surface to the real Dylan underneath.
My phone buzzes as I stroll along the streets of the dimly lit neighborhood. A text from Kai lights up the screen: Made it home safe? I’m already counting the hours until I see your face again.
I grin, heart fluttering at his words. How is it possible to feel so deeply for someone I’ve only just met? All I know is that when I’m with Kai, the world feels brighter and more vibrant. And I want nothing more than to lose myself in his arms again.
I text him back: Almost home safe, but wishing I was still with you. Tonight was amazing—thank you for sharing your world with me. I look forward to many more dates like this.
His reply comes instantly: As do I, Dylan. Sweet dreams, gorgeous—you’re all I’ll be thinking of.
I practically float the rest of the way to the apartment. I feel dizzy, giddy, all of the things. Something tells me sleep will be elusive tonight, my mind too filled with thoughts of Kai and my dates with the other men to rest. But I can’t bring myself to mind. Not when this feeling is so exhilarating.
Who knew that taking the time to get to know each of the men would only strengthen my feelings for all four of them? I have a feeling each of them will continue surprising me at every turn. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Unfortunately, however, I’m not sure that Noah will change his mind, and I have a life-changing decision to make.