Chapter 23
Kensie
Event planning wasn’t my niche or something I ever wanted to do.
Yet, I rushed around the house with my cell attached to my ear, coordinating last-minute entertainment for the party we would have at the villa—Canaan’s idea, of course.
The fans and their guests would be driven to the house for a party shortly after the race.
I paced in the sitting room, trying to pay top dollar for a well-known DJ who would keep the party bumping with hip-hop and R&B.
Sensing Canaan’s presence behind me, I glanced toward the entrance.
He stood with his hands in the pockets of his joggers with a question mark gracing his handsome features.
His sudden appearance when I thought he’d already left affected me more than I would ever have admitted.
I held up a finger, and he walked farther into the room and plopped down on the sofa.
His light brown eyes appeared green in this light as he watched me expectantly.
I’d been determined to keep my distance after our date.
I wasn’t rude or mean to him because he didn’t warrant any disrespect.
I treated our situation as I intended it to be from the start: purely business.
We were temporary partners, and our collaboration was successful.
My following and book sales continued to grow.
Canaan had his choice of sponsors for this race and future ones in both racing worlds.
“We need him to be set up by six, and he’ll work until midnight.
If we want him to stay past midnight, we’ll pay double his regular rate and tip him well.
I’m texting you the address now. Thank you.
” I clicked off and resisted folding my arms at the caressing sweep of his gaze from my fitted tee to my face. “What do you need?”
Canaan tilted his head, and his lips curved into a smile. “I think you may want to ask me what I need in a different way.”
Ignoring the desire that pooled in my panties, I replied, “Okay... Why are you here?”
He cleared his throat. “Before I left, I wanted to see if you wanted to take photos or do a live or something to welcome our guests. Or if you needed my assistance for something else.”
“I got it handled.” The whole racing event would last no more than two hours, and then the guests would be driven here for the celebration.
Security personnel were already stationed at the house, and additional security would be present at the track and by the Navigators that we’d leased for transportation.
“It definitely looks that way.” Canaan continued to stare at me.
“What?” I crisply asked. His attention unnerved me.
“I’m sorry.”
I frowned. “You don’t need to apologize for anything.”
“You don’t want to know why I’m apologizing?”
“About the other night. You didn’t do anything wrong. We’re just different people. It’s cool.” I turned to walk away.
“What if it’s not cool with me? You’ve been distant.” His following words stopped me. “I miss you, and you’re in my bed every night.”
I looked back at him. “Canaan, you don’t know how often you seem annoyed when I snap a pic of you or talk about my followers or my book. It’s okay if you don’t like what I do. At least respect it.”
“Respect it? I’ve read your book, look forward to hearing about your dissertation, and today is about showing love to your followers.”
I explained, “No, today is more than that. It’s for you too. It’s about your brand and helping you break this mental block.”
“I don’t give a fuck about people watching me. I did all this for you.”
I sighed. “We don’t have time to talk right now. I have fifty million tasks to do after you decided to throw a party at the last hour, which is clearly for you.” This time, I crossed my arms, and my expression hardened. I couldn’t let him slip inside again.
“Yep, it is my fucking event. Whatever needs to be done will happen after we talk and not a minute before,” Canaan ordered.
“There’s the asshole I know and hated,” I threw out.
“Then I’m an asshole, but you will listen.” His demanding tone didn’t waver or soften.
The panoramic view past his shoulders captured my gaze since looking directly at him would be detrimental to my sanity. “Then talk.”
“Look at me,” he thundered.
Reluctantly, I met his intense glare. I pushed him too far, yet my pride kept me from completely capitulating as I kept my expression neutral.
“Why are you giving me so much mouth? I break my practice to show you how much you mean to me by taking you out on a yacht. Then somehow, I’m the bad guy.
Now, you seem irritated that I decided to throw a party.
I wanted us to host a party to boost your following more, and your mouth is poked out like I’m this bastard. ”
I touched my chest. “You’re not a bastard, but that other night you hurt me.
I wanted a picture of us just for me, and you were immediately pissed.
Told me you didn’t trust me and never answered whether it was about seeming like a real couple.
I wanted a picture of us to cherish on one of the most special nights of my life because I don’t know if we’ll still have reason to speak after we return to Houston. ”
“Of course, we’ll have reason to speak. I thought at the very least we were becoming friends.” He dragged his hand down his face. “You’re making a big deal out of nothing. I don’t like taking photos, but I consider it a necessary evil for my career. Besides, we have tons of pics of us.”
“Pics for the media but not for me, and not that night under the stars.” I tapped my foot, wanting to get away from his unnerving presence. “Now, can I go?”
Canaan shook his head firmly. “No. You’re still pissed, and that makes no sense after all that I’ve done to show how important you are to me.”
My palm connected with my cell as I raised my voice.
“Because you keep dismissing an important part of me. You like the intellectual side of me, the fact that I’m working on my doctorate and conduct research, but not that I’m also considered a content creator and social media influencer.
I do like taking photos, and it’s a damn big deal that you don’t trust me.
And for the record, I never asked you to tell the world we’re engaged. Didn’t ask to come here. Didn’t —”
“Just shut up, Kensie.” He cut me off.
My head snapped back so hard I was surprised I didn’t feel pain.
“Oh, you want me to shut up? Is that what you want? How about we pretend that we like each other, get through tonight, and I’ll be out of here by Monday.
Then you don’t have to do another damn thing for me or ever tell me to shut up again.
Believe that.” Feeling the tears coming hard and fast, I rushed out of the room.
Before I made it to the hall, I was snatched back to his hard chest. His hand cupped my nape, and my heart clenched at his eyes darkening with lust and something else that made my stomach flip. “Why do you have to make it so damn hard for me to tell you that I love you?”
My head swooned at his declaration. “You love me?”
“God, help me. I love you, and I can’t stop it no matter how much you annoy the hell out of me.” He searched my face. “Say something.”
As I stared at him, the sounds of car doors closing and chatter drifted over us. “Umm . . . We have guests.”
“That’s it?” he incredulously asked.
The voices drew nearer. I recognized one as Saraj and whispered, “You would tell me how you feel when I can’t do anything about it. Now, let me go.”
He released me and stalked toward the side door that would take him away from the guests. I wanted to run after him. I knew what he needed to hear, but I’d promised myself I wouldn’t profess that to anyone else unless I were sure that the man deserved me.
I wiped my eyes, plastered a smile on my face, and moved in the direction of the voices. When I walked into the expansive living area, Saraj and a few of his friends were walking around, admiring everything. “Welcome.”
Saraj rushed and lifted me off my feet. As he hugged me, he said near my ear, “Emme is right outside.”
“What?” I asked louder than I intended when my feet landed back on the floor.
Saraj grinned and spoke through clenched teeth. “Pretend, baby girl. I tried to call you when I saw her at the airport, and you sent me to voicemail.”
“She’s outside?” My heart fluttered as I smiled, hugged my guests, and told them to get comfortable while I checked on something.
Saraj’s worried glance followed me as I hurried to the side door, hoping somehow that Canaan didn’t see Emme.
I hurt him, and he was comfortable with Emme.
Did I just send him into the arms of a woman who he knows loves him?
Through the glass doors, I saw Emme pleading with him.
Observing their interaction reminded me of the countless times she had chased after him.
He looked irritated and ready to leave, and she blocked his path.
As always, Emmanuela Rodriguez looked beautiful.
Her natural, thick, dark hair hung low down her curvy body.
She was of mixed heritage. Black and Mexican.
She used to brag about how she and Canaan would have beautiful babies and would teach them their respective cultures.
Emme noticed me first and suddenly pulled Canaan’s head down to kiss him.
I shoved open the door, ready to hurt her.
Canaan had already moved away from Emme, which only emboldened me.
His furious expression softened, and he stepped forward with an apology ready to spew from his lips.
I shook my head and pushed him behind me like a lioness protecting her cub.
“Why are you here, Emme? You have a man back at home. A man whom you love and want to marry,” I reminded her.
“He knows why I’m here. He’s never been able to stay away from me too long.” Emme’s chest rose and fell as she stared at Canaan over my shoulder.
“He doesn’t want you anymore. So, go home before you lose the man who does want you.” I stepped closer, keeping my voice even. I had never had a physical fight with a woman, and I didn’t want to start with a woman who once had been a friend.
“How could you, Kensie? You were my friend, and you know the shit he put me through. Did you talk badly about him so you could have him yourself? Told me he wasn’t shit and that I deserved better?
Yet, he’s now your man, and you’re about to get married, when he told me he would never marry.
” Her lips trembled, and her nostrils flared.
I relented. Emme loved Canaan. Regardless of whether he returned the emotion, she did love him. And for years, she had been my friend. “I tried to call you and explain. I didn’t want you to find out like you did.” I looked at Canaan, and he nodded.
Emme scowled at our exchange. “Explain what?”
“It happened fast. I didn’t mean to fall for him. We ran into each other in Jamaica on New Year’s Eve, and I needed to . . .” I stuttered, trying to find the right words.
Canaan took my hand and kissed the back of it as he stared into my eyes.
“It happened fast, and she has been fighting me and her feelings ever since, out of respect for you. She made it clear she didn’t trust me because of how I treated you.
She tried to ignore me, but I pursued her.
I told Kensie that you and I had been seeing each other on and off over the years, and that it ended when you got engaged to Matt.
I’m a different man now and want to be with Kensie.
I want to see how far it goes.” He looked at his ex.
“It’s as simple as that, Emme. I’ve always been the man you couldn’t manipulate, and you couldn’t stand it.
You thought you had some type of hold on me because you were my last girlfriend.
I didn’t claim anyone else because I became focused on racing, which I’ve repeatedly told you.
I’ve apologized for mistreating you back in college, and I’ll do it again today.
I am sorry that I kept seeing you, knowing deep down that we wanted different things.
If you can be supportive of us, then I welcome you to stay. ”
Emme wiped her furious and hurt eyes. “I can’t support a woman who backstabs her own best friend.”
Canaan curved his arm around my waist. “Then I suggest you go back home and marry that man you profess to love so much. We don’t need any drama. Today is about being free to do and be anything. Nothing but fun, love, and a celebration of life today.”
Tears sprang to Emme’s eyes. “So, that’s it?”
Canaan reminded her, “We haven’t communicated in over two years, and you knew what it was before that. I never made promises or lied to you, so please don’t play the victim.”
“Emme, I’ll take you to your hotel or wherever you want to go,” Saraj spoke from behind us. He nodded to Canaan before slinging his arm around Emme’s shoulders. “I got her. Do whatever you need to do. We have a practice to watch in a few hours.”
Canaan smiled in relief, and I mouthed, “Thank you.”
Saraj picked up her bags while Emme tucked her head into his chest. As soon as they were out of sight, Canaan pulled me into a hug and rubbed my back. “We good?”
I mumbled against his chest. “Why didn’t you tell her we’re pretending to be engaged?”
“The same reason you didn’t. Why tell her it’s fake when it’s become real?”
Still exhausted from the brief exchange with Emme, I looked up at him and gave a half smile. “You think you know me?”
“I do, and when I saw you charge out of the house like a raging bull, I knew you loved me regardless of whether you ever tell me.” He brushed his lips against mine. “I really do have to go, and you have a long agenda today.”
I eased out of his arms and lightly pushed him away. “Way too much to do, and you need to focus, mister.”
“Why?” he grinned broadly.
“Because you have a time to beat.” I winked and returned inside the house—now sure that I loved Canaan Jackson, and that he deserved all of me.