10. Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Kai
B ryson and I made a good cornhole team. I couldn’t remember the last time I laughed and enjoyed myself so much. No matter how much I tried to fight it, though, I felt compelled to keep glancing at Kora. She’d intrigued me from that first day we met when she was yelling at that cow. The fire I noticed in her glare then was something that I now realized was her intense take-no-bullshit gaze and overall attitude that I really wanted to get to know more.
The brief dance we shared ignited feelings that hadn’t been lit inside me for a long while, and from the reaction of my crotch when we were close, proved I needed to know her better. “Does Kora have a boyfriend?” I asked Bryson.
Bryson gave me a quick glance, then lined up his throw. It hit the board and landed near the hole. “Nope. Hasn’t for a while.” His points were countered by the opposing team. No change in score.
Good to know. I lined up my shot and let the bag fly. It landed in the hole with just enough force to push my other bag in with it.
“Damn, dude. You’re good,” the guy next to me replied.
I shrugged. “It’s all about the aim.” I glanced over at the girls and caught Kora rolling her eyes and mouthing off at Darlene and Summer. She did that a lot, roll her eyes. It was adorable.
“Hey, Romeo, we’re almost finished. Keep your focus on the game,” Bryson said from the other side of the court.
“What’s the score?” I asked.
“We have eighteen,” Bryson answered.
I nodded. I was over this game. I lined up my bag and aimed. Swoosh. Right in the hole. Three points. Game over. “That’s game.”
Bryson gave me a high five, and we shook the opposing team’s hands, then I turned and walked away. I needed some water and to feel Kora beside me.
“Hey, we won. We can keep playing,” Bryson yelled.
I put up my hand. “Sorry. I’m done. Need a drink.” I got to the table and filled a glass from the pitcher of water and stood close to Kora. She made my testosterone rage. I always told myself that all women were good for was helping to release pent-up stress and extra energy. I’d never wanted anyone as much as I wanted Kora. It was a new sensation and one I wasn’t sure I was okay with.
“Looks like you two ruled the game,” Kora acknowledged.
I shrugged and downed the water. That tasted good. A beer would be great, but water was just fine.
Bryson’s arm draped over my shoulder. “This guy’s going to bring us the championship tomorrow night. He has amazing skills.”
“I bet he does,” Summer replied, glancing hard at Kai. “I’d like to see those skills sometime.”
I laughed and lifted my brow. Summer was a blast. You never knew what would come from her mouth. “I don’t know if I could handle you, Summer. You frighten me a little.”
“Not the first time I heard that.” Summer lifted her margarita and emptied the glass.
“Okay.” Kora placed her empty drink on the table. “This was exactly what I needed tonight, but if I want to come back and watch you two become cornhole champions, I’m gonna have to call it a night. If I stay, I’ll drink more, and if I drink more, I won’t be back out tomorrow.” She stood from the bench and wobbled a little. She reached out and grabbed hold of my arm and squeezed.
I put my arm around her waist to keep her from falling over. “You good? I don’t think you should drive.”
She nodded and patted me on the chest. She rubbed her hand up and down and sent a shock through my shirt, and the heat from her touch spread throughout my body. I glanced down at her, and our eyes met.
She bit her bottom lip.
My eyes fixed onto that lip.
“Well, I can’t drive, anyway. I came here with Darlene.”
“Well then, I can drive you home,” I offered before I thought too much about it.
“I won’t complain about that,” Kora answered, and our gazes held.
“Take care of her, Kai. Make sure she gets home safely.” Darlene wrapped me in a hug. “She’s had quite a bit to drink.”
“Whatever, Dar, I’m fine.” Kora pulled Darlene away from me and hugged her, then Summer.
“Be good,” Summer said. “But remember what I said, Kai. Take care of her, Lickalicious.” She winked and chuckled.
I didn’t miss the evil eye Kora shot in her direction. Lickalicious? That’s a new one.
I led Kora from the pub with my hand on her lower back, pressed into her to keep her stable, and helped her into the truck. When she was situated, I hopped into the driver’s seat.
I pulled away and was ready to turn toward her house when her hand landed on my arm, her nails digging into my skin. That heat was back, and my crotch woke up.
“I just remembered I don’t have my purse. I left it at the hair salon today.”
“Looks like we’re stopping in to grab it. Good thing I’ve got a key.” I turned the wheel to the left and drove across the street and to the back of the salon.
As soon as I unlocked the door, Kora went directly to the salon area. “Hey, do you want water? I have some bottles in the kitchen, or I can make some coffee,” I said in a loud enough voice so Kora could hear.
“Water would be great,” she answered.
I watched her as she checked Summer’s station. She picked up some brushes and moved an iPad. My crotch was still reacting to her touch in the truck. This could end very badly. I needed to focus on getting her home quickly.
“Hey!” She hollered and held her debit card in the air and waved it back and forth, then wiggled her hips when she lifted her purse in the air. Her perky tits bounced under her tight shirt.
She really shouldn’t have done that. My crotch seemed to like the show. Remember—get her home quickly.
“Here we go.” She placed her card in her purse and walked into the kitchen and leaned against the counter. “When Darlene and I stopped by earlier, I put it on Summer’s station.”
“Glad you found it.” I handed her water.
“Thank you.” I watched as she downed half. Her eyes were closed like she hadn’t drunk anything that delicious ever. Her eyes opened, and when they met mine, it was like the earth stopped rotating.
I moved closer, not able to tear my eyes off hers. The pull between us was impossible to ignore, and I was tired of trying.
She froze with the bottle near her lips, and I thought I might drown in her chocolate river.
“Is there something on my face?”
I shook my head and stared at a droplet of water that clung to her lips. I had an urge to lick it off but just pointed instead.
She wiped it from her mouth and brushed her hands through her hair. “My hair’s a mess.”
“No. It’s perfect. You look amazing.” My voice came out throaty and deep. I couldn’t explain what was pulling me toward her, but slowly the space between us closed.
Her tongue wiped at her bottom lip and sucked it into her mouth. That slight movement made my crotch twitch and my mouth water. I wanted my mouth on those lips. Bullshit. I wanted more than that.
She kept staring at me, and I watched as her eyes wandered up my body, then down, then back up until they latched on to mine again. “Your eyes are so crystal clear. They’re amazing. Sometimes when you look at me like you are right now, it’s like they’re seeing right into me.” Her voice quivered and her eyes got wide as though she was surprised that came from her.
I brushed a lock of hair from her face, and my fingers lingered on her cheek. The heat from her skin seeped into me, and my heart started to beat hard and fast.
She lifted her hand and brushed against the scar under my eye.
The scar was still sensitive, even after all these years, but her touch made it seem even more so. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the touch of her fingers on my skin.
Even though women often thought the scar was sexy, to me, it was a deep reminder of why love seemed like an impossible dream. It reminded me daily of why I needed to keep my distance from people, that real relationships didn’t exist.
Sex, sure. One-night stands, absolutely.
But I wasn’t the kind of guy that women wanted long term, and the scar represented a history I couldn’t involve anyone with and included skeletons I didn’t want to unleash.
I backed away and involuntarily flinched.
“Kai, what’s wrong?” There was concern in her voice.
“Nothing.” I combed my fingers through my hair and shook my head. What was I doing? I came to Orlinda Valley to start a new life, but I don't need to involve anyone in my drama. My plan was to work and live alone. My feelings were all muddled up. Kora was a wrinkle in my plan. Things were becoming difficult.
She stepped closer and again reached up and brushed her finger over the scar. “What happened? How’d you get this?”
I grabbed her hand. This needed to stop. “Don’t. It’s not something I have any desire to discuss.”
Kora’s eyes filled with something I couldn’t pinpoint. “Kai, I want to get to know you. I don’t know what caused this scar, but it’s intriguing and it can’t be that bad, but even if it is, it doesn’t matter.” She closed the little gap between us and licked her lips. “The scar’s old. Whatever happened is in the past.”
She was right. I couldn’t let the past ruin my life forever. I promised my sister before she drove away that I would try and find happiness. That’s why I came here, so far from home. To start over.
But finding a relationship? That wasn’t the plan.
These feelings were definitely not part of the plan.
I reached out and brushed her hair off her shoulder. “Trust me. You may not like the answer you get. This scar is the remnant of a bad home life. A past I’d rather forget.” I tried to clear the memories that invaded my consciousness. “Something you wouldn’t understand.”
“My life wasn’t perfect. My parents got divorced when I was young. My mom left and I hardly ever saw her.” Kora placed her hands on my chest. “My dad worked hard, and with my Aunt Tonya and the close community, yeah, I had a good life, but it wasn’t perfect.”
I rubbed my thumbs along her jawline. The air became thick with need, and electricity rippled between us.
I needed to do what I promised Darlene I would do. Get Kora home safely.
I hardly knew her. This wasn’t a good idea. She wasn’t someone to have a fling with. If I wanted that, I could go get Barb. I needed to ignore whatever this was and get my body under control.
Yet nothing in me could step away.
Her gaze burned into me, and the pull between us became stronger. Her lips looked delicious, and when she licked them again, I couldn’t ignore her any longer. The desire I had been fighting since that first day on the side of the road became the focus. “I’m sorry. I know this is wrong.” I placed my lips on hers. They were soft and warm just like I thought they would be.
The kiss started soft for a split second until the electricity between us exploded. I forced her lips open with my tongue and she readily obliged. Our tongues danced together. She tasted like the mint gum she had been chewing.
Her hands wrapped around my neck and gripped tightly in my hair as the kiss deepened. That’s all the encouragement I needed.
I pulled her firmly against me and knew immediately that she could feel how badly I wanted her. I pushed her up against the newly built wall and lifted her. She wrapped her legs around my waist as I trailed kisses down her throat and dragged my tongue across her collar bone. She tasted like the sweetest dessert I had ever had. I pushed the strap of her tank top off her shoulder and brushed my hand down her arm. Her skin was as soft as silk.
“Kora.” I broke our connection and made sure her feet were firmly on the floor. I needed to get control before this went any further. She’d had a lot to drink and may need to think this through.
“Kai, don’t stop. I want you. I need you. Now. I cannot wait another second. Whatever this is between us is driving me crazy.” She stared deep into my eyes, desire blazing from hers. Her chest raised and lowered quickly.
I couldn’t believe the words that just came from her. This woman was so sexy, yet so out of my league. But God, I wanted her. “Are you sure?” I would not be the one to take advantage of a woman.
She nodded, and her mouth ticked up in a sexy-as-hell smile.
That smile sent heat right to my groin. “If at any time, you change your mind, just say the word, and I’ll stop.”
“Kai, shut the fuck up. I want you. If you want me, you can have me. You can have every fucking inch of me.” She crushed her mouth to mine in the hottest kiss of my memory.
Things went from warm to hotter than an incinerator in less than the time it took for me to scoop her up and carry her through the kitchen to the back room that was my bedroom. I laid her on the bed as gently as I could muster and watched intently as she lifted her brow and bit her bottom lip—that sexy gesture made my crotch twitch. Then she lifted her shirt over her head and tossed it across the room.
Her breasts were amazing. “Damn, girl.” My voice came out low and desperate.
She curled her finger in a come here motion. I straddled her, careful not to put my full weight on her legs, and stripped my shirt over my head, then crushed my lips to hers.