Chapter 10 Kayla
KAYLA
It’s been two days since I kissed Seth, and my lips still burn whenever I think about it.
My lips burn and my core throbs and I feel restless and irritable because despite sharing the best kiss of my life, Seth hasn’t phoned or messaged me since.
I was sure there was a connection between us.
My body aches for him, and not only that, but I also keep catching myself wanting to tell him things about my day, wanting to share things with him I think he’d find funny.
Like when I accidently put chili sauce in the ketchup container because I was thinking about his hands tangling in my hair.
And I only realized when a woman shrieked after taking a bite of her sauce-laden chips.
Yeah, I thought we had a connection, but I guess I was wrong.
It’s late afternoon, and I pull the door shut to the cafe. In my hand is the bread bag, and I walk along the waterfront looking for Mr. Red and his hungry flock.
I spot them a little way along the pier, harassing a figure sitting on a bench.
My heart leaps into my chest and I stop completely still. It’s him. It’s Seth.
A hundred things happen in my body all at once. I’m nervous and excited, my stomach churning as my heart races and sweat breaks out on my brow. How can one man have such an effect on me?
I’m not sure if I should go to him or walk away. If he wanted to see me, he’d have contacted me by now. I don’t want to look like the desperate one by chasing him.
But I don’t want him to glide out of my life either.
I approach tentatively, not sure what I’ll say to him, anxious at what his response might be.
But when he turns to look at me, his eyes blaze with intensity.
“Hi,” I say.
“I couldn’t stay away.”
He looks pained, and there’s a troubled look in his eyes. I sink onto the bench next to him.
“What do you mean?”
Seth fixes his gaze on me, and a hand comes up to scoop a strand of my hair. He folds it between his fingers before tucking it behind my ear.
“I told myself I’d stay away from you, Kayla, but I couldn’t do it.”
My stomach drops. He’s not making sense.
“Why would you stay away from me?”
He looks at me for a long time like he’s trying to commit my face to memory. It makes me uneasy. I’ve only just met Seth, but I already know I want him in my life.
“Because you deserve so much better. You deserve someone whole, someone strong.”
I’m not sure what he’s talking about, why he’s decided what I do and don’t deserve, and why he thinks he doesn’t measure up.
Then it dawns on me what he must be talking about. “Do you mean your leg?”
He nods slowly.
“I’m not strong, Kayla. I’m damaged.”
He’s talking about his leg. The relief is so strong I bark out a laugh. He frowns at me, and I immediately straighten my face.
“Is that what you’re worried about?” I put my hand on his good thigh, and he shudders at the touch, his eyes fluttering shut.
“I don’t care about your leg, Seth.”
My hand runs up his hard thigh.
“I’ll show you how much I don’t care,” I whisper it in his ear, a delicious boldness coursing through me.
I feel such relief to know that’s the only reason he stayed away that it’s making me bold. And his vulnerability tugs at something deep in my gut. It makes me want to show him how much he means to me.
“Come to my apartment.”
He takes a sharp intake of breath, and his eyes fly open.
“Kayla…” It comes out as a groan as my hand moves up his thigh. “Are you sure?”
I think of all the reasons why I shouldn’t invite a man to my apartment. Because of what happened to my sister. Because I’ve only known Seth for less than a week. Because we’ve never even been on a proper date. Because I’m a virgin.
But my gut is telling me this is the right thing to do, that I’m safe with Seth and he’s the man I want to give myself to.
“Yes. I’m sure.” I take his hand and pull him up from the park bench.