21. Kioni
Kioni
I desperately try to calm my racing heart while I wait for Sam to get out of the bathroom.
She kissed me.
Holy fuck…she kissed me.
I cover my grin with my hand and lean back against the wall.
This feels like my first kiss all over again.
Like she wiped away any memories that lingered of anyone else’s lips that had ever touched mine.
I’m not sure who was more surprised by her actions, me or her.
Probably her. I always knew this would happen, just didn’t know when.
The sound of the door has me straightening.
A blush creeps across her cheeks when our eyes connect.
“Can we finish our dance, or are you ready to go home?” I ask, giving her the crook of my elbow. She threads her arm around mine, and I walk her back outside.
“Umm—I—” she stutters.
“Breathe, Red. There’s no right or wrong answer. Just what makes you comfortable.”
“Okay,” she whispers. “I want to ride.”
She needs to clear her thoughts.
I jerk my head when Ryker spots us, and he follows. She’s more confident when she climbs on the back of my bike this time and doesn’t complain about her hair now that the night is over. Ryker pulls up beside us on his bike and tosses me a helmet.
“Had an extra one at my grandma’s,” he explains.
“Always looking out.” I smile, sliding it over my head and groaning inwardly when Sam snakes her arms around my middle.
I rest my hand over one of hers and look back.
“Ready?” She nods and molds her body to mine.
We take the long way to her house. She said she wanted to ride, not go home, so I’m taking advantage of her vague answer.
Unable to help myself, I keep putting my hand on top of hers or resting it on her thigh.
I rather enjoy having her as a backpack.
She squeezes me tighter when we pull into her driveway. Is she not wanting to let me go either, or is she scared that Shadow is inside?
I help her off this time instead of the dickhead next to us.
She thinks he did it to pick on her, but it was me he was after.
He wanted to see what I would do when he touched what didn’t belong to him.
Although it may have been a little towards her as well.
I think he’s starting to like her and realize why I’ve been so obsessed. She fits in with us well.
“Did you ever get cameras?” I ask, removing her helmet and smoothing down her wild hair.
“I tried.” The irritation in her voice makes me laugh.
“You tried?”
“I did order them…but when I got the notification that they were delivered, they weren’t on my porch.”
Because I removed them. Can’t have her spying on me. I only suggested she get them because it was the right thing to say at that time.
“And?” I keep the conversation going.
“I called to check if there was a mistake, but there was picture proof that they were left at the correct address and they said I should probably…get some cameras,” she grumbles the last part.
I should feel guilty for fucking with her. But she’s mine to fuck with.
“Order more.”
“Yeah…that would be pointless. I’m safe though. I promise.”
Of course you are, love. I tuck her hair behind her ear, and she shivers beneath my touch. I want to kiss her again. “Call me any time of the day or night, and I’ll be here.”
“Thanks. And thank you for inviting me tonight. I had a lot of fun.” She nibbles her bottom lip, replaying our little interaction, and I have to use all the willpower I have to not make it happen again.
I don’t want to push her too quickly and risk her withdrawing from me.
This is new to her. I can wait. I’m a patient woman when it comes to getting what I want.
I kiss her forehead. “Good night, Sam.”
“Good night, Kioni.” She smiles up at me, her eyes lingering on mine for a moment longer before finally walking to her door and waving to Ryker, which he returns.
When the door is shut, he turns to me. “What happened between you two?”
“She kissed me,” I say, as if I still can’t believe it.
“So… sunshine is also moonlight. Hmm. Can we share?”
“I’ll fucking stab you,” I threaten. “Right in the fucking dick.” He laughs and zips out of the driveway. I wait until the bedroom and bathroom lights flick on before I speed away to catch up to him.
The short ride is uncomfortable without Sam glued to my back.
I wonder what she will think when she discovers that we live only a street away from her?
It’ll make sense how I could come and go so easily.
I park my bike in the garage and pull up her cameras when I get to my bedroom.
It’s routine now…to be with her in the evenings, even when I’m not actually there.
Showering and brushing our teeth together.
Sometimes we even climb into bed at the same time.
The sound of her breathing always puts me to sleep.
She’s my beautiful sound machine. How she has not spotted the camera next to her bed is beyond me.
It’s tiny, but if you look hard enough, you’d find it.
She’s already in bed by the time I climb under my own covers. It appears the day has overwhelmed her. I turn up the volume on my laptop so I can hear the soft music more clearly.
“I’ll see you in the morning, baby” I whisper falling asleep with her next to me.