Текст книги "The Scheme"

Автор книги: Mia Kayla

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Текущая страница: 12 (всего у книги 18 страниц)

FOURTEEN

KENDY

His kiss left me breathless, making my heart pitter-patter against my chest, and there was something behind it that I couldn’t put my finger on. It was the type of kiss that was frightening yet addicting all at the same time. Either way, it made me want more, something I wasn’t used to.

We stood under the moonlight, lips locked like we were on our own movie set. I sensed people around us, passing us by, but I didn’t care as I melted into his arms. After a moment, he slowed to a few pecks, pulled back, and the look he gave me made goose bumps break out along my skin. There was such reverence in his eyes; his look alone made me feel . . . cherished, a feeling that seemed so foreign to me.

Letting go of my face, he reached for my hand and intertwined our fingers. As he stepped away, the energy from that kiss left my body.

My shoulders slumped, my body exhausted from the long week. I was overworked, tired of constantly chasing James, and tired of missing home. My feet hurt, my back hurt, and I needed sleep.

“I’m tired.” It slipped out before I even had a chance to stop it. I sounded like such a party pooper, when I had practically begged him to go out.

“I’m taking you home,” he said sweetly.

I laughed, because I didn’t think he’d heard me correctly. “I said I’m tired. I think taking me home is going to equate to being more tired after you work me out. Plus, you have that proposal and big client meeting tomorrow.”

He let out a low chuckle. “I just wanted to make you some homemade hot cocoa. You know, bring some Bowesville here.”

Homemade hot cocoa? Made from scratch?

I swooned, my knees growing weak. The selfish yet homesick side of me wanted him to come over, but my reasonable side didn’t want him to be tired at work.

“Plus,” he said, “I need to run to the grocery store, since I’m out of condoms.”

I pulled back so I could see if he was kidding. “We’ve used a box of condoms? How big was the box?”

“Pretty big.” His smile turned devilish. “And yes . . . we’re out.”

I shook my head, smiling. “You know what? Hot cocoa sounds so good right about now.”

***

BRIAN

As the cab pulled up to the local mart, I took her hand again, stepped out, and led us through the doors.

Funny how easy my lie had been. Now she thought I knew how to make hot cocoa from scratch. Hell no, I had no clue, but I wasn’t about to tell her that.

Before we’d hopped into the cab, she had excused herself to take her evening call from her mama. That’s when I’d Googled how to make authentic hot cocoa. I would fake it for this girl. It was that or go home, and I wasn’t ready to leave her yet.

I was conflicted because I had that important call and proposal, but being with Kendy, spending more time with her, outweighed work at the moment. I’d probably regret it tomorrow morning when exhaustion hit me, but right now, it didn’t matter.

“Alrighty, where are we off to?” Kendy asked, stuffing her phone into her oversized purse. It was amazing how much shit a girl could fit in those things. The oversized accessory reminded me of my sisters.

“Baking aisle.” I took a screen shot of the recipe. The first recipe I saw was Nutella Hot chocolate. It looked so damn delicious I couldn’t resist.

If Google said it was the best, I doubted they’d lie. Hope rose within me, thinking this was one of the many ways I was going to win her over. By making her the best hot cocoa, better even than her mama’s. That was the goal, at least.

“You’re going to make me homemade, fresh from scratch hot cocoa?” She popped her hip out and raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “And I’m not talking about that dirt in a can that you mix with milk.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I said with a nod. “It’s going to be the best. I can guarantee it. You allergic to nuts?”

“Not your nuts.” She tugged on my belt suggestively, making me laugh.

“Not the kind of nuts I’m talking about.”

“Nope. I’m not allergic.” She laughed. “And I love all kinds of nuts.”

***

KENDY

Brian was on a mission. I couldn’t help but be impressed that this young man knew his way around a grocery store. I mean, it wasn’t hard to make hot cocoa, but still. How many twenty-five year old guys made anything but frozen meals at home?

He searched the aisle twice before stopping in front of the baking section then grabbed the Hershey cocoa powder and cinnamon and placed it in the shopping cart.

I tugged at his shirt, forcing him to look down at me. “Cinnamon?”

“Trust me,” he replied, bending down to kiss me on the lips.

“Okay.” I waved my hand for him to lead the way as I pushed the cart beside him.

We walked a few steps down before he dropped another ingredient into the cart.

“Marshmallows.” He threw me his boyish smile before walking ahead of me.

I continued to follow him up and down and through the aisles as he dropped every ingredient in while also announcing to the world what it was.

“Nutella.”

“Vanilla Extract.”

“Sugar.”

My eyes zoned in on his tight ass. He was getting me hot and bothered. Anyone could tell he worked out, and he had the ass of Hercules. I loved the feel of it clenching between my hands when he’d come.

“All right. I think we’re done here.”

I curled my finger in a ‘come hither’ gesture. “We’re missing one last thing.” I pointed to the economy box of condoms that I’d grabbed earlier.

His smile turned devilish, and I hooked one finger around the loop of his jeans. “You’re going to make me hot cocoa, which reminds me of home.” I kissed him gently, outlining his lips with the tip of my tongue. “And then I’m going to ride you like I’m at the rodeo, make you come, and bring you home.” I closed my eyes and kissed him with reckless abandon. I wasn’t quite sure what he was doing to me . . . but I liked it.

***

Brian followed me into my place with his bags of goodies. The clock on the microwave flashed eleven-thirty p.m., and I released a silent sigh, thanking the heavens that I didn’t have work tomorrow. But then I bit the inside of my cheek, remorse eating my insides, knowing Brian had that big client call tomorrow morning.

The selfish part of me wanted to spend all night with him, sweating up a storm, but I knew he had to get going.

“What’s the matter?” he asked, setting the bag down on my kitchen island. He pulled out the ingredients, placing them on the counter one by one. “What’s the sad face for, Princess?”

I smiled at his endearment. “You need to get your proposal done, and I’m feeling a little guilty about forcing you to watch that zombie movie.”

His eyebrows pulled together as though he was thinking of his deadline, but in the next moment, he shook it off. “Don’t worry.”

“No, really, Brian, we have all the ingredients. Maybe we should just continue another night.”

“I’m a big boy. I can handle my business.”

He reached into my overhead cupboard for a pan. I didn’t know if I should feel happy that he knew where everything was, or if that indicated just how blurred our relationship was starting to get.

“Brian . . .” I started to protest.

He gave me a pointed look. “Push in that lip of yours, or I’m going to bite it.”

As commanded, I stopped pouting.

“Kendy, I’m the type of man to always get things done. Even if it takes me the whole night,” he said with another mischievous look.

I flushed because I knew how much stamina Brian truly had. I was sure he was talking about doing an all-nighter for work, but my mind had strayed into the land of dirty. “Oh, I know.”

He winked before turning to the stove and pouring some milk into the pan. Then he pulled out his phone, checked something, maybe a text. I noticed he’d been glancing at his cell frequently, and I couldn’t help but wonder who’d be texting him this late.

Without warning, the green-eyed monster rose to the surface. I was about to ask him, but really I had no right. I had made that loud and clear these last few weeks.

So, in sneaky Kendy fashion, I advanced toward the stove to see if I could get a glimpse of his phone. I didn’t like someone else having his attention when he was here with me. I, at least, had that argument.

As he stirred the milk and scooped out the cocoa powder from the jar, I stepped behind him and wrapped my arms around his middle, my hands moving under his shirt and palming the span of his six-pack.

Instantly, the horny little devil came out to play. My hands moved south as he continued to stir. I rubbed the front of his pants, and he hardened at my touch, his length standing at attention.

He moved from my grasp, grabbed my hand, and pressed a kiss to my palm. “You’re never going to taste this hot cocoa if you don’t slow down.” He bent down to meet my lips and spun back to the stove.

When he picked up his phone again, I felt irritated, because I couldn’t get a good glimpse at the screen.

After he opened the cinnamon and shot two dashes into the pot, I finally asked, “Who’s texting you this late?” I tried using a sweet and curious tone, hoping he didn’t hear the jealously in my voice.

“Trey.” I didn’t miss his hesitation before he answered and then poured the sugar in the pan.

He was the worst liar.

For the first time, I was realizing I always talked about my doctor, but Brian never talked about another woman. I had never asked him if he was seeing someone else, and for some reason I couldn’t imagine Brian with another girl. Not like he couldn’t get any, I just assumed he was too busy with his job. Though he wasn’t solely mine, the thought made my chest hurt.

I stepped back while he hummed to himself. As he stirred his concoction, the scent of chocolate filtered through the air, and my whole body stiffened.

There were always the three days when I was working where he could maintain a relationship. If there was a girl, I wondered who this chick was. Was she beautiful? Blonde or brunette? Was she taller than me? Maybe someone who worked for the bank, like Beth?

I was making up all these different scenarios in my head, and it was starting to drive me bonkers. When he focused on his phone again, an almost growl escaped my throat. I unbuttoned my shirt and threw it on the counter, disposing of my bra in the process, then slipped off my jeans and underwear and stood naked behind him.

He squinted, so focused on his phone that he didn’t even notice me without an article of clothing on.

Then he reached to the overhead cupboard and grabbed two cups. “All done,” he said, twisting toward me and reaching for the pot to pour the warm, light brown liquid into the mugs.

Abruptly, he spilled some of the drink on the counter as his eyes greedily roamed my body. “Ow, shit,” he said, before dropping the pot onto the stove. “Jeez, Kendy, I’m gonna have third degree burns because of you.”

He held his finger with his hand, and I reached for it. “Does it hurt?” I asked seductively. “Because as you know, I am a nurse . . . with healing capabilities. I can make your boo-boo go away.”

He didn’t respond, but his eyes darkened when I stepped forward. Without losing eye contact, he turned off the stove behind him, and a ripple of excitement coursed through me.

I guess my hot cocoa will have to wait.

Taking his finger between my lips, I sucked hard and was rewarded by his deep intake of breath. As I sucked his finger in and out of my mouth, a delicious shudder went through me.

When I released him, we crashed together, his tongue down my throat as both of our hands worked on his belt. I pulled back, coming up for air as he dropped his jeans and stepped out of them. I reached for the hem of his shirt, peeling it off his body, and he complied by lifting his arms and tossing it behind him.

The bright florescent light from the kitchen heated up the room even more as it highlighted every defined muscle on his toned body. It was odd, but we’d never had sex under this much light.

I didn’t have time to be self-conscious as Brian picked me up by my waist, my legs wrapping around him as our lips crashed together again. He gently eased me onto the kitchen island as his lustful eyes raked over me. With one powerful hand, he trailed his fingers from my neck to my stomach to the swell of my hips, finally touching my core. He slipped a finger in me without warning as he trailed kisses along my stomach. I moaned, my back instinctively arching at the sensations running through my body.

I bit my lip and peered down at him as he watched my reaction. My moans increased with each passing second as his stroking fingers sent jolts of pleasure throughout me. And the louder I got, the more intense his movements became. His warm tongue dipped into my navel, then moved to my hip, and then to my thigh and lower, until I felt him kissing my inner thigh. When his tongue reached my center, I gripped the tips of his hair, not knowing what else to do.

I raised my bottom, coercing him to go deeper. “Brian,” I exhaled. I wasn’t going to last long. Not when his mouth was working its magic.

***

BRIAN

Her body was exquisite, beautiful. The light illuminated her curvy figure perfectly, and the flawless span of her skin had me wanting to lick every part of her. The way she writhed under my hold had my cock ready to burst.

My tongue teased her sensitive nub, and I tightened my grip on her thighs, knowing she was close. As many times as we’d been together, I’d memorized her movements, knew when she was about to come. Losing patience, I slipped my finger in as my tongue moved with sensual purpose. I need to be in her. Soon.

Then, with one more flick against her sensitive clit, she came undone, screaming my name so loud her body shivered in ecstasy. Then I withdrew myself and reached for the box of condoms on the counter, thankful I’d remembered we’d ran out.

I slipped it over my length as she came down from her high, her breathing still erratic. I didn’t even wait for her to come back to reality before I swept her up.

She hooked her arms and legs around me as I carried her, our lips crashing together.

“I want you again,” she said breathlessly.

“Good, because I’m far from done with you.”

This girl was insatiable and, if anything, I was ready to give her what she needed, and be here to satisfy her every desire.

She pressed herself against me. I didn’t even make it to the bedroom as I crushed her within my embrace, pushed her against the wall, and entered her.

I bit her lip as I slowly moved in and out of her. The slapping of skin echoed through her apartment as our tongues danced against each other.

“Move to the couch,” she begged, gripping my hair tighter, pulling at the ends like she wanted to rip it out by its roots.

I wheeled around, obeying her command and, when I dropped to the couch, we lost connection. She moved from beneath me, pushed me back to a sitting position, and then she straddled me, riding my length hard like she’d promised earlier in the grocery store.

My mouth circled around one of her breasts, sucking and teasing her nipples as she bounced up and down my length.

When her movements became erratic, my lips lost contact with her body, letting my head fall back. “Shit.” That familiar sensation rose up, intensifying, starting from the base of my shaft.

Gripping her by the waist, I controlled her movements. I lifted my head and saw the stark blue eyes of the hottest woman alive. As hard as it was, I refused to come before she did.

I felt the contractions beginning in her core, which relieved me, because I didn’t know how much longer I could hold off. She let out a loud moan as she moved faster, wrapping her arms around me, and burying her head into my neck as she shivered, her orgasm taking control and taking me with her.

The pleasure was pure and explosive. We held onto each other as our panting subsided then I swept her hair to the side and kissed a searing path down her neck and shoulders.

I trailed my fingers down her delicate back and cuddled with her, feeling whole having her in my arms. Somewhere deep inside me, I knew we were breaking the rules. And before I realized what I was doing, I almost broke the biggest rule of them all. It was on the tip of my tongue, those three little words which would reveal how I felt about her.

When I was in this woman’s vicinity, all logic flew out the door. I knew what I needed to get done for tomorrow’s meeting, yet when I was with her, nothing else mattered except being with her. She completed me in a way I hadn’t realized I needed, until she’d flown into my life. Now I didn’t know what I’d do without her in it.

I whispered softly into her neck. “Kendy, I . . .” But I couldn’t say it. It would freak her out.

I thought I’d been here before—in love. But I knew I hadn’t, because an undeniable connection drew me to this woman like nothing I’d ever experienced, and this time, I couldn’t fathom walking away. Either way, I knew this was where I was with this girl. She was what I wanted.

***

KENDY

Still in my post-orgasmic state, I lay back on the couch as my body relaxed and turned into Jell-O. Everything was absolutely perfect. Brian was absolutely perfect. And not only did we have hot, skin-slapping sex, I still had his hot cocoa to look forward to.

I was in absolute heaven, resting against him, when he almost dropped the bomb of all bombs. I knew what he was about to say. The emotion was written all over his face, and it was something I was not ready for. Something that we had decided could not happen.

“I . . . I,” he whispered, causing me to still in his arms.

I stopped breathing. Stopped moving. Just stopped.

As crazy as it seemed, even though we’d talked on and on about what we were to each other—of what we weren’t, rather—and although I continually gushed about James, a part of me would want to say it back if he did.

Over these last few weeks, I’d realized I’d never felt such emotion toward another guy since . . . since Cole.

Cole . . . Cole . . . Cole.

The moment his name resurfaced, I froze.

I knew more than anyone that love could lie, make you think you felt something when you didn’t. I clenched my jaw as nausea settled in my stomach.

Standing up, I avoided Brian’s gaze. This was exactly why I couldn’t fall for him. Love was scary; love could be wrong. Love was blind. One minute, it elevated you to an unbelievable high, and the next, it could crush you to the ground, leaving you broken. Most of all, love was uncontrollable, and that was one thing I promised I wouldn’t relinquish—control.

I kissed his cheek and headed to the bathroom. “That was amazing, lover boy,” I teased, thanking the heavens that those words hadn’t slipped out.

***

BRIAN

I stared at her retreating, naked form then went to the garbage and disposed of the condom.

Ah, fuck.

I can’t believe I almost did that. But I couldn’t help how I felt, and a huge part of me wanted to throw open that bathroom door and tell her, make her believe me. Because then she’d know. She’d know that I was utterly in love with her.

But I knew my calmer side needed to chill out and give her some time.

I decided I would continue to break every damn rule in her book from this day forward until she was my girl. I had almost broken the most important rule. It was only a matter of time before she heard it.

One thing was certain—I was not going down without a fight.

FIFTEEN

KENDY

I stared at the red numbers on my digital clock and gripped the pillow tighter to my chest. Brian had texted and called, but I hadn’t returned either. He most likely wanted to tell me goodnight or that he’d gotten home okay. Nothing too personal, but I couldn’t get past the ‘almost’ that’d happened tonight. I didn’t know what I was going to do with him or with our relationship.

As juvenile as it sounded, I needed my mama, but if I called her, she’d be on the first flight from O’Hare International Airport.

Instead, I picked up my phone, my fingers hovering over a different name on the screen. I knew she’d be sleeping, but I needed to talk to someone right now.

“Kendy?” Beth asked, her voice groggy. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah,” I whispered, even though I knew she knew everything was not okay. I wouldn’t be calling her in the wee hours of the morning if everything was okay.

“Kendy!” she said louder, making me jump. “What’s the matter?”

Kent’s voice boomed in the background, trying to calm her down.

The last time I had called her in a panic was to tell her that our Nana had died, so I made sure to have a relaxed voice this time.

“Relax, Beth. No one’s dead. I’m pregnant,” I said, trying to break my own mood.

She didn’t say anything, but I pictured her jaw on the floor. “Is it Brian’s?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

My attempt to turn a dreary conversation into comical one had turned plain awkward. “I’m kidding,” I said softly, grimacing at the reality of that possibility. I was not ready for kids. Let alone having them with . . . well, with someone I was not going to spend the rest of my life with.

Her soft voice was muffled against the phone. A door shut in the background, and then there was silence. “Does he know?” she asked, her voice more level.

I shook my head, realizing maybe if I was, it would make it easier. There would be one clear-cut choice. My mama wouldn’t have me knocked up and single. That was not what we did where we were brought up. I’d be shunned to the ends of the earth.

“I’m not pregnant. But it’s worse,” I finally fessed up. I collapsed on my bed, my soft down pillows surrounding me.

“Kendy,” I heard the sympathy in her tone from just one word, just how she said my name.

I wished I hadn’t called. “I’m sorry. Seriously, what was I thinking calling you this early in the morning? Especially since you have to work in a few hours.”

“It’s me, Kendy. Your best friend. Spill it. Your story can’t be any crazier than mine.”

I nodded as I recalled Beth’s path in life. She had been through her own set of trials and had a funny way of fixing them. I was just glad it had all worked out for her.

“I’m staying on this phone until you tell me what’s going on.” Determination was set in her tone.

She would, too. We’d been best buddies since childhood and nothing had changed. There was no one else I trusted more.

“I think . . .” I shook my head at the reality of it all. As soon as I let those words slip out of my mouth, I knew I couldn’t take them back. They’d be true. Vocalization of thoughts only solidified the truth.

“I think I’m in love with Brian.” I rushed out the words in one quick breath and closed my eyes as my heartbeat throbbed in my ears.

It was silent at first, and then I heard it.

Laughter.

Beth was laughing at my freaking misfortune. Before I chewed her out for being a lousy friend, she laughed again.

“Thanks for nothing,” I grouched, ready to end our phone call. I had called to gain some sort of sympathy from my cousin and closest confidant, but instead, I was getting ridiculed.

“Stop! I’m not laughing at you. I’m smiling, because you’ve finally found your someone. I knew you’d fall for him. And,” she laughed again, “Kent and I had a sort of bet going. I, obviously, predicted the outcome.”

My face was aghast. “How did you know?”

“Kendy.” Her voice turned serious. “Brian is the real deal. He’s once in a lifetime material. I know this, because, at one time, I thought he was my ‘once in a lifetime.’ I’m a true example of how you can’t choose who you fall for.”

I thought about that, while I wrestled with all these strange feelings inside me. “But what about the psychic and all she predicted? They’ve almost all come true. This doctor is it for me. He has to be.”

He had to be it for me to heal and move on from my past. I didn’t repeat the last part, but Beth knew. It didn’t have to be spoken out loud.

She sighed heavily. “Kendy, people’s futures change all the time. Yes, everything that psychic had said has come true. True to an eerie science, but that doesn’t mean your course in life hasn’t changed.”

“She was specific, Beth. You were there. You heard what she said.” I shook my head. “I can’t, Beth. He reminds me . . .” I closed my eyes, instantly seeing Brian’s face, his charming smile. “He reminds me of Cole. The way I felt for him.” And look where that had gotten me. I had trusted Cole with my heart, never realizing what a monster he truly was inside.

“Oh, honey. This is good.” She sounded elated, and I almost wanted to slap her as nausea hit me harder, just thinking about the bastard.

“No, it’s not. It’s not. “ I punched my fist against the pillow. “Did you not hear what I said? I’ll forever be broken if I choose him. He’s too close to Cole.”

“Kendy, Cole happened seven years ago,” she tried to reason. “You were dumb, naïve, and blinded by first love’s symptoms. Brian is nothing like Cole. You would’ve weeded him out by now if he was.”

“I don’t know. I’m . . . I’m scared,” I whispered, my voice leaving my mouth in broken puffs.

And maybe that was the real truth here—I was so damn scared I couldn’t see straight, not even to read my own feelings. Cole had left such a deep gash inside of me, I wondered if I’d ever truly be able to read love when it came along.

That’s why it had to be James. He was the safe choice for me. The one the psychic had predicted. He was more mature, older, and more importantly, the one she had chosen.

“Don’t let fear stop you from being happy. Unless you’re a hundred percent sure this doctor guy is it.”

But I wasn’t sure. I was realizing that I really didn’t even know him, yet I wanted to give him a chance. I needed to give him a chance to prove the psychic right, but that was beyond my control. He wasn’t even giving me a second glance lately. How could I make a guy love me? I couldn’t force a thing like that.

“Kendy, I love you. You know I do.”

I gripped the phone closer to my ear, needing to hear those words, letting them wash over me and calm me. “I know,” I exhaled, wishing I could blink her across the country and into my apartment.

“Sometimes, we only see what we want to see and miss the very thing that’s right in front of us. Don’t miss the opportunity with this awesome guy, just because you want someone else to be it for you. From experience, I know that sometimes you don’t realize the perfect guy could be right in front of you all along.”

I rubbed at my brow, still unsure.

“You don’t need to decide today. Go to sleep, honey. Let that mind of yours rest.”

“Maybe you’re right.” All of the day’s energy was leaking out of me, exhaustion hitting me straight in the face as I yawned into the phone.

“I love you, Kendy.”

“You too. Bye.” I let the phone drop onto the bed, and then turned over, taking in the scent of my pillow.

As I closed my eyes, all I could see was Brian’s handsome face as he stood over the stove, making me my hot cocoa. I hadn’t even tasted it. It was the drink that usually calmed me, but not tonight. Not when an internal battle was brewing inside me.

My heart wanted this man with such certainty; the one who made me laugh, the one who I cared for, and the one who I knew I could count on.

But my mind was fighting my heart’s every instinct, using fear as its sidekick to push down all those inner desires and screamed at me to stay in control.

And as I fell asleep, I decided I had to think with my head. Thinking with my heart would only get me hurt.

***

Brian had called all week. We had exchanged a couple of texts, but luckily I had been working back-to-back twelve-hour shifts, so I didn’t have to lie to him about not having the time to see him. As the light from the morning sun filtered through my window, my phone vibrated with a text.

Brian: Morning, Beautiful. There’s Fourth of July fireworks tonight at the East River. Wanna go? We can meet at eight, right before dusk.

After a couple of minutes, when I didn’t respond, he texted again.

Brian: I impressed the Tiggins Corp and landed a meeting with the CEO and their board members tomorrow, so I’m aiming to just go out and have fun. Put this work alcoholic out of his misery.

I sighed. How long could I avoid him? He’d know something was seriously wrong, if he didn’t think that already. And I wanted to see him, but fear was the heavy-duty steel door keeping me at a distance.

He looked nothing like Cole. Cole was tall, dark, and handsome. Brian was the all-American male with the bluest eyes—eyes that sucked you in.

Their outward appearance was nothing alike, but the way I had felt for Cole, the deep attraction and passion, was the same, or even stronger for Brian, which frightened me to no end.

But I couldn’t deny I missed him.

Without thinking, my fingers moved across the screen, texting him back. Maybe I could set him straight, reiterate what our platonic relationship entailed. Or maybe . . . I was lying to myself, and my mind was already losing the battle against my heart. Either way, I wanted to see him. If lying to convince myself that I was in control of this situation would justify meeting him, then so be it.

Me: Okay. Meet at my place.

***

BRIAN

As I knocked on her door, my palms began to sweat. I had no idea why I was so damn jittery. I wasn’t usually the nervous type, and this wasn’t a first date.

Still, I hadn’t seen Kendy in almost a week, and a part of me was a little worried, because she had been so brief over our texts. An unsettling feeling came over me. Had Stiff finally made his move? Was she done with me?

The thought of either scenario made me sick to my stomach, but I’d made the decision that I was all in with her. Just like a game of poker, even though I didn’t know if I had the winning hand, I was going to fight for her, and I’d fight dirty if I had to.

Today was the day. I was going to claim her, make her mine—tell her how I feel.

My knuckles were about to hit her door again when she opened it. At first, she seemed hesitant, and then she bit her bottom lip, a telling sign that she was nervous.

Half of her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, the rest cascading down her back. Her short shorts revealed the span of her toned legs, and her fitted Cubs T-shirt was straining against her chest, the red ‘C’ stretching to the max. She didn’t have on an ounce of makeup on, but damn was she gorgeous.

A second later, that hesitation washed away and she smiled, stepping aside to let me in. I swear if I hadn’t seen her smile before, today it would’ve knocked me on my ass.