Page 153 of Heir

Kai noticed me as soon as we stepped onto the small platform leading up to where we had been sitting.

He stood and held out his arms for me.

I moved into them right away, letting his scent and warmth comfort me.

“Okay?”

I nodded. “Yeah. Where’s the waitress?”

His jaw clenched. “She’s fired.”

So she had done it on purpose.

Kai waited for me to ask about his relationship with her, and I was about to when I realized it didn’t matter.

He was with me now, and whatever his past had been, the only important thing was that he was my future, and that was all there was to it.

* * *

I giggledand took a sip of my beer.

I was sitting alone at the table with Dominic. Micah had left early, and no one was sure where he was going off to at this time of night. Emmy was in the bathroom, and Roman and Ryleigh were dancing in a small corner, looking at each other as if they were the only ones in the world. Kai had gone to the bar to order me some food.

I wasn’t as nervous with Dominic as I would have been had I not already drank one and a half bottles of beer.

I watched Kai intently as one of the club brothers approached him and started a conversation.

I smiled a little when he threw his head back and laughed.

“Thank you,” Dominic said gruffly, bringing my attention to him.

He was watching me with soft blue eyes.

“For what?” I asked, my tongue feeling heavy.

He patted my shoulders gently. “For bringing the smile back to my son’s face.”

I blinked, tears forming.

“Of course,” I said thickly. “That’s not something you have to thank me for.”

“I know, sweetheart. I’m still grateful.”

I closed my eyes and moved a little closer to him. He wrapped his arm around me, and for a moment, I was transported to a time when my dad was alive, holding me the same way Dominic was.

And I vowed that I would always try my best to put a smile on Kai’s face.

No matter what.

25

GEMMA

I wokeup in the morning with Kai sleeping soundly beside me.

He was on his stomach, his bare muscular back showing, his head buried deep in the crease on the pillow just by my neck, and he had one large arm slung over me.

He was facing me, and I could feel him every time he breathed out, tickling my skin.

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