Page 19 of Rival for Rent
Bella barked once, but I didn’t hear anything else. Shit. Maybe he wasn’t home. He probably wasn’t—he had money, a real job, a life. Unlike me, his evenings were probably full of social engagements or meetings or whatever rich, important people did with their time.
I knocked again. Bella’s body thumped against the door, and she whined like she knew it was me, but there was still no sign of Kai.
Well, I’d made the effort. Dana couldn’t say I hadn’t tried. One more knock, then I’d leave.
I raised my hand and rapped my knuckles on the wood. Bella gave another, single bark, and I heard her paws scratch at the bottom of the door as she whimpered.
“Sorry, girl,” I said, raising my voice so she could hear me. “I’d pet you if I could. But since it’s just you and me, I guess I gotta say goodbye.”
I turned to go, then heard Bella erupt in a full-throttle barkfest, along with some excited yips, and another couple body slams against the door.
“I’m coming, I’m coming, you ridiculous creature,” came Kai’s voice from the other side of the door. “You’re not going to make me open it any faster by giving yourself a concussion.”
His voice was exasperated but warm. Something unfurled in my chest like sunlight breaking over my shoulders. I shook it off. No time for feelings. Especially not those.
The door opened, and there he was.
I don’t know what I’d been expecting. I’d just seen Kai last night. But somehow, it felt like I hadn’t seen him in months. His slim frame, dark hair, and fiery eyes struck me, and something in me surged forward. I actually had to catch myself on the doorframe.
He didn’t say anything. He just stared at me as I tried to wrest control of my limbs back from whatever alien had suddenly taken a hold of my body. He didn’t look surprised, exactly. But his expression said he had nothing to say to me—and doubted I could say anything he’d care to hear.
Bella, completely unaware of the tension, did her best to wedge between his legs.
“Hey, girl,” I said, crouching to scratch her head. Kai shifted, nudging her back with one knee. I stood up as he straightened.
“Well?” he said flatly.
“I need to talk to you,” I said. “I know you probably don’t want to see me”—understatement of the year—“but I need to talk. And we probably shouldn’t do this out here.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Why not? I’m sure whatever you have to say won’t take long.”
“Because someone tried to stab you last night?” I said, frustration bleeding into my voice. I knew I was supposed to be apologizing, but Jesus, he got under my skin like no one else. “Do you have to make this difficult?”
“I’m the one making this difficult?” he said, his tone sharp. “You’re the one who—” He stopped, lips twisting. I watched him inhale slowly, then exhale. “No. I promised myself I wasn’t going to let you do this to me again.”
“Do what to you?” I asked, confused.
He sighed. “Forget it. Just…come in, I guess, if you’re going to.”
He turned and walked away, leaving the door open and Bella suddenly freed. She jumped up, putting her front paws on my chest.
“At leastsomeone’shappy to see me,” I whispered, petting her and making kissy faces. “Aren’t you?” I glanced at Kai’s retreating back. “I don’t suppose you want to convince him I’m not such a bad guy, do you?”
She licked my chin.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” I nudged her off gently. “Come on. We’d better get this over with.”
I followed Kai inside and closed the door behind me, my eyes sweeping over the bright, curated interior of his house. It had been dimly lit last night, but this evening, all the lights were on.
Everything looked expensive. Tasteful. The furniture was clean-lined and modern, the art on the walls lit by perfect, discreet accent lights. There was a fireplace, which wasn’t unusual for a place this old, but it was laid with real wood logs, suggesting it still worked.
Kai was already moving, cutting across the living room into the kitchen. I trailed behind, trying not to let my boots scuff the immaculate floors. The kitchen might’ve been even more impressive than the living room—white cabinets, all-new stainless steel appliances, gleaming like showroom models. There were double ovens, a wine fridge, and marble countertops that looked like they’d never even been leaned on.
A bowl of lemons and limes sat in the center of the kitchen island, looking so perfect I actually reached out to touch one to see if it was real. Of course it was. God forbid Kai Jacinto do something as low-class as display fake fruit.
The dining room off the kitchen looked like something out of a home design magazine. A massive table made from dark, richly grained wood dominated the space, surrounded by matching heavy chairs. Abstract paintings filled the walls—none of them prints or posters. You could see the actual brushstrokes. Built-in bookshelves flanked the far wall, filled with leather and cloth-bound books that probably weren’t just for show.
Beyond the dining room, sliding glass doors led to the backyard. It was strange back there. A straight brick pathway ran through the middle of a lawn so precisely mown it looked like artificial turf. There was nothing else. No furniture, no landscapingbeyond the grass. Just the grass, a gate, and a wall of red brick enclosing the yard. It gave me a weird feeling, like something was off, even though I couldn’t put my finger on what.
