Page 58 of Wild Blades

“We should have met your friends and mine for brunch. We could have had a six-some and would have started the day right.”

“My day started perfectly.”

My day started perfectly.I’m biting my tongue to prevent myself from asking if it was because I woke up in his bed. I don’t suppose so. It’s wishful thinking on my behalf.

“Ellis and Joy said they had fun last night.”

Wade chuckles. “I bet they did. I haven’t heard from either of my friends today, which I am taking as a good sign.”

I run my hands through my hair. “It’s weird how in sync my friends and I are. We all got divorced within the space of six months of each other and we are all now devastatingly single. Maybe me meeting you and them meeting your friends was all meant to be.”

“You don’t actually believe in any of that shit, do you?”

“I believe in fate, and everything being meant for a reason.”

“So, you think catching Michael in your bed with Darcy Humberston and breaking your heart was all meant for a reason? To teach you a life lesson or something equally universal and cosmic?” His directness catches me off guard.

Heat spreads through my body, making me feel uncomfortable. It’s so embarrassing. How could one of the world’s top supermodels, classed as one of the most beautiful women in the world, get cheated on? I assume that’s what Wade is thinking right now, and I hate it.

“I read it online. I knew he cheated on you, but you told me more of the story last night when you were drunk. What an asshole.” He pauses, his eyes locking on mine. “If you were mine, I would never cheat on you, Kali.” His sincerity is evident in the low and steady tone of his voice. “I’d fall at your feet and worship you. That’s what he should have done.”

Catching me off guard, my hands move to my chest as a gasp leaves it.

He’s far from a poetic man, but his words burn into my brain, and it makes me want to be more daring than I am. My body aches to move closer to him. To lean in and kiss him.

But I shouldn’t.

Can’t.

Won’t.

Most definitely would like to.

I turn away, in an attempt to avoid the serious route our conversation is taking. Although I did ask for this; a day together to get to know one another better.

We’re two professionals working together. There is no likelihood forif you were mine. He’s far too young for me anyway. Maybe for a bit of fun, but nothing serious.

To avoid any awkwardness, I steer us back on course. “Show me what you got.” I point to the axe throwing stall. “Suddendeath.” I place my feet on the floor and wiggle my toes inside my new black and white Nike Dunks I was somehow talked into buying by Wade. Just as well we did, or I would never have been allowed to throw an axe with the open-toe heels I had on from last night.

I've turned into a dirty all nighter, without the dirty part. Ain’t that a shame?

“I’m going to whoop your ass, Wade Collins.” Walking over to the stall, I try shaking off the feeling that something has shifted between us. As if our confessions have brought us closer together or pushed us further apart. I can’t work it out. And this is why I never mix business with pleasure. Perhaps it was a stupid idea of mine to spend time together outside of work.

“When you throw yours, imagine it’s my face. Because you’re not going to like the next animal sanctuary visit I have planned for you next week.” I whoop with glee as I push my hands in the air in mock celebration.

Lifting my axe off the ground, I get in the zone and focus on the target like an Olympian javelin thrower who is going for gold. “If I hit this and you miss your next shot, I win the game.” I look back over my shoulder at him as I line myself up with the marker on the ground.

“I won’t miss.” Confidence shoots out of his mouth. “Whose face are you imagining?” He walks over to the edge of the stall, crosses his arms in front of him and stands wide.

“Yours,” I joke.

“No, you’re not. Deep down, I think you like me.”

“It’s sweet of you to think that way, but I don’t. You’re a pain in my ass.”

I’d like him to spank me and cause pain across the skin of my ass.

Oopsie. There go those crazy thoughts again.

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