Page 34 of Kai
"Why?" she challenged. "What possible good is that going to do? Will hearing how I cried every night for a month make things right? Or the fact that I called and you did not pick up soothe your conscience? Oh, that I spent two months out of college because I was too much of a wreck? Or that I thought and hopedI was pregnant--prayed that I was when I went for two months without having my periods? I told myself that surely if you knew I was carrying your baby, you would have no choice but to come back for me." Her breath hitched and her throat burned. "Is that what you wanted to hear?"
Grief swamped him until he could do nothing but stare at her. His face was tight with regret, his heart unsteady. The extent of what he had caused her was weighing heavy and if he was any kind of man, he would leave her the hell alone. But he couldn't. He needed her. He was inexplicably tied to her--the bond was unbreakable. He knew that now. Even after the separation, he had simply fallen into place. That first sight of her at the store had slapped everything back to where it should be. He could no more stay away from her than stop breathing. From the very beginning, there was this magnet, drawing them together.
Letting go of her chin, he pressed his forehead to hers and closed his eyes. Her anger diffused. That simple gesture was more eloquent than mere words. She could feel the pain shimmering through him. He was suffering even more than she was. She was not ready for them to go public yet and there were so many details to iron out between them, but she could no longer deny herself or him.
Wrapping her hands around his neck, she hugged him to her. Her submission tore at his heart and made him weak. Lifting his head, he did the only thing he could--he seized her lips in a kiss that rocked their very foundations.
Chapter 11
She woke just before her alarm went off and discovered the strangeness of a man in bed next to her. Taking the time to turn off the alarm, she eased herself up carefully and just sat there staring at the gorgeous specimen in her bed. He was completely naked and so was she. His skin glowed golden in the faint light coming from the bathroom. His hair was tousled from her restless and eager fingers and the sheet came up to his hips.
They had spent last night exploring each other's bodies. Drawing in a careful breath, she resisted the urge to touch him or simply crawl back into his arms. She had meetings lined up and for the first time since opening the store, she resented being the one in charge.
Kai was in her bed! She wanted to dance around the room and shout with glee. She, Maxie Leah Priestley, had a gorgeous man in her bed. More, he was the man she was completely in love with.
But first things first -- she needed caffeine. Her body was wonderfully used and aching in sensitive areas. She was also certain Kai, being the important CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company, was going to be getting up pretty soon.
Sliding off the bed, she padded towards the closet. Selecting a thin rose-colored robe, she carefully left the room and headed downstairs.
Scooping her hair into an untidy bun on top of her head, she stepped into her neat and tidy green and white kitchen and started the coffee. Waiting for the coffee to filter through, she wandered over to the window where she had planted her herbs. Picking up the watering can in the shape of a pigeon, she sprinkled water over the plants. She had to think. Obviously, she could not continue seeing Matthew and she felt the spike of guilt tearing through her heart. She really liked him, but he deserved better than to have her stringing him along. And she had to tread carefully. She was not ready to throw caution to the wind and start going public with Kai. He was a powerful man, and they had been childhood sweethearts. The press would go wild with that piece of information.
Frowning, she put away the watering can and went back to the coffee pot. Pouring a big mug, she stood there, cradling the mug and allowing the warmth to seep into her skin.
She was so deep in thought, she actually jolted when she felt arms wrapping around her waist.
"Kai."
"I hope you weren't expecting someone else." His deep voice was tinged with amusement as he nuzzled the side of her neck.
"No. I--" She breathed through her nose. "I hope I did not wake you."
"I woke up and found you gone." He nibbled at her skin, loving the taste and feel of her. "I had to come and find you."
"I needed coffee. Kai--" She had to put the cup down for fear of dropping it and splashing hot coffee all over her feet. "Would you like me to pour you-- Oh!" She let out a gasp when he spun her around and took her lips hungrily. Her hands went slack, her body limp. She simply melted, her heart quickening. The man had a mouth on him, she thought dazedly. Finding the strength, she moved in, wrapping her hands around his neck and giving as much as she was getting.
"Hmm." Ending the kiss reluctantly, he framed her face between his hands. "I love waking up to this." He trailed a finger over her left cheek. He had not bothered to put on a shirt and his hair was tumbling over his forehead.
"Me too."
His lips trailed over her cheek. "We could solve that particular problem." He was nibbling at the seams of her lips and sending heat tumbling through her.
"What problem?" Her thought process was seriously impaired.
"The one where we're not waking up to each other every morning."
"How-- Kai--" Her hands were nerveless and clutching at him.
"Move in with me."
The words managed to blow through the haze of sexual desire raging through her body and had her blinking.
"What?"
He rubbed her lips open, tongue doing dangerous things to hers. Swallowing her gasp, he deepened the kiss until she was a mass of molten desire.
Lifting his head, he brushed back the hairs from her cheeks.
"You want me to move in with you."
