Page 17 of Fighting For Light
I thought it would be fun to go to a club while we’re in Vegas. I’ve never been much for gambling, but I’ve heard some crazy things about the club scene. The rumors were right. It’s wild in here. Someone’s snorting a line off a woman’s boobs, people are making out everywhere, and couples are grinding all throughout the dance floor.
The man I’m dancing with is cute. He’s someone I probably would have gone for if Kai wasn’t right there. But he is. My plan to be alone with Kai is backfiring spectacularly. The goal was to make him jealous, not push him on to another woman. I look up at…I already forgot his name and glance at his lips. My brain goes to another option, and I lean in, thinking it might work, but jealousy is not the way I want Kai and I to start.
I take a step back from what’s his face and pat his shoulder. He seems to get the picture and walks away from me. I approach Kai and his girl, crossing my arms. He immediately releases her, and I shoot the girl a look. She sneers at me, and I roll my eyes. Kai grabs my elbow, looking at me with concern.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
I nod and lean into him, making sure the girl sees me whisper into his ear. “I’m ready to go.”
Kai nods, sliding his hand to my back, and politely says goodbye to the girl, gently pushing us forward. His large, warm hands land on either side of my hips as he stays in step with me until we exit the dance floor, then he drops them and steps in front of me to pave the way out of the club.
When we exit the club, Kai smiles down at me. “It seems like you had a good time.”
I nod. “I did, but the night’s not over yet. We still have access to the spa. We should go.”
He groans and tosses his arm around my shoulders. “You just can’t let a man get some sleep. Sure, Cordi, if that’s what you want.”
Smiling, I step in closer, putting my arm around his waist. “It is, and we can sleep when we’re dead.”
He chuckles. “Well, then, let’s go see what this spa is all about.”
I stare up at his profile, trusting him to guide the way through the throngs of people. It might be the early hours of the morning, but it doesn’t matter in a place like this. The club didn’t go the way I wanted it to, but there’s still one more card up my sleeve, and I told myself no holds barred, all in.
***
It’s two o’clock in the morning as I walk out to the beautiful pool and hot tub area. Rafe, Casey, and Deacon are littered around the space, laughing with girls with drinks in their hands. The night sky glitters despite the light pollution over the giant kidney-shaped pool overlooking the Las Vegas strip, with a massive hot tub on each end. Individual cabanas line the edge of the pool closer to the building, while lounge chairs on the other side sit closer to the railing.
My confidence was shaken at the club, and I had to work up the nerve to try again. I refuse to let myself chicken out. I should have… I don’t know, kissed him or tell himI want you. This is what I get for trying to entice a man who is entirely oblivious to the fact his best friend is head over heels in love with him.
Kai walks over to one of the chairs lining the large hot tub. I hesitate to follow and look over my shoulder at the other guys. Rafe and Casey are sitting on a stool in the pool at the poolside bar.You can do this, Cordi. You’ve got this.
I push out my chest, square my shoulders back, lift my chin up, and put every bit of sway in my hips I can without looking awkward. I feel ridiculous in my one-piece with jean shorts and flip-flops because the other girls are in heels and bikinis, but this is the only swimsuit I have. So I shrug it off and drop my stuff next to Kai’s. His head lifts, and he looks up at me from the hot tub. I commence with missionno longer friends, and pull off my crocheted beach tank top and toss it on my towel. Kai’s arms are stretched out across the ledge, and he watches as I flip the button of my shorts and shimmy them down my curvy hips. I’m by no means a stick-figure girl like the ones walking around here. I have a bit of a belly, but I take good care of myself. I can’t help it if my whole family has big boobs. It’s genetics.
I kick off my flip-flops and toss my jean shorts onto the chair. Kai’s eyes feel like they are burning trails over my skin, but I keep my chin up and look him directly in the eye.I. Will. Not.Chicken. Out.I decide to let my reckless heart take control. Of all people to let go with, I know I’m safe with Kai.
He finally sits up and drops his arms. “Hey, gem. I was wondering where you were. I thought you might have changed your mind,” he says with that raspy voice I want to hear in my ear.
“Hey, nope, it just took me an extra minute.”Because I was giving myself a pep talk in the mirror.
He watches me descend the stone steps into the hot water. My muscles tense immediately but then relax. I make myself comfortable across from him. I have to slow play this, so I can figure out where his head is at, otherwise Ireallywon’t have a chance.
He leans his head back and takes a deep breath. My skin prickles with the heat, but it feels good. I play with the bubbles the jets make when, all of a sudden, water splashes in my face.
“Hey!” I bark, glad I took my makeup off, or I’d look like a raccoon right now. Kai chuckles and I wipe my eyes before glaring at him. The surrounding ambient lighting creates a warm, soft bubble around us. Music plays in the background, but I hardly hear it.”What was that for?”
He shrugs and puts his arms back up on the edge. “You seem a little uptight about something. I thought it might help yourelax.”
“Oh, nope. I’m fine,” I say and glance at him. He’s frowning at me, and I raise my brow, giving him the look. “What?”
“Nothing, nothing at all,” he says.
I’m messing all of this up. Everything is awkward, and I’m ruining it.Get it together, Cordelia.
“You did really good today,” I say quietly. “You about gave me a heart attack, but you killed it.”
The corner of his mouth tips up, and he shrugs one shoulder while looking over at the pool. It’s the truth, but the air feels awkward, and I need to break it before I ask the harder question.
I take a deep breath and wade over to sit down next to him. “Kai?”
