Page 20 of Kissing Kayley
Why had it taken me so long to reach this point with Kayley? Because with a long-distance relationship I hadn’t wanted to layer a ton of requirements on her that would frustrate both of us if she couldn’t or wouldn’t comply. I hadn’t wanted to set us up for failure, in other words. We’d used our times together to have fun, to fuck each other silly, and while she’d playfully called me Sir several times it wasn’t something I ever required of her inside or outside the bedroom.
My original plans called for this time together to be used to discuss our future and—hopefully—define and develop the beginnings of a sustainable formal D/s dynamic between us. To give her a taste of what living with me might be like and see if she even wanted that.
I didn’t own much in the way of toys because, despite my ability to sail through TSA checks due to my law enforcement status, I didn’t want gossip of my personal pursuits making it to other agents I worked The Shift with.
Okay, so we’re doing this.
When I pulled up to the front of the building and parked behind Derek, awaiting us on the steps stood a large man with long, dark hair pulled back in a ponytail. He started toward us but Derek waved to him. As I got out and walked around to help Kayley, I couldn’t help the way my gaze repeatedly swept the area, alert for threats.
That would be a difficult habit to break during our stay. This wasn’t Camp David, or the private residence inside the White House, where I could force my instincts and training to take a break during our personal time together. It wasn’t even the private resort that was our original destination.
Still, Cedro and Derek assured me the resort was safe, our privacy guaranteed. Also, that since I had taken great pains to make sure no one knew where Kayley was, other than her brother—and now them—there was almost no chance of someone discovering her whereabouts. Their NDAs would handle the rest.
Derek, with the man following him, walked over to us. “Daphine, Vic, this is Moses. He’ll take your bags to your room and park your SUV.”
I quickly recognized Derek used ASL to communicate with him, but I was downright shocked when Kayley immediately started signing to the man.
I had no clue. Her brother was well-known among our teams for being fluent in multiple languages, and I speak Spanish and French well enough to be conversationally fluent in them, as well as some basic Russian and Mandarin.
But this was the first time I’d seen Kayley sign.
She looked up, smirking and arching an eyebrow at me even as she signed at the same time. “What’s wrong?” she asked. “My brother isn’t the only polyglot in our family, you know.”
Moses smiled, nodding, and signed to her, which made Derek and Kayley laugh.
“He said this might be an interesting stay for you,” she said, signing as she translated to me.
I only knew a few basic signs and could finger spell, but so slowly and clumsily it was usually easier to type into my phone and show the other person. I’d never been assigned duty requiring I be fluent in it.
“How have we been together three years and I had no clue you know ASL?”
Kayley shrugged, signing, “You never asked.”
Derek and Moses both laughed.
“I guess I deserve that.”
She signed without translating, and Derek and Moses laughed even harder.
Derek took pity on me. “She said you’re right, you did deserve it.”
Fuck me, maybe Leo wasn’t the only ball-busting Cruz sibling after all.
“Oh,” Kayley added, “just so you know, Derek told me that Moses is an excellent lip-reader so don’t feel you have to sign to communicate with him.”
“Thanks for the info.”
“You’re welcome.” Kayley playfully stuck her tongue out at me and I couldn’t help but laugh with them.
After the shit-sandwich the day had turned into, it felt good to havesomethingto laugh about. Even if it was at my expense.
I didn’t even mind.
CHAPTER 9
Kayley
The main lobby reminded me of something out ofYellowstone. The exposed log walls, massive windows that no doubt provided amazing daytime views, and a huge double-sided stone fireplace.
