Page 9 of Zero
My brain screamed for me to tell him I wasn’t staying. My body pushed my feet forward and I stepped through the door and made my way into the kitchen. I unpacked the container and turned to grab a plate and utensils. “How are you finding everything in the house so far?”
“It’s beautiful here.” Rei replied. “I especially appreciate the view and the air conditioner.”
I laughed. “Yes, the air conditioning is new. My father was never a fan of artificial air. When he lived here, he would have all these fans.”
“All those do is push the hot air around.” Zero groaned.
“Precisely.”
“Usually, I’m not a fan of the artificial air either, but the heat here is a lot different than I’m used to.” Rei didn’t move. “But I’m very comfortable, thank you.”
I gave him a quick glance then back down to what I had been doing.
“Justice told me about your father.” Rei’s voice was soft now, sincere. “I’m sorry you lost him.”
“Thank you.” My voice cracked with emotion. “He was very sick for a long time.”
“Still doesn’t make it any easier.” He told me. “A little girl always needs her father.”
Though I wanted to tell him I was hardly a little girl, I knew what he meant. And he was very sweet for saying it.
Growing up, my father was always there. I didn’t need anyone to tell me I had it good with him. He was at every netball game, every graduation and for every skinned knee. He was a kind father, a loving father and Rei was right—I was daddy’s little girl.
He hadn’t subscribed that Justice needed to be abused to be tough because he was a boy. Justice was hugged and told words of love just like I was.
Silently, I stared at him, keeping my eyes on his. I couldn’t look down. His perfect chest was already luring me in for a cuddle inside my head. “You should eat before it gets cold.” I cleared my throat.
He watched me from the doorway, his hands stuck deeply into his pocket. “Would you join me?”
“I can’t.” I replied without looking at him again. My body was overheating with the fact he was partially naked and his gaze on me. “Nitro is at my place. How was your first day?”
“It was good.” He replied. “I haven’t met my recruits yet. Today was more of an admin day.”
I used a freshly manicured nail to ease his plate toward one of the stools at the counter and he walked over and sat.
“I should head back.” I walked around the island and headed for the door.
Rei followed me and reached around my body to pull the door open. “Thank you for dinner. I’m sure it will be delicious.”
I looked up into his eyes and somehow didn’t combust. “You’re welcome. Have a good night.”
“You too, Hoshi.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat.
He was close—too close.
He smelled like fresh wood and temptation. His lips called to me and I wasn’t sure how I resisted them. In the short time I was near his body, I could already imagine his lips against my shoulders, the back of my neck, that sweet spot behind my ear.
Inside my head, he was already kissing the insides of my thighs and—
I exhaled and all but ran out the door. How I got into the car without tripping over myself was a miracle.
But I started the engine, turned in the front yard and left. When I was sure he couldn’t see me, I pulled over to the side of the road and exhaled.
Panting, I leaned forward to rest my forehead on the steering.
“This is only happening because I haven’t been with anyone since Jacob.” I tried rationalizing. “It’s only my form of blue balls. All I have to do is breathe…and maybe a cold shower.”
