Page 35 of Claiming His Wife
The door swung open slowly and Kaiya’s face came into view. Her eyes widened and she looked down at her watch.
“You’re early,” she said.
“I was in the neighborhood and decided to come over earlier.” He looked past her shoulder and wondered if Kalilah was even there. “Hope I’m not disrupting anything.”
She gave him a knowing smile and gestured for him to come inside. The condo was all white and featured huge windows that allowed natural light into the interior. A large white flat-screen TV was bolted to the wall, and a large white sectional adorned the living room. A couple of silver throw pillows were strategically placed on the sofa. A glass center table sat on a faux fur rug in the center of the living room. The French doors to the left of the living room led to a balcony where Kalilah had placed a barbecue grill. He smiled at the memory from when he’d come over a few days ago, only to see her and Kaiya determinedly putting the grill together. Maybe it was the craving for barbecued chicken and ribs, but the girls put the grill together in under two hours while he observed. They didn’t want his help, and he didn’t oppose their decision because his attempt at putting together their IKEA furniture was a bust.
“You’re not intruding. I was about to hop into the shower anyway. How many buildings are we going to see today?”
“I have three buildings lined up.” He pulled out his tablet and started scrolling through the buildings that he’d picked out while Kaiya watched. “And if you don’t like any of the ones I have lined up, we can always keep looking. I know how important this is to you and I want you to have the best.”
“I’m so excited!”
He needed to know where his wife was, and he was about to ask Kaiya when she said, “Kalilah should be up in a minute. She’s in the basement, in the gym.” She smiled knowingly and then added, “You should go find her while I hop in the shower.”
She didn’t have to tell him twice. He left the condo and headed down to the basement.
***
“You never fail to surprise me babe.” She had felt him before he even spoke. It was the following morning and after another night of restless thoughts she decided she needed a good workout. She threw another punch at the training bag.
“My classmate Cassi introduced me to this when I moved to Seattle. It helped build my focus and mental strength. The physical endurance is a bonus.”
Being in a new city and going through heartbreak had forced her to look into different ways to redirect her focus. She’d tried yoga, since so many people spoke of the mindful benefits, however she ultimately found the slow, mindful pace boring. It did nothing but make her think about Finn and how much she missed him. She’d stopped going to her yoga classes after two weeks. One day, while in class, she’d mentioned how boring and slow she found yoga to be, and her classmate Cassie mentioned that her boyfriend was a kickboxing instructor, and that Kalilah should look into it. She was unsure at first, but after meeting with Derrick, Cassie’s boyfriend, and learning the fundamentals – as well as getting a few practices in – she fell in love with the sport.
A kickboxing routine required focus on one’s energy, which allowed each practitioner to execute each punch and kick steadily and successfully. It also helped that it built her mental strength and physical endurance. She had hired Derrick as her personal trainer, and every time she had the urge to call Finn or felt the familiar heart pangs of missing him, she’d call Derrick for a session and would work out until her mind and heart changed their focus.
“Looking at you,” his heated gaze roamed shamelessly over her body and she felt a congruous stir of excitement between her thighs, “someone may assume you’re innocent or delicate, but you’re anything but, aren't you, babe? You pack a mean punch.”
She snorted.
“I’ve been looking to spice up my workout. Maybe I’ll join you sometime for kickboxing.”
She ignored what he said.
“I thought we were leaving at eleven am. You’re early.”
“I was in the neighborhood.” He looked around the gym and then finally returned his gaze to her. She looked him over and was impressed with what she saw. He was wearing a fitted black polo shirt that accentuated his body, as well as dark jeans and a pair of brand name sneakers. “This is a nice gym, seems well equipped with the latest workout machines.”
“That was one of the main reasons I chose this condo over the others; its gym.”
“Our company only offers the best,” he responded, and she nodded her head. She wouldn’t disagree on that fact. Her father’s company owned the condo she leased.
“I should probably head up to get a shower. I’m starting to feel and look sticky.”
Finn’s stare became intense and unwavering, and she was grateful for her dark skin. If her skin was fair, it would turn bright pink under his stare, and she didn’t know why… or did she?
“You look beautiful,” he said finally. She unstrapped the mitts from her hands.
“Let’s go up to my place. We need to leave soon anyway.”
An hour later, the three of them piled up into Finn’s white Mercedes. Kalilah sat in the front and Kaiya in the back, but the latter perched herself in the middle of the passenger seat. On the way to the first location, Kalilah received an email confirming that she had gotten the position at the shelter. She couldn’t have been more excited, and she shared the good news with her companions.
“I’m so proud of you, sis! You deserve it.”
“I’m proud of you as well; nothing beats doing what you love.”
“Thanks! I’m just excited that I finally have something to keep me busy for the next few months.” Finn was smiling, but after that proclamation his hold on the steering wheel tightened and the smile disappeared.
