Page 49 of Slightly Married
Her movements became more urgent, her breaths coming in short, desperate gasps. I could feel her tightening around me, her body trembling as she neared climax. I held her closer, my own body tensing as I felt my release building.
“K,” she panted.
“I’m here.” I murmured.
And with those words, her body tightened around me, her cry swallowed by the sound of the sea. I followed her, my climax tearing through me and stealing my breath.
We remained joined for several long moments, our lips exchanging kisses as the water cradled us. The warm breeze dried the droplets on our exposed skin as our breathing returned to normal.
Two days after attending church service together, we lounged lazily on the veranda, soaking in the early afternoon breeze. Kayla sat between my legs on a cushioned chaise, her back against my chest as she scrolled through her phone.
The terrace overlooked the Ionian Sea, its azure waters stretching endlessly toward the horizon where it blended seamlessly with the sky. Potted bougainvilleas cascaded over the stone balustrade in vibrant explosions of magenta.
My phone vibrated on the side table. I glanced over and saw Stella’s message.
I’m getting worried, Kostas. Please call me.
It was her fourth message today. After three weeks of ignoring Stella’s communications, I knew I couldn’t delay the inevitable conversation any longer.
“I need to return to Athens,” I stated, my voice betraying none of the reluctance I felt.
Kayla stiffened against me, then pulled away, setting her phone down as she rose from the chaise.
“Was that Stella?”
“Yes,” I confirmed, watching as her expression hardened.
Stella had been calling daily throughout the past weeks, leaving increasingly urgent messages that I’d ignored. Each missed call had added to my growing certainty about what needed to happen next.
“Then go!” Kayla snapped, her voice carrying a brittleness I hadn’t heard before.
“It’s not what you think,” I began, needing her to understand. “I need to speak with her in person to—”
“To what? Explain that you’ve achieved your goal of getting me pregnant and you’re ready to begin your lives together?” Her laugh held no humor. “Don’t worry, I understand perfectly.”
“Kayla,” I tried again, stepping toward her. “These weeks together have meant something to me. They’ve changed how—”
“Save it,” she interrupted, raising her hand. “I knew what this was from the beginning.” Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears that she blinked away.
“If you would just listen—”
“Get the fuck out. Go! You’ve taken all you’ve wanted from me!”
Taken what I wanted?
The accusation stung. As if these three weeks had been merely transactional, as if what had grown between us meant nothing beyond physical release. Her words created a distance greater than any physical separation could achieve.
What I had wanted from her wasn’t what she implied. Yes, the physical connection had been undeniable, but what I truly craved was her unfiltered honesty, the way she challenged my assumptions and refused to be intimidated by my demeanor.
I wanted her laughter during breakfast, her perspectives that differed so completely from my own, her ability to make me see familiar things in new ways. I wanted the person who had sat with quiet understanding when I spoke of Theo, who had askedthe difficult questions others avoided, who had made me feel not just desired but genuinely heard.
My initial instinct was to correct her misunderstanding, but pride kept me silent. If she could so quickly reduce what we’d shared to something base, perhaps I’d misread everything.
Without a word, I stood and walked away. I felt her eyes on my back as I moved through the doorway, but I refused to turn.
The moment I arrived in Athens, I headed directly to Stella’s apartment. When she opened the door, her face brightened with unmistakable relief.
“You’re back,” she said, voice tinged with excitement.
