Chapter 21 – Ki

 

I walked into the front door of our office, and Alexa jumped out of her chair. “I’m done with men, Ki! Totally fucking done.”

I tossed my phone on my desk and opened my arms to her. “Come here.”

She hugged me tightly. “I hate guys.”

“You love having guy friends.”

“Not when they’re married.”

We pulled apart and I gasped. “The detective!”

“Yes. I should have known. This is our job. We catch people cheating; we don’t do the cheating!”

“You didn’t know, Lex.”

“That’s not the point.”

She sat back down and put her feet up. I took a good look at her; her feet were bare, she wore jeans and an old T-shirt from our college days. Her hair was up in a sloppy ponytail, and there was not one speck of makeup on her face. “You’re very casual today.”

She pouted. “I’m depressed.”

“You’re pissed, Lex, and I don’t blame you.”

She kept looking out the front windows; I sat down in my chair and texted Prescot, letting him know that I made it safely, even though he put me in a cab and made sure they dropped me off in front of my door. He was going to get some things taken care of at the office and try to clear up his schedule for us to hang out more this week.

“Lex.”

“What,” she snapped.

“I got drunk last night and took a bubble bath.”

Her attitude changed, and she swung her chair around and scooted toward me. “You’re wearing the same clothes . . .” she paused and peered at me. “Tell me more.”

“It’s not that great; he didn’t join me.”

“Why not?”

“We agreed to take it slow.”

“Fuck that, jump the man already.”

“I tried.”

Her jaw dropped. “Spill the beans, woman.”

“He watched me take my bubble bath. He didn’t even look at me when I got naked. His tub is glorious, Lex; you’d love it. Anyway, we talked and laughed all night, and when we crawled into bed early this morning, I told him I wasn’t wearing any panties.”

“Did you mess around?”

“No. He cuddled me, and then I passed out.”

“Look at you, Ki. Being all brave and sexual. I like this side of you.”

“It was the wine.”

“So what? At least you went for it. It’s been way too long since the Brayden thing.”

“What if I can’t love Prescot? I’m so worried I still can’t move on.”

“You’re dating the guy; it’s new. Just let it happen and stop thinking about Brayden breaking your heart. If it’s meant to be, then it’ll be. And it’ll be great!”

“Remember your own words then, Alexa. The detective wasn’t meant to be.”

“We were just sleeping together but he didn’t have to cheat on his wife.”

“I’m sorry, sweetie.”

“Stupid cheating bastard. I’m telling his wife.”

“Lex, don’t bring the drama.”

“I’d want to know if my husband was cheating, Ki. Think about our business.”

Her comment only reminded me of my situation with Prescot, and how I failed to tell him about his wife. It was almost too late. I could have lost him because I didn’t say anything.

“Well, I’m telling her and I don’t want to talk about it again.”

I dropped the subject and went upstairs to change. I wanted to call Prescot just to hear his voice, even if it only was to hear a single word. The man of few words has completely taken up residence in my life. I’ve heard the beginning was always the best of a relationship. The honeymoon period. The unknown, the excitement of it all, and I’ve only had that once, with Brayden. The only man I’ve been with. The only man I’ve ever had feelings for.

But I wanted that to change.

I never thought in a million years someone like Prescot would like me. I’m a dull, plain girl, and he’s a big-shot lawyer, full of tattoos and life experience. He was older. Already divorced.

Was I in over my head?

Was it going to be too much?

I had to try.

It was time to move on.

I had to get my heart back. Somehow, I had to move on with my life and stop living in the past. I had to stop questioning life and start living it. Enjoy it. Be a part of it.

I checked my jeans before tossing them aside and found my father’s card still in my back pocket.

I still hadn’t made up my mind.

I still hadn’t heard from my mom.

Maybe this was something best discussed in person.

But did I really want to see her?

The man who helped raised me was an asshole. I have no good memories of him. He was always yelling at my mom, calling her names, and he never looked at me like he loved me. Over the years, I begged my mother to leave him. When it was time for me to leave for college, I begged her once again to move with me, start a new life, but she wouldn’t leave. She still had hope. She still thought the man she fell in love with all those years ago was still there. She wanted him to come back to her, but not me. I was done living as a doormat.

I set the card on my nightstand and went back downstairs.

“What’s on the books today?” I asked Alexa, who was still sitting in her chair with her feet on her desk.

“I don’t want to work today.”

“Thank fuck. Let’s go get some alcohol.”

“Aren’t you hungover?” she asked dropping her feet as if she knew I was going to say no.

“Nope. The bubble bath really helped.”

“You’re staying home tonight?” she asked slipping on her hot pink flip-flops.

“Yes. Let’s go grab an early happy hour and then watch that horror movie we tried to watch the other night.”

She hooked her arm in mine after we locked up. “I told you, being our own boss was the best way to go.”

 

###

 

“Ki,” Alexa slurred, holding herself up on the barstool with her arm, “I’m drunk.”

“You’re totally drunk.” I had a great buzz, but dragging her home was going to be hard on my own, so I called Prescot. He said he would send a town car for us, so I had the bartender help us outside. We were regulars at this bar, and he’s helped us a few times before.

As if it was planned, the town car pulled up as soon as we got outside. The driver ran around the car and opened the door, and Prescot stepped out.

“Why are you here?” I asked, completely caught off guard. The disappointment on his face made me realize how that question had come out. He grabbed Alexa and swooped her off her feet and placed her inside the car.

“I didn’t know you were coming,” I said when he put his hand out to me.

“Ki.”

God. One word. That’s all it took, and I knew what he meant. He was here for me. He wanted to be here for me. I was instantly turned on. I sat next to him and held his hand the entire ride home. Alexa passed out in the car, and he carried her upstairs and placed her on her bed. Her room was painted light pink with white trim. Her favorite flower was pink lilies, and she had some in a vase but they were dead. I wasn’t sure why she hadn’t tossed them out yet, unless her detective friend gave them to her, which meant they’d be gone tomorrow.

Prescot stepped out of the room, and I undressed her so she was only in her panties. She hated wearing clothes to bed, and she mumbled the entire time I was trying to help her. She insisted that she wanted to sleep naked, so I covered her up and let her have her way. Before I was able to sneak away, she sat up and wrapped her arm around my neck. “You are the best, Ki. Don’t let me tell you otherwise.”

I chuckled at her drunken words and helped her lay back down.

“Just saying,” she mumbled while I snuck out of the room. I closed the door and saw Prescot waiting for me by my room

“What happened to the apartment?”

“Spring cleaning,” I said while walking toward him. We still had a few things to take care of, but it was much better.

Not much time had passed, but I was ready to stop taking it slow. I was going for it. Living my life in that past had to stop; at some point, I needed to move on, and I was choosing to move with Prescot. I stopped in front of him and pulled my top up and over my head, tossing it aside.

He glanced down and slowly slid his eyes to me. “Ki.”

“I like the way you say my name, Mr. Bale.” I had no idea what I was doing, or if it was sexy or not, but I wasn’t about to stop now. The worst he was going to do was turn me down, and I was prepared for that to happen.

“Ki.”

“Say it again.”

“Ki,” he rumbled and picked me up in his arms. I slammed my lips to his and kissed him like I would never have the chance to kiss him again. He pushed my door all the way open with his foot, never breaking our kiss, and laid me on my bed, hovering over me.

“I thought we were taking it slow?”

“All I know is that I want you, Prescot.”

“You’re drunk.”

“I’m buzzed.”

“Difference?”

“I’m buzzed, and in complete control of my actions. I have a little extra pep in my step, but I could still walk a straight line.”

He leaned in and ran his nose up my belly and between my breasts.

“Don’t you want me?” I asked softly when his eyes met mine.

His hands slid under me to undo my bra told me everything I needed to know.

I took his actions as the green light I needed to explore his body. He had the advantage, and I wasn’t about to miss my opportunity to touch his skin. I ran my fingertips across his broad shoulders before trailing them over his sculpted chest and stomach. Inching my fingers lower, I lightly removed his shirt and let my eyes take in every inch of his tattooed skin. He was patient and stilled his movements so I could trace my fingers across his designs. I peppered light kisses across his chest and stomach; then as I moved lower, he stopped me.

It was the first time I saw a wicked smile on Prescot’s face, and it suited him entirely. This was a different Prescot, a cross between the confident hot-shot lawyer and the gentle man I have grown to know. He trailed hot kisses down my neck, across my chest, and lower, removing all clothes that stood in his way. I gasped as I felt his fingers explore areas I have not been touched by another man in some time, and his chuckle sent shivers from my earlobe to the tips of my toes.

I can’t even begin to imagine how much time we spent exploring each other’s bodies, it felt like a mix of hours and seconds, and I couldn’t take the idea of not having our bodies connected. His eyes caught mine as our soft moans filled my quiet bedroom and I gave him the slightest nod, ready for him. He kissed me harder, struggling to move away to grab a condom from his wallet. Each time the cool air hit my body, I clawed him back for more. He flashed me a lopsided grin before he opened the condom wrapper and tossed it to the floor.

Prescot was a man, in all the sense of what a man was when I saw him roll on the condom.

“It’s been awhile,” I told him when he hovered above me.

“Ki.” I’ve never heard his voice so soft. I knew he’d be gentle

“I love that I can read your mind.” I hooked my feet behind him, and he kissed me slowly as he pushed inside me.

He was generous and kind.

Passionate and slow.

He filled me completely, and it felt amazing.

He took his time.

I was wanted and needed. He looked at me like I was the only person in the world, like I was special.

He made me feel like we were the last two people on Earth.

His actions told me that I could be loved again.