Page 26 of King of Players

“I can be on the way right now if you’re ready.”

“Perfect.”

Turning around, I saw Sierra’s parted lips; her jaw had dropped as she dipped her head in disbelief of what she was hearing. “Perfect. See you in a bit.”

“Take care.”

Lowering my hand with the phone, I tried to forge an apologetic expression as I approached Sierra. “I’m really sorry. It’s a work thing, and this person’s almost impossible to catch.”

Her face now reflected the epitome of teenage angst, although I was certain she was in her twenties. “You’re Chad fucking Niles,” she said, as if she couldn’t believe me. “Who gives you a hard time?”

I shrugged, walking toward her and bending down slightly, grabbing her hand and holding it up. “Someone better,” I whispered with a smile before kissing the back of her hand. “Do you need a ride home?”

Practically yanking her hand out of mine, she shot up, furious. “Home?” She scoffed, heading for the door. “You’ve got the wrong idea, hon. Ten minutes out there, and another man’s world will wind up in here with me… absolutely rocked.” And she walked out, slamming the door behind her.

Honestly, I couldn’t be bothered. If anything, I was glad that she left as quickly as she did without demanding explanations as to how I could ‘leave all this and go to work,’ or whatever new statement was trending with these women this week.

All I could think about was that Kaira didn’t really have anything to discuss with me regarding the foundation. She wanted to see me, and my curious mind couldn’t wait to find out why.

On the way to Kaira’s house, I kept thinking of all the possible scenarios. She could want more of the same that had happened the other night, or she might have been planning to inform me that a collaboration between us was now impossible. Her entire existence in my world hung upon one of those two possibilities, and the cat had to be let out of the box either way.

When I arrived, Kaira came to open the door for me. She was wearing another dress—clearly her signature style. Another long drape of smooth, flowing fabric. Another pair of wide sleeves. This time, however, she gathered her hair in a simple ponytail with a black hairband. She had no makeup on, and her lips looked naturally plump. “Thank you for coming at such short notice,” she said as I stepped in. “Where would you like to sit?”

“The weather’s nice. How about the pool?” I said with a meaningful look that I made sure she caught.

Her expression didn’t change. If anything, I believed she worked hard to maintain a straight face. “Of course.” She gestured for me to head over to the back exit. “I’ll be right with you.” I watched her walk toward the kitchen. “Wine? Whiskey? Something else?”

“Whiskey’s fine.”

“On the rocks, no twist. Right?”

“You remembered.”

“It wasn’t that long ago.”

Without regarding me with a glance, she busied herself with preparing the drinks. I didn’t want to linger and watch her, so instead, I walked out toward the pool area and pulled a beanbag chair to lounge on. Without thinking, I took off my shoes and socks, letting my feet revel in the coolness of the tile. I was feeling exceptionally relaxed, like I was about to hang out with my oldest and dearest friend.

Soon, Kaira came with a tray that carried our drinks, the bottle, and a couple of snack bowls. For a moment, it felt as though she were far older than me—than her age. Like a friend’s mom taking care of game night for the boys. I didn’t like the thought, so I quickly brushed it off, shooting her a thankful glance as I took my drink.

“So,” she said as she sat on one of the chaise lounges, gracefully pulling up her legs while picking up her glass from off the table between us. “Why were you relentlessly trying to reach me?”

I didn’t see that question being posed so seriously. I had to give her that. For a second, I wondered if she was insane, or suffered some sort of amnesia. On a more conscious level, I knew neither was true. She was playing a game, and I didn’t have the capacity to beat around the bush. “Well, where do I begin? Primarily, I wanted to make sure that you were okay—that we were okay.”

“We?”

“Yes. Chad and Kaira. Looking at the threshold of a new partnership, while going through the aftermath of a beautiful experience together. Excuse me for not wanting to treat you like a one-night stand.”

“And how do you treat those?”

“What does it matter?”

“I’d like to understand more about the man with whom I shared—in your own words— a beautiful experience. If I wasn’t a one-night stand, then what? And if I was, how would you have treated me? Because we’ve already established that you’re on the board at the foundation. There’s no need for you to do me any favors.”

“Favors?”

“Whatever you want to call it, Chad. Please don’t try to flatter me, it doesn’t add anything to the equation. I know my worth, and my perception of myself has nothing to do with what you see, think, or do.”

Scratching the back of my head, I let a boyish smile draw itself up on my lips. “Right, but put yourself in my shoes for a second, will you? One minute, you’re making someone climax and the next? They’re pulling away from you like you’ve just killed their puppy. I don’t do well with mixed messages, Kaira. I’m a pretty straightforward guy.” I paused, pushing myself up a little in the beanbag chair that was growing uncomfortable by the second. “When I came to your foundation, I didn’t claim to be a saint. I was honest about why I was doing it, wasn’t I? That’s just how it is with me.”

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