Page 98 of Something So Strong

“Okay, then. I’ll bite.” I cross my arms over my chest and lean against the desk. “You seem much perkier than you did ten minutes ago… How did the talk with your mum go?”

“Fucking great.”

“Are you going back?”

“Fuck no!” He snorts like I just asked him if he thought Hitler was a cool guy. “I told that bitch exactly what I’ve always wanted to and got rid of her number.”

“Wow,” I exhale, quite taken aback. “I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but I don’t know if it was that.”

“Honestly, you pretty thing. I feel so much better.” Kai stands and makes his way towards me. Straddling my outstretched legs, he leans down and kisses me. “You’ve made me realize I don’t need her. I mean…” He holds my face in his hands and his lips move against mine as he talks. “I’ve never needed her, though I was still holding onto something and I’m not sure what. But now I know I’d rather have the family I have here.”

Taking one of Kai’s hands, I raise it, kiss its palm, and hold it to my chest.

Me and my parents are not close, but I’d never cut ties. Yet I can see in the solid intensity of Kai’s stare that he’s happy. Sincerely content. And I feel so privileged to have helped him do that. Even if he had all the strength he needed the whole time.

“I’ve fallen for you pretty fucking hard, Jess…” My heart skips a beat and I hold my breath because the pulsing sound in my ears is almost drowning out Kai’s words. “You, Cleo, Esther, Alma. Hell, even Saxon and Romeo have helped me see I don’t always need my guard up around men that… well… look like the three of you do.”

“You know you’re one of those guys, too?” I brush my nose against his.

“I’m not a jock.”

“Neither are we. And I told you, they’re soft underneath it all even if they shit me to tears half the time.”

“I know you did. I just needed time… and proof.”

“Just don’t tell me the cocky Kai is gonna disappear, though. He’s kinda the one I fell for.”

“He’s still me, Pretty Boy. I haven’t changed myself, just my perspective… Here, I have something for you.” Reaching into his pocket, Kai takes something out but holds it tightly wrapped up in his fist. “I don’t wanna keep anything else from you. So I want you to have this.” He rotates his hand and I hold my palm open beneath it. “I know I feel great now, but this shit will probably trigger me again tonight.”

It’s a key.

The key to his room!

Doing my best to hide the utter elation surging through me, I place the key on the desk beside me. Standing, I hold his cheeks, and kiss him deeply.

Kai’s strong hands link in the small of my back as mine roam across his neck and shoulders.

“Thank you,” I whisper, knowing there are things about myself he deserves to know, but in comparison, they just seem so insignificant. “Do ya wanna watch a movie?”

“You ready for dinner?” I stretch my arms over my head and squirm about on my bed. “I’m starving, but I don’t wanna move.”

“Such a princess.” Kai bops me on the nose before climbing on top of me, pushing up onto all fours, and kissing my chin, neck, and down my chest. “Fuck, you smell good.” He draws in deeply through his nose.

“It’s eu de Vistas,” I joke, referring to the provided body wash.

“Am I that much of a narcissist?”

“Why? Cause you smell the same when you aren’t doused in Paco Rabanne?”

With a sly twitch of his lips, Kai creeps backward between my legs and lays down on his stomach so his head is resting on my chest. And the three day’s growth that dusts his jaw, tickles my skin. “We are pretty similar,” he muses, switching to rest his other cheek against me as his fingertips run over my ribs. “I like that you don’t have much hair.”

“Me too.” I agree, focusing on his fingers as they move and the broken bone tattoos that cover them. I don’t want to be sad, but it’s hard not to be, now that I know the story behind them. “I think it makes it easier.”

“Yeah, I guess.” He circles his index finger several times before continuing. “Do you miss them?”

“Who?” I prop myself up on my elbows, though both our attentions remain on his roaming finger.

“Girls.”

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