Page 22 of Refuel

I rubbed the back of my head to get the tension out of my neck. A few seconds later, the door opened, and I walked out and bumped into a soft body. I captured her around the waist before she fell.

It was either her perfume or body wash, but it caused me to grip her hips even tighter in jealousy.

“What are you doing here so late?” I questioned.

“Kash, what are you doing here?” Arianna spoke.

“I live here,” I said.

“Oh. Ummm… can you let me go?” she asked.

“What if I don’t want to?” I said, running a hand up her back.

“I would have to call my brother to kick your ass,” she stated, and I wanted to challenge her further.

“Your brother lives here?”

“Malik does. What about you?” Arianna asked.

“Same. I didn’t know I had a Pierce living in my building,” I said, releasing her and taking my keys out to open the door.

“Have a good night,” Arianna responded as she attempted to leave when I called her name.

“Why not come in for a drink?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. We’ve caused enough drama for the blogs,” Arianna stated as she tapped on the elevator button.

“Come on, one drink and a little conversation. I won’t bite. I promise,” I insisted, opening the door wider. She looked toward her brother’s door in thought, then gazed at the elevator, and finally her eyes settled on me. A second went by, and she let the elevator doors close, opting to walk into my condo.

8

Kash

“How was your day?” I asked as I dropped my keys on top of my desk. I recently had a decorator come over and redo everything for a magazine spread on sports athletes’ celebrity homes. She styled it with a Southern laid-back feel. Not too masculine for a bachelor pad, but a family vibe with a large fireplace, windows that opened automatically with draped curtains, and gray and black colors throughout. I had three bedrooms and two baths. The condo had a gym as well as a pool with a theater if anyone threw parties. I mostly kept to myself and never interacted with any neighbors.

Arianna laughed at my question.

“Why is that funny?” I questioned as I opened the cabinet and grabbed two wine glasses. I then turned toward the walk-in pantry to pulled a bottle of wine out.

“You don’t seem like the type to ask someone how their day is.”

Meeting her at the couch, I passed the red wine over to her and took a seat.

“I can surprise you,” I replied.

“Except when it comes to me racing, right?” she asked.

“When did you want to get into racing? I mean your family seems very well off.”

“That’s my family, not me. I work for everything I have, Kash.”

I held a hand up, interrupting her.

“Call me Kamden,” I said.

“I like Kash.”

“I want you to call me Kamden.”

---