Page 61 of No One But You

“That’s something you need to figure out for yourself.” Terry leaned back in his chair and stretched his legs toward the fire.

Life hadn’t been easy on him. I sloshed the beer around in the can and watched my old man. Time hadn’t been kind to him either, and that was no surprise. He had abused his body, both inside and out, for as long as I could remember. There was no way I would turn out like him. That was one thing I was sure of.

I tipped the beer over and watched as the liquid soaked into the ground. When it was empty, I crushed it in my hand and tossed it in the fire. “Kora will be home soon, so I’m going to clean up this shithole, then head to see her.” It was just before eight. I didn’t know how much cleaning I would get around to in the little time I had before I left, but I’d be damned if I let this useless man bring my property down to his level.

I left him by the fire and went inside, prepared to face the chaos I was sure was going to great me. Thankfully, Terry hadn’t done much damage—on the inside at least. There was only a coffee cup and cereal bowl in the sink. I washed them quickly and wiped down the counter and table. The fifth wheel was clean, so I grabbed clothes before joining Terry back at the fire.

“Don’t wait up. The RV’s yours for the night.” I walked with a heavy step to Matilda.

“You better get some before she realizes she’ s slumming and dumps your sorry ass.”

I froze and my stomach fell. My hands curled into fists, and I closed his eyes. Breathe and don’t react. That’s what he wants. He’ll be out of your hair soon enough. I calmed. I hadn’t had to do so many relaxation exercises since I left Atlanta. Terry was certainly not good for my health.

Thank God I had Kora to run to.

I rolled my windows down and turned the radio up as I drove down the road. Fresh air relaxed me, but it didn’t work that night. I was too wound up and couldn’t get Terry’s words out of my mind. Don’t let him get to you. You know what he’s like. His goal is to get under your skin. Don’t let him. Unfortunately, I did. He was under my skin and dug himself in farther.

Orlinda Valley’s fields passed by the windows, and the town came into view. I turned onto the long windy road toward Kora’s and slowed as I came to the spot we first met. Who knew that a simple thing like helping a woman with a flat tire on the side of the road would rock my world?

She was breathtakingly hot, loud, vivacious, and stubborn. I stared out over the fields. The cows grazed in the pasture in the moonlight. I could see why Kora loved it here—it was so serene.

I watched the cows a bit longer until my pulse slowed. I was finally relaxed enough and more than ready to face Kora.

I pulled into her driveway a few minutes later and my breath caught when the beam of my headlights fell on her. I parked and put the truck in gear and watched her close as she latched the gate to the goat pasture.

Terry’s words came to the top of my mind. She was too beautiful, too good. He was right. I was beneath her, and it would only be a matter of time until she found out the truth about me. A rock seemed to wedge in my chest. I hoisted myself out of the truck and trudged quickly up to her. My pulse, which was relaxed just a moment ago, now throbbed wildly.

I wanted us to work. I wanted Kora.

But we don’t always get to have what we want.

“Hey.” She wrapped her arms around my neck and pressed her soft, warm lips on mine. I gave in to her kiss with desperation. She tasted like sweet tea and smelled of honeysuckle and hay.

My breath was heavy when I pulled away. I held her head in my hands and ran my thumbs over her jaw.

“Kai, what’s wrong?” She grasped my wrists.

“What are we doing, Kora?” The beat of my pulse escalated. I shook my head. I was exasperated. “This won’t work. We can’t work.”

“What?” Kora backed slightly away as confusion flashed in her eyes.

My heart cracked a bit.

“I thought everything was going well between us. What are you talking about?” she asked.

“Kora. This. Us. It’s not possible. It doesn’t even make sense.”

She raised her brow, and her eyes were on fire. “What happened?”

“Just listen.” I backed away. I had to. I couldn’t think clearly when she was so close. She clouded my judgment and made what had to happen more difficult. “Listen to what I’m telling you. I’m not interested in . . .” I hesitated, then gestured between us. “Whatever it is you think is between us. This is not what we need to do. I’m not someone you need.” My frustration was building, and if I didn’t contain it, I would explode like a cannon.

“What the hell are you talking about?” she asked. “You aren’t making a lick of sense, and you sure weren’t thinking like this earlier or the other night.” Her voice was getting louder. Not surprising. “You sure as hell wanted this the other night. You sure as hell loved this the other night.”

“That was then; this is now. You don’t understand.” This was so much harder than I expected. Not that I thought I’d be ending things like this.

Kora laid her hands on my chest, and her eyes held that spitfire determination I was so attracted to. “Then make me understand, Kai. Because with what’s going on, and with what I feel between us. With what I know you feel between us. I don’t understand.” Her voice was harsh and demanding. Her voice cracked, and she cleared it. “One minute you’re flirting with me and giving me your sexy-as-hell look. Next, you’re throwing me in bed and having your way with me, and a damn good way it is.” She brushed her nails over the scruff on my face. “Then you’re kissing me everywhere, sucking everywhere, and making me feel all types of feelings everywhere.” Her hands met behind my neck, and she held me tight. “So, no. I don’t know what’s going on. You need to explain it to me.”

I peeled her hands from my neck. “I’m not okay with things. You’re so different from me. We’re so different.”

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