Page 55 of Liaising Kai

She couldn’t understand why she thought she should go through this alone. Then she saw him, and the revelation was that she had never really been alone. It had only been her perception.

She ran to the door and opened it as he came up the walk.

He stopped at the bottom of the stairs. “Don’t tell me to go away because I won’t. I can’t. I want to be with you through whatever comes, Kai. No matter what that is. I’m staying, and I’m listening.”

“Then why are you standing down there?” She could do this with him by her side. Anything else was too unbearable.

His handsome face contorted with emotion, then he grinned and bounded up the stairs. He caught her by the neck and pulled her into his embrace—a warm, safe embrace. Kai turned her face against him and embraced all the feelings she had for him.

Davis tucked his head down against hers and tightened his hold, then slowly rubbed his hand up and down her back. “It’s okay, babe. I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”

It was as if he knew exactly what she needed. She shivered and pressed against him, her arms caught against his chest.

“You want to talk about it?”

She nodded. “Yes, but first I need to tell you something.”

“Okay, let me have it.”

“I love you, Davis. I was so closed and locked up. Then this dark-haired man with a killer grin and sexy eyes came into my life. And my universe shifted. Right from the beginning, Davis Nishida, you made me feel special.” She focused on the warm scent of him. “You made me feel beautiful, smart, capable, and secure. I can’t imagine not having you in my life.” She slid her arms around his neck and hung onto him with every ounce of strength she had.

He gazed at her, his expression open and vulnerable, then he bent his head and kissed her—one of those long, wet, openmouthed kisses that made her senses swim and her body go weak. And Kai sank into it, tears seeping out from beneath her lashes.

“So, do you have this figured out?” he whispered gruffly, wiping her cheeks with his thumbs.

“Yeah, I think I do.” Peace filled her. “Whatever we shove into the darkness will always struggle to come back to the light, and so often we mistakenly interpret its bid to escape as proof of its darkness. It was my abandonment of myself that created my real suffering and reclaiming myself that has brought me back to peace and empowerment.” She smiled serenely. “I need to go back before I can move forward.”

He hugged her hard, and she closed her eyes and hugged him back, happiness spiraling through her. He understood her completely. That was Davis, sweet, compassionate, strong, and steadfast, willing to listen, and never afraid of his own thoughts, emotions, or words. She was truly blessed, and she would make sure as the years passed, she would give him all that she was, and their happiness, love, and union would endure forever after.

EPILOGUE

Trails of a dream faded in his mind when Davis surfaced from sleep, half-conscious of a numbing weight on his arm. He shifted and stirred, a jolt of pain shooting through his shoulder, and he drowsily licked his lips and opened his eyes. The room was still dark, and Kai was sound asleep, her head resting in the hollow of his shoulder, but he knew from his internal clock that it was early morning. He waited for the mental fog to clear a little, then he carefully drew her head onto his chest, and flexed his hand against the pins-and-needles sensation. Scrubbing his face to rid himself of the last vestiges of sleep, he tucked his head and brushed a soft, lingering kiss against her forehead, smiling a little when she made a soft sound and turned her face toward his warmth.

It had been quite a week.

Brushing back the wisps of hair clinging to her face, he kissed her again, then cautiously rolled his throbbing shoulder. Easing the tightness, he settled himself into a more comfortable position before resting his still-tingling arm along her hip. He stared into the darkness, thinking about how difficult it had been. First, they had traveled to Sedona, Arizona to lay Nate Curran to rest, then it had been Seattle, Washington to say his last farewell to his friend, Carter Lennon. Now they were in Smithfield, North Carolina, and he remembered how open Kai’s parents had been when they’d come up their walk.

Her mother was on her knees tending to some pretty impressive flower beds, a riot of color and blooms. When she’d seen Kai, tears had moistened her eyes. It had only progressed from there. Kai and her parents had quite a teary and heart-wrenching reunion where they talked and listened, and Kai opened her heart, exposing all her vulnerabilities and her fears, and finally, her forgiveness, not only for them but for herself.

Releasing a soft sigh, he gazed at her, his heart full of tenderness. Even in the faint light from outside, he could see the shadows under her eyes caused by the sleepless nights during the past few days.

He lightly brushed his thumb along her high cheekbone, then tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She stirred when he eased away from her and leaned over and brushed a light kiss against her temple. “It’s okay, babe,” he whispered gruffly. “Go back to sleep.” He drew the comforter over her shoulders. He waited until he was sure she was asleep, then eased his weight from the bed. He tripped over his jeans, reached down into the pocket, and pulled out the ring box. He’d shopped for the ring here in her hometown while he had given her and her family some private time for their shared grief. He opened the box and stared at the ring. It was a simple band full of diamonds. He knew she would love it.

Slipping it into the nightstand, he sighed. He wanted to ask her soon, but not before he talked to her parents.

Making as little noise as possible, he dressed in his running clothes. Listening for any change in her breathing, he left the room, closing the door soundlessly behind him.

When he got downstairs, he could smell the bacon frying and he made his way to Eleana’s kitchen. Her mom was at the stove, and she turned at the sound of his footsteps. She met his glance, and the hollowness of her eyes made his gut clench. It was grief he saw—deep, gut-wrenching grief. He looked out the back window, to where the pool would have been. Mr. and Mrs. Talbot had filled it in, covered it over, and reshaped their backyard. There was nothing but a patio and grass there now.

“Don’t look so concerned,” she whispered. “I’m still working through it all, but I’m so glad to have my daughter back, and to have you, as well. A new beginning for her.” She turned off the burner and doled out the eggs and bacon, setting toast on two plates.

Guess he would be running later.

She sat down and regarded him with the same kind of look Kai often had—cool, shrewd, slightly amused. “I suspect that you had something to do with all of this.”

“Eleana—”

“No need to gloss it over or deter me, young man. I know an influence when I see one, and you’re an influence. We are so thankful you’re in her life.”

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