Page 11 of Dali: The Demolisher

“Can I take you out this weekend, Kassadee?”

“Yes.”

“Are you available Wednesday or Thursday to meet up for coffee or something? I want to get to know you a little better and plan a proper date so we can do this right.”

For some reason, that caught me off guard. I wasn’t expecting him to put much thought into it.

“Um… sure. Thursday is better.”

“Cool. Let’s meet atEspresso Expressat ten. Does that work?”

“Yeah, that’s fine.”

“Great. I’ll see you then.”

He stood and I tried to step back to give him space, but he gripped my waist and kept me in place. Hunter lowered himself to my lips and kissed me, stealing my breath. My hands went to his chest, and I kept them planted there to remain steady. It was a nice kiss… but it didn’t shock me or make my heart skip a beat like kissing Dali did. It didn’t cover my arms with chills like kissing Dali did.

Why in the fuck am I thinking about Dali right now?

When he pulled away, I licked my lips, savoring the mix of mint and whiskey that was on his breath.

“Have a good night, Kassadee.”

“Y-You too.”

As I watched him walk away, Mona squealed from across the bar. It took me a few seconds to process what had happened, but when I did, I went behind the bar and got back to work.

“Chile, Dali saw that shit and ispissed!” Mona said. “I saw veins popping out that man forehead and neck all the way back here before he left. I’m surprised he didn’t come over here and pop Hunter in his shit.”

Crap.

I thought about Dali, but not in the way I should. I didn’t think about him being here and possibly seeing that transpire. Was it my responsibility to guard his heart and feelings? Would he even care? I wasn’t his rib. His heart wasn’t my priority… if it even held romantic feelings for me at all.

The last thing I wanted to do was upset him, but I didn’t see a reason for him to be upset. A part of me thought Dali would come after me when he retired, but we were seven months into the year and that hadn’t happened yet. I figured he’d gotten over me even though I still loved and wanted to be with him. There was a time I believed loving someone romantically meant you had to try and be with them, but loving Dali changed that.

It didn’t mean I had to have him—it meant I wanted what was best for him… even if it wasn’t me. I’d never lie and say I didn’t want to experience him in that way, but I could honestly say, the love I had for Dali was healthy enough for me to not selfishly demand it be returned.

Since childhood, Dali cared for me, prioritized me, and gave me so many fun and unforgettable experiences and memories. Adulthood had complicated things enough between us, and I hoped seeing Hunter kiss me would not add to that.

6

Kassadee

The Past

After the Exchange of Their Virginities

Kassadee lay on her back,trying to regulate her breathing. She wasn’t sure how her first time was going to go, but she wasn’t expecting to feel so full, so euphoric, and yet somehow drained. The pain and soreness she’d already begun to feel had been worth it, especially since her first time had been with Dali.

Secret conversations and love notes started when she turned thirteen. Up until that point, they kept their distance from each other after sharing their first kiss. Kassadee swore Dali began to express interest in her because that was when her body started to develop, but Dali assured her that wasn’t the case. He said he didn’t want his friendship with her brother to be over, and Kennessy had made it clear to his friends that his sister was off-limits.

But the summer before she started high school… that changed.

For the last two years, Kas had been okay with their secret exchanges. It was exciting and made her feel special to have a bond with him that no one else knew about. Dali was a week away from leaving for college, and she wanted to give him something to remember her by while he was gone. In one of his letters, Dali confessed that he was still a virgin and saving himself for her. At first, she didn’t believe him, but she’d found a way to casually bring it up in conversation with her brother by asking him about his first time.

When she learned that Dali, in fact, was a virgin, Kassadee finally believed his feelings for her. She didn’t know how they were going to make a relationship work, but she was dedicated to it even more now.

“So…” She started, looking over at him. The soft sheen of sweat on his face coupled with his relaxed expression and lazy eyes made her smile. “What now?”

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