Page 40 of Shattered

“Hey!” Kael retorted, a faux-hurt look splayed all over his face.I was sure he knew exactly where the story was headed, no doubt their tale being re-told to many people.Her declaration definitely intrigued me.Their love for one another was evident, so I was curious to find out how they worked through whatever issues they had during the beginning of their relationship.

“Oh, calm down.I love you now more than ever.”She rubbed his arm, trying to soothe his fake wounded ego.“Anyway, as I was saying, I couldn’t stand him when I first met him.He was so cocky and unbelievably forward.While my body reacted to the mere sight of him, my head tried to warn me he was nothing but trouble.”

“If it’s any consolation, Adara, I didn’t care for the guy either when I first met him,” Alek teased.

Kael instantly laughed and leaned forward on the table.“Real nice, man.We were only in kindergarten, and you know you stole my blocks.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Alek retorted.

“Uh-huh.Whatever you have to tell yourself.”Kael latched on to his wife’s hand again, unable to allow any time to go by without touching her.It was sweet.

Several seconds of silence passed, but it was in those quick moments I witnessed a level to their love I’d not seen before.Granted, I’d only just met them, but the way Kael watched his wife was mesmerizing.He adored her.He seemed enthralled with her every word.The way he watched her movements was as if he was constantly bombarded with sinful thoughts of her.His enrapture with her was enough to make me squirm in my own damn seat.

When I glanced in her direction, the love she held for him danced freely in her eyes.Her world started and ended with the man sitting next to her.I could tell she was a strong-willed woman, but when it came to her husband, she would risk it all for their love.I just knew it.Being in their company was a gift.It was hard to explain exactly, but I knew I was in the presence of true love.

But oftentimes, such an intense love surely came with intense passion of all kinds, including arguments.And if anyone understood that, it was me.

Kael whispered something into Adara’s ear, and it was enough to make her blush.She lightly coughed to regain her composure before continuing with her story.“I was at a nightclub with a group of my friends for a girls’ night.I didn’t want to go out that evening because I was still upset over a recent breakup, but they threatened to drag me out in my pajamas if I didn’t get dressed.”Her eyes were fixated on me, as if I was the only one she was speaking to.

“That guy was a loser.I don’t even know why you went out with him in the first place,” Kael grumbled.Years later, I could see the situation still plagued him.Was it the fact there was mention of another man, or the fact his wife had been upset at all?

“I know, sweetheart.I was simply biding my time until you came along.”She stroked his cheek, doing her best to comfort him.

“Anyway, we were all having a good time, drinking and dancing, when all of a sudden I caught a glimpse of this man,” she said as she thumbed over toward Kael. “I almost stumbled over my own feet I was so taken with the sight of him.Unfortunately, so were all the other women there that night.In fact, he walked in with two bimbos on his arm.”There was a slight jealous tone to her words, even after all those years.

Unfortunately, I could totally relate.I hated to think about the women who came before me.I didn’t want to share Alek at any time, period.

“I watched him for a while, being careful not to make eye contact for fear I would appear as wanton as every other female there.What I could see was him flirting with not only the women he walked in with, but also every female he came into contact with.I thought he was a player, for sure, and in an effort to protect my heart, I stayed as far away from him as possible.I allowed myself to admire him from a distance, but it was as far as I was willing to let it go.”

“Ah, but you couldn’t resist me for long, my sweet,” Kael teased as he swung his arm around her shoulder.

“I resisted you far longer than anyone ever did.”

“That you did.” He sighed.“That you did.”

As she continued her story, her demeanor slightly shifted.It was subtle, but I picked up on it.It was almost as if she was re-living the entire encounter all over again.

“At one point in the evening, I was waiting at the bar for drinks when he came out of nowhere and pushed up next to me, asking me if I wanted to leave with him, go somewhere more private.”

I couldn’t help myself.“What did you say?” I blurted out.All eyes were on me, my fascination with their story amusing to everyone there.

“I looked him straight in the eye and told him ‘Not in a million years, pal.’Yeah, I called him ‘pal.’Needless to say, I piqued his interest.Can you imagine?Some womannottripping over herself to leave with this fine specimen?”Her sarcasm drove home her point.

Kael’s mouth gaped open as he slightly shook his head.“I knowIcouldn’t believe it.I knew right away this woman was different from all the others.Honestly, I wasn’t used to anyone telling me ‘no,’ so when I ran across this one,”—he bumped Adara’s shoulder lightly with his own—“I was thoroughly intrigued.”

“He followed me around for the rest of the evening, continuing to ask for my number, pestering me to go out with him.I answered with a resoundingnoto each and every one of his advances.I knew I was getting under his skin as the night wore on, but I thought it only fair since he had mine burning up.I came to find out later on one of my girlfriends gave him my phone number on the side.I could have killed her at first, but have grown to be so grateful over time.She was even my maid of honor at our wedding.”

“So, did he call you constantly?How long after you first met did you decide to go out with him and give him a chance?”I was so enthralled with their story; I had to know more.

“Two months.” She smirked.

“Yeah, two damn months!” Kael interjected.“Can you believe that shit?”He grabbed her and quickly pulled her onto his lap, lavishing her with a passionate kiss.“But she was well worth the wait.”

“Yes, I was,” Adara confirmed with a quick nod of her beautiful head.

“So, we began dating, cautiously on my part in the beginning, even though I was already in love with him the first week into our relationship.I know it was quick, but I just knew, you know?”She was looking at me when she asked her question.I nodded and smiled.

“And it’s been a dream ever since.”The look Adara gave him was amusing.Kael knit his brow in quick confusion.

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