Page 27 of The Scars of Us

“Why? I am who I am. I’m not going to pretend be anything that I’m not.”

“I respect that. Not the being a man-whore part, but that you’re true to yourself.”

I took another drink, enjoying the warmth of the liquor as it slid down my throat. “How are you liking class?” I asked, attempting to redirect the topic away from my personal life.Not ready to talk about that yet.

Kaiya took another sip, leaving only half of her martini. “I like it. Everything can be a little overwhelming, but I’m willing to work through it.”

“You’ll get the hang of it. Why did you decide to take self-defense?”

Visibly swallowing, she cleared her throat before taking another long gulp, leaving only a small sip in the bottom of her glass. “Old demons.”

“Care to elaborate?” I didn’t know why I asked, I already knew she’d say no.

“No.” She threw back the remainder of her drink before standing. “I’d better go. Thanks for the martini.”

“Why don’t you stay for another? I won’t ask any more personal questions. Scout’s honor.” I said as I put my fingers together to make the hand gesture.

She snorted, “I doubt you were a Boy Scout.”

“Why? Is it the tattoos?”

“No. I just can’t picture you as one. You don’t seem like the type that follows directions well.”

“I don’t. I was thrown out for kicking my scout leader.”

She laughed. “You didn’t.”

“I did—guy was a prick.”

Kaiya continued to laugh; she definitely didn’t smile or laugh enough, and I wished she did more of both. When our eyes met, I repeated my earlier question, “Can I get you another drink?”

Even before she responded, the smile she was fighting gave me my answer. I ordered another round of drinks from one of the bartenders, then turned my attention back to Kaiya. Our gazes locked as a blush began to creep up onto her cheeks, painting her porcelain skin with pink.

“You’re so beautiful,” I said, just above a whisper as I leaned towards her. Her eyes focused on my lips as they neared hers, which parted in anticipation, as if waiting to reacquaint themselves with mine after so long.

Closing my eyes, I brushed my mouth against Kaiya’s, enjoying the silkiness of her lips.

Her hands rested on my chest before sliding up and around my neck as she brought herself closer to me, pressing our bodies together. Winding around her, my arms enclosed her against me as my tongue intertwined with hers.

Fuck, she tasted so good—I could get lost in her for days, oblivious to everything else but consuming every part of her sweetness. One of my hands trailed up her back before cupping her head, tangling my fingers in her hair as the kiss intensified.

“You have a tab? Or do you want to pay cash?” the bartender interrupted, causing Kaiya to abruptly pull away from me.

Asshole.Glaring at the bartender, I grabbed the drinks. “I have a tab—Ryker Campbell.”

Handing Kaiya her drink, I couldn’t help but notice her swollen lips. My cock hardened more as I thought about Kaiya sucking me with those lips, taking my dick deep into her mouth before letting me sink myself into her pussy.Fuck, I have to have her.

As we drank, we told each other stupid bar jokes that we had heard over the years. Kaiya giggled loudly, her eyes glassy as she swayed slightly in her seat. Her cheeks had deepened to a light shade of red and she wore a drunken smile. She was definitely tipsy. “I should go. I have to work in the morning,” she said halfheartedly.

“Why don’t you come home with me?” I suggested with a crooked grin as I pulled her barstool between my legs.

“I can’t,” she replied as she leaned forward, bringing her face only inches from mine.

Closing the distance, I barely grazed her lips as I asked, “Why not? We both know you want to.”

Pulling back a little, she put some distance between our mouths. “Those old demons I mentioned earlier—they haunt you forever.” Before I could respond, she continued, “You don’t want to get involved with me.”

Resting my hands on the outside of her thighs, I rubbed my thumbs against them. “You’ve said that before. I know what I want, and I’m looking right at her.”

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