Page 86 of The Scars of Us

“I hope you like it. It took me so long to decide what charms to get for it.”

Her eyes watered as she darted them back and forth between me and the bracelet. “It’s perfect,” she whispered. Even though her voice was soft, it was still full of emotion. “I love it.”

She looked at it a few seconds longer before asking me to put it on her. After I clasped it around her slender wrist, I admired how it looked on her. The charms I had chosen all signified something, showcasing our relationship since it began.

The one closest to the clasp was a martini glass. I ran my finger over it as explained, “I got this one to symbolize our first kiss and first date since alcohol was involved in both.”

She chuckled and shook her head. “Almost all of our dates involve alcohol.” She pointed to the charm a few links away, a seal. “And this one?”

“This one is for our trip to the aquarium. My favorite of all our dates.”

She sniffled and smiled up at me. “Mine too.”

The third was an open book. “I know you love to read, that it helps you escape sometimes.” She had told me that when thoughts of Kaleb overwhelmed her, sometimes she read to help get her mind off him.

Her voice was choked by emotion as tears began to rim her eyes. “This one.”

She was pointing to the charm on the opposite end, a pair of boxing gloves. “Ah, this one… this one is my favorite. I picked it because we got closer once you started taking self-defense.” I tucked a loose curl behind her ear as I looked into her eyes. “I don’t know where I’d be if you hadn’t walked into my class.”

“I’m glad I did,” she whispered.

My fingers moved to the script letter K for her name. “This one explains itself.”

The last charm was in the center, a heart that I had engraved with the word “Warrior.” I gripped it as I spoke, “This one signifies that you’ll always have my heart. I’ll never be the same without you, Warrior.”

My eyes traveled up to hers, and I wiped the tears off her cheeks. “I’m not going to buy you presents if you’re going to cry. I hate to see you cry.”

Kaiya laughed softly as she leaned into me. “They’re happy tears. I really do love it. Thank you.”

Pressing her lips to mine, she softly kissed me. My hand glided around to cup the back of her head as my tongue parted her lips. Chocolate and wine still lingered in her mouth as I massaged her tongue with mine.

“The check whenever you’re ready, sir,” our server interrupted.

Neither one of us pulled away, too wrapped up in one another to care. I almost waved him off, but I was too focused on Kaiya, enjoying the feel and taste of her. When we finally parted, her lips were swollen and her cheeks were even more flushed.

“Ready to go?” I asked, pulling out my wallet.

Kaiya nodded as she scooted out of our booth. I left cash on the table, not wanting to wait to get my card back. I was already ready to take Kaiya home, and we hadn’t even gone to the club yet.

After we left, we drove to a parking garage near the club. As we got out of the truck, Kaiya commented, “Dinner was amazing. Everything was perfect—the music, the wine, the food, your gift.” She looked down at her bracelet before looking back up at me. “Thank you so much.”

“You don’t have to thank me, baby. I enjoy spoiling you.” I threaded our fingers together and guided Kaiya to the elevator. The club was about four blocks up from the garage, and by the time we got there, the line was around the side of the building.

Kaiya sighed in disappointment. “We’re never going to get in if we have to wait in that line.”

Smiling reassuringly, I stroked the back of her hand with my thumb. Passing the line, I gave the bulky bouncer my name, and after looking at his list, he ushered us in. I heard several people cursing and shouting angrily as we walked through the doors.

Hip hop music greeted us as we entered the main room of the club. Leading Kaiya to the bar, pushing through masses of people, I ordered our usual drinks.

As we waited, Kaiya began moving her hips to the beat of the music. The only good part about taking her to a club was that I got to have that fine body rubbing against me.

“Hey, sexy. Wanna finish what we started the last time we were together?” The annoying voice was sort of familiar, but I didn’t place who it was until I turned to look at her.Shit.

The chick that I’d hooked up with when Kaiya had stopped talking to me sidled up next to me, ignoring the fact that my arm was draped around Kaiya on my other side.

Trailing her fingers down my chest, she spoke again, “I know I do. I still remember how good your dick tasted in my mouth.”

“Ryker, who the fuck is this,” Kaiya asked accusingly, her eyes narrowed and lips curved in a snarl. I could feel the anger wafting off her in waves.

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