Page 92 of Revenge

“WhyKai, what did I do?” I said, my voice raised, my entire frame bristling with frustration.

As I stopped walking, I could see from Kai’s body language that he was at a complete loss on how to manage the matter.

After exhaling forcefully, Kai stepped towards me and took me by the arms. His hold was firm but gentle.

My chin was lifted to allow me to keep eye contact as he said, "You didn't doanything, Ava. You were fucking perfect. A fresh-faced thirteen-year-old; a kind, gentle girl, full of life; interesting and fun.

“So, what happened?” I asked, my eyes wide.

His thumbs caressed my skin where they touched as he continued to explain himself, “And then you started to get too close.”

Kai released me, and turned his back, walking towards the front doors before swinging his body back around.

His expression confessed that he was reliving those earlier days when things had been good between us, “I remember you used to watch me like I put the sun in your sky. That sweet girl, just on the cusp of womanhood; my opposite in every way. I remember thinking how you didn’t belong in that life. I think I just got caught up in something I wasn't supposed to. At first, I didn't think your time in my life would become so permanent. So, I allowed myself to drop my guard with you, I wanted you to be happy for the short time you were there. You made me happy, your company, lifted that darkness inside me.

When Gerard proposed to your mother, I suppose I panicked. Your presence in my life was the only thing truthful and I allowed myself to get wrapped up in that normality. But that’s just it,nothingis normal about living your life as part of a criminal organisation. We had a genuine connection, you made me care, andthatmade me weak. That's when I withdrew and became unavailable."

My heart sank, and Kai’s expression was pained and full of regret, "So, you treated me badly to push me away?"

Kai gave my arms one last squeeze before he dropped his hands, "Yes. Caring about something makes you a target in this business, Ava. I knew I needed to put a stop to it."

A silence then fell between us as we stood there, our eyes locked. There were no distractions, nothing to stop the inevitable questions from spilling from my lips.

"So, you admit youdidcare for me once?" I knew it was a loaded question, but I was done hiding from the subject. It was make or break.

Kai’s shoulders slumped in defeat and then he admitted that one thing I so needed to hear, "Yes. And Istilldo, Ava.”

BOOM!

It felt like my heart exploded. As my eyes scanned over his features, I could see the truth written there. This wasn’t Kai saying what I needed to hear, it was heartfelt and real.

Taking a step forward to close the distance between us, I looked up into his eyes briefly before dropping my gaze to his lips. Kai looked like a broken man, and I needed to fix that the only way I knew how.

Pushing up on my toes, I fused my mouth with his.

Kai stiffened momentarily, and then allfuckinghell broke loose as he kissed me back.

Fourteen

Ava

The kiss we had shared at the bottom of the stairs had been full of passion and sexual chaos. With our mouths meshed, I hadyankedKai’s tux jacked off his shoulders and down his arms and he followed suit by unzipping my dress.

As we awkwardly fumbled, attempting to shed our clothing, a clash of teeth and Kai’s cuff link catching in my hair had us both giggling like high school kids embarking on their first grope.

Kai and I had sat together on the bottom step side by side to catch our breath. I had my head on his shoulder, my dress half on half off. Kai’s expensive jacket was on the floor of the hallway, and one shoe for some strange reason.

After getting our breaths back, Kai pushed to his feet and held his hand out to me. I had taken it, staring up into his eyes with hope and trust.

“If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it right,” Kai had whispered pulling me to my feet. I nodded my agreement. He didn’t need to explain what ‘it’ was that we were about to get right. My entire body had given me the answer to that.

We walked up the stairs together hand in hand. When we got to the corridor leading to the bedrooms, Kai slid his arms around me and picked me up bridal style before carrying me to his bedroom.

Lowering me onto the floor by the bed, Kai moved away to switch on a couple of lamps.

The light was subtle, romantic even.

“Will you take a shower with me?” Kai asked, holding out his hand. I didn’t feel nervous or shy in any way. It felt like this moment had been a long time coming.

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