Page 41 of Until Kendal
“Five minutes ago, which was why I wanted to ask if all was official on your end, as well."
Our relationship wasn’t official, but she was fine. She needed to breathe, and smothering never helped anything. However, I wasn’t sure how to respond. Arman and my family had been the best blessing of my life until Kendal. My skin buzzed. “I don’t want to talk about it yet.”
“You’re more confusing than Karla, who's blowing up my phone. Look, Mom will expect you to bring her to the beach house this weekend.”
I’d seen her email saying that she wanted all of us to head to the summer beach house. Arman had met Maddie there when we were teens, so maybe returning would be good for him too. I kept that to myself and instead said, “I’ll ask her. See you soon.”
“Be careful, Joel,” Arman said.
My heart was on the line. It was too late. I’d seen the panic in Kendal’s eyes, but I also knew I needed to convince her to stay with me.
ChapterThirty-Three
Joel
The plane ride from Tennessee to New York was smooth. Kendal tended to Valerie, who had trouble chewing as her mouth was sore. Once we arrived, the limos brought us to my place. However, she put her mother to bed right away and ensured she’d taken her pills.
I headed to the kitchen to get some water and find a way to relieve the pressure valve that seemed to be in my chest. I assumed Kendal wanted to be by herself, though when she pressed on my shoulder, I turned around. She glanced up at me, and suddenly the tension that had built inside me melted away.
I offered her a glass of water, and she accepted. “I’m glad we’re here. We’ll go shopping for an apartment for your mother in the morning.”
She took off her shirt, revealing her red bra. “Thank you again.”
My pulse quickened, but I wanted more with her. So I finished my water and put the glass down. “As long as she’s comfortable, that’s all that matters.”
She traced the marble tops and stared at a metal circular wall art then back at me. “Your home is nice.”
My heart thumped. She wasn't telling me something. I rubbed the back of my head. “It’s one of the places I stay, but I never considered it a home.”
She came closer, and the air smelled like her. “Well, whoever put it together for you has excellent taste.”
“That would be Maman. She’s an interior designer, when she wants to work.”
My eyes were glued to Kendal. She took off her jeans, and my pulse zipped.
She then finished her water. “Sounds like a nice life.”
Adrenaline rushed through me as I grew hard. However, I stayed back. “Your mom is sleeping, and I was wondering if you wanted to go out on a real date with me tomorrow.”
“No.” She didn’t even blink.
My chest tensed, but I took her hand and kissed it. “I’m not asking for a commitment. It’s just one night out.”
She tugged for me to go with her. “I’d rather you and I… go to bed now.”
My heart raced. “You’re tired?”
She went on her tiptoes and kissed my cheek. My skin buzzed as she said, “I want you.”
The fact that she didn’t love me or want to be my girlfriend rushed in my brain and kept me still. I massaged my skull. “You want me or sex?”
She sucked on her bottom lip. “Does it have to be one or the other?”
I swallowed and ignored how hard I was getting. I was also losing my will. “Is that all you want from me?”
Her eyes were big like saucers, like she was afraid of me. “I haven’t lied to you.”
Maybe it was better if I gave up on her ever loving me back. I wasn’t sure if might help my heart, though. Her lips met mine, and I held her close. As the kiss ended, she trembled.
