Page 4 of Ignite
“Don’t hang up, Riley. This has to do with Kenzi.”
“Who the fuck is this?” I asked, hating that the caller knew me by name.
“The last person you expected to hear from. I know Kenzi has been in touch with you and you are probably on your way to Chicago. I need your help.”
It didn’t take long to figure out who the caller was.He was right in stating the fact that he was the last person I expected to hear from. “What makes you think I would ever help you, Stevenson? Stay away from her or I swear I’ll kill you.”
“Damn it, Axe. Listen to me. Kenzi is in danger. She is staying at the Richmond building, apartment 1201. I can’t get to her, but you can.” Stevenson sounded genuinely concerned for Kenzi’s safety.
“That’s my plan. I’m taking her away from Chicago and you for good.”
I heard Stevenson take in a lung full of air. “I know I’m not on the top of your best friend list, but I’m asking you not to do that. By now, you already know that Van and Niles are my brothers. I had nothing to do with them taking Kenzi. If anything, I’ve been doing everything possible to keep her safe and away from them. I am nothing like them.”
I had to laugh. Was this guy for real? “Are you fucking kidding me? You are exactly like them.”
“Then you are too.”
“Fuck you. I am nothing like you.” Stevenson and I might have had the same dad, but we were nothing alike.
“This is not the time to get into this. Are you going to help me or not?”
I was beginning to think I was screwed either way, but if anything, I could keep track of his every move. “What do you need me to do?”
“Stay with Kenzi and make sure nothing happens to her. I’ll take care of my brothers. With the plan I have in place, they will have much bigger problems than getting to Kenzi.”
~3~
Kenzi
Evening was quickly approaching, and soon Axe would be knocking on my door. It seemed a lifetime ago that Axe told me he was on his way. The only thing the wait gave me was time to think. What would happen when he arrived was beyond me. My heart dropped to my stomach and a surge of pure adrenaline took over my system. These thoughts had no business in my head. How could I feel this way about a man who lied to me?
I had to get rid of the thoughts and tame down my desire for Axe. I pushed up from the couch and headed to the bathroom. Maybe a shower would help fog my thoughts of Axe and focus on a game plan for returning to work on Monday.
I barely turned on the water when I heard my cell ringing. Leaving the water on, I headed to the bed, completely naked, to see who was calling. It was Axe. Even though he couldn’t see my state of attire, or rather lack thereof, I felt exposed.
The thought was silly, so I sat on the bed and answered the call. “Hello.”
“I’ve been knocking on your door. Didn’t you hear me?” His voice was rough, yet laced with concern.
“I was in the bathroom. I couldn’t hear you knocking with the water running.”
As I looked down at my bare feet, I was made aware that he was at the door and I was still naked. Pushing from the bed, I held the phone to my ear and hurried to the bathroom to put on the clothes I left lying on the floor. “Give me a minute while I dress.” I ended the call and hurried to get redressed.
When I got to the door, the reason for our breakup went by the wayside. Our eyes met and Axe’s blue orbs drew me in. His mouth lifted into a panty-melting smile. I examined him by taking in his light beard, his mussed dark brown hair, and his muscular build. I was reminded of how gorgeous he was. The memory of his flawless pecs and his perfect six-pack entered my thoughts. But mostly, I was reminded of what lay beneath the waistband of his tight-fitting jeans.
I stood at the door speechless, goggling over a man I once loved. It was as if we were strangers trying to find the right words to say. Pulling my focus from him, I stepped back and said, “I didn’t expect you for another hour.”
Axe didn’t say a word and only stepped past me to look around. When I closed the door and faced him, he was already standing by the large window in the living room.Yeah, the view was breathtaking.I walked over to where he was standing and looked out the window. The sun had already set and the lights of Chicago lined the view.
As I stood beside him, my emotions were taking hold. I never thought that I would see Axe again, let alone stand with him taking in the city lights of Chicago. For no reason other than I was an emotional wreck, one by one, the tears fell. “My life is such a mess.”
Axe pulled me close until our bodies were melded together. My cheek was pressed against his chest and his hands pressed against the length of my body. I could feel the rough texture of his jeans touching my bare legs and the soft material of the buckskin shirt he wore pressed against my arms. As he held me close, I could feel his hands span the width of my back. His body was large, but mine was small, and on the inside, my heart felt both safe and protected. I melted into his embrace and breathed in his scent—pine, vanilla, and sandalwood. As he cradled my cheeks with the palm of his hands, I lifted my chin and offered my lips to him.
“I’m here. Everything will be okay.” His voice was soft, barely above a whisper, as he looked me in the eyes.
I was taken in by the tenderness in his voice, but I was angry that he took away everything we had. Still, I couldn’t bring myself to look away. Instead, my eyes burned into his as his lips fell to mine.The way his tongue explored my mouth sent chills down my spine. I wondered if he knew how much I missed his kiss.
A roar of loneliness and anger filled me, and I wanted to lash out. Lips, sweet and gentle, and hands that held me, now remained silent. My body froze and my heart twisted as I remembered the secrets he kept. I wanted to hurt him for hurting me and for destroying what we had together. I backed away, and in my mind, called out for help. This was a mistake.
