Page 20 of Meet Me in the Vines
“Fine.” His body tenses. “When?” he asks with a slight annoyance in his tone. I shrug it off, not able to deal with it right now.
“Whenever I can, Kellan. It just happened. I don’t know. But I have to go,” I sigh.
“Okay. I’ll send Briggs with you,” he clips.
It doesn’t surprise me in the slightest that Kellan didn’t offer to accompany me. Of course he would have Briggs be a stand in, as if my grief is nothing but an inconvenience to him and his schedule.
I furrow my brows in frustration. “No. I don’t need Briggs. Please, I’m going home to grieve. Let me have this. Alone.” I sound defeated, but there’s no emotion left in my body after today.
He never brings his eyes up to me. They just stay on that goddamn phone. I put both hands on my desk to brace myself, suddenly feeling light-headed.
Take a deep breath, count backward from five.
“Alright then. No Briggs. Let’s go home. I’m starved.”
He leaves my office and a tidal wave of relief washes over me. It’s rare for him to agree with me, but when he does, I don’t dare draw any attention to myself for fear that he may change his mind. I’m relieved to escape from him, even just for a weekend.
Back at home, we sit silently across from each other, eating our takeout. I glance up at Kellan while he sends off email after email, scooping yellow curry into his mouth.
I used to find his mouth so sexy, the way his bottom lip forms a pout, the slight curl in his top lip to form what I used to think was a dashing smirk. Now, all I see is rage.
He catches me staring and cocks up his eyebrow. “Like what you see, little bird?”
I give him the fakest of smiles.
Yes, Kellan. Of course, Kellan. Whatever you want to hear that will get me on this flight and away from you.
“You know I do.” Another performance. “I booked my flight for next Thursday. Briggs will drop me off at the airport, and I’ll be back the following Monday night.”
I get the information out as quickly as possible, praying he doesn’t linger too long on the fact that I’ll be out of his reach for five full days. So I play the game—stalking over to him, spreading his knees apart, perching myself on his lap. I dig my fingernails into his nape, earning a low groan from the base of his throat.
“Oh? Is this what I have to look forward to when you come home?” he drawls, raking his hands down my backside, squeezing me hungrily in his palms.
Mission successful. I feel his length harden beneath me as he gives me a devious smile. He lifts me and puts me down on the dining table, stripping me naked.
I let him have his way with me until he has no more left to give. He’s breathless, his forehead resting on my bare chest. I feel the warm liquid drip between my thighs, but on the inside, I’m drowning in my own screams.
Chapter Six
AUDREY
One week after the worst phone call of my life, the wheels finally touch down in San Francisco after an anxious six-hour flight from JFK. I was thankful that Kellan had already left for the office when I woke up this morning, so I didn’t have to say a physical goodbye. Thank god. I take my phone off airplane mode and a few texts come through.
Kellan
Good morning, little bird. I will be on a red eye to Chicago tonight through the weekend. Don’t stay away too long. I don’t like having you far away from me.
I roll my eyes and reply.
Audrey
I just landed. I’ll be back Monday night. Have a nice trip.
Of course, he doesn’t care that I’m going home to spread my gran’s ashes. All he cares about is making sure my ass is back in New York when he says. I feel lucky to have this much time awayfrom him. A tiny ball of hope forms in the center of my body, brimming with the brightness of being out of Kellan’s shadow. I look back at my phone and message my pop.
Pop
hi honey. let me know when you land. can’t wait to see you, have a safe flight
