Page 48 of On The Edge
“Yeah, I am. Thanks, man. We appreciate it.” Kai holds out his hand for the guy to shake and nods. “I’d rather not take apicture right now, thanks for understanding. I’ve got to get my girl to the doctor.”
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” the guy apologizes vehemently, looking to Kai in apology first and then to me hastily. “Ma’am, I’m so sorry. I’m such a fucking klutz. Please accept my apology,” He stutters and fumbles over his words as he realizes I’m apparently not just a random nobody. Even though I really am.
“It’s fine, it was probably my fault.”It absolutely was not, but it’s whatever. I just want to leave.
“I can’t believe I met someone fromOn The Edge. My whole week is made,” he says excitedly and a little too loudly. Other people nearby stop and start complimenting Kai too. I can see how he’s trying to keep the fans happy and show his appreciation for them, but he’s also backing us up and trying to get out of this. There’s a mini crowd forming right in front of my eyes, and I can see how this situation could immediately turn bad if Kai doesn’t play it right.
Fear creeps in as I watch with wide eyes, unsure how to really help. Kai’s got a fake smile on his face, handling it like a pro, while I just tighten my grip on his shirt.
“Thank you all so much,” Kai says loudly, waving with one hand overhead while the other is like a bar around my waist to ensure we will not be separated. He walks us backward, keeping me away from the crowd and moving toward the windows of the shop we’re standing in front of. “I really need to get going, but thank you so much for your love and support.” He turns and wraps an arm around my shoulders, then launches us through the edge of the crowd.
“Who is that?”
“Who is she to you? Is that your girlfriend?”
“Oh my god, you’re so fucking gorgeous! Kai, kiss me!”
What is wrong with people?
“Someone grab a picture of me with him!”
“Just keep going,” Kai urges, pushing me through the crowd likeI’mthe celebrity, not him. He pulls his phone out and makes a call, saying one word before hanging up. “Go, Mel!”
“Kai! I loved the new song! Can you sign this?” People are screaming at us now, and it’s a full-blown mob mentality. There are bystanders coming closer to see what all the fuss is about, and the people he talked to before aren’t taking no for an answer.
What a crazy thing. Just because he’s famous doesn’t mean that everyone gets a free pass to be creepy and grab at him. To demand more from him than he’s willing to give.
A girl to his side is nearly crying, screaming how much she’s in love with Kai and jumps at him. I don’t hesitate. I fucking clothesline that bitch. My arm goes straight out like a crowbar, and she starts to cough as her throat connects with my forearm.
No.Him getting attacked is absolutely not going to happen.
Not while I’m here.
Her blonde hair whips around as her head snaps back from the force of hitting my locked-out arm, but I don’t care.
“Don’t think you can touch him like that just because he’s famous. Fucking ask first, bitch,” I snap, pushing her out of the way right as I see the flash of a camera.
“Fucking hell,” Kai mutters under his breath and grabs my bicep, pulling me forward. Without saying anything else, he opens the door to the store we’re in front of and pushes me inside. “We’re definitely going to be in trouble for that, but holy fuck, woman, that was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“I wasn’t going to let her jump you,” I tell him as he guides me through the aisles, trying to lose the crowd.
What I don’t tell him is that I won’t letany girltry to get at him while I’m around. That’s a hard no for me.
“In here,” he says quickly, pushing us into a family bathroom. I look around and see that there isn’t anyone looking at us around and go inside. Kai shuts the door behind us quickly andturns the lights off. “In case they’re going to look under the door.”
His words are whispers in my ear, and the pitch-black surrounding us only heightens the tension between us. The way he’s whispering sends shivers down my spine and straight to my pussy.
My mind races. Has he always had this husky undertone to his voice that sounds like he’s growling in my ear? Has he always smelled so fucking delectable and manly? All clean laundry and something spicy and warm? Has he always been this tall and broad?
Kai pushes me against the door, caging me within his arms and pressing against me so hard that I can feel his heart beating against my chest. Each breath he takes makes goosebumps rise on my skin. Without being able to see him, I’m completely at his mercy.
I can feel myself start to get wet and my nipples push up against my bra.
“Melody,” he whispers huskily, sliding an arm around my waist. “I’m so sorry. So fucking sorry. About school, about leaving, about being a dumb idiot. I…” I can’t see him, but I can feel his ache. His hand around my waist shakes slightly, and I feel his forehead drop to my shoulder. “I was so scared that you didn’t truly believe in us, couldn’t love me, that I just took your words at face value. I didn’t know how bad it was for you, and that shit is on me. I should’ve paid more attention. Not justtoyou, but also what was happeningaroundyou. People didn’t mess with us, didn’t try to associate, so we thought–no,Ithought, Ican only speak for myself right now–that was the same for you.” He takes a deep breath. “I didn’t know. I didn’t know, and I’m sorry.”
“Kai, it was a long time ago,” I whisper. Wrapping my arms around him, I return his embrace.
Hearing a full apology from him heals something that was broken inside me. Something that high school Melody needed.
