Page 69 of Blossoms of the Heart
I caressed his well-muscled chest too while he continued to feel me up and sucked on his tongue as he explored my mouth.
His hands went back up to my head and the kiss somewhat deepened.
But then… I heard it.
Ever so faintly but there.
Tai’s name—someone was calling him.
Not just any old someone. It was Candace.
I instantly stopped kissing him and pulled back, but he didn’t move. His eyes held mine, holding me in place. Freezing me.
He didn’t need to say anything. I could practically hear his thoughts.
It’s complicated.
I got it. Understood it completely, had front row tickets to it.
What caught and held my attention however was the deep sadness in his eyes. And disappointment as he turned and walked away from me.
* * *
Tai
* * *
“There you are,” Candace said, she offered a little smile and rested her hand on the door frame. “I just thought I’d check to see when we’re going. I know you have to be up early tomorrow.”
While she smiled and acted like nothing was wrong it was clear from the uneasy expression on her face that, that wasn’t the reason why she came out here.
I stepped into the corridor and stared at her, trying to bridle my emotions.
This was a mess.
My damn fucking mess.
My fault. My fault for giving her hope and not being straight with her.
It was all bull shit and I needed to fix it. I was turning myself into that guy who was stringing two women along. Basically an idiot.
I had to do it now.
But here?
I knew Mitsuke at least would be listening out to hear what was happening. Akito too, maybe. Then there was Phoebe. She was just outside on the terrace, or maybe she’d continued her pursuit down to the beach.
“We leave now,” I replied.
Couldn’t do it here. I didn’t want to risk embarrassing her or maybe causing an argument if I said the wrong thing. That would really ruin the night.
“Cool. I’ll go get my bag.” She moved to go but the sweet smile turned into a tight lipped one.
I didn’t return to the dining room. I just went outside and sat in the car. Mitsuke and Akito would probably guess what was going on when I didn’t go back.
Candace joined me a few seconds later with that anxious look still on her face and we drove to her apartment in silence.
Forty minutes of awkward, tense silence.
