“Littering on this beautiful piece of land, Mr. Cain?”
“It’ll be fine. Come on. Let’s go home.”
Home.
28
Iclosed my eyes and let the vibration of the bike’s engine soothe me as Kai and I tore down the highway. Exhaustion from lack of sleep and from quite literary being fucked into oblivion was finally catching up. But it was impossible to nod off despite my body begging for sleep. I was still too sensitive, and every change in acceleration jolted me. It was almost unbearable, but I couldn’t decide if that was a good or bad thing.
As if feeling how I tensed, Kai used one hand to stroke my thigh gently and gave it a quick, reassuring squeeze. This man made me feel so many things I never thought I would, especially not with him. Our agreement was supposed to be a business transaction and nothing more. We were never supposed to get close. Yet somehow, there I was, jumping deep into potential heartbreak and wanting to hold on to things—to him—even though I shouldn’t.
“I’m sure Milly is serving breakfast by now,” I said as Kai cut the engine. “But I can’t keep my eyes open any longer.” I shook my hair out and handed him back the helmet. “And I need myenergy for the heads that are about to roll. But you can go ahead and—”
Kai climbed off and swept me off my feet, bridal style. “Let’s go to bed.”
“We need to shower first.”
“Even better.”
My nose led me down the stairs into the corridor toward the kitchen, where Milly was busy at the sink, rinsing dishes despite having a fully working dishwasher at her disposal.
“Mi niña, you’re finally up. Where is Kai? Did you want me to set your dinner in the dining room?”
I leaned against the counter and smiled, plucking a warm tortilla from its pan and savoring it. “He’ll be down in a bit,” I said, stuffing my mouth with another bite.
I was up before Kai and took the opportunity to take another shower while he was still asleep. Our attempts at cleaning up after getting home were useless, and showering together was counterproductive. The phantom pleasure still vibrated between my thighs at just the thought.
“You look well-rested,” she said with a wink.
My neck warmed as a blush crept up to my face. Even at twenty-six, Milly had this aura, this way of making me feel like I was still that innocent little girl whose favorite pastime was helping her prepare meals while listening to stories. And I was okay with that. Being in this kitchen was comforting and safe, and as of late, I only felt that peace in one place.
Kai’s arms.
“I am.” Pulling a wooden stool, I sat across the island, holding another tortilla. “Do you miss your little helper?” I hadto admit that Milly’s kitchen was already quieter and missing the spark of Valentina’s giggles and squeals.
I raised my gaze, expecting to see her smiling, but instead, I caught Milly wiping her eyes.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had a little one around.”
The inflection in her voice gave me the sense that her words had a double meaning, and when our eyes met again, hers crinkled with amusement. I knew I hadn’t been wrong.
“Milly, I just got married yesterday. And you know that things between Kai and me—”
“Are what? Complicated?¡Por Dios!” she said, throwing up her hands. “I have eyes, you know.”
“Eyes that look too deeply into things that aren’t there.” Except it was all there. I knew it, and she knew it.
“Ah, denial.”
Exactly.
“Realistic. Because no matter what, he and I won’t work like that. He has his life in Philadelphia, and I have mine here.”
Milly shrugged her shoulders. “Okay,” she replied in that sarcastic tone that drove me crazy. “I’ll get the table ready.”
“That’s not necessary. We’ll eat here. We have to run in a few anyway.”
Her expression soured, a frown replacing her smile. Milly was privy to everything our family was involved in, and she was there from day one of my training. I knew she hated all that encompassed the dealings and lifestyle the Montesinos were a part of, but she was loyal and had helped raise me since the day I was born. She’d bury a dead body for me even if she’d hate every second.
