“It’s a legitimate question, Kostner. Were you lying next to your wife when I crossed your mind?”
“Why are you doing this?”
“I’m sorry, is this too invasive for you?” She moved toward the counter and set her mug down. “I stayed in my room because there isn’t anything to say. You made that clear when you married another woman.”
“I’ve been thinking. About us.”
“What about us?” She straightened up where she stood and gave him her undivided attention.
There were no smiles or good vibes between them right now. Ayla was fed up. She studied him. He was the one who startedcreating the distance between them. Little did she know, it took major restraint to be around her and not want to be attached to her like Velcro.
“I don’t want you to think you did anything wrong.”
“You know what I think? I think you don’t even love Nayelli. You married her out of some kind of obligation or because you felt bad for her, but it’s clear you’re not happy.”
“My happiness doesn’t matter.”
“No?” Ayla quipped, tilting her head.
“This between us can’t go anywhere. You know that.”
“No, I don’t.” Ayla shook her head.
Frustration flickered under the surface of his dark gaze resting on her. She was being stubborn, and while he normally found it attractive, tonight wasn’t the moment for that.
“Ayla—”
“No!” She cut him off, her voice still soft, but firmer now. “You don’t get to decide that by yourself. Not after the way you touched me and held me. The way you took your time inside me.”
His jaw tightened, and his gaze drifted to the countertop.
“I’m trying to protect you.”
“From what?” Ayla threw her hands up.
“From me.”
His answer hung between them like a wall, but Ayla refused to let him cop out. She took a step closer.
“Why do you get to choose what I can handle?” The soft fragrance from her body mist struck his nose, sending the blood right to his dick.
“You don’t understand everything that comes with me.” Kong lowered his tone. “Being with me puts an automatic target on your back.”
Now they stood toe to toe, and something in the air shifted. Familiar, borderline dangerous. Tension now hovered there.Kong searched Ayla’s face and noticed how her hand brushed over her stomach in the big t-shirt she opted to sleep in tonight. Clearing her throat, Ayla took a step back, breaking the moment. She almost confessed. The words rose in her chest but never came from her mouth.
“Then stop coming around, looking at me like that, and talking to me, Kong! It’s not right! Maybe I need to leave this house and this job and put some distance between us because you’re clearly on some bullshit!”
“You’re not going anywhere. I need to be able to check on you.” He got in her face, his voice nothing but a low growl now.
“You don’t get that privilege! Stay the hell away from me!” She dumped the last of her tea in the sink and stomped off toward her room.
Kong remained in the kitchen, grabbing himself a shot to take the edge off. Twirling his glass and leaning against the counter, he listened when he heard a door close, then her footsteps walking toward the front of the house. The door closed quietly up front and then a car engine started,
Ayla had a craving for one of the Shack’s snack wraps and they were still open for at least a few more hours. She turned the music on blast, and Tamia was singing the hell out of a rendition of “Love me In a Special Way.” She tapped the gas and pulled off right after spotting Kong in the doorway with his phone to his ear. His name lit up her phone seconds later asDon’t Talk To Him. In six months, she still hadn’t deleted the text thread they had going for that short-lived moment in time. Sending him to voicemail, she sped forward to the iron gate where security allowed her to exit. Something about the rain tonight had also stirred something in her. She’d been unsettled for days.
Arriving in the Snack Shack parking lot, she whipped her car into a spot and parked. It was packed tonight, even with the incoming reports of storms. Her phone went off again. Kong.Scoffing, she shook her head. If she didn’t answer, he was going to keep calling.
“What, Kong!”
