Love Takes a Swim Part 10 by Dellani Oakes

Kai takes Paisley to her apartment, after they have dinner with his family.

“Nice.” He nodded, carrying the groceries to her kitchenette.

He put up food as she fixed coffee. Once it was ready, they sat on her couch, sipping the hot, strong brew.

“Good coffee,” he commented by way of starting conversation.

“Thanks. My dad taught me when I was little.”

“You gonna be okay here? It’s not the greatest neighborhood….”

“I’m fine. The place I grew up, was worse.”

“You’ve got my number, call if you need anything.”

“I will. Don’t worry so much about me, Kai. I’ll be fine.”

“My protective nature kicking in….” He looked embarrassed.

“It’s okay. I appreciate it. It’s nice to have someone care.” She started to tear up again. “I’m so sorry. Seems like all I do is cry!”

“Come here,” he said quietly, holding out his arms. “I don’t mind. Got a clean shirt ready and waiting for you.” He patted his chest, grinning.

Paisley scooted close, setting her coffee on the table. Her arms snaked around him as she buried her face in his chest. Kai set his coffee down too. Holding her close, he inhaled the fresh scent of her hair. The urge to kiss her was even stronger now that they were alone. The fact that her embrace had changed somewhat made it even more difficult. He couldn’t describe exactly how, but she wasn’t holding him the same way. Her hands caressed as they clung to him. His body responded to her closeness. Two parts of him warred with one another. The gentleman, who would never take advantage of a woman in distress, fought with the caveman who wanted her despite circumstances. Somewhere in the middle of it all, he held her, rubbing her back as she cried.

A lifetime later, Paisley stopped crying, raising her tear streaked face to his. Her lips parted as they scooted even closer. Eyes closed, she waited for him to complete the movement. Continuing to fight his inner battle, he bent toward her, the caveman cheering loudly inside his head, as their lips met.

Paisley tasted like tears and vanilla. Kai licked her lips, then dove into her open mouth with his tongue, taking everything she gave him. She trembled in his arms, breathing deeply as he plundered her mouth.

Kai couldn’t control his hands. He held her close, fondling her in far too friendly a fashion. He might have stopped if she’d put the brakes on, but she didn’t. Pulling her legs onto his lap, his hand crept between her legs, working their way up her thigh. Paisley stiffened when he got about halfway, making him take notice of what he was doing. Shoving himself away, he pushed her off his lap.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I need to go.” He rose awkwardly, his body having forgotten how to coordinate its movements. “God, Paisley. What you must think!”

Kai ran for the door, like the Devil was after him, slamming it shut behind him. He leaned against it for a moment, until he heard her do up the bolts and put the chain on. Stumbling and clumsy, he walked to his Jeep, fumbling to get the door open. Slamming it shut, he leaned on the steering wheel trying to pull himself together.

“Idiot!” He yelled. “Stupid, f**king idiot! What were you doing? What were you thinking?” You were thinking she’s the tastiest piece of ass you’ve seen in years. You want up inside her so bad, you can taste her when you inhale. “Dammit!” He punched the roof, connecting with one of the roll bars.

Roaring with pain, he put the car in reverse, and took off, swearing at himself the entire way home. His cellphone rang as he pulled into his driveway. He didn’t recognize the number, but something told him it was Paisley.

“I apologize,” she whispered. “I could’ve stopped you—I should have. It’s my fault.”

“No, I let the caveman take over. You’re beautiful and vulnerable, that’s like a sex cocktail. Nothing says hump me like a lady in distress.”

The sound Paisley made was something between a giggle and a sob. “I sure fall into that category. All the way to the bottom of the well…. I don’t want you angry with me, but I don’t want you getting the wrong idea either.”

“Explain it to me,” Kai murmured. “I’ll try to understand.”

He shut off his car and went to sit on the front porch. Leaning back on the porch swing, he listened as she talked to him.

“You probably think I’m completely crazy. I’m acting loonier than Uncle Frank.”

“Well, if you dance naked in a fountain, I wanna watch. That’d be a sight to see.”

She laughed loudly. “Oh, you!”

“I’m a guy, so sue me! Seeing you naked would do me a world of good.”

“I promise, if I decide to do that, I’ll call you first.”

“Sweet.”

“My ex wasn’t a bit like you,” she said unexpectedly. “He would have said something like that, and made it sound nasty, not funny. He was mean, hurtful….”

© 2019 Dellani Oakes

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