Love Game

“It’s not supposed to be a vacation.”

“Kai also doesn’t have to be an asshole and throw your shit back in your face after you were honest with him. A few swims in that big old pool isn’t going to rip a hole in the cosmos.”

“Good point.”

“Of course it is. I made it. And what about Kai?”

“What about him?”

“You told him about the break-in. That must mean you felt comfortable with him.”

“I told him because I had to,” I said. “I ran over to the big house like a scared little kid.”

“Stop beating yourself up for that.” Jordan gentled her voice. “You had a knife held to your cheek, hon. You’re allowed to feel…whatever you feel about it.”

“I know, but it’s still humiliating.”

“Was Kai an asshole about it that night too?”

“Not at all. He was super sweet. And considerate. And…”

“And?”

“He was angry. Like he wanted to hurt those men because they hurt me.”

“The plot thickens,” Jordan said. “So it’s a case of Classic Male Bravado Syndrome. He’s being a dick now because he was vulnerable then. He likes you. Probably a lot, and it scares him.”

“Feeling anything scares him,” I said. “And it doesn’t matter if he likes me or not. I’m an employee and it should stay that way.”

“Do you want it to stay that way?” Jordan asked. “Do you like him too?”

I thought about the question, searched my feelings. “I like him when he’s showing his true self. When he’s kind and caring and making jokes. Smiling.”

I like that beautiful smile of his. A lot.

And if I delved further, I realized that there was something about the real Kai that I was drawn to. Something that made me want to be near him and it had nothing to do with his extreme good looks or his talent. Something that might, if we had time, reveal itself to be something more…

“Doesn’t matter,” I said, surprised at the ache in my heart for the finality of the words. “Most of the time he’s protecting himself by being an asshole. I want to do my best to help but getting involved is a bad idea.”

“Bad ideas can be a lot of fun,” Jordan said. “And you must have ovaries of steel, girlfriend.”

A laugh burst out of me. “What?”

“I Googled your man after you told me he was a tennis pro. H-O-T. I mean…wow.”

“Tell me about it.”

“I know you’re into being professional and all,” Jordan said, and I could hear the air quotes she put around the word, “but have you ever considered that all he needs to loosen up is a mind-blowing orgasm or two?”

“Jesus, Jordan. I’m not going to prostitute myself to the guy.”

“Who said anything about that? Hell, sex could be the cure for what ails you, too. Jump in the sack with him and see if you don’t both feel a million times better the morning after.”

I laughed and rolled my eyes. “I’m hanging up now.”

Later that afternoon, I turned over Jordan’s words. Not that I was seriously considering sleeping with Kai to “cure” either one of us. But I hadn’t thought about sleeping with any man since the break-in. God, what would I do? What would it be like to have a man’s weight on top of me in bed? Could I even have a man in my life like that now?

I caught a glimpse of Kai talking with Lana in the backyard. He wore his workout gear and Owen was with him. I guessed they were going to practice on the court. My eyes drank up his form. His smooth skin over hard muscle. The lines and planes of him. My body felt awake looking at Kai Solomon.