Perfect Strangers

“He died to save her, Myla. He loved her, simple as that. I’d have done the same thing.”

“You would?” She asked shocked. Her jaw dropped slightly showing her gum resting on her tongue.

“Of course,” he shrugged, “not for you though. I’d have pushed you off that raft and left you to freeze,” he added nonchalantly.

“God help the woman who marries you!” Myla retorted.

He clenched his jaw tight in an extreme effort not to retaliate. He could feel the twitch protruding up and down on his cheek. He took a deep sigh before unclenching his jaw. “My wife, whoever she might be, will be the center of my universe and will be treated like a Queen,” Kai stated in a deep growl, signaling that he had no more to say on the matter.

“Well if you as—” She stopped dead in her tracks when she noticed the swirl of anger circulating in his eyes, his jaw was sat rigid as he glared at her, silently daring her to continue with whatever she was going to say.

“Good evening, would you like anything to drink?” The hostess, dressed in red with matching bright red lipstick, and foundation the color of wet sand, asked sweetly. Myla smiled widely at her, grateful for the interruption. “Sure, are you serving alcohol yet?”

“Yes, ma’am, we have Vodka, Gin, Brandy, Bailey’s or Malibu?”

“I’ll take one of each please,” Myla replied quickly.

Kai turned and gawked at her, “One of each, are you sure that’s a good idea?”

She sat running her tongue over her teeth as she mulled over his question. Leaning over him so her breasts came to rest on his legs, she motioned for the hostess to come closer. “He’s right, I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I’ll take a double of each instead please.”

“And for you, Sir?” She asked breathlessly and fluttered her false eyelashes towards Kai’s face. For some unknown reason, Myla suddenly envisioned herself jumping up and ripping said eyelashes from her eyes, before bouncing her head off the food ca

rt.

“I’ll take a beer, please.”

“Are you sure about that?” Myla mimicked. She rested her left hand on Kai’s leg, making sure the hostess clearly saw her ring.

“Actually, no. I’ll take two please.” He replied without looking at her. His eyes had come to rest on Myla’s hand that was suddenly rubbing his thigh. Sweet Mary and Joseph, that feels weirdly nice!

“Of course, I will be right back.” Throwing a scowl towards Myla, she waltzed back down the aisle, dragging her cart with her. Once she had disappeared, Myla snatched her hand back from Kai’s thigh, as though his leg had scolded her skin.

“Was that a hint of jealousy there, Capulet?” Kai asked and turned again to look at her with a boyish grin.

“Not jealousy, no,” she retorted, “you are mine for this week, you had best remember that. Your wandering eyes need to stay firmly planted on me.”

“How could I forget,” he muttered as he rubbed his hands over his face. This is going to be the longest week of my life!

The hostess returned with their beverages and Myla greedily knocked back the double Malibu and double Bailey’s before the hostess had moved herself away from them. “Steady on Myla, you may want to pace yourself, it’s a long flight.”

“I know but I’m going to be breathing the same air as you for the next however many hours and then at the end of it, I have to face the wicked witch of the west. Trust me, I need these babies,” she replied picking up the gin with a smile.

“Talking of your mother, what’s the score between you two?” Kai asked curiously.

“Well,” she started with a shrug “I’m the youngest and mother has always favored Grace over me. Grace never did anything wrong in her eyes, it was always me. When I told her about my plans to move to London, do you know what she said? I’ll help you pack,” she replied without giving Kai chance to answer.

“Wow. That’s harsh.”

“I know, right? This will be the first time I’ve been back home in six years. I avoid it like the plague. She has a vicious tongue housed in that wrinkly mouth of hers,” babbled Myla picking up the Brandy and knocking it back with a gasp. The burn trickled down her throat.

“So, what’s our plan then? Are we taking her down?” Kai asked, with a serious look clouding his face.

She snorted and a small laugh flew from her mouth. “We are not on some covert mission to eradicate my mother, more like give as good as we get maybe, put the witch in her place?”

“I’ll drink to that,” he replied. With a lopsided grin, he held up his drink and tapped it against hers.

“I hope you realize what you’ve got coming your way, Kai because honestly? I’m scared she’s going to see straight through this act of ours.”