Page 54

Kairi

Ebony and Lu were already waiting for me at the bar when I walked in. Our usual spot was the same as always—dim lights, sticky tables, and a pitcher of sangria sweating in the middle of it all. The noise of the crowd wrapped around me, loud but oddly comforting.

Ebony saw me first. She threw her hands up like I’d been lost at sea and finally returned. “About time! Look who decided to show up!”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Stop it.”

“And late,” Lu added, her tone dry but her smile soft. She grabbed the pitcher and poured a fresh glass for me.

Sliding into the booth, I sighed and took the glass from her. “I missed you two,” I admitted, even though we’d just seen each other in Miami not that long ago. I took a sip, the sweetness of the sangria pulling some of the tension from my shoulders.

“We know,” Ebony said with a smirk.

The three of us fell into an easy flow. Ebony launched into a wild story about her latest date, and Lu chimed in with her commentary. I laughed more than I had in weeks. For a little while, it felt like everything else—the drama, the stress, the constant judgment—didn’t exist. It was just us.

Then the door opened, and I felt it before I saw him.

I didn’t need Ebony’s grin to confirm who it was. “Surprise,” she said, not bothering to hide her satisfaction. “I invited him.”

Davis.

He walked in like he always did, confident but not cocky. When his eyes landed on me, they didn’t move. I thought it might feel awkward, seeing him again after everything that had happened. But seeing his face made me realize how much I’d missed him.

“Davis,” Ebony said, her grin growing wider. “Look what the cat dragged in.”

“Kairi,” Davis said, sliding into the seat next to me, and I hated the way my body responded, muscle memory pulling me toward him before my brain could catch up. He smelled so good it made my stomach flutter.

“Davis,” I said. “What brings you here? I thought you’d still be mad at me. You haven’t answered any of my texts.” I had the nerve to be mad at him about not answering me, but I thought we were at least friends and would continue to be.

“And I won’t tomorrow either,” he said, flashing that familiar grin that used to undo me. He leaned in slightly. “But I still wanted to see your face. Even if I’m still a little hurt.”

The words hit differently than I expected. I looked at him, unsure what to say, but Ebony saved me by getting worked up over another one of her stories. Davis didn’t push, but I could feel his eyes on me.

We talked and laughed like old times, but it was different now. He was different. Or maybe I was.

When Ebony got up to grab another pitcher and Lu went to the bathroom, Davis turned to me. “So, what’s going on with you? I saw everything. It’s a mess, Kairi. Was all this worth being with him?”

I didn’t answer right away. Instead, I stared into my glass, watching the ice cubes shift as I swirled it. “It would’ve been easier with you,” I said finally.

Davis didn’t interrupt.

“You were easy,” I continued, my voice quiet. “Not in a bad way. You were safe. Constant. Predictable.” I turned to look at him.

He nodded. “That’s a lot of compliments,” he said, but his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“But that’s not what I want.” I met Davis’s gaze, the words catching in my throat. “You know the stories I write, the exaggerated adult fairy tales? I grew up believing in those. Believing in love that shakes you to your core, that makes you question everything, that… changes you.” I paused, swallowing hard. “I can’t settle for easy,” I said quietly. “You’re everything I should want, Davis, and it pisses me off that I just can’t be with you.”

His smile faded completely. “I’m going to call it a night.”

“Davis, I’m sorry,” I said. “Really.”

He shrugged and stood, lifting his glass to his lips. “You made your choice. I hope he’s worth it,” he said before walking off.

I felt like shit.

Lu and Ebony came back to the table, their energy cutting through the fog Davis had left behind. Ebony was the first to notice. “What’s wrong?” she asked, sliding back into the booth. “You look like somebody ran over your cat.”

I sighed, swirling my glass. “Davis left. He asked if all this was worth it, and I told him the truth. He didn’t take it well.”

Ebony rolled her eyes. “Men love a guilt trip when they can’t be the center of your world. He’ll survive. That’s why I invited him. So he can move the fuck on.”

“Yeah, well, I feel like crap,” I admitted. “He didn’t deserve any of what happened between us after I returned to Florida. I wish I would have just left him alone from the beginning.”

“Fuck him. That’s my friend, but he’s a big boy. There’s women all over the city that want him. Let him find another,” Ebony said, leaning forward. “What you need to worry about is Ashlen. If she keeps fucking with you, I’mma have that bitch killed.” She said it, and now I could see she was clearly drunk.

“Ebony,” I warned.

“I’m serious,” she shot back. “If she keeps coming for you, she’ll end up missing. Don’t test me.”

Lu nudged her. “Let it go, Black Axe Barbie. Kairi doesn’t need that energy.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “I think I’m going to call it a night.”

Lu reached across the table, grabbing my hand. “Sure you’re okay?” Lu asked.

“I’m fine,” I said, standing. Ebony hugged me tightly.

“Text me if you need anything,” she said, her tone serious.

“I will,” I promised, leaving them in the bar.

When I opened the door to my apartment, the first thing I noticed was the quiet. I dropped my bag by the door, kicked off my shoes, and made my way toward the living room, where I felt him before I even saw him.

Atlas was there, stretched out on the couch like he owned every corner of the room. His jacket was draped over the armrest, his tie loose and hanging, and his shirt unbuttoned just enough to tease. He looked up at me, his eyes dark and steady, his smile slow and knowing.

“You’re here,” I said, the words slipping out before I could think.

“Dion’s asleep in the bedroom,” he said, his voice deep and even. “I wasn’t about to let you stay here alone for two weeks. You’d miss me too much.”

I rolled my eyes, though I couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips. “You’re so full of yourself.”

“And you love it,” he said, leaning back, his legs spread wide.

I walked over, my heart kicking up with every step. When I sat beside him, I reached for his hand, my fingers brushing his. “Thank you.”

“For what?” His voice dropped, rougher now.

“For being here. For knowing what I need, even when I don’t.”

He leaned in, his hand sliding to the back of my neck, pulling me closer. His lips found mine, soft at first, then firmer. I kissed him back, letting him take his time, his tongue sweeping over mine before he sucked my bottom lip.

I let out a soft gasp, and that was all it took. He shifted, his grip on my neck tightening as he deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding into my mouth, stroking, teasing. I pressed closer, the heat building between my legs felt unbearable.

Without thinking, I swung my leg over his lap, straddling him. His hands found my waist instantly, pulling me flush against him. I could feel every inch of him through the thin fabric of my leggings. I grinded into him. He groaned into my mouth, one hand sliding down to grab my ass, the other tangling in my hair as he kissed me harder, deeper.

I broke the kiss just long enough to catch my breath. His mouth moved to my jaw, then to my neck, sucking just below my ear until my head fell back, a low moan escaping before I could stop it.

“You missed me,” he murmured against my skin, his voice thick and possessive. “Say it.”

“I missed you,” I whispered, my hands gripping his shoulders.

“Not enough,” he growled, his teeth grazing my collarbone. “Show me. Ride me. Make me cum,” he said before he reached in between us, tearing a hole into my tights, sliding my panties to the side. I rose up, my hand sliding to his pants, my hands flying to unleash his dick. He sucked my tongue this time, slow and dirty as I sank down on him. The stretch was perfect; I oozed pussy juice all down his shaft.

I couldn't help but think—I was right when I told Davis I didn’t want easy. The feeling I was having right now was all-consuming.