Page 43 of Kayla's List

I can sort of understand his disbelief because Kayla has changed a lot since I first met her. She is no longer the shy woman who would blush at my teasing or say no before you even asked her a question. Kayla is blossoming and becoming more and more of the woman she swore to me she wasn’t.I love her more and more every day.

My eyes rapidly blink at the thought. I know I can be obsessive, but I’m not sure I can be in love. I clear my throat and shake my head to rid myself of the errant thought.

“Warren, this isn’t a conversation that I want to have with you. I’ve already told you that. Please leave me alone.”

I smile at how firm Kayla’s words are.I’m so fucking proud of her right now that my face splits into a wide grin. She would’ve never been so outspoken before. We’ve had many conversations about how she hates confrontation and how people would treat her like a doormat. I’ll make sure to remind her to mark off number twenty-two on her list. I know it’s crazy that I have her list almost memorized, but I’ve made it my personal mission to help her accomplish as many goals that I can.

“Kayla, please.” Warren begins to beg, and I would feel sorry for the guy if I didn’t know how bad he’d treated Kayla.

“Man, listen. Just leave her alone. She’s said what she had to say,” I finally speak up. I didn’t want to impede on Kayla’s independence, but I’ll be damned if I let another man beg for my girlfriend’s time right in front of me.

“You don’t speak for her!” Warren puffs out his chest, and I smile.

We’re close to the same height and build, but I’m no slouch. I will whoop someone’s ass if I need to. The fact of the matter is, neither one of us will be caught fighting in a place like this. But if I ever catch his ass in the street, that’s a different story.

“I don’t have to speak for her. Kay is a grown ass woman. But she will never have to repeat herself while I’m standing here to defend her,” I say in a calm voice that belies my true feelings.

Warren is frowning so hard that his eyes look like they’re about to cross. I’m not sure why the man is so mad or insistent on talking to Kayla. He’s the one who cheated.

“Kay, you just need to hear me out,” Warren pleads again.

“Warren, I told you that I am not interested in anything you have to say!” Kayla’s voice raises a little, but she doesn’t yell. Her small hand balls into a fist before she relaxes it and turns to me. “I’m so done with this conversation,” Kayla says.

I look from her hands into her face to gauge her mood. She gives me a small smile, and I bring the back of her hand to my lips and kiss it. “Okay, baby.” I turn and give one last glare of warning to Warren because I’m petty then I lead Kayla through the crowd.

Kayla stops me from heading out of the door, and my eyebrows crease in question. “I’m not ready to leave just yet. I’ve wanted to see this show for a long time, and Warren is not going to ruin that for me,” Kay says, and I’m again overcome with a sense of pride.

“You know that bossy tone you’re using is turning me on.” I bite my bottom lip and nuzzle Kay’s neck.

“I am not… bossy.” Kay sighs as I continue to rub my beard against her cheek.

“I don’t know, doll face. You put that douche in his place back there. I almost thought you were going to punch him,” I tease.

“Please, you thought no such thing,” Kayla replies in an exasperated tone, but the broad smile that shows her dimples tells me she likes my teasing.

We stay at the gallery for another hour before we decide to leave. We don’t run into Warren again, and for that small reprieve, I am thankful. Once I get the keys from the valet, we head to my apartment. There is no way we are going back to Kay’s apartment because if that bastard shows up, I will kick his ass. And I wouldn’t put it past Warren to pop up at Kayla’s because of all the harassing shit she’s said he’s been doing.

The drive to my downtown apartment is quick, and Kayla and I are on the elevator within fifteen minutes of our departure from the gallery. I can still feel the tension radiating off of her, and I know exactly what I want to do to make her feel better.

As soon as we enter my apartment, I take her purse and jacket and place them on the table by the door. Kayla gives me a curious look before I push her up against the wall.

“I need to keep a promise on fucking you against the wall,” I growl before I take her mouth in a deep kiss.

20

Secrets

KAYLA

Anderson pushes me up against the wall and kisses me so deeply that I’m almost too distracted to realize that he has gripped my panties. When the thin material was torn from my body, I let out a shocked gasp.

I have never had anything like this happen to me before. It’s sexy as hell, and I cream myself even more. To tell the truth, I was already turned on. The way Anderson defended me was also something that had never happened before. At least from a guy I was dating.

I guess that says more about my choices in men, but it doesn’t negate the fact that Anderson stood up for me. I was proud of myself for standing up to Warren twice in one day, but he knows me. And Warren knows if he keeps pushing, eventually, I’ll fold. I don’t need saving per se, but I’m still a work in progress when it comes to confrontations.

“You’re so wet for me, Kay. Damn, baby!” Anderson growls before he attacks my lips again. His fingers plunge in and out of my heat. The noises I make are obscene, but I can’t stop them. I don’t want to stop them.

“Anderson! I’m going to…” I yell out an indecipherable jumble of noises.