Page 40 of Finding Kyler
“Tell them to get lost!” Jill snarls. “We looked it up and it’s not illegal to date, or even marry, your cousin in the state of Massachusetts. So go for it girl!”
“You did what?!” I shriek.
“Take a chill pill, Faye. It took all of five seconds to find the info on my phone. And, you’re welcome.” She gives me a smug grin, and I wish I could reach into my phone and wipe it clear off her face.
“Doesn’t matter anyway,” I mumble. “He hates my guts.”
“Get over yourself,” Rach throws out. “He so doesn’t. We weren’t even in the room and I could sniff the sexual tension in the air.”
“You got all that over the phone?” I’m skeptical even if my heart is ridiculously hopeful.
“Yep,” they chime in unison.
Stop!I implore them in my head. I don’t need to be given any green light where Kyler is concerned. I’m already obsessing over him far more than I should. And he’s a jerk.
I. Don’t. Like. Jerks. No matter how good-looking they are.
Hanging onto the cousin argument was one way of convincing myself not to go there. But now my friends have me considering all kinds of options.
“I’m not discussing this anymore,” I huff, my finger hovering over the end call button. “Not until you two come to your senses and can actually offer constructive advice.”
I say it but I don’t mean it.
The fact is, I think they just have.
I rise early the next morning and head to the indoor pool to do a few laps. I’m full of pent-up stress, thanks to Kyler and this mess that I’ve been unwittingly drawn into. My thoughts churn as I slice through the water. Addison has clearly put a target on my head, and I need to stay sharp if I’m to stand any chance of playing her at her own game.
But it’s Kyler keeping me awake at night.
I know he’s attracted to me, too; the evidence was pressing against me two nights ago. I also know that he’s toying with Addison as some form of payback. What I don’t understand is where all the cruel comments and mean behavior is coming from? If my only sin is feeling an inexplicable draw to him, then how has that invoked such wrath?
A part of me would like to believe he’s warning me off Brad out of some hidden protective nature. But it’s most likely his way of getting back at Brad for his betrayal. I’m a means to an end to Kyler. Nothing more.
A light breeze raises goose bumps on my arms, and I stop swimming, looking over my shoulder at the door noticing it’s slightly ajar. Strange. Could’ve sworn I closed it when I came in.
A small sound in the top corner of the room causes my heart rate to kick up exponentially. Daylight is only breaking outside and the lighting is dim in the room. I spot a shadowy figure sitting on the bench, quietly watching me. My heart rate accelerates to life-threatening proportions. I swim across the width of the pool, propping my arms up on the cool tiled floor.
Kyler is resting his arms on his knees, and his hands are clasped together. His gaze slams into me, and sudden unease trickles down my spine.
“What do you want?” I push wet, straggly bits of hair off my face as he continues to stare wordlessly at me. Every instinct roars at me to ignore him, to treat him in the same dismissive vein, but I refuse to sink to his level. I swim toward the ladder, conscious of his eyes following my every move. Drawing a brave breath, I pull myself up the steps and walk toward him with my chin held high. Water cascades down my body, soaking the ground underneath me.
His darkening eyes latch onto me as I advance, and I may as well be naked. My nipples harden under the intensity of his attentive gaze, but I resist the urge to fold my arms over my chest. I stop in front of him, towering over him for a change. Sweat plasters his hair to his forehead, and judging by his attire, he must’ve just come from the gym. “Why are you here?”
His eyes start at my feet and slowly cover every inch of my body as he takes his time checking me out. Although I’m outwardly shivering, I don’t feel even the tiniest bit cold. The look on his face sends hot tingles of desire all over my body, and I’m having a hard time disguising that fact. Fixing a knowing smirk on his face, he rises, stepping close to me until there’s barely any space separating us. Blood pumps ferociously through my veins, and my head is a cluttered, swirling ball of hormonal-induced confusion.
I step back, needing space to unclog my brain. In a matter of seconds, he has me pinned flat to the wall, his arms forming a loose cage around me. His lower body presses against mine, and I bite my lip to confine my needy whimper. Flippin’ hell.Why am I so attracted to this tool?Even the mere thought of any of my other cousins getting this close to me makes me feel ill, so why do I feel completely differently around Kyler?Why does this turn me on when it should grossme out?
He grazes his nose along the length of my neck, and a tiny moan escapes my lips. His tongue darts out, tasting my flesh, and I clench my fists tight at my side to curb the inane urge to touch him. My body is shuddering all over. “Brad is only trying to get close to you to get back at me,” he murmurs, running the tip of one finger across my collarbone. His gaze latches on to the swell of my breasts under my swimsuit, and his dark stare turns even darker.
Pressing into me again, he licks his lips, as the bulge in his shorts grows harder. My chest swells and deflates in demonstrative fashion, and my nipples are tight to the point of soreness. “Although I’m sure he’s happy to take it there. You’re definitely his type.” His fingers brush the side of my breast in a barely-there caress, but I still feel the pleasurable sensation all the way to the tips of my toes.
A bead of water runs down my face and over my neck, heading for the gap between my breasts. His tongue darts out and laps it up, all the while his eyes stay locked on mine.
It’s the singular most erotic moment of my life.
My core pulses with painful need as his hand sweeps over my hip and he moves his face over mine. His warm breath is intoxicating as he kisses the very edge of my mouth. I turn my head toward him, desperately craving his taste, when he jerks back with urgency. His fingers dig into my hips, and I cry out. “Stay away from Brad. This is your final warning.”
Stepping back, he treats me to one of his trademark smug smiles before blowing me a mocking kiss. Then he exits the room without a second glance.
