Page 65 of Finding Kyler
His throat works overtime as he drains his beer in one go. “You and me both.” I lean forward on my elbows, waiting for him to continue. “It’s complicated. I…” Brad trails off as he looks over my head.
Feet race across the stone platform and a muscular arm snakes out, lifting Brad up by his shirt. “Keep your filthy paws off her, McConaughey.” Kyler growls out a warning. Hostility radiates from him in waves, lifting all the hairs on the back of my neck. A thrill of excitement whips through me, and I’m disgusted at myself. This side of Kyler speaks to the inner demon inside me. I don’t want to acknowledge that dark part of me, much less release it. That’s why this part of Ky’s personality is so dangerous to me. “I don’t know what you’re up to this time, but you won’t hurt my family again.”
Brad removes Kyler’s hand. “It’s not what you think. I’m just looking out for her.”
“I’m right here.” I feel the need to state the obvious because they’re both talking as if I’m not present. Neither of them looks at me. Their faces are locked on one another, and some silent battle is erupting between them. I climb to my feet. “Knock it off, Ky.” I tug on his arm, but he doesn’t budge. Bunched muscles are rigid under my fingers. Kyler is primed for battle, and all it’ll take is one erstwhile comment from Brad to set him off.
“I’d like to leave now, Brad. Can you drive me home?”
He lowers his head to mine. “Of course, Faye. No problem.”
“What are you doing?” Kyler pins his dark expression on me. “I told you to stay away from him.”
“And I told you to go screw yourself.” I lace my fingers in Brad’s and jerk my chin up to level a cold look at Kyler. “We done here?”
“I know what you’re doing, and it won’t work.” Kyler scowls, his eyes traveling to our conjoined hands for a brief second.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, and I don’t care. Come on, Brad.” We step around the table, avoiding Kyler. Brad places his arm across my shoulders as he steers us onto the lush grass.
Firm hands seize me from behind, and I’m lifted clear off the ground. Kyler pulls my back against his chest, keeping a tight hold around my midriff. I wriggle in his embrace as he presses his mouth to my ear. “I know you’re mad at me, and you’ve every right to be, but I can explain. Don’t do this. You can’t trust him.” His warm breath seeps over my skin causing me to wither in his arms. Kyler tightens his hold on me, and suddenly I’m hyperaware of his hard body pressed flush against mine. The usual dart of desire ignites instantly, turning my limbs to rubber. I clasp Kyler’s arm to stop myself from slithering to the ground. Brad watches me intensely.
“He’s not into you,” Kyler continues whispering in my ear. “He’s using you to get back at me.”
A fresh wave of hurt rolls over me. “You’d know all about that.”
Kyler stiffens. “What does that mean?” He turns me fluidly around, hanging onto my upper arms.
“You know exactly what I mean,” I snap.
“Look, let’s not do this here. Let me take you home and we’ll talk then.” His eyes beseech me to play along, but I owe him nothing.
“No, we won’t. Now let me go. I’m leaving with Brad.”
He grinds his teeth as he releases me, and I step back, rubbing my arms.
He sighs, running a hand across his stomach. His shirt lifts with the movement, showcasing a tantalizing strip of skin. My eyes linger on his abs a beat too long, and I want to punch myself in the stomach. Either that or gouge out my eyes so they can’t betray me anymore.
Kyler smirks knowingly and it’s like waving a red flag in my face. My nostrils flare as I take a swing at him. This time, he reacts fast, gripping my wrist before I can make contact. “Hitting isn’t very ladylike.” He fights to keep the smile off his face, and that only infuriates me further. I lift my knee to his groin, but he bats it away before impact. “That’s definitely not very nice.”
“Ky,” a nauseating voice calls out, and I roll my eyes. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” Addison strolls across the grass, shooting me a filthy look. Ky releases me as she circles her arms around him. Brad moves forward, slinging his arm around my waist. I appreciate the show of support.
“Come back inside, Ky,” she says, sneaking her hand up under his shirt. She makes a deliberate show of snuggling into him as her hand visibly creeps up over his chest.
How can he stand to have her touch him after what she did? Does he feel superior now that she’s sidling up to him in front of Brad? Can’t he see her for the opportunistshe is?
Red splotches blur my vision, and I’m about to go ninja on her ass. I’m literally two seconds from losing my shit. I grip Brad’s hand hard, needing his touch to ground me. “Please get me out of here.”
Kyler breaks free of Addison’s hold, stepping toward me. “I’ll take you home. You’re not getting in a car with him.”
Addison pouts, fisting a hand in Ky’s shirt. “Don’t leave. We were only getting properly reacquainted.” She loops her fingers in his belt and tugs him toward her. My mouth goes dry as her hand slips under the band of his jeans. Kyler watches me with those penetrating eyes of his, waiting for me to react, and I can’t stand it a second longer.
Twirling around, I rest my hands on Brad’s chest. He looks down at me, and I see my own hurt and confusion mirrored in his gaze. His arms fasten around my waist, and I don’t know if it’s the feel of his body against mine, or the shared outrage, or that I need to feel comforted in that moment, but my brain checks out as I lift on my tiptoes and press my lips to his.
His mouth is soft and warm against mine, but his kiss is light and hesitant. I think I may have misread the situation. A surge of embarrassment heats my skin as I start to break away, but he stops me, drawing me in closer to his chest. His arms tighten around me, and he tilts my head, deepening the kiss. His mouth moves confidently against mine, and while his kiss doesn’t ignite the same flames that Ky’s does, it’s still flooding me with gentle warmth.
I’m ripped off him in one fluid movement. Kyler lifts me off the ground, swiftly handing me off to Kalvin who seems to have magically appeared from somewhere. Ky’s arm flexes as he throws a concentrated punch at a dazed Brad, glancing the side of his jaw. Brad stumbles but doesn’t lose his balance. “Stop, Ky.” He deflects a second punch with his raised palm. “I don’t want to fight you.”
“Tough. You’ve had this coming for a long while.”
