Page 42 of Landry
"I left you a message." The aroma of Kung Pao chicken had him salivating. Reaching for the bag, he took the cartons out. "Share?"
"Of course. There's sweet and sour chicken as well. You haven't told me what you think."
"About what?"
"I'm sleeping with Landry."
"That's your business." Ignoring the guilt twisting him up inside, he handed her the meal.
Her tapered brows lifted. "That's it?"
"What do you want me to say?"
"That I'm making a mistake."
"You already know that." When she did not respond, he put his carton down with a sigh. "Look, the guy broke your heart and left you once. Who's to say he won't do it again? And another thing, has he told you why he left?"
"No." She picked up the chopsticks and dug into the meal. "He claims he cannot tell me right now." His snort had her head lifting.
"What?"
"That's pretty lame and damned mysterious."
"I don't know what to do." That was why she was here before going to his place. She had been going there for more than a week, spending enough time to warrant getting her own drawer and her cosmetics on the other side of the vast bathroom counter. They were practically living together. Once or twice, he had suggested they go out, but she had refused. She was not ready for that yet.
"So, instead, you're practically living with the guy." Kyle felt the guilt spreading. Who the hell was he to talk or judge when he was sleeping with the man's sister, although what they did when they were together could not be qualified as sleep.
"I can't seem to help myself," she admitted with a shake of her head.
I can relate,Kyle mused sardonically. The more he thought about ending things with Kathy, the more tangled up he felt. It was coming to the point where he had no idea what the hell he was doing.
"You're in love with him."
She slanted him a look, surprised to see the lack of derision on his face. "You're not upset."
He shrugged, feeling like the biggest hypocrite. "I just don't want to see you hurt." His appetite, which had been monstrous at the beginning of the meal, was fading.
"I'm a mess," she admitted with a shaky laugh. "And you're the only one I can talk to about this."
"Until Lori comes back," he said with a smile. "When's that?"
"I have no idea. She extended her trip again." Picking up her glass, she took a sip. "I cannot tell mother."
He nodded in complete understanding. "She would have a meltdown." Reaching over, he took her hand in his. "I want to wish you all the best, but from past experience, I'm cautious."
"Me too," she said soberly.
***
"You're quiet." He had come up behind her to wrap his arms around her waist. He liked having her in his space. Coming home and waiting for her had become his favorite pastime. He knew that it was a temporary arrangement and that they could not go on like this, but for now, he didn't want to think about it. "What's troubling you?"
She was standing and gazing out the window at the full moon bathing everything in silver. It was hard to believe that it was almost December. "It's so beautiful and serene here. The view is spectacular. I can clearly see the park from here."
"I like the view myself." Brushing back her hair, he pleasured himself by trailing kisses at the side of her neck. "There's nothing troubling about the view." He turned her to face him. "Won't you tell me what's the matter?"
She had told herself that she could continue like this. She was with him and that was what mattered, wasn't it?
"What's going to happen to us?"
