Kai, p.2
Kai, page 2
The line moved up. The bouncer came in my line of sight. The four men in front of me laughed and joked. Two of them whistled at ladies who walked past to join the line behind the other girls. They blurted obscenities at the ladies, who blushed in response and avoided eye contact with the group of men.
The bouncer pointed at me. I glanced over my shoulder. When I turned back to face the bouncer, he approached.
I grabbed Lee’s forearm. Lee stopped talking. The bouncer reached for us, but instead of taking hold of me, the bouncer grabbed the man in front.
“If you can’t behave here, there’s no way you’ll behave in here.” The bouncer pointed at a sign on the wall that read, ‘While you wait, please do so respectfully’.
“Hey man, everybody chill. We’re cool,” the man said as he placed a calm hand on the bouncer’s shoulder. “We’re all friends here.”
“Don’t touch me,” the bouncer growled, pulling the man out of the line and shoved him away. “Get away before I pummel your faces into the concrete.”
The man who had spoken raised his hands and nodded. “Yeah, sure. We’re going. No harm, no foul.” He pulled on his friend’s shirt. “Let’s bounce.”
The men crossed the road and climbed into a Maserati Levante. They were far too young to afford something like that. They barely had facial hair.
The bouncer returned to the front and allowed a group of women to enter.
Lee continued flirting with the two women behind us, but instead of joining their conversation, I stared at the men sitting in the Maserati. They didn’t leave. They glowered at the club as they spoke. No doubt conspiring to do something.
When we finally reached the front, the bouncer gave us the stink eye. Then his eyes flitted to the two women hanging onto us, he allowed us access.
I was grateful Lee could be charming when he wanted to. With the girls help, we were able to access the venue. It wasn’t as if we were trying for territory by pissing against the wall to lay claim to the building. We came for a good time.
As I stepped through the door, the heat smacked me in the face and the music was loud. Sweat beaded on my forehead and dripped down my back.
I followed Lee and the two women to the bar and ordered another round of Tequila shots.
The redhead, Kimberly something, clung to me while laughing at Lee’s silly jokes.
I should be enjoying myself, but I wasn’t. There was something indescribable about tonight I couldn’t put a finger on. It wasn’t the redhead pawing me like she’d never held a man before, but something else. I could almost taste it in the change of atmosphere.
I glanced around the club and that hollow feeling inside intensified. Perhaps it was the part missing a mate, or I was having an off night. But the more I thought about it, the hollower I felt. And stranger thoughts swirled inside my head.
In all the years I’d been a shifter, I always felt as though a part of myself was missing. Whether it was parts of my soul, or the human part I’d lost, but the feeling sharpened tonight. There was something here that stirred within my chest, to the point that it ached.
I glanced at Lee who carried on like he always did—full of jokes and smiles—nothing disturbed him.
“Let’s dance,” the redhead said, pulling on my hand.
I groaned inwardly, not feeling like dancing, but didn’t want to be rude either. She was pleasant looking with big brown eyes and long red hair. I followed her onto the dance floor anyway, with Lee and her friend beside them.
The music drowned out my thoughts as we danced. My body moved, but I didn’t feel the music like I should. It felt superficial and forced. And I felt removed from my body not understanding why.
Lee gyrated against the woman beside him.
When I heard the redhead’s name was Tiffany, I didn’t care. I wasn’t interested in her or her friend and would soon forget their names.
I danced, trying to feel the rhythm of the music in my soul, but it wasn’t there. Casting an eye around the room of moving fevered bodies. The sweaty humans laughed, drank and danced. A woman had fallen to the ground without spilling her drink. Her partner helped her back onto her feet and they careened toward an empty chair. The smell of sweat, alcohol and arousal filled the large building.
One thing I realized surveying the humans, they were slow, docile creatures; weak and stubborn. When someone bumped into me, slurring an apology, I didn’t push back. My shoulder sagged as I thought about leaving the dance area to blend with the shadows.
I reached for Lee to tell him I was sitting down when my eyes locked on her legs; toned and curvy. My heart skipped a beat as my eyes swept over her from heels to head; she wore a knee-high skirt that hugged her hips and ass, causing my body to twitch. She wore a low-cut white blouse with a black lace bra peeking through the see-through material.
I swallowed hard, but my throat remained dry.
She glanced from one side of the nightclub to the other, searching. Her neat raven hair shoulder length, framing her cerulean-colored eyes and delicate features.
Lee grabbed my shoulder, bringing me out of a trance.
“Hey, man, what are you gawking at?” Lee asked, glancing over his shoulder. “Oh my gods, no wonder you’re drooling. I’d fuck her right on the dance floor.”
“Hey!” I slammed my fist into his chest. I felt protective over her and didn’t understand why.
“Ow man, it’s just a saying. Christ. She’s definitely a ten. Go speak to her while I keep these two company. Or, I can go to her and you take these two?” Lee said with a sly smile.
Not needing encouragement, I pushed Lee aside, turned, and slowly headed in her direction.
I didn’t know who she was, but I had to speak to her, ask her name and introduce myself. One thing was clear, I had to know more about her.
My leopard pushed to the front; he liked what he saw, too.
She drew me to her in a way I never experienced before; as if hypnotized and led straight to my death—if it meant spending the last minutes of my life with her, I’d die a happy shifter.
My breathing labored and my chest ached. I wiped damp hands on my jeans, heart racing as I closed the gap. My legs shook with each step as I fought for control over my body; my leopard wanted out, and wanted her.
I dragged a steady breath over my teeth as my leopard smashed to the surface, yearning for release. My beast wanted her; he wanted to claim her. Now.
I reminded myself this was a human only nightclub. Nobody could know who or what I was. The risk of exposure wasn’t worth it and fought for control.
The raven beauty’s eyes danced over the people and stopped when she spotted my approach. Her long dark lashes framed her blue eyes, below them the delicate slope of her nose and full lips sending my heart fluttering when I envisioned them on my body.
When our eyes locked—our world slowed. Time stood still as I reached for her, closing the distance. The loud music drowned out by her beauty. We were the only two people in that moment.
I dared not avert my eyes for fear she would disappear, and it was only a figment of my desperate imagination. For I knew in this moment, it was real, and true.
Swallowing the dry lump in my throat. The corners of my mouth curved upward and reached my eyes.
My gaze lingered on her breasts but I quickly glanced at her face, maintaining my smile.
She arched an eyebrow, not impressed.
“Hi,” I said smoothly, holding out my hand.
Her eyes flitted from my hand to my face, hesitating. “Hi,” she finally said, reaching for my outstretched hand.
The moment we touched, electricity passed through us that set my blood on fire. I warmed from within as my beast rippled beneath the surface. A low growl escaped my lips, and I hoped she didn’t hear.
She kept her hand in mine, leaned closer and said, “My name is Naomi.”
“Kai.” I lifted her hand to my mouth and gently kissed it.
The sound of her giggle sent a pleasurable ripple through my body, causing my smile to broaden—I enjoyed that sound.
“I didn’t know men still did that,” Naomi said, her blue eyes filled with curiosity, her hand unmoving.
“Only the good ones,” I winked wickedly.
“I’ve never seen you here before.” Naomi’s cheeks reddened. She glanced away, trying to hide the fact that her body had betrayed her.
“It’s my first time here, but I’m glad I came.” I moved close enough to smell her sweet scent. When she didn’t step away from me, I took another step closer and said near the shell of her ear. “I do, however, regret not coming sooner.” I moved in her line of sight and smiled sincerely.
“Naomi!” She flinched when someone yelled her name. A man dressed in a black suit, with shaved hair and dark beady eyes approached from a room at the back of the nightclub. “Sacha wants you now.” His tone was deep and throaty; it held an edge of a warning that if she didn’t do as she was told, there would be consequences.
I didn’t appreciate how she was being spoken to by someone she worked with and stood taller. I’d gladly fight this bouncer, but didn’t know the circumstances of Naomi’s employment and didn’t want to ruin it for her.
As I thought that, I knew I wanted to provide for her, too. I wasn’t a wealthy man, but I would do everything in my power to give her what she wanted.
My mouth dropped open by the revelation and confusion of it all. It was not like me to think this way over a woman and certainly not at first glance. These thoughts were ridiculous, but not. I would protect her, and would provide for her. My instincts to be everything for her took over my rational side of thinking. And my beast liked it. Beast wanted her.
“I have to go.” She glanced at the man who’d called her, then back at me.
I didn’t know this stunning woman standing in front of me, but I felt her hesitation; either she didn’t want to leave or she didn’t want to go to Sacha.
When she caught me staring longingly at her, she whispered. “Don’t leave. I’ll find you.”
Her cheeks still held a pink glow, and I couldn’t help but think it was because of me. We shared something in our brief encounter, and I knew she felt it too.
It was something I had only heard of from other shifters; those born of their beast would find their true mate with ease. When they had explained to me how it made them feel, how they were the only two people in that room and felt it with every inch of their body, and every part of their soul. That’s how I felt with her.
I watched Naomi saunter toward the back door and glanced over her shoulder at me before disappearing. A way of telling me she meant what she’d said, even though we’d only just met.
I committed her face and body to memory, and would give anything to be her skirt; cupping her ass and hugging her body.
I felt a need stir within, an awakening like no other.
When a hand grabbed my shoulder, I twisted the hand away from me until it snapped.
“Jesus, Kai, fuck man. That’s my hand you just broke.”
“You should know better than to sneak up on me.”
Lee snapped the joint back into place and massaged his wrist. He elbowed me. “Look man, those assholes are back.”
I kept my attention on the door Naomi had used and needed to remain in an area where she could easily find me. If I wasn’t near that door, I may never see her again.
Lee pulled on my shoulders, forcing me to look. When I turned in the other direction, I saw the four men from the line. Somehow, they’d gained entry. The bouncer would have remembered them, yet they strolled inside and to the bar like they owned the place.
I recognized their attitudes and it meant one thing. Trouble.
Naomi
I had never encountered someone like Kai before. I had known about the shifters in Sterling Meadow, but was never allowed to interact with any of them. Ever. I was forbidden to even glance in their direction.
But when I stood near the DJ stand searching for Barry, the only person I saw was the guy with the brown hair, big green eyes and a nose that reminded me of a Roman soldier. The surrounding people danced in slow motion.
He stared at me as if I was the only person in the world. My heart raced in my chest as the pull toward him was too great to ignore.
When his friend spoke to him and I caught hints of anger in his expression, I wanted to step away yet couldn’t. Then when he turned his dark gaze on me, his expression softened, sending my heart fluttering in my ribcage.
The man approached.
I wiped damp palms on my skirt and before I could swap the file with the other hand; he stood before me. When his eyes lingered on my breasts, I furrowed my brows. I wasn’t just a body to be gawked at. Then I forgave him when he smiled; it was sweet yet seductive—sending a heated pulse directly to my core.
He was friendly and held out his hand when he greeted. The moment my hand touched his, a spark seared through my body; one I’d never experienced before and was sure he felt something too. My arms pebbled and I gasped for air.
His pupils dilated and he flinched the moment we touched. He seemed… happy. But there was something within him I couldn’t place; he was different. I should be afraid of him, yet I wasn’t. He wouldn’t hurt me, I knew that much. And whatever he was, I felt the intense pull toward him.
After I told him my name, he kissed my hand. That gesture alone sent my blood scorching throughout my body. My cheeks heated as I thought about his soft lips on mine but I couldn’t and shouldn’t think of a man I hardly knew.
When a giggle tore from my lips, my desire evident. I suspected he sensed how I felt about him when his nostrils flared breathing me in.
“I didn’t know men still did that,” I said, curious about his true intentions, yet keeping my hand in his.
“Only the good ones,” he smiled, warming me from my chest to the apex of my legs. He had an effect on me I didn’t understand. It should be wrong, yet it felt right.
“I’ve never seen you here before,” I said and felt heat rise from my chest, up my neck and cheeks. I nervously glanced away, trying to hide the fact that my body had betrayed me.
“It’s my first time, but I’m glad I came,” he purred.
Oh my gods. I felt giddy as I gazed up at his smooth features and mesmerizing green eyes.
One moment he was standing a few steps away, the next he stood so close I felt his warm breath on my face and chest. I didn’t step away. Kai stepped closer. With his mouth near the shell of my ear, my chest rising and falling, and his hot words traveling down my neck. I shuddered in anticipation.
“I do regret not coming sooner though.” He moved into my line of sight and smiled sincerely.
“Naomi!” I flinched when Michail called my name in that harsh accent. I silently cursed the bouncer for interrupting me. From the moment I started working here, I hated Sacha’s most favorite guard.
“I have to go.” I glanced at Michail then back at Kai. Through my smile I tried to portray my happiness for meeting Kai and I hoped he could tell. Although I didn’t want to leave him, I had to.
I wanted Kai to know how I felt about him without sounding desperate. We just met, and it sounded ridiculous like something out of a storybook that I’d fallen so quickly for someone I hardly knew.
“Don’t leave,” I said, leaning in. “I will find you.” As I turned away from Kai, I felt his eyes follow me like a velvety caress down my back.
My conversation was interrupted because I had to check the stock. It was a waste of my time. They needed to buy an inventory management system. It was the modern ages, and there were programs for everything. But Sacha preferred I did everything by hand because he only trusted me.
While I counted the liquor bottles, my mind drifted to Kai.
“What are you daydreaming about?” Sacha asked behind me.
I flinched at his sinister baritone and cringed at the same time. “I’m busy. What do you want?” I replied without giving him my attention.
“Michail says you’ve been speaking to male patrons. I’m sure I’ve forbidden you to interact with any of them.”
“So? You still haven’t given me an actual reason not to. I’m twenty-four, I can do as I please—”
“No, you can’t,” he boomed behind me.
His voice was so loud and frightening, it sent a shiver down my spine. I recoiled and spun around, facing him; dark shadows played against his body as he stood in the doorjamb. I didn’t trust him keeping my back to him, but the sight of him standing there was no better.
“While you live under my roof, you will do as I say, Naomi. Don’t make me repeat myself.” The way he said my name was like nails down a chalkboard. “And the only reason I allow you to dress like that,” — he pointed at my skirt and revealing blouse, — “is because I want the horny bastards to drool over you without actually touching or speaking to you.”
“So it’s fine for you to pimp me out to suit your needs, but the moment anyone else speaks to me then you have an issue with it. You’re such a hypocrite.”
“Enough!” He inched closer, towering over me. “I have already promised you to my friend’s son. Do not forget about your wedding.”
“Arranged wedding,” I yelled. “There’s no love in something forced.”
“What is love, anyway?” He made a strange sound from the back of his throat. “Love is for fools. This is business. The marriage will ensure your future is comfortable.”
“At what cost? My freedom?”
Sacha stood taller and glowered down at me. The single light from the store room swayed slightly and bathed his features in sinister shadows. His metallic eye glinting in the light, reminding me of cyborgs, while his blue eye filled with pent up emotion he would never divulge.
They attacked and left him for dead. Nobody knew what really happened that day. He came home, alone, and almost died. Since then, he never spoke of my mother again.
Whatever happened that night, it killed my mother and I lost a father—gaining an overbearing protector nobody knew was even my dad. I had to call him Sacha from the age of six when we first arrived in Las Vegas and travelled the country until finally settling in Sterling Meadow a couple of months ago.
