He shrugs. “It’s just a party.”
“Did you hear them?” I practically shout. “They said a hundred and fifty people. A hundred and fifty people is more than a party. That’s like…a concert or something.”
His eyebrow rises, and he shakes his head. “What kind of concerts have you gone to?”
“That doesn’t matter.” I roll my eyes, completely exasperated.
“I know you don’t want to do this, but look at how happy our mothers are right now. And it will be good for everyone to meet my wife. I should have done something as soon as we got home, but with everything that happened, I didn’t want to put to much pressure on you.”
“I don’t need to meet everyone, Kai,” I tell him, feeling nervous from even thinking about it. “We don’t even know what we’re doing. Things between us are still up in the air.”
“Stop,” he growls, turning to face me. “Every time you talk about us, you make it seem like we have an expiration date. We agreed to try to make this work, but in order for that to happen, both of us have to be involved. You can’t have one foot out the door already, Myla.”
I swallow, close my eyes, and drop my forehead to his chest, realizing that he’s right. I agreed to see where things go with him, while at the same time, I have been counting on us coming to an end.
“You’re right.” I open my eyes and look up at him. “I’m sorry. You’re right.”
His hands come up, and he gently holds my face between his palms. “Let’s worry about one thing at a time.” He kisses me softly then leans back just enough so he can look me in the eye. “Let’s give our mothers this party. I know it will mean a lot to both of them.”
I nod and lean into his touch.
“I’ll be with you all night.” He kisses me again, but this time, before he can pull away, I nip his bottom lip.
He growls deep in his throat and his hand tangles in my hair, forcing my head to the side. My mouth opens under his, and the moment his tongue touches mine, I whimper. I have never been with someone like him, and as much as it scares me, I still want him more than I have wanted anything in a very long time. He slows the kiss and pulls away, resting his forehead against mine.
“You’re right.”
“I’m right?” he asks, surprised.
“Well, it would mean a lot to my mom to be involved, even if it is just a party.”
“And us?” he questions.
I debate for a moment how to answer him before pressing my chest against his. “I know you don’t think I’m giving us a chance, but I am. I have never been with someone like you before. You scare me.”
“Myl—”
“Oh, honey, I’m so excited!” my mom says, interrupting Kai. “Do you think we should have a photographer?”
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” I mumble, gaining a squeeze to my waist from Kai.
“I’m sure your brothers would love to see some pictures of you.”
My body freezes and I feel the blood drain out of my face as Kai’s arms band around me.
“You don’t look so well. Are you okay, honey?” my mom asks.
I nod, not able to speak.
“She’s had a long day. I’m going to get her to bed. Tomorrow is going to be another busy day,” Kai says.
“Of course,” Mom mutters, looking me over.
I give her a shaky smile and a quick hug before Kai leads me back towards our room. Once we’re inside and I hear the door close behind us, I walk to the bed, sit down, and then kick my shoes off before pulling my feet up onto the bed and tucking myself into a ball.
“Do you know that Rory was once my best friend?” I ask Kai as I watch him slip his shirt off over his head then pull his pants off, leaving him only in his boxers, which shows off the tattoo on his right hip that disappears into his underwear, the bottom of the ink ending just above his knee. I wish I could see the full extent of the artwork and get up close to the very detailed work.
“Thad’s brother?” he questions, pulling me out of my thoughts as he walks towards me, holding a shirt in his hand.
I nod as I watch the muscles in his stomach flex.
“Do you still keep in touch with him?” he asks.
I shake my head. “No. When I moved away from Nevada, I just left everything behind,” I say, sitting up on the side of the bed.
When he mutters a quiet, “Up,” his hands go to my stomach. Then he pulls my shirt off over my head and then quickly tugs the new one down. I reach behind my back and unhook my bra, pulling it off then out one of the sleeves of the shirt.
“Why did you run after graduation?” he questions.