Unsuitable(115)

I feel like he’s betrayed me—although I’m not quite sure how.

He follows me forward, his hands landing on my shoulders. “Not the whole time. I did go to Greece. I stayed there for six months. Then, I came back.”

“You’ve been here for three years! Jesus, Kas.” I shake my head.

“I stayed away for as long as I could. As long as it took to get my head straight. Then, I came home. I wanted to be closer to you. If I had to wait to have you, then I was going to be close to you while I did so.”

“Jesus…” I breathe, staring up at him. “I don’t know whether to be freaked out that you’ve been basically stalking me for the last three years. Or feel bowled over with emotion at the fact that you couldn’t stay away from me.”

I have the sudden urge to start singing The Police’s “Every Breath You Take,” but I don’t because that would be weird.

And how could he be here for all that time and me not know?

Or maybe, subconsciously, I did know, and that was why I could never get over him.

Kas gives me a sheepish but hopeful look. “Can we just go with bowled over?”

The look on his face is…so boyish that I can’t help but smile. “You have serious issues, Matis.”

“Just one. And she goes by the name Daisy.”

I give him a playful scowl.

And he smiles, but his expression quickly turns serious. “I want you to be my issue. And I want to be yours. I want you to be my everything. And I want to be your everything.” His hand lifts to my face, cupping it. “I want a life with you, Daisy. Try again with me, please. Just say yes. Just tell me you still love me and say yes.”

Pressing my cheek into his hand, I close my eyes, reveling in the feel of him. I already know my decision. I knew it the moment I turned around and saw him standing there.

I open my eyes and smile. “I still love you, Kas. And, yes. Yes, a million times over.”

His face breaks out into the biggest and most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen. Then, his lips are on mine, and he’s kissing me. I never want him to stop.

And, now, I know he will never stop. Because he’s here to stay.

It wasn’t our time before. But it’s our time now.

I once thought of Kas and me as totally unsuitable for one another. We were unsuitable.

But, now, we’re perfect.

Okay, well, maybe not perfect.

He’s killed in revenge. Killed for me. And I shot a man dead.

But we’re perfect for each other, and that’s all that matters.

He breaks our kiss, breathing heavily. “So, Thessa’s.” He nods his head toward the front of the shop. “Does that have anything to do with Thessaloníki?” he says with a touch of accent to that sexy voice, making my lady bits perk up. “Or is it just a coincidence?”

A blush covers my face. I lower my eyes. “I just wanted something to remember you by,” I whisper. “Something to remind me that you were real.”

He tips my chin up with his fingers, bringing my eyes to his. “I’m real, babe. And I’m here to stay. I’m never leaving you again.”

And I know he means it.

“I’m never letting you go,” I tell him right before his lips fall back to mine.

I slide my hands up into his hair, and he moans a sweet sound.

He wraps his arms around me, pulling me closer to him until there’s no space between us at all. And I go willingly.

I fall back into him, back into the only place I was ever meant to be.

In Kas’s arms. Where I plan on staying for the rest of my life.





Acknowledgments

Writing Unsuitable has been a hell of a challenge for me.

Two years in the making. Sixty thousand words deleted. The story line reworked, and the book restarted. Two extended editing dates, and finally, I’m here!

I really stepped outside of my comfort zone to write Daisy and Kas’s book, and I’m beyond glad I did.

Kas is literally the most complex character I have ever written. He broke me and then put me back together with his inner beauty. I adore every complex part of him. I hope you do, too.

As always, the biggest thank you goes to my husband, Craig. Babe, you’re my biggest champion and supporter, but more importantly, you’re my best friend. I couldn’t do it without you.

My children, Riley and Isabella, you are both literally the best thing I have ever done. Even if I fail at everything else in life, I will always know that I got something right—the both of you.

My girls, Sali, Trishy, and Jodi—Who knew long-distance friends would turn out to be the best friends a girl could ask for? I love you all.

My editor, Jovana—We’ve been working together for a long time now, and you never cease to amaze me with your awesomeness.