Page 75 of Wild King
“So, do you have a thing for kitchens?” he asks in a confused voice, likely thinking that’s the logical follow-up question.
I can’t help but laugh at how baffled he sounds. Yet still, he’s trying, so I shake my head and answer, “No, not really. I was just thinking about how the nicest times we’ve spent together have been in kitchens.”
Kellen thinks about it for a moment or two and says, “Or maybe it wasn’t where we were but what we were eating or making.”
“That’s true. Maybe it’s not location but food.”
A sly grin lifts the corners of his mouth, and he sighs. “Although if we’re being honest, the best times we had were at the villa. Did we eat anything or spend much time in the kitchen there?”
I think back to that time and smile. “Just that incredible breakfast. That was different, though.”
Shrugging, he leans back in his chair. “I guess since it was on an island and the weather was much warmer.” He stops for a second before asking, “Or is it different because of what I did by ghosting you?”
God, I really don’t want to ruin this night by talking about that. It’s been so wonderful with the birth of Matthias and Ava’s baby and these incredible cookies Eleanor made for Kellen. Maybe it’s time I let that resentment go once and for all, if not to make things better between us than to give myself a reprieve from thinking about how terrible that made me feel.
I take a big gulp of milk to wash down a bite of cookie and look him directly in the eyes. “I understand why you did what you did. It made me feel like shit, but I know now it was more about you and not me. You apologized, and that’s all anyone can ask for. So you don’t have to think that every time the topic ofthe villa comes up that I’ll be thinking you’re a son of a bitch for leaving me there.”
His eyes grow big when I let a little residual bitterness about what happened slip out, but then he nods. “I get it. I deserve that. I hope you see I’ve tried to show you how sorry I am and how I’m not that guy, though.”
“I have, Kellen.”
For a second, I stop because I don’t know if now’s the time to say what I have to say. I don’t want to ruin this night, but maybe I need to come clean with him.
“You know, I took this job not knowing who I’d be working with, and then I saw it was you, and the first thing that ran through my mind was I wanted to see you suffer. I was no better than the rest of the world judging you. That’s not who I am, though. I’m a nice person who tries not to hurt people. It may sound naïve, but I like being that way. Perhaps it’s simple, but it lets me sleep at night. The problem is I didn’t want to be that nice person with you, so a lot of the time I’ve had to spend with you has been hard for me.”
I stop to gather my thoughts, and Kellen says, “I think I know what you’re trying to tell me. I get it. I guess it was too much to hope my past behavior wouldn’t affect any future we could have.”
Holding my hand up to stop him, I shake my head. “No, let me finish. I was having a hard time doing my job because I was letting my personal life intrude on my professional life, and I’ve never done that before. That’s the way it’s supposed to be—I’m not supposed to be able to do my job effectively if I have a personal interest in my client. Now I’m not so sure that’s right. I can’t help the way I feel about you, Kellen. The time we spent together wasn’t long. I know that, and still even if I wasn’t living in the same house with you and working day and night to rehabilitate your reputation, you’d be on my mind. And no,if you’re wondering, it wasn’t just the sex. You’re different from everyone I’ve ever cared about. You’re wild and untamed, and that’s not what I’m used to. But I liked how you made me feel when we were together.”
When I finish speaking, I’m not sure what to expect his reaction will be. It’s a lot to lay on someone, but I want him to know that after everything that’s happened between us, I like him.
He surprises me when he does respond. “I had a great time with you at the villa, Salem. You were sexy and I knew I wanted you from the moment I laid eyes on you. It was more than that, though. I liked how you made me feel too. You were smart and strong-willed. I found out later just how challenging those traits are, but I never thought you were anything other than the woman I knew I had to meet that night at the restaurant. This whole sexual harassment thing isn’t who I am, and I honestly believe you know that. I’m not perfect. I’ve never claimed to be. But when I’m around you, I feel like all my imperfections fade away.”
He stops and then adds, “Well, not all but a lot. I think we could be good together, if you’ll give us a chance.”
I should tell him whatever we may be will have to wait until I’m not working on his situation. I should walk upstairs to the bedroom Eleanor made up for me before I say something I shouldn’t.
The problem is this man makes me want to be something other than what I’ve always been. Before I traveled to the Turks and Caicos on that trip, I’d never dreamed of meeting a man and having a whirlwind sexual tryst that makes every other time I’ve been with a man look mediocre. Before Kellen, I’d never considered getting involved with a client. Before we got together, I didn’t think anyone could make me feel so alive.
What I say next could change my life in ways I haven’t even thought of yet, but I don’t care. Kellen King makes me want to take a big bite out of life and savor every delicious part of it.
“I think we could be good together too,” I say, unsure how to let him know I’m all in on whatever we’re going to be.
Crestfallen, he nods and says, “After you’re finished convincing the world I’m not the worst man on the planet, right?”
Shaking my head, I smile. “No. The old me would have put that stipulation on us being together. The person I am now doesn’t want to wait to enjoy my time in this world. So no, not after I’m done fixing things.”
His eyes wide with surprise, he asks, “Now? Really? Like right here and now?”
“You mean in the kitchen here?” I ask with a chuckle. “I think that might freak Eleanor out if she walked in here and saw us writhing on top of the table where everyone eats.”
Kellen throws his head back and laughs. “That woman had to live through five teenage boys. You better believe she saw some things, but I’m not sure she could recover seeing twenty-five year old me flashing her my naked ass in the one room she considers to be her domain. I care too much about her to scar her for life like that.”
“Who would make you these incredible cookies and that delicious lasagna?” I joke, picking up another cookie to enjoy. “We better not traumatize her like that.”
After we finish laughing at how awkward it would be for the woman who cared for him since he was a baby to see him naked and having sex with me right here in the kitchen, we fall into a strange silence I hadn’t expected. Most guys would simply grab my hand and rush me upstairs to his room. In truth, before I truly knew Kellen, I’d say he was that kind of guy.
“So I think I like you not hating me, you know?” he says in a low voice.