Page 25 of Tempt
Kyra took away his win. She was his prize and he lost her. Hell, he never really had her which makes it worse.
* * *
I pull up in front of the bakery and for a few minutes I breathe through my anger. I don’t need to take this shit inside. At this point Kyra thinks I left her a flower and she has no idea that Phil is still fucking with her.
Reaching over into the passenger seat I grab the arrangement I just bought from the florist, and I climb out.
She’d never gotten flowers before, and I didn’t want this event to be her only memory of finally getting some.
Pulling open the door I step inside, and Casey offers me her flirtatious smile. The woman has not an ounce of shame. “Hey handsome,” her smile widens when she sees the flowers I’m holding. “Well you are a sweet one for sure.”
“Thanks,” I’ll admit the woman makes me a bit uncomfortable. She’s handsy too, always touching my arm, or back. One time I swear she was going for my ass, and I stepped away in a rush making her laugh.
“Kyra’s in the back,” she says, pointing over her shoulder. “Lily Mae had to run over to Statesboro and pick up a new cooling rack so she’s filling in to keep things moving.”
“Thanks,” I don’t take my eyes off her as I move around the counter and toward the door. She doesn’t even attempt to hide the fact that she is checking me out. The scan over me from head to toe, the way she drags her tongue over her lip, it's all overly exaggerated and I shiver, walking a little faster to get away.
Once in the kitchen I let out a deep breath and hear a giggle. Kyra stands off to the side with her hands kneading dough. “Did you just run from Casey?”
“Hell yeah, I did. I wonder what’s going through that woman’s mind.”
“I think I can guess,” she smirks before scanning over me much like Casey just had. Only from her I don’t mind. I half expected her to be shy and nervous after I showed up at her place and kissed her. I wasn’t sure how our first interaction after that would go. But I’m happy to find her smiling at me and not appearing timid.
I walk around the center counter, and move in behind her, bringing my free hand to rest on the counter at her side. Leaning in closer, I kiss her shoulder where her shirt has fallen away, and she shivers.
When she turns in my arms and comes face to face with me she sees the flowers I’m holding. “Twice in one day,” her smile widens, “you better be careful, a girl could get used to this.”
“I want you to get used to things like getting flowers, but,” how am I supposed to tell her that some creep left the flower she’s been riding high on all day? “Kyra, I—,”
Her brows crease in confusion and then suddenly her eyes widen a bit and the smile fades. “You didn’t put the rose on my car, did you?”
The disappointment in her eyes kills me. Then it shifts to worry and that makes me want to leave right now and go find Phil. I shake my head in response.
“I don’t understand why he’s messing with me.” Tears fill her eyes. “I didn’t lead him on, in fact I’ve said no every single time he has asked me to go out with him. I made sure he knew that I wasn’t interested, loud and clear.”
“And that’s why he’s not leaving you alone.”
She takes in a slow deep breath.
“Guys like Phil don’t like to be told no.”
“So what, should I have given in?”
“No,” it was torture when I thought the two of them had something going on, now at least I have the comfort of knowing he’s never touched her and never will.
I’d take this to Miles but then I know the asshole wouldn’t do a thing. If he did his job in the first place Phil would already be sitting behind bars for at least one of the dozen offenses he’s committed. The man is dirty, in so many ways it's sick he’s still walking the streets.
“Don’t worry about this.” I tell her, wrapping one arm around her body and pulling her close.
“How can I not worry,” her body relaxes into mine? “I just wish he’d leave me alone.”
He will, one way or another I’ll make sure the guy gets the hint. This shit has gone on too long and it ends now.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
Kyra
“I loveyour granny’s bakery, but I swear I’ve gained twenty pounds since I moved here.” Gretchen says this right before she adds another donut hole to her mouth. Letting out a mmm, as she chews.