K A I

Chapter |5| Just Friends

E M E R Y ' S P.O. V

I manage to escape work early for once. The adrenaline from anticipating tonight has finally kicked it and I'm gleeful, skipping up every step to my apartment - and that's a lot of f*****g steps - until I finally reach my floor.

Kai invited me out to the hottest club in the city, Ghost, which I just found out is owned by Aaron Romano. I was afraid that meant his sister and her husband would be there tonight, because I'm not going to lie, they intimidate the f**k out of me, but he said they try and stay home as much as possible with their kids, especially since their youngest is only a baby.

We've been conversing through text as much as possible. My job makes it difficult to call but on my lunches I try too. Then we spend the thirty minute break discussing stupid pointless things that always ends in me bursting out laughing.

I don't think I've smiled more than I have in this past week, and we haven't even met up yet.

My mind goes to shaving as I step into the shower. Legs are a definitive, the course stubble cannot pass tonight, but after I finish, I look down at my nether regions.

Yikes. I've forgotten how long it's been since there was a chance anyone would actually encounter it. Too long, from the thick bush that's grown out. My vibrator actually broke yesterday because I've been using it so much but s*x is usually never a priority in my life.

And it's the finding someone that takes too long.

Should I...no, you're friends. Just friends, he made it explicitly clear and at least thing will help maintain that policy.

I set down the razor and finish washing my hair. The amount of time that goes into my hair is ridiculous but I pride myself on the glossy red hue.

The dress I bought for tonight is ridiculously sexy. I don't know what the f**k I was thinking. The back descends so far down that an inch further and my a*s c***k would be showing. Then there's a deep v neck, that ruched up slightly and the material ends barely mid thigh.

I liked the colour. That's why I grabbed it quickly during my break on Thursday. The emerald green material glitters under light, but I'm not sure that makes up for the lack of material.

Fuck. I only have an hour until I'm supposed to leave and everything I else in own is dull in comparison.

I quickly shrug it on, and then set on my hair. Straightening it, then curling it and setting with a s**t load of hairspray. I cough violently, choking on the aerosol.

My makeup is minimal since most of it is expired. Some eyeliner, red lipstick and a little highlighter. I stare at myself in the mirror.

Am I trying too hard? This isn't a date, and this is more than I would try for a date. Yet, Kai is rich, so he's probably used to the extravagant. I won't be anything special or stand out, this club is supposed to be for the insanely wealthy.

It's true. I googled it.

Truthfully though, deep down I want to impress him. Even if we are just friends.

My Uber pings on my phone that it's arrived and I take the elevator down since my heel prohibit stair walking. My neighbour enters alongside me and lets out a long whistle.

"Hot date Emery?" I grin.

"I'm only meeting a friend."

"A lucky friend." He's shameless but harmless, unlike Jason.

"Are you flirting with me Mr Jenkins?" He blushes, smiling gently.

"Hey, can't blame an old man for trying, but you be safe out there. All sorts of creeps these days, thinking a beautiful woman means they can prey on her." Don't I know it.

"I will, thank you, and I loved the pie. It was great."

"Almonds are the secret. I'm experimenting with pumpkin this week." He was a soldier, won so many medals and honours, but I think in another life he would have pursued baking. I've never eaten treats as delicious as his.

"Can't wait." We share goodbyes, before I sprint/hobble towards the Uber.

"Ghost please,"

***

This place is intense. The strobe lighting, blaring music and there's even flame throwers all around. Drinks float around but every time I reach for one, the waitress moves away.

I'm literally invisible. About three people have bumped into me since I got here and then stumbled away strangely like they hit an invisible wall instead.

Somehow I make it towards the bar. Shots move around the edge like a conveyor belt but the blue liquid inside looks like anything but appetising.

I might not six different ways to pump someone's stomach after alcohol poisoning, but I am in way experienced with actually drinking alcohol.

I've been drunk once in my life and it ended with my vomiting into the toilet whilst my mom held my hair. Not my finest moment.

Also, I've decided that in order to avoid making a fool out of myself in front of Kai, I have to refrain from drinking.

Anxiously I check my watch. Nine on the dot. I've always been a stickler for time but now I just feel like a nerd.

Maybe nine actually means half past nine? Or maybe he's forgotten? Or even worse, ditched me?

I check my phone again. No new messages.

Sighing, I gesture to the bartender for a drink. "What would you like?" He's surprisingly polite.

"Anything." He nods and gets to work. Then I realise I've already screwed up rule number one.

Rule number two is to in way get close enough to Kai that my mind drifts off into another reality and all I can think about are his lips. It happened at the clinic, there's no doubt it'll happen again.

"That'll be five fifty." Right. I dig through my purse, desperately trying to find my card. Great, I left it at home. It takes me a good three minutes to find a five dollar bill but I'm fifty cents short.

The bartender doesn't look so friendly anymore and he gestures to me angrily. "You shouldn't order drinks if you can't pay."

"I'm so sorry. I thought I brought my wallet and I didn't and...can't you just take the drink back?"

"And what? Somehow separate the drink back into their different liquids so I can funnel them back into their bottles. Do you f*****g know who owns this bar?"

I know, I'm also terrified of Aaron even though he seemed to be nothing but pleasant. There's just something in his aura, something dark and sinister, not unlike what I find in Kai.

"Just give me a minute I think I have some coins at the bottom of my purse..."

"I've got it." A crisp hundred dollar bill is thrown onto the bar. The bartender hesitates to take it, despite the fact he was grilling me for fifty cents.

I look at up my saviour. Yep, it's him and f**k he looks really really good. His natural brown hair hangs low across his forehead, thick lashes enhance the way his doe brown eyes conflict with the anger I sense in them now.

"It's fine Mr Romano. Don't worry about it."

"Funny, you didn't seem too concerned when shaking down my girl." My girl. I think my body has liquified into jelly.

Kai wraps his arm around my waist as if to support me, sinking down onto the stool besides me. "I didn't know Mr Romano." Then the man looks to me. "I'm terribly sorry."

"That's okay." I flash him a small smile because he looks close to pissing himself. I would have never imagined Kai to have this sort of effect on someone. It makes me realise how little I really know him.

I shrug his arm off me, avoiding his clear confusion at the distance I place between us. Then he turns to the bartender. "Whatever she wants is on the house. All night."

"Understood." The man shuffles away, happily busying himself with another customer.

Awkward silence ensues. I twiddle my thumbs nervously, not wanting to make the first move. Kai does. He pushes the drink towards me. "The guy might be stupid, but he does make the best damn margaritas in the whole of New York. Try it."

I turn towards him slightly and gently lift the cup to take a sip. He's right. It really is good. A moan slips from my mouth as the smooth liquid quenches my parched throat.

Quickly, I set it down as some of the liquid dribble down my chin. Kai brushes it away with the stroke of his thumb, before I can even grab for a tissue.

I risk meeting his eyes. They're not filled with malice any more. Instead they're an exact replica of the ones I remember during our first night together. He's the man that soothed my b****y lip, that made me laugh more than anyone else ever had.

"Thank you."

"What's wrong Emery? Are you...are you scared of me?"

I frown instantly. "Why would I be scared of you?"

"The way you're reacting was just...I don't know a little off?"

"I'm meeting a guy, I've spent the better part of a week texting with and I realise I know hardly anything about you. Yet, you know so much about me." Any question I would ask him, he deflected in a way that made it impossible to push him for answers.

"I don't have a lot of friends." He answers truthfully. "Now I'm going to say something that might you want to run."

"I promise it won't." I know. Stupid to make a promise when he could literally tell me he's a serial murderer, but there was a desperation that clung to his eyes that I only wanted to soothe.

"I f**k. A lot. My sister has called me a s*x addict but it's not a compulsion for me it's just...a way to battle being alone when I don't have the courage to ever commit myself to someone."

Wow. Okay, so we're being this honest.

"So, you only ever have one night stands? Never slept with a girl more than once."

"Never." What the...

"I know, I'm a f*****g asshole for what I've done but it's my hard and fast rule. I can't f**k girl twice. It almost happened. Once, but then I realised that we had already f****d, when I recognised her tattoo...in the exact same bathroom stall."

"Shit." I almost laugh but then realise he truly is an asshole. I'm a full supporter of women, so men like this I try hard to avoid but Kai's brutal honesty is refreshing.

He doesn't want to hurt girls, so he doesn't f**k them twice. I guess being celibate wouldn't flow for him, but I am curious... "Why don't you just stop having s*x then?"

He gestured for some shots, noticing my finished drink. "s*x is an outlet for me, in the same some people have hiking, or knitting or running...it centres my mind in a way nothing else does. Not even sleep."

I watch him down a shot. His Adam apple throbs as he gulps the entire thing down.

"That's why you will only be friends with me. Because once you f**k me, we can't talk anymore."

"Not necessarily. I've f****d women I went to school with, and had to sit next to them in English class the next day, I've also f****d clients before and had to co-ordinate month long business deals."

"Then what's the..."

"You. You're different. I want to talk you, I want to understand you and I want to open up to you. I want you as my friend and I know that if we f**k once, it's game over for us both."

Wow. As far as revelations come, that was definitely...wow.

"s*x with me would be that mind blowing, huh?"

He grins, passing me a shot. I've always f****d up rule number one, might as well just go for it now. He watches me down it. The harsh liquid is painful to swallow but settles my nerves, so much I grab his hand and decide to break rule number two.

"Let's dance."

Despacito by Louis Fonsi plays within the under current of the beat. I lead him to the dance floor, suddenly finding confidence I didn't know I possessed and then spin around.

We're meshed between a dozen other people, all grinding up on each other. My insecurities flare as a beautiful woman drags her nails across Kai's shoulder to gain his attention.

He doesn't brush her off, he doesn't even see her. His eyes are fixed firmly on mine and a smile blossoms as his arms wrap themselves around my waist, spinning me back around.

Our pelvises align and he thrusts forward slightly, so our bodies mesh. I stifle a moan, his hard erection digging into my backside.

Ignore. Ignore.

I wind one arm around his neck, moving my body to the smooth beat. The alcohol is settling my nerves, soothing any anxiety I have about controlling myself.

"Just let go. I have you." His voice spurs me on, but I can't ignore the comfort of his words. I never let go. I never stop thinking. Because there's never anyone to catch me if I do.

Kai plants his hands firmly on my waist, but they never linger further. Friends. Only friends.

I turn back to look at him. My green eyes meet his brown and they sparkle under the shimmering lights above. "You're beautiful." He mouths. I grin, sinking into him, and we dance until my feet start to ache.

There's no goodbye kiss as he sets me into an uber with strict instructions. There's no lingering hands or sweet colourful words.

Only a hug. And within it, I find a deeper solace than anything else has ever given me.

I stare into his deep brown eyes as he pulls away. "You might just be the greatest friend I've ever had Emery Grayson." f**k. His devilish smile sets my heart racing alongside his words.

I think I'm trouble.

________________________________

A/N: Thoughts on Kai??

His s*x theories??

Will they be able to resist each other?