Impossible Love: An Unforeseen Destiny Novel Book One (25 page)

**~~**~~**

Kayla~

I gnaw on my bottom lip as I absently worry my necklace. Kai’s surprisingly sweet gesture still makes my insides melt. But it makes me miss him that much more.

“Is that necklace new? I don’t remember you wearing it before.”

“Yeah.” My voice sounds thick. I clear my throat and continue, “Kai gave it to me last night.” Right before he took me inside his bedroom and completely ruined all other guys for me. The mind-blowing sex will never be topped.

I turn and look out the passenger window. The beautiful landscaping blurs as my eyes fill with tears. I bat my eyelids in a rapid succession to hold them back.

“I love him so much,” I mumble. “How’d ya do it, Mom? How’d you ever leave John behind?”

My gaze shifts back to Mom. Her lips form a narrow line as she drives forward.

“It was pure hell. I cried the whole trip back.” She cringes. “God, I was a mess. But then I had to focus on Mom. She took a lot of time. Then soon after, I found out I was pregnant with the best daughter ever.”

The genuine smile she gives me makes me feel somewhat better. Even though our circumstances are a little different, the scenario feels the same. Well, minus the baby part.

“So, I don’t understand why you’re not keeping in contact. Your dad lives here. I’m sure you’ll be visiting him. And it’s obvious you guys love each other—”

“He’s never told me he loved me,” I interrupt.

“What?”

“I’m not sure he feels the same way as I do.” That’s partially true. I know from his actions that he cares deeply for me. This necklace alone is proof. But love? I’m not sure. He’s come close, but not once has he uttered those three little words.

“Ah, honey. The way he looks at you‌…‌yeah, that boy’s in deep.”

I look at the highway sign and swallow my retort. We’ll arrive at the airport in less than fifteen minutes.

“It’s irrelevant now.”

**~~**~~**

Kai~

The quizzical expression on Kamp’s face would be comical if it weren’t for the fact that I’m still pissed at myself.

“What the hell happened?”

My gaze wanders around the room and lands on the fresh hole in my wall. I shrug.

“Nothing.”

Kamp curses under his breath and shakes his head. “I told you this was a bad idea.”

“If you came over to rub my face in ‘I told you so’s,’ then fucking leave right now.”

“Chillax, bro.” Kamp raises his hands, motioning me to calm down. “Sorry, but I hate seeing you like this.”

“Why are you even here?”

He quirks an eyebrow. “I came to check on you. For some reason, I care for your sorry ass.”

“Sorry,” I mumble. “You were right, though. It was a bad idea to start something with her. But I couldn’t help it. I fucking love her, man.”

Kamp eyes the disaster called my kitchen once again. “And I take it she didn’t return the sentiment after you told her?”

“I never told her.” My shoulders slump forward. I bend over and pick the chair off the ground. Plopping my ass in it, I let out a groan. “She left without knowing how I actually felt.”

“You really are stupid, aren’t you?”

I blow out a frustrated breath, not even arguing. What’s the point? He’s right.

Kamp glances at the clock. “What time does her plane leave?”

“Eleven.”

“Dude, that gives you thirty minutes to get your ass to the airport before she goes through security.”

“What do you mean? Race to the airport and confess my undying love? I’m not a fucking cliche.”

“Fair enough, but she deserves to know how you feel. Will it work out? Who the fuck knows? But you need to tell her.”

“I thought you were against us being together.”

“That’s because I was trying to prevent this.” Kamp points toward the kitchen. “Clearly, you love her. And Kayla’s a great girl; she deserves to know.”

“You’re right.” I stand abruptly. “I need to tell her before she leaves. She can’t go back home without knowing how I much I love her.”

I grab my keys and cell phone off the end table and race to the front door. Slipping on my shoes, I yell, “Thanks, Kamp.”

“Go get her. I’ll clean this mess up.”

I start the car and press Kayla’s number. The line goes straight to voicemail.
Dammit!
I hope that means she’s not through security already.

I press the gas pedal further and will people in front of me to hurry. I glance at the dashboard clock and bite my lip. I
have
to get there in time.

**~~**~~**

Kayla~

Mom hands the keys to the clerk behind the veneer-coated countertops. The finality step feels like a dagger straight to my heart‌—‌no more Kai. We step away from the car rental office, and I scan the airport’s entryway. The signature loose Hawaiian shirt with the drawstring linen cabo shorts comes to view. A small smile develops to a full grin when I make contact with familiar blue eyes. John. The bolt of excitement racing through my veins surprises me. Despite the hurt of missing Kai, John’s gesture to see us off touches me deeper than expected.

John leaves the post he was leaning against and rushes over to us. Quickly doling out hugs, he greets us with a much-appreciated sincerity.

“Let me grab your bags and we’ll check them in.” He proceeds to the check-in counter, toting as much luggage as possible.

“Thanks, John,” Mom says.

A beat of awkward silence descends upon us as we step to the counter. Mom checks our bags, and then we make our way over to the security checkpoint. We don’t proceed farther since John isn’t allowed to follow. Part of me wishes Kai was also standing beside me, seeing me off. But I need to wipe those thoughts from my mind. All they do is create pain.

“I’m not sure on the dates, but I’ll come to visit…” John’s voice trails off as a pained expression crosses his features. He doesn’t need to finish for me to know what he wants to add‌—‌sometime before Mom dies. And that earlier dagger‌…‌it digs a little further.

“That’d be great, John.” Mom’s voice is an octave too high, but I think she’s trying to sugar coat the awkwardness of the situation.

As we engage in small talk, the whole time I’m trying not to think of Kai. But his delicious abs creep into my mind, which conjures the image of his naked body. Those thoughts lead to our actions last night, and my inner thighs clench from the reminiscent of the way his generous cock filled me, along with the intensity of his stare while he made love to me.
Gah
, I need to quit thinking about him.

“Earth to Kayla,” Mom says, snapping her fingers.

Jolted out of my fantasy, I eye my parents staring at me with amused faces. I hope they can’t read my thoughts, because they are not parent-appropriate.

“Yeah, sorry I was‌…‌thinking.” Warmth floods my cheeks. Yeah, if they haven’t guessed my thoughts before, they surely have now.

Mom’s tender smile relaxes me as she nods. “I was just saying it’s time to leave.” Mom looks at the conveyors and back to John. An unspoken message pass between them, and I feel like an intruder witnessing their goodbye.

John leans forward and hugs Mom. The words they exchange are too low for me to hear, but I glance at my feet giving them privacy while they embrace.

When they break apart, John leans toward me. “I’ll let you know when I’ll be visiting.” He looks me in the eye. “I’ll try my best to be there for you.”

My heart swells from his sincerity. This guy is amazing. He could’ve thrown a fit, made it hard on my mom‌—‌he would’ve been within his rights‌—‌but he’s been nothing but sincere, especially to her. I should cut him some slack.

“Thanks, Dad.”

He sucks in a breath, and the warmth passing through his eyes reinforces my decision of giving him a chance. Dad pulls me into a hug and squeezes.

“We’ll get to know each other. I promise.”

I nod and back away, all three of us looking at anything but each other. I blink back my tears as we turn and waltz over to the body scanners. A heavier sense of sadness filters in as we join the back of the line. I’m really leaving Kai behind.

The line inches forward, and I’m hit with a wave of dizziness. Why can’t Kai and my circumstances be different? Another step forward. Why can’t‌—‌

“Kayla.”

My face draws in confusion. Did someone yell my name?

“Kayla!”

My heart hammers in my chest. That
was
my name. I turn to the deep frantic voice that can only belong to one person. My breath escapes as my gaze connects with Kai’s.
He came.

Relief stretches across his handsome features as he runs toward me. I step away from the crowd, still baffled by the fact he’s here. Mom squeals from behind me while John lets out a low whistle followed by an “I’ll be damned.”

But as Kai nears, the muffled sounds take a backseat. And Kai becomes my primary focus.

“Kayla,” Kai pants, and then pulls me next to his chest, holding me as if he’s never letting go.

His hands sweep to my chin, cupping my face before planting his lips on mine. The movement’s swift, but his mouth takes its time. The feather-light kisses shoot tingles straight to my toes. I’m suddenly confused by his act of valiance. I break the kiss and stare into his deep cocoa eyes.

“What’s going on, Kai? Why are you here?”

“I-I can’t agree to not having contact.” He desperately searches my face. For what, I’m not sure, but he must find what he’s looking for because his expression softens somewhat. “I love you. I love you so much.”

The tears I’ve been desperately holding back trickle over. “I love you, too.”

He lets out a huge breath and bows his head, resting his forehead on mine. His fingers weave through the sides of my hair, and his hands rest gently against my head.

“We don’t have to agree to a long-distance relationship. That isn’t important right now. What matters is this”‌—‌he motions his hand back and forth‌—‌“us. Us being there for each other matters. I’m not sure about the particulars, but we’ll figure it out along the way. I just couldn’t let you walk out of my life without any hope of keeping in touch. I love you too much.”

“We’ll figure it out,” I say. “We have too.”

Those words are all it takes for him to embrace me once again and devour my mouth.

He breaks the kiss and whispers, “Until next time.”

Running his fingers along my cheeks, he stares for a moment. His watery eyes shatter what little restraint I have, and my tears flow freely. He drops his head for a quick kiss before backing away and repeating, “Next time.”

“Until next time,” I choke out between sobs.

Chapter
Thirty-Eight

Three weeks apart

Kayla~

Three weeks. It’s been three weeks since calloused fingertips slid across my skin, caressing and fondling certain intimate areas. Three weeks since strong arms held me in a tight embrace. Twenty-one years without sex and I’m dying for Kai’s touch only after three weeks of being apart. But I miss him so, so much.

I miss his smile.

The seriousness in his stare.

Him opening my door and grabbing hold of my hand.

And that deep, velvety voice.

Oh, how I miss his voice that instantly sends chills along every nerve pathway. Technically, I still get to hear his voice, but there’s really no comparison.

Sometimes, when Kai calls, I press the phone against my ear tightly and close my eyes, pretending he’s next to me. But it’s not the same. Not even close.

Sighing, I glance at my alarm clock. Nine twenty-five. Five more minutes. Then I can at least see him‌—‌even if it’s only via video.

I pull back the bedcovers, determined to go through with his crazy-ass plan. Can I, though? I couldn’t at home. Not with Mom around. But since I’m tucked inside my dorm room and Staci isn’t due back until tomorrow, I think I can relax. Maybe. Lord knows I’m horny enough.

No one should bother me since nobody else knows I’m back. Not even Brian. In fact, I’ve hardly talked to him since I flew back home. Which is so far from our usual, I’m sure he’s mad at me.

Dismissing any thought of another guy, I prop my laptop on a mesh crate and study the placement. Yeah, that height should work. After powering up the computer, I get in position laying back against the pillows and then adjust the screen to reduce the glare. My Skype call will be coming through any minute, and I can’t think of a better way to spend my Saturday evening.

The door is locked, but I still place the computer at the head of my bed. I refuse to be spread-eagled facing the door.

My shower is taken. I’m wearing my old black Purdue T-shirt‌—‌I didn’t think it would be appropriate to wear his T-shirt that I normally sleep in‌—‌with short, black yoga shorts. My hair’s still wet from the shower, and although, I don’t have any make-up on, I’m ready.

My heart flutters when the phone buzzes beside me on the bed. I don’t need to look to know what the message says, but I read the display anyway.

Kai: Home from work. Just got out of the shower. Calling now.

I wait for the notification and click to view my sexy Hawaiian guy.

“Hey,” I say, smiling widely.

“Hey, sweetheart.” A slow smile develops across his face as smoldering brown eyes stare through my screen. “I take it you made it safely to the dorms?”

“Yeah, the roads weren’t too slick.” A snowstorm had passed through yesterday, but the Interstates were drivable by this afternoon.

“I’m not sure I like you driving in those conditions.” He frowns. “I worried all morning. Next time text me as soon as you arrive.”

“Well, I’m settled for a couple of weeks. And I’m only going to go home if the roads are clear.” I tilt my head and give him an appreciative glance. “Thanks though. I’ll text you sooner next time. So, how was work?”

I’m not sure how long it will take before he mentions his plan. I know I’m not bringing it up.

“Work was good. Same.” He pauses and then lowers his voice. “Staci gone?”

Not long at all, evidently. I bite the inside of my mouth to stop the smile tugging at my lips. Kai doesn’t do subtle very well. But his hopeful expression shoots heat straight through my body.