“You can’t talk to me this way.”
“In my home, I’ll talk to you any way I damn well please. Now get out.”
“You’ll regret this.”
“No more than I’ve regretted the last eight years.” Josie pointed to the door.
Presley had a stunned look on her face. As well she should because Josie had never stood up to her sister in thirty years. Presley opened her mouth then closed it. Her faced returned to pissed off as she strode to the door. When it closed behind her sister, Josie punched her fist in the air and did a little dance.
“Damn, that felt good.” She knew there would be hell to pay come next week, but for now, Josie would revel in the feeling. And if Presley made good on her threat, Josie would polish her resume. Her father would be livid, but it was time – past time – for Josie to look out for herself. And that started with her date tonight with the hottest man Josie had ever met.
At five minutes to six, Josie took one last look in the mirror. Her long, black hair was pulled up in a sleek ponytail. Her makeup was subtle yet sexy, accentuating her blue eyes. She twirled to the left then back to the right, her dress following her movements. She wanted to apply a light coat of gloss to her red lips, but she didn’t know if kissing would be involved before dinner, so she left it off.
Her phone buzzed on the counter, and she smiled seeing Kai’s name.
Malakai: I’m here.
Josie: I’m on my way.
Josie put her phone and keys in the shiny black clutch which matched her shoes, set the alarm, and practically skipped down the hallway to the elevator. When the doors opened on the lower level, Kai was there, in all his sexy glory, leaning against a jacked-up, red, four-door Jeep. He was wearing dark jeans that molded to his muscular thighs, and a pale-green, button-up shirt. The sleeves were rolled up, showing off his forearms. Like last night, he was wearing flip-flops. Josie doubted they were going to an upscale restaurant if he didn’t bother with shoes, and that was okay with her. He pushed off the Jeep and stalked toward Josie like a wild animal. Feeling as though she were the prey, Josie was frozen by the look on his face. Kai stopped, leaving a few feet between them and studied Josie. When his eyes met hers, there was no denying the heat there.
“Damn, Sunshine,” he muttered, his voice laced with awe. Kai closed the short distance and traced a fingertip across her bare shoulder. “Please tell me you have more of these sexy dresses.”
Josie mentally pumped a fist. “I have a closet full of them.”
Kai trailed his fingers from her shoulder down her arm until he clasped her fingers, bringing them to his mouth, where he pressed his full lips to her knuckles. Josie’s knees threatened to buckle, so she grabbed his bicep as best she could without dropping her purse.
Kai laced their fingers together and led her to his Jeep. He had to help her in since it sat up off the ground due to the lift kit, but she didn’t mind his hands around her waist. He waited until she smoothed her skirt beneath her butt before closing the door. Kai had no trouble climbing into the vehicle, his long legs making the move smoothly. Instead of starting the engine, he turned her way. “Hi,” he said, smiling.
“Hey,” she returned. Josie bit her lip. In the back of her mind, she knew this night was important. She had never been so completely drawn to a man she’d just met. Kai reached over and placed his palm against her nape, his thumb stroking the side of her neck. He pulled her closer, and meeting her across the console, pressed their lips together in the softest kiss she’d ever received. He didn’t take it further. Instead, he inhaled deeply.
“I’ll never get enough of the way you smell,” he whispered.
Josie made a mental note to buy stock in her body wash. It was a blend of sunflowers and coconut she special ordered. Kai kissed her cheek before leaning back against his seat. “Buckle up, Sunshine.”
Josie did, then placed her hands on her lap, gripping her clutch tightly. Kai shifted gears smoothly as he drove out of the garage.
“I love your Jeep. Maybe we can take it out without the top on before it gets too cold. You do go topless, right? I mean, the Jeep. Not you. Not that I would mind seeing you topless. I imagine you look mighty fine when you’re doing your boxing thing. What do you call it? Boxing thing sounds ridiculous. I sound ridiculous. I’m going to shut up now.”
Kai reached over and threaded their fingers, setting their joined hands on the console. “I do go topless, but I didn’t want you to worry about your hair on our first date. As for the boxing thing, I’m a martial arts trainer. As a matter of fact, I recently decided to open my own training center. The building will have to be renovated, and I have to order all the equipment, so it’s a work in progress. But I’m excited. My life is getting close to perfect.” He squeezed Josie’s hand before releasing it to shift
