Josie didn’t want to admit it sucked, so she lied. “It was fine. How was yours?”
“Nope. We’re not going to start this relationship with lies, Sunshine.” Josie turned at the sternness in his voice. How did he know she was lying? “Your body tensed when I asked about your day. Let’s get this out of the way. I like you. A lot. I want to pursue a relationship with you, and I won’t ask much from you. What I will ask is you don’t see other men, and you always, no matter what, tell me the truth. Can you handle that?”
“You want a relationship? With me?”
“Yes.”
“Why? You don’t know me.”
“I know enough. You’re beautiful, funny, sexy, smart, and you smell fucking fantastic.”
Josie didn’t know what to say. This man could have anyone.
“Sunshine, did I break you?” Kai’s voice was laced with teasing.
“No, just taking it all in.”
“Then tell my why your day wasn’t perfect.”
“I had a run-in with my sister,” she admitted.
“Does that happen often?”
“Usually I bite my tongue to keep the peace, but today she pushed the wrong button.”
“And which button was that?”
“She demanded I bring a file to her condo. I told her no, that I had a date. She asked with who, and I refused to tell her. Then she showed up at the apartment to get the file and asked again. When I wouldn’t tell her, she said she would figure it out on her own.”
“Why didn’t you want her to know about me?” Kai’s voice was strained, and Josie studied him closely.
“Because it’s none of her business. She doesn’t care about me. And when she finds out it’s you…” Josie didn’t want to admit the trouble Presley would cause, so she changed the subject. “Where are we going to eat?”
“My place. How will Presley react when she finds out we’re together?”
Josie didn’t know which to tackle first, so she went with the one she thought was safest. “Your place?”
“Yes. I’m cooking for us. Is that okay? I promise I’ll be a gentleman.”
Josie wasn’t sure she wanted Malakai to keep that promise. “Yes, that’s fine. I’d like to see your home.”
“Well, it’s not mine. I’m living in a friend’s house for the time being. I’ve only been in New Atlanta for about a year. I didn’t want to buy a place until I knew I’d be staying. Now that I’ve decided to open my own training center, I can start looking for a permanent home. Maybe you can help me pick a place.”
“Me? I…” Josie cleared her throat. Kai said he wanted a relationship with her, but there was no way he wanted her to choose a home with him. They were on their first date, for god’s sake.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” Kai released her hand and rolled down the window. It was then she noticed they were sitting in front of an ornate, iron gate. Malakai turned to the security box, but instead of punching in a code, he said, “Sunshine.”
“Yes?”
Malakai grinned. “I was talking to the box, but I’m glad you know what you are to me.”
Josie could only stare at Kai’s profile as he drove the Jeep through the gate and down the long driveway. When he stopped in front of a three-car garage, she finally looked around. “Holy shit,” she whispered. The house and landscaping were something out of a magazine. Kai came around and lifted her out of the Jeep. When he placed her on her feet, he kept his hands on her waist. Josie looked up into his chocolate eyes. “I think I’m in love.”
Chapter Five
Malakai knew the words were for Sixx’s home and not him, but they told him Josie wasn’t opposed to a home that wasn’t an apartment. He and his beast were battling on how to proceed. Kai vowed to take things slow, while his Goyle was losing its mind from being so close to their mate. Kai had gone overboard after work, shopping for groceries for their meal and picking out flowers. It was late in the year, so finding something he thought she would like took longer than expected. He finally settled on a bird of paradise mixture.
“Let me show you around.” Kai took Josie’s hand and closed the Jeep door. “We’ll start out back.” Kai was more nervous than he’d ever been. This was his mate. He’d waited over four hundred years to find her, and he wanted her to fall in love with him. He had let the topic of her sister go for the time being because he felt Josie’s anxiety spiking when she spoke of Presley. An idea had formulated while he was lying in bed the night before, but he wouldn’t bring it up yet.
“Oh, wow.” The walkway at the side of the house led to an oasis of sorts. Sixx was one of the richest Gargoyles, and he had spared no expense in designing his home and surroundings. Kai had learned a lot about the various plants and trees in the months he’d been living there, even though a gardener kept the place in perfect order. Kai also employed a housekeeper because the place was so large, but he limited her days to twice a month. Kai’s mama taught all her boys to cook and clean.
“Do you like to swim?” Kai asked as they walked alongside the edge of the pool.
“Like a fish. My favorite vacations were when we’d go to the beach. Presley wouldn’t go near the ocean, but I always loved playing in the waves.”
“Maybe next time you can bring a bathing suit.”
“Isn’t it too chilly?”
“The water can be heated, like it is now, for later in the year. I love to
