I walk around to my side of the car, watching Quinn the whole time. She has a look on her face that’s half surprise, half something else, and once again, I’m reminded of just how much I like hanging out with her.
And how I really want to know what they were talking about last night.
“So,” I start as I get into the driver’s side, “You ready?”
“Ready for what?” I question, climbing into the passenger seat of his SUV that smells of the ocean and something sweet, fruity. Closing my eyes, I take in the scent, loving it—a reminder of Kai that makes me smile.
“For dinner, of course,” Kai replies, smirking at me and hitting me with a wink. “Were you thinking something else? Because that shower offer always stands. Anytime, anyplace.” Reaching over, he gives my thigh a soft squeeze.
Every time he offers, every time he says it, my mind drifts to thoughts of him shirtless. His boardshorts slung low on his hips, revealing the most gorgeous, the sexiest V, leading to something I want to explore but shouldn’t.
But why shouldn’t I?
Casual sex.
It’s not like Sean didn’t cheat on me a million times during our relationship, and besides, we’re over. Like over forever because I will not allow myself to be treated like that anymore. It’s time I put myself first, reminded myself that I’m worth more than just being some rockstar’s wife.
Not that I ever wanted to be a rockstar’s wife. I didn’t even know who Sean was when we first met, and there are times that I think that’s the reason he proposed in the first place. I wasn’t a fan, someone looking to latch onto his celebrity status, so he picked me.
I was safe. I wasn’t after his money, but boy, how the tables have turned, and things look so much different now that I want a divorce.
Money is being thrown at me to keep my mouth shut. While his team would never spin it that way, shying away from ever telling me it’s hush money.
But that’s exactly what it is.
I’ve lived this before, but at the time I was blinded by my love for Sean, not seeing it for what it really was.
Legal blackmail.
Assistants, maids, gardeners, managers—the list is endless of the number of people he bought to sign NDAs, making me believe it was just part of the business.
Now I’m a business liability.
His fucking wife.
“You okay over there?” Kai asks, interrupting my thoughts. I can feel the anger brewing inside me, boiling and bothered, and I don’t want it to ruin my evening.
“Yeah, I’m good. Sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize. You’re going through a lot, and it clouds your thoughts. I get it. Wanna talk about it?”
“No, I actually don’t want to talk about it,” I nearly yell, my words coming out harsh, and I hate that I’ve just taken this out on Kai.
He’s been here from the beginning—the only person I’ve felt fully connected to since my split with Sean—and here I am yelling at him for asking if I want to talk about something that is currently consuming my life.
“Fuck, I’m sorry,” I quickly reply, shaking my head. My gaze moves to something far off in the distance. “That was super shitty of me. I’m still just trying to…” Rolling my eyes, I blow out a frustrated sigh.
“Again, Quinn, don’t apologize.” He’s just so chill with…everything. “I think tonight will help take your mind off things.”
Glancing over at me, he smiles with a hint of mischievousness, and I begin to wonder what he has planned.
Things with Kai and me have been…friendly, to say the least, but every day we spend together, there’s a shift. His fingers dance along the bare skin of my thigh, tracing soft circles that send goosebumps dotting my skin despite the tropical weather.
But I remember when Daisy invited me to the party at Sage and Nate’s, shooing Kai away from me and telling him he was icky. Yet, he hasn’t hidden any of this from me, letting me see his playboy persona and reminding me that we’re friends.
Friends can have sex and still be friends, right?
I don’t even know what’s going on with me. I’m a bit of a mess. Actually, “a bit” is an understatement.
