Page 26 of Doggy Style

Preston laughs bitterly. “Yup, he’s fine. He just wants nothing to do with me.”

Damn. “I’m so sorry, Preston, that’s awful.” I’m not going to lie and tell him that I relate, because I can’t. No one ever cared enough about me to hate me. In a way, sometimes I think it’s better that I’ve never loved or been loved at all.

Not by any humans, at least.

We pass by a beautiful beach, but I’m focused on Preston. “What happened between you two?”

He grits his teeth. “He’s barely spoken to me since that tape was released. He thinks I leaked it on purpose to become famous.”

“But you didn’t, right?”

“Right. Kira denies leaking it, but I don’t believe her. Who else would’ve done it? I mean, she’s always wanted to be the next Kim Kardashian.”

I roll my eyes. “Well, that’s one way to do it.”

“I know. That sounds bad, but she isn’t horrible. She’s a wonderful woman. We just weren’t right for each other.”

I’m impressed that he isn’t bad-mouthing his ex like most men I’ve met do. “Why?”

“She just wanted a different life than the one I wanted. She wants to be super famous. It was out of control. She won’t be happy until she’s queen.”

Wow. “Judging by your Instagram, I thought you wanted to be famous, too. I mean, why would you date someone who was in the public eye if you didn’t want to be in it?”

He shakes his head. “It wasn’t like that at all. I didn’t know who she was when I first met her. I’d been deployed in Iraq and didn’t watch much television. I came back, and she was teaching yoga for vets with PTSD. I just thought she was hot. I didn’t know that she’d been on a reality show. She was really great to me. She helped me through some tough times, and I loved her. But I just want a simple life. No drama. Financial success from hard work, not by exploiting my personal life. A passionate relationship that’s just for my partner and me, not for the world to see.”

I hang on the word simple. My life has always been anything but simple. Chaotic, busy, uncertain, and heartbreaking. Definitely not simple. “That sounds like bliss.”

He smiles at me. “Bliss? Sure, I think so, but most girls don’t. You’re nothing like the type of girls I usually date. Don’t get me wrong—you’re beautiful, of course, but you don’t seem to be remotely impressed by my money.”

“I’m impressed with your work ethic, but I also think you care more about the bottom line than about doing what’s right. We’ve already established you’re hot, but your looks don’t blind me to your faults.” Well, that’s kind of a lie. He’s so sexy that I’m dying to fuck him, but he doesn’t need to know that.

“My father would like you, Yessi. I know we don’t know each other that well yet, but you remind me of him. You’re passionate and intelligent and not afraid to stand up for what you believe in.”

“Does he live here?”

“Yup. My mom wanted to come back here after he retired and got out of the service. But it doesn’t matter. He won’t see me. I thought . . .” Preston doesn’t finish his sentence and looks toward the ocean.

An ache grips my chest—my father didn’t want to see me, either. Not when I was born, when I was a little girl, not ever.

I turn toward Preston, but his head is still facing out the window. I touch his cheek and gently turn his head to look at me. “You should see him. I’ll go with you.”

He tilts his head toward me, and for a moment I think he’s going to kiss me again. Our breath mingles in the air, and my heartbeat accelerates. I lick my lower lip in anticipation.

Our lips meet, and unlike our first kiss, we’re in no rush and have no audience for this one, well except the limo driver. Preston’s hand gently caresses my body as our mouths connect. I lose myself in him, in this moment, and completely allow myself to be present. No more stressing about the future or the past but just enjoying our bond.

After we finally separate, I lower my window. But I’m no longer present. Instead, I’m wondering what kind of future I could have with Preston. I finally exhale and allow my doubt to blow away with the cool Hawaiian breeze.