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At least it was ours until that damned birthday party. Knowing what I know now, I wish we’d never gone.
I can’t help reliving that day as if it happened just yesterday.
Steam hung in the air like a cloud as I entered the tiny bathroom in our flat. Kennedy was standing in the shower, her naked body a pure work of art, with soft curves in all the right places. For a moment, I just stood and watched her, mesmerized by her every move.
As always, watching her gave me a hard-on, and I had to shift my stance as I adjusted the fit of my trousers. Normally I’d waste no time in stripping off and joining her, but not today. We didn’t have time for that. Today was the day I was going to introduce Kennedy to my extended family.
I tapped the sole of my shoe against the floor tile and pointed to my watch. “Come on, Ken. Stop stalling. We’ve got to leave soon.” I knew she was nervous about meeting so many of my family.
Her gaze met mine through the half-fogged glass shower door. “Just ten more minutes,” she said as she reached for her favorite lavender-scented body wash.
“You said that half an hour ago.”
Her brow furrows as she scowls at me. It was then I realized she was nervous. “Shit, Ken, you’re nervous.”
Her dark eyes narrowed. “I am not.”
I folded my arms over my chest. “Yes, you are.”
“Am not.”
“There’s nothing for you to be nervous about, sweetheart. My family are going to love you, just as I do.”
I didn’t imagine the shadows lurking behind her dark eyes. If I didn’t know better, I’d think she was afraid. But that was impossible. Nothing ever unnerved Kennedy.
Maybe if I’d taken her concerns more seriously, she might have opened up to me about what my grandfather said to her. If he were still alive, he’d be answering to me right now for his actions.
I turn off the water and dry myself before wrapping the towel around my waist and stepping out of the shower.
Suddenly, the door connecting the bathroom to Kennedy’s bedroom opens, and she walks in dressed in a pale pink silk robe. When she sees me, she freezes, her eyes going wide and her soft lips parting on a gasp. Her gaze sweeps down my torso to my waist and below. Immediately, I feel myself hardening beneath the towel. “Well, so much for the distraction of a shower,” I say.
“Oh, my god, I’m so sorry.” She turns and reaches for the door handle. “I should have knocked.”
“It’s all right, Ken. I’m done. You can have the bathroom.” Suddenly, my anger has been replaced by sadness. If only I’d listened to her fears that day. I’m just as much to blame as she is.
She stands still, clutching the neckline of her robe. It’s a defensive posture, as if she has to protect herself—from me.
“Kennedy, I’m so sorry.”
Her gaze snaps back to me, landing on my bare chest, then darting away. “Sorry for what?” she asks, sounding distracted.
“For not taking you seriously that day.”
She still won’t look at me. “What are you talking about?”
But now’s not the time to revisit the past. It’s late, and we’ve had a long day. We’re both tired. “The shower is all yours,” I say. “I’ll leave you alone now.”
I return to my room and close the door behind me to give her some privacy. After pulling on a clean pair of boxers, I switch off the light and lie down on the mattress to stare up at the ceiling.
My mind keeps reliving the past with a whole new perspective as I attempt to put the puzzle pieces together.
When I pressed the doorbell at my grandfather’s estate, the chime was so loud we could hear it clearly from outside.
“Relax,” I said as I squeezed Kennedy’s hand.
“I’m trying to.” She laughed, though the sound was strained and devoid of any real humor.
“FYI, my aunts are huggers, so be prepared to get pounced on.” I side-eyed my girlfriend who looked divine that day. Her hair was pinned up, and her white dress billowed in the autumn breeze.
