It's All Relative (31 page)

They met up at Gram’s house to watch a movie with her a couple times. On the second occurrence, Grams had glanced at where they were sitting on the couch, a respectable distance between each other, and asked him, “Kai, dear, shouldn’t you spend a little time with your girlfriend, instead of always hanging around a couple of Harper girls?”

Both Kai and Jessie had cringed at her question, but Kai shrugged as he answered her. “April and I are just casual right now, Gran.” Looking over at Jessie, he softly added, “Besides, I like spending my free time with Harper girls.”

Those words had given Jessie a warm glow that had lasted several days.

In the middle of the week, Kai called Jessie and asked if she wanted to go exploring the city with him. Getting home right around the time she’d gotten off work, he’d met her at the clinic with a huge, adventurous smile on his face. Laughing at his enthusiasm, Jessie hopped on his bike behind him and proceeded to show Kai the numerous beauties her city had to offer.

They drove past Denver Museum of Nature and Science, a beautiful building that Jessie thought Kai would appreciate, even if it was closed. Clearly delighted, he was eager to go back when it was open. She showed him the Botanical Gardens, the Art Museum, and Coors Field. Grinning ear to ear, Kai made her promise to take him to a baseball game in the summer. With joy and laughter, they began making future plans to visit all the places they were driving past, and Jessie found herself starting to look forward to weekends again. At least she would still get a little of his time.

Since it was the last week it would be open for the season, they ended up spending the bulk of the night at Elitch Gardens Theme Park. They played the games and tried out all the different rides. They stayed right up until the place closed, even lingering on the grounds until someone finally escorted them out. They just hadn’t wanted the evening to stop.

Jessie woke up exhausted the next day, but she was exhilarated, too. They’d both had an amazing evening. But when she spotted April’s glum face at the breakfast table, checking for messages on her phone that weren’t there, she felt really guilty, too. Running around the city with Kai, holding hands and laughing, none of that was helping him have a relationship with April.

It made Jessie feel even worse when she considered the fact that their night had almost been a date. It hadn’t been, she’d only been showing her cousin around town, but thinking back to the long looks and Kai constantly brushing stray curls out of her face…well, that hadn’t been quite so cousinly. And as much as she had enjoyed their time together, that underlying sexual tension was always there. The hunger and passion they’d both struggled to ignore.

April did unknowingly diffuse it at times. She’d call right as their gazes lasted a little too long. She’d text him right as he was beginning to cup Jessie’s cheek, and late Friday night, when they’d been sitting on his bed side-by-side, watching an old black and white movie, April had inadvertently stopped them from caving into that tension.

Kai was staring at her, and she was staring at him, the movie in the background playing some melodramatic scene that Jessie wasn’t even listening to. She was only hearing her heart thumping in her chest, only feeling her breath passing over her lips. And Kai…she was very aware of him.

They were sitting with their hips touching. They hadn’t started out that way, but over the course of the movie they’d slowly inched together. They were leaning against his headboard, and somehow, Kai’s arm had snuck around behind Jessie and his thumb was rubbing a circle into her low back. Jessie’s knees were propped up, her hands tightly clutching them to her chest. Mainly out of fear. Because she knew if she relaxed her grip on her knees, her hands would drift to Kai’s face—that beautiful face staring down at her, watching her as intently as they’d been watching the movie…in the beginning.

Jessie sighed as her eyes flicked between his. She wanted nothing more than to feel his lips press against her…but not on the cheek this time. She wanted them enclosed over hers, tasting, teasing. She wanted it more than she’d ever wanted anything, even though it still made her ill to want it.

Kai sighed too, and by the expression on his face, it was clear he wanted it, too. Jessie knew that she had to get up, knew that it was time to leave him, before the feeling overwhelmed them both. She made a move to stand, but Kai made a move too, and it froze her in place. Kai’s move wasn’t to get up, but to lean toward her. Jessie’s lips parted as she felt him draw nearer. Her already fast heart quickened to a dangerous pace. Kai’s breath brushed over her face, light and fast. Then, achingly slow, he bent toward her.

Careful to not let any other part of their bodies move, just their faces touched. A small gasp escaped her as their noses, cheeks, and foreheads brushed against each other. It was more erotic than him flat-out kissing her, and a tingling desire shot through her, igniting her. Kai hissed in a quick breath and exhaled in a low groan; he was feeling the ache too. Digging her fingers into her jeans, to stop herself from grabbing him and shucking off his clothes, she let out a low moan as his cheek lightly ran across hers.

Jessie could feel her control slipping. Her breath was a fast pant as she moved her face to find his lips. Kai let out a ragged exhale as his face adjusted to find hers as well. When his breath was entering her open mouth, mingling with her own, and she was positive that they wouldn’t be able to stop this in time, his ear-splitting cell phone ring broke the passion simmering in the air.

Jessie jerked away just as their lips brushed together. They stared at each other with matching expressions of shock and concern, then Kai twisted to find his obnoxious phone. Jessie brought the backs of her hands to her cheeks in an effort to cool her face as Kai grabbed his phone from his nightstand. While he answered the call, Jessie repeatedly ran her hand through her hair. That had been too close, much too close.

“Hello?” Kai’s voice was strained and fast, obviously distressed. Swallowing a few times, he closed his eyes and struggled for calm. He pulled away from Jessie, and she did the same. They needed a little space; that was the whole point of Kai being with April.

“No, I’m fine. I’m glad you called, April.”

Opening his eyes, Kai gave Jessie a remorseful look. Jessie averted her gaze as fresh guilt added to her turmoil. Needing to walk off the last lingering remnants of desire in her body, she stood up. Kai hugged his knees to his chest as he watched Jessie pace beside the bed.

While watching him listen to the phone as April talked, Jessie finally felt herself come down from that fateful moment; sadness crept in when the lust-fueled high faded. Kai’s expression matched hers as he made agreeing noises into the phone. Then he started, and his expression shifted into confusion. “Costume party?” he asked. Jessie’s curiosity peaked as Kai frowned. “For Halloween…right. Okay, I’ll pick you up at six.”

Kai listened for a minute more and then a soft smile graced his lips. “Yeah, me too. Goodnight, April.” Disconnecting the call, he tossed his phone on the bed. Staring at it, he ran a hand through his hair. “She, uh, just wanted to let me know about tomorrow.” He glanced up at Jessie, his face apologetic again. Then he frowned. “She’s taking me to a costume party for Halloween.”

Letting out an unhappy huff, he rested his arms across his knees. Jessie smiled softly at seeing his displeasure, then felt guilty that he wasn’t looking forward to his date. She wanted him to be with April. She had to keep reminding herself of that. “I hate dressing up,” he muttered.

Jessie smiled wider; she hated dressing up, too. Sitting on the very edge of the bed, as far away from him as she could, she shrugged. “I’m sure you’ll have fun. What is she making you wear?” It soured Jessie’s stomach that she was assuring him he’d have a good time on his date, right after they’d almost kissed. Again.

Kai smirked. “You’re going to laugh.” Jessie bit her lip to make sure she didn’t smile; she only half-succeeded. She was so glad that he was the one being subjected to this and not her. Kai smiled at her attempt to not show her amusement, then frowned. “She’s dressing me up as a pirate.” With a dramatic groan, he let his head thump against the headboard. “She wants to be a slutty bar wench, and she seems to think I’ll look good as Captain Jack.” He ruefully shook his head.

Jessie smiled, then frowned. Kai would definitely look good as a pirate, but April… Jessie had seen her dress for Halloween before, and she was going to look unbelievable. She felt her eyes begin to sting as she realized that this time tomorrow night, those lips that had been so tantalizingly close to hers, would most likely be all over April’s. She swallowed the bitterness rising in her throat. They should be all over April. They should be as far from her as possible.

Seeing her expression, Kai whispered, “Jessie, I’m sorry about…” He indicated the space beside him, where she’d been sitting. Not having any words, Jessie nodded. Clearing his throat, Kai awkwardly adjusted his position. “Do you want to finish the movie?” His eyes were asking her to say yes
and
no.

Jessie let out a slow exhale. She did want to stay. More than anything she wanted to crawl into his lap and cuddle with him. She wanted his warmth wrapped around her, making her feel safe and cherished, but she also wanted his body all over hers. She wanted them tangled together in intimate ways that they just couldn’t be. She wanted him to arouse her. She wanted him inside of her. Then she wanted him to release his lust and desire deep within her. It sickened her how badly she wanted it. Biting her lip, Jessie shook her head. She couldn’t stay here any longer.

“I think I should go,” she whispered.

Kai nodded, understanding, then his gaze drifted to his hands. Jessie stood and gathered her things. When she was finished, she turned back to him; he was still looking down. She slowly walked over to him, and he lifted his head, studiously watching her approach. At his side, she whispered, “Goodbye, cousin,” as she leaned down. She purely intended to kiss his cheek. That was all she’d allow herself. But as his skin drew closer, she couldn’t make herself twist to the side like he had earlier. Her lips went straight to his. Kai closed his eyes, not able to turn away either. Her hand came up to caress his cheek as their mouths met—soft, full, wondrous. A perfect kiss. Perfect and awful, because it never should have happened.

Feeling sick, Jessie pulled away and left him on that bed, his eyes still closed.

T
he following night, Jessie felt anxious. Both because of the soft kiss that never should have taken place between Kai and her the night before, and because April was in the bathroom, putting the finishing touches on her costume. She’d spent a good chunk of the morning getting everything she needed for her outfit and instructing Kai on where to get his. They were going to a club downtown that was having a contest for the best costume, and April was determined to win.

Watching April walk into the living room when she was finished, Jessie thought they might have a good chance at winning. She looked amazing. Sexy and alluring, she had taken the slutty bar wench theme to the extremes. April wasn’t the most buxom person, but she seemed to pour out of her laced-up peasant top, the edge of her black bra peeking through. Her long black hair was curled and arranged in such a way that all of it spilled over one of her bare shoulders. The long, tight skirt she wore was slit up both thighs, all the way to the top, and most of her shapely legs were showing. She was wearing fishnet stockings underneath that were strategically ripped in all the right places. Black, thigh-high boots, a wide belt, and gaudy but authentic jewelry completed the outfit.

Grinning, she did a little twirl for Jessie in the middle of the room. Jessie made herself nod in approval when she really wanted to tell her friend to go put some more clothes on. She couldn’t tell April that without sounding like her mother though.

The doorbell rang, and Jessie’s heart dropped. Kai was here, but not for her. April giggled and bounded to the door. She squealed when she saw Kai standing there. Torn between leaving and staying, Jessie slowly stood up. She watched Kai give April a warm smile and then a soft hug. Over April’s shoulder, his eyes found Jessie’s, and their gazes locked. Jessie’s breath stopped at the wistful passion she saw in his eyes. If April ever saw that expression on him, she’d know that something had happened between Jessie and Kai. His blue-green eyes were sad, remorseful, like he’d rather have Jessie in his arms. It only reaffirmed to Jessie that, even though this was hard, Kai dating someone else was a good thing. He shouldn’t want her that way, just as she shouldn’t want him.

Kai and April pulled apart, and his gaze refocused on his date. His sadness instantly shifted to a small smile of appreciation for the beautiful girl in front of him. Even though his smile was a contained one, Jessie hated seeing that look directed toward anyone else.

April yanked him through the front door and into the room. She was overjoyed by his outfit. Kai let out a weary groan as she spun him around. Jessie felt sorry for him, but at the same time, she highly approved of his outfit. She was never one to get into the whole dress up thing, but Kai looked incredible as a pirate.