Layla (17 page)

He nodded, his eyes dark.

“And leave Kyle alone?”

He nodded again.

I stared at his face for a moment before I came to him. “You are a good guy, John.”

“No I’m not. But I will be from now on.”

“Now get the hell out of my apartment. You better be gone when I get back.”

“Consider if done,” he said weakly.

I walked to the door and opened it.

“Layla?”

“Yeah?”

“He’s a very lucky guy.”

I smiled. “I know he is.”

17

I ran to Kyle’s apartment as fast as I could and took the stairs two at a time. When I got to the door, I pounded on it until I heard it unlock.

Kyle opened it and stared at me, confusion on his face. He was wearing a t-shirt and running shorts. His feet were bare.
“Layla?”

My eyes started to coat with tears. “Kyle, I have something to tell you.”

He looked over his shoulder then came into the hallway, closing the door behind him.

I thought that was odd.

“What’s up?” he said quietly. He crossed his arms over his chest and seemed indifferent. It was clear he was keeping his guard up.

“John forced me to break up with you. He said if I didn’t, he would hurt you and your family. I’m so sorry that I hurt you.”

He dropped his arms to his sides. “What?”

I nodded. “I’m so sorry, Kyle. I didn’t know what else to do.”

Kyle breathed a sigh of relief. “What happened? Please tell me you killed him.”

“No. He let me go. I was so miserable that he knew his plan was pointless.”

His eyes shined with tears and he hugged me, pulling me to his chest. “I’m so happy.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, Layla. So much. I thought I lost you.”

“No, you never could.”

He pulled away. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I knew you wouldn’t go along with it and you’d get hurt. I couldn’t let that happen.”

Kyle nodded. “I’m so glad this has finally been resolved. That was the worst week in my life. I knew it didn’t make any sense. I thought you were…seeing someone else.”

“Never, Kyle.”

He grabbed my face and kissed me. “I want you to move in with me.”

“What?”

“Please.”

“I wasn’t expecting that.”

“I hate being apart from you, and we’re together all the time anyway. At least this way I know I can protect you at all times. You said John let you go, but I still don’t trust him. Please live with me.”

“I don’t want to move in just because you’re worried about me.”

“Baby, that isn’t the only reason. I want to kiss you every night, make love to you ever night, and wake up with you in my arms. I want to be around you all the time. I’m not just asking so I can protect you. I’m asking you because I’m madly in love with you.”

I felt a tear fall down my cheek. “I love you too.”

“Is that a yes?”

“Of course it is.”

He smiled then rubbed his nose against mine.

The door opened. “Where do you keep your coffee?” She was wearing his t-shirt that reached her thighs. She wasn’t wearing any bottoms.

I stilled at the sight of her. I pulled away from Kyle.

Kyle looked at her.
“The cupboard on the left.”

“Thanks.” She shut the door.

He looked back at me, his hands raised. “It’s not what you think.”

“I think it’s pretty clear.”

“No, it isn’t. I met her at a bar and we started talking. She was so hammered that I couldn’t just leave her there. When I asked where she lived, she was totally incoherent. I took her to my place and put her in my bed while I slept on the couch. She must have pulled on my shirt this morning. That’s all that happened, I swear.”

“Why were you in a bar?”

“Because I was depressed as hell,” he snapped. “I thought you left me for someone else.”

“Were you looking for someone?”

“I really don’t know. I just needed to get out my apartment. If I wanted to sleep with her, I could have. I chose not to.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

“So you aren’t mad?”

“No. We were broken up anyway. I couldn’t hold that against you.”

“I would never sleep with someone else that quickly, Layla.”

“I know that too.”

He held me again and kissed me on the forehead. “So, you’ll still move in with me?”

“Try and stop me.”

He took a deep breath. “I can’t believe I’m holding you. I’ve missed this.”

“Me too,” I said. “So, are you going to get that whore out of your apartment so I can move in?”

Kyle laughed. “I’ll throw her out in a little bit. There’s something more important we need to discuss.”

“What?”

“My brother is getting married this afternoon.”

“It’s today?”

He nodded.

“I need to get ready.”

“Yeah.”

“Should I go? Your sister will be there, won’t she?”

“Forget about her, Layla. You’re welcome there.”

“Does your
family know we—broke up?”

“No. I’ve been MIA for the past week.”

“Did Ethan have a bachelor party?’ I asked.

“No, h
e didn’t want one. Sadie has him hooked.

I nodded. “That’s sweet.”

“I wouldn’t want one either.”

“That’s sweeter.”

“So, let’s get ready and head to the wedding. I’m in it after all.”

“You are?”

“I’m the best man,” he said with a smile.

“I thought your brother hated you?”

“He does.”

I raised an eyebrow. “That’s confusing.”

“It’s a brother thing. Don’t worry about it.”

I went back to my apartment and got ready for the evening. An hour later, Kyle picked me up and we took a cab to a hotel in the city. It was nice but small. I’m surprised they had it in the city at all. Wedding
s were really expensive.

“So…did anything happen between you two?” Kyle asked without looking at me.

“No, not a single thing.”

He breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank god.”

“I punched him every time he tried.”

“That’s my girl.”

Kyle led me to my seat in the aisle and he joined the groomsmen for the wedding. I sat there quietly while everyone got seated. When the wedding started, Kyle walked a pretty bridesmaid down the aisle. When he saw me, he winked at me. I smiled back.

Tommy was the ring bearer and he stumbled down the walkway, nervous by all the people staring at him. He was the cutest thing I’d ever seen. Ethan kneeled down and extended his arms so Tommy would know where to go. Ethan picked him up then kissed him on the brow.

“Thanks, my man.”

He nodded then walked to the side. His mother was sitting in the aisle and she placed him in her lap. Becky came next in a beautiful white dress. She threw flowers everywhere and giggled as she moved down the aisle. Ethan picked her up and gave her a kiss before he put her down.

When Sadie came down the aisle, she looked beautiful. Her face was stretched in a smile and the thin veil obscured part of her face. Her father smiled at her as he walked her, enjoying the glow on his daughter’s face. Ethan stared at her with a heated expression, his eyes coating with tears. When Sadie reached him, he grabbed her hand and pulled her to the pastor.

I watched Kyle the entire time, watching him stare at h
is brother with pride. I knew how much he loved him even though they teased each other. Kyle looked at me for a moment and our eyes connected. He smiled at me then turned back.

When the ceremony was over, we moved to the ballroom and took our seats at the tables. I waited for Kyle to join me.

“That was a beautiful ceremony,” I said.

“I think Becky and Tommy were the highlight.”

“They were pretty cute.”

“Not as cute as you,” he said as he kissed me on the cheek. “We should dance.”

“You want to?”

“Of course.
I want to dance with my lady.” He pulled me to the dance floor and started to sway with me. His hands gripped my back tightly and held me close. When held me, he pressed his forehead against mine and closed his eyes.

“May I cut in?” Jared asked.

“This one is mine,” Kyle said.

Jared smiled then grabbed my hand.

Kyle nodded then stepped away.

Jared looked at me. “You look nice.”

“Thank you.”

“It was a beautiful wedding, huh?”

“It really was. I’m glad my sister found a great guy.”

“Should you be dancing with me?” I asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Won’t Elisa be pissed?”

He shook his head. “I talked some sense into her. And when Kyle told her you were moving in together, she finally let it go.”

“When did he tell her that?”

“Earlier today. He called.”

“Oh.”

“She knows how much Kyle loves you. She said she would make it work.”

“Well, that’s a relief.”

“I really hope you and I can be friends again.”

“Of course, Jared.”

“And I’m sorry that I hurt you before.”

“I
t’s forgotten,” I said with a smile.

“We’re going to be in-laws soon.”

“We’re just moving in together,” I said. “We aren’t jumping the gun.”

“I know the Benedicts pretty well. They usually get what they want.”

I laughed. “That’s an understatement.”

“Can I cut in?” Elisa asked.

I stepped away so she could dance with Jared.

Instead, she turned to me. “Hello, Layla.” She grabbed my waist and danced with me.

I was not expecting that. “Hi…”

“I wanted to apologize for my behavior. I’m sorry I went psycho on you. The pregnancy is really throwing me off, not that it’s an excuse.”

“I’m just glad you don’t hate me. I’m in love with your brother and couldn’t imagine being with anyone else.”

Elisa smiled. “He said the same thing.”

“So, we’re okay?”

“We’re more than okay,” she said.

“Can I have my girlfriend back?” Kyle asked.

Elisa rolled her eyes.
“Fine.”

Kyle took me and held me close. “I’m sorry my family is trying to steal you away.”

“She just wanted to apologize.”

“Good. And did you accept?”

“Of course I did.”

“I’m glad we got everything figured out.”

“I really like your family.”

He laughed. “I’m glad my bitchy sister didn’t scare you away.”

“She isn’t bitchy.”

“You’re being a lot nicer to her than she deserves.”

“She apologized,” I said. “Let’s just forget about it.”

He stared into my eyes, holding me close. “I can’t wait until you move in with me.”

“Me neither.”

“And I can’t wait until our day comes.”

I smiled at him, feeling my heart flutter. “I’m so lucky I found you.”

“I’m the lucky one, Layla,” he said. “And I’m going
to track down John and kill him.”

“No,” I said quickly. “Just let it go.”

“No.”

“Kyle, he said he would never talk to me again.”

“We’ll see if he keeps his promise.” He spun me around and dipped me. “You’re so beautiful.”

“You’re too sweet to me.”

“It’s just because I’m in love with you and you give me sex.”

“I guess my sex is good, then.”

“It’s the best, actually.”

Kyle held me close and pressed his forehead against mine. Now that
I was back to where I belonged, I didn’t want to leave the moment. When I came to this city, I forced myself to be strong even if I didn’t want to be. Kyle broke down all those walls and made me weak again just so he could build me up. He was the happily ever after I never expected to find. He was everything I wanted in another person, and I was so grateful I found him.

The story continues….

Janet

(Book Four in the Alpha Series)

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About the Author

E. L. Todd was raised in California where she attended California State University, Stanislaus and received her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, then continued onto her master’s degree in education. While she considers science to be interesting, her true passion is writing.
She works as an assistant editor at Final-Edits.com.