Impossible Love: An Unforeseen Destiny Novel Book One (13 page)

I down the orange juice and then rush to the bathroom. After turning the shower faucet on, thoughts of Kayla infiltrate my mind. Yeah, it’s good that Kamp called tonight. Otherwise, those thoughts would drive me insane. I undress in a flash and grab a washcloth before stepping into the shower stall. The water sprays my chest, and an image of Kayla’s naked body flashes before me. My right hand clenches the washrag as my dick hardens. God, what is this power she holds over me? But dammit, Kayla’s body pressed against mine feels right, and getting her naked takes precedence over all intelligence.

Shit.

I switch the hot water to cold. Perhaps a cold shower would tame my serious case of blue balls. It’s been a week, and I’ve never gone this long without sex before, but there’s no way I’m taking advantage of her. Kayla’s too innocent.

I place my hands against the wall and lean into the shower spray. The cold water trickles down my chest, but my cock refuses to shrink.

A virgin?

How the hell is she
still
a virgin?

Even though I’m thrown off by that admission, I still can’t stop the twinge of happiness that jolts through me. The fact that no one has staked a claim shouldn’t make me happy. Hell, I shouldn’t care. And it’s not like I’ll be the asshole that takes advantage of her and then never sees her again.

My hands curl into fists, and I punch the wall, letting out a grunt. Shivers rift through me from the coolness of the water, but I don’t care. My mind needs to clear. I need to quit thinking about her. Plenty of girls have come and gone from my life, but no one has ever penetrated my thoughts as her. I’m not sure I like it.

I push off the wall and reach down to shut the water off. A break. I need a break. Tonight will be good. Tonight, I’ll surround myself with familiar friends and let loose. It’s been a week since I’ve hung around them. And they’re the distraction I’m seeking. Kayla’s only temporary. My jaw clenches and chest compresses at that thought. The mere idea of her going back home leaves a sour taste in my throat. I shake away my distress.

Not out to impress anyone, I slip on athletic shorts and grab a black T-shirt before heading to my car.

As the car turns into Kamp’s driveway, I heave a sigh. Yeah, going out tonight is good. Just wish I could be more enthused about going.

“Let’s go, bro. I’m starving,” Kamp says as he opens the passenger door.

A small “yeah” is all I offer. I can’t even force myself to smile. Kamp’s eyes narrow.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” I focus my concentration on backing out of the driveway.

I grip the steering wheel tighter as the entrance to the luau comes into view. The urge to pull in there and search for Kayla hits me strong. I blow out a breath. Temporary? Who the hell am I kidding? That girl has wormed her way into my brain and my soul. Kayla’s no more temporary than scar tissue left over from surgery. Her days may be limited on this island, but I’m afraid she’s already embedded in my memory.

I squirm in my seat as my stomach flips. There isn’t a damn thing I can do to prevent her from leaving. Her life is in the Midwest. I have to deal with it and get over this infatuation. Whether I like it or not, she will leave.

“What the hell’s wrong with you?” Kamp asks. “You look like you’re in pain. Ah‌…‌I see.”

With a sideways glance, I follow Kamp’s stare. He’s eyeing the road that leads to the luau. Kamp shakes his head and laughs.

“Didn’t you hit that yet on your ‘date’ last night? I figured once you got a taste of her, she’d be out of your system.”

Kamp says “date” like it’s a disease. My jaw ticks at his callous thinking, and I shoot him a glare.

“No, and I’m not going to, either.”

“What?” Kamp shrieks. “Since when have you gone all noble?”

“Drop it,” I say through gritted teeth.

“You’ve got it bad, bro. I
told
you this could only end badly.” Kamp chuckles.

I don’t respond and turn the radio volume up. Thank God, the drive is short to the restaurant. Any conversation at this point is moot. Kamp reminds me how much of a wuss I’m being. That fact, I already know. But dammit, he doesn’t need to know the reasoning behind my sudden abstinence, and Kayla deserves nothing but respect.

We head to Rick’s after we fill our stomachs. The live music featured until ten usually packs the place on Friday nights, and I hope that’s the case tonight. A crowd will provide a good enough distraction to end my self-inflicted pity party.

“Hey, Tabby,” I say as we walk inside.

Tabby and Kamp exchange their childhood handshake, and I secure a few barstools at the end of the counter by Rocko, our lifelong friend. I scan the length of the bar for Laney and order a
Corona
.

“Where’ve you been hiding?” Rocko asks.

“I’ve been around,” I say evasively. The last thing I want to disclose is the fact I’ve been hanging with a vacationer.

Laney distracts me with my beer, and I pay her. Guilt consumes me. I’m not ashamed to be with Kayla. In fact, I’d rather show her off, but I’m not ready for the merciless teasing that would ensue if the guys found out. And I’d rather keep her to myself a while longer.

Kamp rejoins us, and Rocko delves into a story about this tourist who fell.

“Yeah, it was hilarious. Her husband turned to ask her a question, and as soon as she looked up to answer,
splat,
face-first into the mud. She was covered from head to toe. The look on her face was priceless.”

I laugh and then tense from hands rubbing across my back. They work their way toward my waist before landing on my ass. The suggestive move, aimed at tempting me, usually works, but these hands are all wrong. They’re too small. As the girl leans against me, a familiar whiff of vanilla laced with coconut evades my senses. I cringe. This
so
isn’t the distraction I was aiming for. The body presses against me and whispers my name.

“Hey, Bethany,” I say.

I try backing away, but her talons are dug too deep into my skin. I fight the urge to shake her loose. Bethany’s a nice girl, and the last thing I want to do is hurt her feelings, especially given our history. But I’m not in the mood to play games tonight. Even if what she’s wearing barely covers anything. She’s undeniably good looking, heck, she’s hot. Luscious curves that every man drools over, but tonight I’m not feeling it. Or feeling her.

“What’s the matter, Kai? Not wanting to play with me tonight?”

Before I answer, Kamp belts out, “He’s chasing after a vacationer’s ass.”

I glare at Kamp and shake my head back and forth, hoping he receives my silent message to shut the fuck up. The guys burst out laughing. Bethany’s hands drop, and I twist around to her slacken face.

Shit. Her feelings are hurt.

What am I doing?
Kayla is like the lost City of Atlantis, a utopian society holding treasures beyond belief. Totally unattainable. Bethany’s here. She’s not going anywhere. When my infatuation with Kayla ends, Bethany will be waiting like always.

“Hey,” I mumble. “Ignore Kamp, he’s spouting off.”

“You’re chasing after some piece of ass?” Bethany asks. Her body stiffens as she leans back, her fixed stare demanding an answer.

I sigh. I could easily lie and have Bethany in my bed so fast my head would spin. But that’s not what I want. Dammit, I want Kayla. Pipe dream or not.

“Yes,” I finally say, feeling like a total jerk.

“Well then…”

Bethany holds my stare and picks up a glass off the counter. Her eyes darken as she wraps her lips around the straw and sucks. She places the drink down, but my gaze never leaves her mouth. Her tongue licks those plump lips, slowly, seductively. Familiar with what those lips can perform, my breath shudders.

“I guess I need to up my game,” the sickening sweet voice purrs.

Fuck.

Chapter
Twenty

Kayla~

The collapsing waves are mesmerizing, but the rhythmic sound doesn’t elude the queasiness in the pit of my stomach. I place the coffee cup on the tabletop and draw my legs into me. Mom and I returned late last night from the luau, but Kai neither called nor texted. That bothers me. He’s working the afternoon tour which should be through any moment, but I don’t know if he’ll call. Tonight’s Christmas Eve, and we certainly didn’t make plans.

The warm air blows gently across and I tilt my head, closing my eyes to welcome the breeze. Perhaps the wind will calm my nerves. I’m more mad than nervous, though. I’m mad at myself for allowing this distraction. This pining over a guy and wondering if he’ll call is precisely why I want nothing to do with dating. Not now anyway. And even though we can’t be
together
together, I still wonder what or who kept him so busy he couldn’t call as promised.

The vibration echoing against the glass tabletop jars me from my thoughts. The disappointed smile that crosses my mouth when Staci’s picture illuminates the screen is a good punch of reality. How’d I get to the point where I’m disappointed my best friend called instead of some guy? This ends now.

“What’s up?” I answer.

“Freezing my ass off. What are you doing? Picking which swimsuit to wear?”

“Jealous much?” I laugh.

“Hell, yeah. It’s freakin’ cold. So tell me. What happened on your date? What was the big surprise? His ten-inch cock?”

Heat flames my cheeks. I’m still embarrassed by what happened. Or should I say
didn’t
happen on the boat.

“I wish.”

“What? Is it tiny?”

“What, no—”

“Oh, do tell.”

“Stop.” I turn to glance at the screen door and relax somewhat. Mom is nowhere in sight. “Nothing happened.”

“Girl, you’re killing me. Why not? No, scratch that. First, where did he take you?”

“On a sunset cruise. He borrowed his boss’s boat, and we sailed to the Na Pali Coastline. It was freaking awesome. Until we started kissing, and”‌—‌I double-check to make sure Mom is still out of hearing range and lower my voice‌—‌“things got‌…‌kinda heated. But—”

“And you didn’t do it?”

“Believe me; it wasn’t my fault. Well, maybe it was‌…‌sort of. Anyway, he guessed I was a virgin and stopped.” I blow out a frustrated breath. “Everything became PG-rated after that.”

“A true gentleman,” Staci says with a sad undertone.

“The thing is‌…‌I was ready. God, Staci, I finally find someone who makes me feel‌—‌actual honest to God feelings‌—‌and he pulls the gentleman card. Criminy, it took four thousand miles of airspace to find a guy that turns me on, and he shoots me down. I’m going to remain a virgin my whole life.”

“You will not. You’re just feeling rejected. Well, we know you’re not broken‌—‌you’re capable of being turned on.”

A small laugh escapes. Staci always knows how to lighten the mood.

“So when are you seeing him next?” she asks.

“I don’t know. I went to a luau with Mom last night. He was supposed to call, but didn’t.” I let out a sigh and stare at the ocean again.

“He’ll call. I’m sure. And if he doesn’t, then, at least, you didn’t screw him first.”

The bitterness in her tone throws me off guard, but I let it go. It’s hard telling which guys she’s mad at. That’s a whole different conversation I’m steering clear of.

“So what’d ya do today? Knit by the beach?”

“Ha ha. You wish you had my talent. But no, Mom took me to see a lighthouse, and then we went shopping. We’re getting ready to go out for supper. It’s strange being away from home on Christmas.”

“Speaking of, my dad is coming to visit us for Christmas tomorrow.” She lets out a tiny groan. “Kill. Me. Now.”

I force a laugh. Staci has never said why she dislikes her father. And even though she wants nothing to do with him, he keeps trying. Shitty parent or not, at least he’s trying to be there.

After saying goodbye, I remain seated and take a sip of my
now
cold coffee. The bitterness matches my mood. I need to snap out of this funk. What does it matter if he calls or not? I’ll be gone in less than two weeks. But knowing all of this doesn’t help the pit of despair in my stomach.

“Such a gorgeous day,” Mom says, walking through the sliding glass door. I straighten in my seat and half smile. She pulls out the chair to my left and sits, eyeing the mountain range. “So beautiful,” she mutters again.

“I don’t know which view I appreciate more, the mountains or the ocean. I’m glad we have both.”

“So why are you outside here all mopey like?”

My body tenses. “I’m not moping.”

“You’ve been sitting outside staring at the ocean ever since we returned. You want to talk about it?”

I turn to face her. The back of her perfectly styled blonde hair greets me. I don’t know if she thinks that hiding her face will be truth serum or what. It won’t work. In no way am I confessing about pining over a boy. Not to my mom. I face forward again.

“I’m just out here thinking.”

“You know, when I visited Kauai the first time, I fell in love.”

My head snaps back to her as she turns to face me, her expression grim.

“What happened?” I ask.

She draws out a lengthy breath and sighs. “Reality. His life was here, and mine was back in Illinois. He lived here for five years before meeting me and wasn’t going to leave. The island calls to certain people and becomes part of their blood.” Her voice quivers as she stares down at her hands. I want to hug her, but I’m afraid to interrupt. “Anyway, that was around the time when Mom became ill, and I went home to help her.”

“You never stayed in touch?”

Sadness passes through her eyes. “No. We made a clean break. That was before the heavy use of cell phones and the Internet. We would’ve exchanged emails, but the Internet wasn’t the same back in the day. We felt no communication would be the best.”

I study Mom for a moment and then ask, “Why are you telling me this?”

“You’re a smart girl.” Mom’s face grows serious as she stares at me intently. “When the time comes to make tough decisions, choose what’s best for you and your heart. Not what you think others want you to do.”