The Scars of Us by Nikki Narvaez Page B

didn’t smile or laugh enough, and I wished she did more of both. When our eyes met, I repeated my earlier question, “Can I get you another drink?”
    Even before she responded, the smile she was fighting gave me my answer. I ordered another round of drinks from one of the bartenders, then turned my attention back to Kaiya. Our gazes locked as a blush began to creep up onto her cheeks, painting her porcelain skin with pink.
    “You’re so beautiful,” I said, just above a whisper as I leaned towards her. Her eyes focused on my lips as they neared hers, which parted in anticipation, as if waiting to reacquaint themselves with mine after so long.
    Closing my eyes, I brushed my mouth against Kaiya’s, enjoying the silkiness of her lips.
    Her hands rested on my chest before sliding up and around my neck as she brought herself closer to me, pressing our bodies together. Winding around her, my arms enclosed her against me as my tongue intertwined with hers.
    Fuck, she tasted so good—I could get lost in her for days, oblivious to everything else but consuming every part of her sweetness. One of my hands trailed up her back before cupping her head, tangling my fingers in her hair as the kiss intensified.
    “You have a tab? Or do you want to pay cash?” the bartender interrupted, causing Kaiya to abruptly pull away from me.
    Asshole. Glaring at the bartender, I grabbed the drinks. “I have a tab—Ryker Campbell.”
    Handing Kaiya her drink, I couldn’t help but notice her swollen lips. My cock hardened more as I thought about Kaiya sucking me with those lips, taking my dick deep into her mouth before letting me sink myself into her pussy. Fuck, I have to have her.
    As we drank, we told each other stupid bar jokes that we had heard over the years. Kaiya giggled loudly, her eyes glassy as she swayed slightly in her seat. Her cheeks had deepened to a light shade of red and she wore a drunken smile. She was definitely tipsy. “I should go. I have to work in the morning,” she said halfheartedly.
    “Why don’t you come home with me?” I suggested with a crooked grin as I pulled her barstool between my legs.
    “I can’t,” she replied as she leaned forward, bringing her face only inches from mine.
    Closing the distance, I barely grazed her lips as I asked, “Why not? We both know you want to.”
    Pulling back a little, she put some distance between our mouths. “Those old demons I mentioned earlier—they haunt you forever.” Before I could respond, she continued, “You don’t want to get involved with me.”
    Resting my hands on the outside of her thighs, I rubbed my thumbs against them. “You’ve said that before. I know what I want, and I’m looking right at her.”
    She smiled sadly. “If you knew me, you wouldn’t want me.”
    “Why don’t you let me decide that for myself instead of fighting me all of the time? You don’t even give me a chance to get to know you.”
    “I have to fight—it’s the only way I can protect myself. I need to go,” she snapped before grabbing her purse off the bar.
    “Kaiya, wait,” I called after her. Ignoring me, she pushed through the crowd, continuing to walk toward the door before exiting. I wanted to go after her, but I wasn’t the type to chase a woman. My pride wouldn’t allow that, so I just let her go, forcing myself to stay at the bar.
    I ordered another drink, along with a straight shot of Jack. I downed it as a sexy brunette walked up next to me, her tits almost popping out of her skin-tight dress.
    “Want some company?” she asked before biting her bottom lip seductively.
    She wasn’t what I wanted, but I didn’t want to sit around sulking about Kaiya, so I pulled her onto my lap. “Sure, baby. Wanna get out of here?” I asked before tracing my tongue along her jawline.
    “Yes,” she practically moaned as she tilted her head. Too easy.
    After I paid my tab, I followed the girl back to her place. We barely made it in the door before she started