I can see myself in her eyes. It’s scary. I don’t know how to handle it. I want to run. I want to bury my head in the sand and wait for her to leave, but I can’t.
She turns to look at me over her shoulder and tosses me a little wave. I smile back and raise my chin as she goes back to kicking the water. My phone rings and I grab it out of my pocket and answer.
“Yeah?”
“Where are you?” Viking asks on the other end of the line.
“Savannah. What’s up?”
“You takin’ your sweet time gettin’ there?” I huff out a breath and look back to Kyza.
“Somethin’ like that.”
“You know what you’re doin’ with her Monster?” I know he worries about me. That says a lot about him. I need to do what feels right here though.
“I sure as fuck hope so brother.”
“Heard that. Look, when you’re ready and I hope that’s soon because Ortega is about to lose his shit, one of the prospects is out and free to walk. I need you to get to him. Find out why the fuck he’s walkin’ and no one else is. You get me?”
Yeah, I got him. The one thing that is bothering me about that is her. Kyza is going to see me as the monster in her world and I wonder if she can handle me.
“Got it. I’ll get your answers.” I assure him.
“Good. Let me know what info you get. I’m gonna finish payin’ that fuckin’ lawyer and have him meet with you. When do you wanna meet?”
I watch her. I can feel her. She’s the light mixed with the dark. It’s seeping out of her and its calling to me in ways I didn’t think a woman could, but Kyza is a force that seems to be anchoring me to her side. I don’t think I want to let that go. Ever. I shake my head and try to focus back on the conversation.
“Tomorrow mornin’.”
“I’ll text you the address.”
The line goes dead just as Kyza turns and walks my way. Sand sticks to her perfect flesh. I want to take her back to the hotel and wash it all away. I want to make her as clean as possible. I want to bare her sins. I want to carry the weight of them for her. For the first time in my life I think we can make something good between us.
“You look happy,” I tell her when she drops into the sand next to me.
“I am. I didn’t think I’d ever feel that again. I’m starting to,” she answers looking over at me. “Thank you.”
“Let me ask you somethin’ babe. If I was to ask you to be with me, would you? Could you handle that?”
Her eyes dance between mine. Her head is slowly shaking from side to side. She can’t say no. I won’t let her.
“I… I don’t know what to say Monster. You barely know me. You don’t even know everything there is to know about me.”
“I know enough. I know that you match me in every fuckin’ way possible. You’re my fuckin’ other half Kyza. I never thought I’d find someone that fuckin’ mirrors me exactly. I’m just givin’ you a heads up that I don’t give damn what you say that I’m not lettin’ you go. I’m keepin’ you.”
I shove out of the sand and wipe my jeans and stomp back toward my bike. I don’t like this idea. I want her first. Now that I have her I don’t think I can ever let her go. Why the hell should I let her go? We’re good together. She’s slowly letting me in and I’m slowly doing the same.
“You can’t do that. Who the fuck do you think you are?” she snaps.
People are starting to watch us now. I don’t give a shit who’s watching though. I put my hands on my hips and glare at her. I’m trying to come up with the right words here, but I’m coming up blank.
“You have nothing to say?” she challenges me.
Goddamn her!
“That shit right there?” I ask pointing at her. “You fuckin’ push my buttons. You make me laugh. You have any idea how long it’s been since I’ve laughed?”
“So I’m a fucking comedian? That doesn’t mean you get to keep me.”
I suck in a breath and try to steady myself.
“I’ve looked at myself in the mirror every goddamn day of my life. I’ve seen the exact same thing every day.” She watches