Zenith in Love (Zenith Series #5) - Leanne Davis Page 0,42
too late or whatever.”
“What’s wrong? Did someone find out about us?”
“No. But would that be the end of the world?”
“Maybe just the end of the world as I know it. My job isn’t like Rob’s or Eric’s. My reputation is my career. It’s just easier for me if I keep my personal life under lock and key. Out of anyone’s eyes or wagging tongues.”
She nodded, rolling her eyes but her frown persisted. “Well, that’s great. But I just…”
“What?”
“Discovered some bad news and I wanted you to make me feel better.” Sex. His heart raced with anticipation at the news, although she was strangely subdued for it to be that. He wasn’t the best at predicting women’s moods, obviously, but even he knew Kayla wasn’t feeling sexy and out for some fun now. She wasn’t on the night of the shooting either, of course, but that was a complete surprise and the direct result of an undiscovered intensity that existed between them. Like staring at the jaws of death just to feel more alive. That was how Jim justified what he did.
“Kayla? How can I do that?”
She gave him a sad look. “Ask me what’s wrong.”
He smiled softly. “Sorry. What’s wrong?”
“I didn’t get the internship for The Brenton Group that I was counting on. It’s where I hoped to work someday. They manage several investment companies and I had a connection. But having guards with me all the time tipped them to say no. The delicate nature of their work would be threatened if my guards were present twenty-four/seven. I was hoping this would lead to my dream job. I know the problems of the world are so much worse. And you have to deal with problems a lot in your profession. I get how trite this is. College-girl frustrations and all that, but I was…”
Jim stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, pressing her to his chest. Her hands clutched him and she tucked her head against him before she started to cry instantly. Apparently, the tears were brimming in her eyelids, ready to fall. She sucked in a loud breath as she released them. Grasping him tightly, she buried her face into his sweatshirt.
Hugging wasn’t a familiar reaction for Jim with anyone. But it felt different with Kayla. As everything did. She fit nicely against him. And to his surprise, she seemed to need this from him now. Whatever it meant, she came to him with her news. Alone. She just wanted to tell him. She liked to share her thoughts with him. Could she also find comfort and understanding from him? He was a pro at that. It was his job, after all, to be half counselor, half mentor.
But with Kayla, something tugged on his heart that he preferred to keep fairly separate. He cared for her. He wasn’t cold with those he led or counseled. But Kayla gave him a visceral sensation. He hated to see her cry. He wanted to stop it. But maybe she didn’t want him to stop her. Maybe she wanted to cry. Maybe she only sought shelter and care from him.
What a strange thought.
“It’s not so stupid. Sometimes you’re allowed a moment or a night to digest the latest bad news or event. You know? Yes, there are children starving and always someone worse off somewhere, but right this second, you’re allowed to feel bad about what happened to you.”
She sniffed and rubbed her face against his hard chest. In a muffled tone, she said, “I thought you’d scold me for being so spoiled. My dad is rich and famous. I’m well loved and well fed and protected and given every possible chance in the world. There will be others, right? So I’ll be fine in the long run.”
“If you thought I was such a condescending jerk, why did you come to me?”
Her shoulders shrugged under his arms. “I don’t know. I still wanted to see you.”
“Still? You really think I’m that insufferable?”
She lifted her face high enough to glance up at him with a small half smile. “It would not be too far out of the realm of possibilities for you to be, especially with me.”
He couldn’t help smiling back. Pulling off the stray strands of hair that were caught in her lips, he said, “I counsel and listen to many people for a living. You know that, right?”
“Right. But you usually scowl at and scorn me for fun.”