Kairos (15 page)

Uncomfortable
does not even begin to explain how I feel throughout the rest of our breakfast. The group all chat amiably with one another, and Logan even laughs at a couple of jokes Triston tells him, but I still feel uneasy with the way Kayla is acting toward him, and I can’t shake the feeling that she is going to be trouble with a capital T.

Logan and I head to our room after finishing breakfast. I’m still pissed over the whole Kayla incident. I don’t understand why he didn’t have the decency to warn me about his ex living here. I try to smother my bad mood by bringing up something that I know will take her off my mind.

“Will you take me for a tour of the grounds?” I ask him.

His hand strokes my lower back affectionately. “Sure. What do you want to see?”

I think for a minute and spout out, “Everything!”

He laughs at my excitement and continues up the steps. “Everything, huh? Your wish is my command.”

As we walk down the hall to our room, I hear footsteps behind us. I spin around and come face to face with the bewitching sea blue eyes of Kayla. Her lips are pinched, and her eyes are deviously narrowed. She obviously has something to say, and I don’t think I’m going to like it. She was shooting me dirty looks all through breakfast.

Before I can ask, she glances at Logan, and the steamy look she sends him makes it clear she has carnal knowledge of the man I’m in love with. Her eyes speak volumes, and unfortunately I’m hearing it loud and clear. She looks as if she wants to lick him from head to crotch. My heart skips painfully in my chest.

She turns back to me, and her lips twist in a knowing smirk. This bitch is about to piss me off. I can only tolerate so much, and the situation is growing hostile by the second.

“So this is who you filled your bed with in my absence? Tsk, tsk, Logan. Does she know you were thrusting deep inside of me just a couple of weeks ago while you left her after your little weekend getaway?”

I gasp out loud.

She looks me over with disdain. “I feel sorry for you. He’ll always come back to me. I’m the only one who can satisfy his twisted desires. You’re just a poor replacement for what we shared.” Her eyes are sharp as daggers.

Logan grips my arm firmly and glares back at her. “This is not the time or place, Kayla. Don’t start your shit now.”

The bitch actually laughs. Her head tilts back, and her sharp voice sings through the air as she openly taunts me with her joyous declaration that she has fucked my man and knows she has me at a complete disadvantage. It’s like a knife is twisting in my gut. I’m so dumbstruck that words completely escape me at the moment.

I look up to a seething Logan. His nostrils are flaring wide, and his breath is short and choppy. My eyes are full of questions, but he won’t meet them. He’s staring a hole through Kayla, and she seems to enjoy his attention no matter his mood.

“When you’re through with your little mouse, you know where to find me.” She runs her fingernail across his jaw and licks her lips seductively. Logan jerks his head back and out of her reach. She leans in and whispers next to my ear, “He loved it when I sucked him off and swallowed every last drop—almost as good as he loved feasting between my thighs.”

I hear a loud
pop
and watch her step back with a look of absolute shock on her face, and then I look down to my now tingling palm. I look back up to the reddening mark of my hand on her pink cheek. I just slapped her, and I never even commanded my hand to move. It was like a reflex.

She encroached on my territory and had the audacity to mock me, and I’m boiling mad. I don’t think I’ve ever been this mad in my entire life. My arms and legs are shaking with rage. I can feel heat moving up my neck and over my face.

“Back the fuck off, bitch.” With that I turn and storm down the hall. As I practically run for the door to my room, I can hear Logan and Kayla arguing, but I couldn’t care less at this point. He has humiliated me by even bringing me here to live under the same roof as his last fuck buddy. My God, what the hell was he thinking not even telling me about her? It’s bad enough she looks like a
Tomb Raider
version of Halle Berry, with her perfect caramel complexion and chocolate-colored hair. Damn him!

I cannot live here with her under the same roof. I can’t. This is an impossible situation, and I’m thousands of miles from my home and any level of comfort. What have I gotten myself into?

I storm through the door like a mini-hurricane just as I hear his heavy footfalls closing in. Logan. I can’t look at him right now. I feel like he’s betrayed me in the worst way. He’s subjected me to a torture that is tearing me in half. Questions are running through my mind a mile a minute. How long ago did he sleep with her? Was it right before he came for me? Did he really fuck her after the weekend we shared? The thought makes me physically cringe. Oh God, I’m going to be sick. Visions of their bodies sweaty and grinding against one another flash through my mind, and I feel bile rising up my throat.

I slam the door and lock it.

Boom. Boom. Boom.
Logan beats on the door. “Sulwen, please open the door. Please, Sully. I’m sorry. I’m so damn sorry. I swear it’s not what you think. Open the door. Let me explain.”

I can hear him breathing on the other side as I lean back against the cold wood and slide down to the floor. The warmth leaves my body as my bottom settles down, and I cross my legs Indian style and lower my head into my hands. I can see him on the other side in my mind’s eye, his forehead resting on the door and a look of desperation on his strained face. The deep V that forms between his eyes when he is in deep thought.

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Logan, not now. Not now.” My words come out shaky and weak. I don’t understand why this is bothering me so much. I don’t know for certain that he has cheated on me. He hasn’t really even lied to me, unless you count omission as a lie, and I do. I can’t imagine how he would act if I took him somewhere my ex was living, and he was faced with the fact that a person I had an open sexual relationship with was there in his face and ready to flaunt the news of intimate moments. What the hell was he thinking?

He exhales loudly. “Don’t shut me out, Sulwen. I should have told you, but I didn’t know she would be here.” I hear him shuffling around. “I was going to tell you. I really was. I thought I had more time.” I can feel his presence through the cool wood at my back, and it’s like sunshine blazing through a window on a chilly fall day. I want to soak up his warmth. I want to bask in his rays, but I’m wounded, so I recoil.

“I need time to think. Please, Logan, not now.” My voice comes out stronger than before and is filled with a resolute tone that even he can feel.

“All right. I’ll come for you in the morning.” He sighs heavily. “I’m sorry, Sully.” He waits a few minutes, and then his steps drift off into the distance, and I realize I am alone.

I flop down onto the huge four-poster bed, lie back on the fine silk linens, and stare up at the ceiling. Hell, even the ceiling is first-class. Dark wooden beams cross and meet in the center of the room with spectacular mosaics filling the gaps. It’s breathtaking! I release my pent-up frustration and take a few deep, relaxing breaths. I close my eyes and let the previous scenes leave my mind as the air pushes past my lips.

My eyelids flutter open slowly, and the overhead light leaves me seeing spots momentarily. I turn onto my side and spy my laptop case sitting on the desk in the corner.

The wood feels cold on my bare feet. I grab a pair of socks from the pile that is now my wardrobe in the corner as I walk toward the desk and retrieve my laptop.

After crawling around on my hands and knees for ten minutes, I find an outlet behind the nightstand next to the bed and plug in my link to the rest of the world. I prop pillows up behind my back and lounge on my bed with my computer in my lap. I desperately need a friendly voice, or in my case a friendly online chat. I cross my fingers, hoping Tonya is online.

After my welcome screen pops up and my chat box signs on, I’m instantly relieved to find Tonya is online. I could squeal with delight, but I check myself before anyone hears me. I clap my hands silently as my pulse picks up excitedly. When it feels like you are surrounded by people who don’t want you there, there is nothing more comforting than a sister/friend to push all of your fears and doubts to the side and just laugh with you. And no one does that as well as Tonya.

I click on her name and wait patiently for her to accept my chat request. Her reply pops up almost instantly.

ChemistryChik: I cannot believe you are online…I miss you so much girl! How is Logan? How is Scotland? Tell me…Tell me…Tell me! Sorry about that but I’m living vicariously through my best friend and currently have no life to speak of *smiley face*.

Sully: I miss you too! The flight was hell and I’m still a little crabby but I have finally arrived and settled in…somewhat. Logan is…well, I’m a little pissed at him right now so I’ll move on to something else.

Chemistry Chick: Oh no you don’t! What is going on with Mister Perfect? Spill it girl!

Sully: All right. He brought me to the place where he works. It’s a huge historical mansion with over 100 rooms. So needless to say we are staying here as well. That was fine with me. I mean, who wouldn’t want to stay in a five-star mansion with a full staff and excellent chef? Well, that was before I realized that his coworker and ex-bitch lives and works here as well.

ChemistryChick: OMG…WTF? How could he put you in a situation like that? I’m so sorry, Sully! Do you need me for anything? I can get a ticket and be there in a couple of days. Do you need me to purchase a return flight for you? Whatever you need I’m here for you. P.P.S. I can also remove his balls with a spoon if that will make you happy?

I feel a warm wetness slide down my cheek, and it takes me by surprise. I wipe it off on the back of my hand and swallow the building lump of sand in my throat. Her heartfelt concern is such a warm comfort that I grin slightly and respond.

Sully: No. Stay there. I’m staying here. I’ll get through this and I refuse to allow that hussy to get in my way. Logan is mine now and I’ll not cower to a few snide comments made out of jealousy. I’m ignoring him right now but I’ll sit down with him later and we’ll work it out. I just needed to speak to you. It’s so good to hear from you even though it’s not been that long since I saw you. I’m a little scared about this whole ordeal and my insecurities are eating away at me right now. She’s beautiful Tonya. Really beautiful, in an Angelina Jolie
Tomb Raider
kind of way. I know it’s silly. I mean, what did I expect, a toad for an ex?! But it’s still a little unnerving seeing her and being forced to live under the same roof.

Chemistry Chick: Does she still want Logan? Does he still love her?

Sully: I don’t think so. He looked at her like he couldn’t stand to be in the same room with her. But she’s definitely harboring serious sexual need for him. And before you get started…I know I should give him a chance to explain…But I’m still pissed and I just want some alone time right now.

ChemistryChick: You have every right to be pissed and don’t let them make you feel otherwise. He should have said something. COWARD! Tell him I said so too!

Sully: I hear ya! I’m going to bed now. Luv ya girl!

ChemistryChick: Luv u 2! Call me when you get your new cell.

I power down my laptop and place it on the table next to my bed. I need to get out of here for a little bit. I walk toward the door and peek out…left, clear….right, clear. I step into the hall and close my door silently behind me. I tiptoe as quietly as I can down the hall and toward the stairs so I can make my way outside for some fresh air.

As I walk down the steps, I hear voices from downstairs. It sounds like Duncan and Logan are arguing, but their voices are so muffled I can’t make out what they’re saying. As I reach the first floor, I look around, trying to figure out where the voices are coming from. I walk to the first room to find a lavish sitting area. It reminds me of the historic romance novels I read when the guy comes to the lady’s house to seek permission to court her, and they all share tea in the sitting room. Well, this one has that feel to it. There is a glass table with a bottle of brown liquor on it and a small box of cigars. The whiff of tobacco hits me like a punch to the face as I open it to see the elegant imported cigars.