19 Nineteen

They sat in silence, awaiting the bill.

Dinner was a bust.

She'd argued about everything. From his opinion on the food to his opinion on the weather, to his opinion on their wine selection. She noticed his efforts to be civil, but she couldn't help herself. Beneath all the smart comebacks she'd been giving all evening, like an underground raging torrent, was anger.

They'd kissed. A hot, searing kiss that left her wanting more, but clearly meant nothing to him. Yes, she'd stopped him from apologizing earlier, but that was because it would've only made situations worse. Common sense--which clearly wasn't so common these days--should have told him that it was only normal for him to bring up the issue again. But he didn't!

At this point, even a 'Sorry, I shouldn't have kissed you because I don't feel the same way, would have been better than not saying anything.'

But he'd kissed her back. He never jerked back nor stopped it before it even started. He'd led her on and if the phone had not gone off when it did, things might have gotten serious pretty quickly.

She wondered if he had a girlfriend. Perhaps that's why he apologized and hasn't said a word since then. It would make sense if that was the case.

She cleared her throat. "Do you have a girlfriend, fiancée, or wife in the County?"

His brows creased, as he stared at her weirdly. "Why the sudden interest in my love life?"

"Yet I'm supposed to be the one unable to give a straight answer." she scoffed and fetched her sling bag. "Can I have a ride to the club?"

Now he was worried. First, she'd straight up asked if he had a ladylove, and then automatically switched to a ride to the club. He glanced at what she was wearing, a black lacy long-sleeved crop top and jeans. The top revealed a belly ring, but the outfit was decent when compared with what other girls wore to clubs on weekdays. He didn't like the idea of other men feasting their eyes on her as they figured out ways to approach her. Besides, she was still recuperating.

"Don't you have something to work on? I did say I needed that report by tomorrow, right? Besides, your wounds aren't completely healed."

"I can take care of myself, Agent. And you'll get your report tomorrow. I don't need you babying me. That's what I had my parents for, and now they're gone, so spare me." she got to her feet. "Well, are you taking me, or do I need to request a ride?"

"Here's the bill, sir." the waiter interrupted them. "Thank you for your patience. Yours got mixed up with someone else's."

"It's okay," a lock of soft hair fell forwards over his tanned forehead as he scanned the paper and took out the equivalent amount from his wallet, then added a twenty-dollar tip on the top. She had a mad urge to run her fingers through the hair but nibbed such thoughts by the bud. She decided that the next time they'll be in each other's arms, if ever a time like that arises again, it would be him who initiated it.

The waiter thanked them and left. He grabbed his keys from his pocket and threw them up in the air. "Let's go."

A surge of adrenaline coursed through her as she followed him outside to his car. It was almost 8 PM, and she hoped to see Delano before his club got too busy with people. She took out her phone and sent a text, informing him of her arrival. He replied almost immediately, and she got into the vehicle with Albert.

He started the ignition but didn't back out, instead looked down at her navel. For a split second, she thought he might have been checking her out, but then he said, "Put your seatbelt on."

She rolled her eyes and yanked the belt, placing it over her chest before locking it in. Then tensed when he wrapped his hand around her seat as he backed out of the driveway. It took a minute to maneuver his way out of the restaurant, after which he drove down the road.

"So, a club." he started. "Interesting. I thought people went scantily dressed there."

"What exactly do you think I'm going to do at the club?"

Albert scoffed. "What everyone does at the club. Dance, get drunk….get laid."

"Maybe some other time." She shrugged.

"Although I must admit, the prospect of getting laid tonight seems tempting." His body stiffened, and his hands tightened around the steering wheel.

"I think that what's I really needed." she continued like they were discussing the weather. "To be honest, my vibrator just isn't doing enough for me anymore. A lady loves to be touched, you see. The darn thing can only do so much. Yes, I get orgasms, but I love to be kissed seductively slowly. Especially on my neck, my breasts…." his breath labored as she trailed long slender fingers down her neck. "In between my legs…."

He cleared his throat loudly at her inappropriateness and tried to remain focused on the road as he wondered what the hell she was doing. Was she teasing him? Or were conversations like this normal for her? How had they even gotten to this point? Oh, right, the club. Before now, he'd been so damn relaxed, hadn't put his guard up, and now his libido had moved almost to full erection by the images she'd planted in his head.

He stole a glance at her and noticed the small smile dancing around her lips. So, he'd been right, and she'd said all that on purpose. Well, two could play her dirty games.

"Is that why you've been salty all evening?" he asked.

She rose a confused brow. "Huh?"

"You want to get laid. That's it? Here I was thinking you were on your time of the month."

Tight-lipped for a few seconds, she fumed at his audacity. He was being rude. Very rude, and she wouldn't let it slide. Not if she could help it.

"Maybe," she said, deciding to stow away his comments and pay him back at a later date. Whatever she was doing, clearly had him uncomfortable so she had to go on with it. She let out a sultry sigh and took the conversation even deeper. "I mean, you've seen me naked like twice already, right? You can tell my body has needs. It is not my intention to brag, but I have a great body, and it needs to be pampered. Soft, soft skin, supple breasts…."

"That's enough," he said sharply. His partial erection had turned to a full-blown one, and he now greatly resisted the urge to stop the car by the roadside and take her right here and now.

Kyla watched him with a lopsided grin that spoke of her satisfaction for a job well. He was messing with fire. If only he knew how badly she could burn him.

*****