Down to My Soul (Soul Series Book 2)(48)

She looks up, shoulders tensed like she’s braced for a blow.

“I’m not comfortable with this arrangement anymore,” I say after a few seconds I use to calm down a little more.

“What arrangement?” Caution takes over her expression.

“You working so closely with Dub.”

“Rhyson, I don’t get a say about that. It’s Luke’s tour, not mine.”

“It could be. You could come to Prodigy and have your own tour.”

“Oh, you mean you could gift me a tour out of the goodness of your heart.” She shakes her head, dark strands of hair clinging to her shoulders. “When will you get that I don’t want you giving me anything. I don’t want a hand out because I’m your girlfriend.”

“This is a useless conversation because we won’t see eye to eye.” I grip my knees, holding onto my control. “And I didn’t cross the Atlantic to spend the one night I have with you fighting.”

She nods, looking up from the floor, the stiff lines of her face softening.

“What do you want, Rhyson?”

I shake my head, a weary sigh crossing my lips.

“Don’t ask me that unless you really want to know.”

“Tell me.”

“Okay.” I shove my fingers through my hair, looking her dead in the eye as I lay it all out on the line. “I want Dub out of your life. I want you off this tour that’s wrecking you. I want you on my label where I can take care of you. And I don’t want to pretend we aren’t together. How’s that?”

She gives me a look that’s half helpless, half frustrated.

“Those are all things I can’t change right now, Rhys.”

“Won’t,” I correct. “Things you won’t change. Not can’t.”

She presses her forehead to her knees, muffling her words.

“Then I don’t know how to make you happy.”

I’m not handling this well. Neither of us is. We take turns hurting and pissing each other off. I brush her hair back and cup her chin, bringing her eyes back to me.

“Kai, I have you back. We just had amazing sex, and I get to fall asleep with you in my arms tonight. Believe me—I’m happy.” I force a smile. “You asked me what I want. That’s something different.”

“Most of what you want is out of my control.” She grabs my hand stroking her hair, turning my knuckles to her lips. “What can I give you?”

Such a dangerous offer. If she’s not careful, I’ll take everything she has just because I can’t stand the thought of anyone else having any of it.

“Tell him.” I slide down the tub rim until we’re close enough for her to rest her head on my knee. “The media is one thing. I get that. We won’t go public until the tour is over, but Dub needs to know we’re together and that what he wants won’t ever happen.”

“I can do that.” She lifts her head and meets my eyes. “I’ll tell him.”

“I’m sorry if you think I’m overreacting, but—”

“I don’t.” Her short laugh bounces off the bathroom walls. “While you were in here taking your minute, I thought of how I’d feel if some other girl kissed you. I’d respond the same way.”

“Really?” I never think of Kai as jealous or possessive, but I like it. A lot. It’s nice to not be alone in this.

“I’m yours and you’re mine, right?” On her knees she crosses the space between us until she’s between my legs, her elbows resting on my knees. “No one else gets to touch you either.”

She claims me with a look before leaning in to add a kiss. Maybe she means for it to be quick, but I can’t let her go. My hands at her hips urge her closer. I deepen the kiss until we lose minutes in one another, our lips clinging, hands clutching, breaths catching. The thought of someone else tasting her like this sends a chill across our passion. I’m chilled another degree when the image of Jimmi naked in my shower a few weeks ago revisits me. If I’m expecting full disclosure from Kai, I can’t give her any less.

“Hey, I need to tell you something, too.” As much as I’d rather just scoop her up and tuck her in, because the signs of exhaustion show all over her face the later it gets, I need to say this. I owe her that.

“Talk.” She yawns, covering her mouth, eyes watering. “Sorry. Early morning. Long day.”

“I’ll make this quick so you can get some rest.” I haul in a breath and dive in. “You know Jimmi and I have been friends a long time, right?”

“Since high school.” She nods, coughing a little.

“Yeah, since high school.” I slide down off the edge of the tub until I’m on the floor, bare back pressed against the side. “Well, there was one night when we were, uh, more than friends.”

I let that sink in before meeting her eyes. She’s gone still, a small frown gathering on her face.

“The two of you—”

“It was one night,” I cut in. “I was on her tour for some dates last summer. We got drunk, and I barely remember it. It meant nothing.”

Better revise that.

“Well, it meant nothing to me, but Jimmi, she . . . it meant something to her.”

“You never thought to tell me this before?” she asks quietly, studying the dark paint on her toenails that’s started chipping.