It's All Relative(75)

Seeing her expression, Kai whispered, “Jessie, I’m sorry about…” He indicated the space beside him, where she’d been sitting. Not having any words, Jessie nodded. Clearing his throat, Kai awkwardly adjusted his position. “Do you want to finish the movie?” His eyes were asking her to say yes and no.

Jessie let out a slow exhale. She did want to stay. More than anything she wanted to crawl into his lap and cuddle with him. She wanted his warmth wrapped around her, making her feel safe and cherished, but she also wanted his body all over hers. She wanted them tangled together in intimate ways that they just couldn’t be. She wanted him to arouse her. She wanted him inside of her. Then she wanted him to release his lust and desire deep within her. It sickened her how badly she wanted it. Biting her lip, Jessie shook her head. She couldn’t stay here any longer.

“I think I should go,” she whispered.

Kai nodded, understanding, then his gaze drifted to his hands. Jessie stood and gathered her things. When she was finished, she turned back to him; he was still looking down. She slowly walked over to him, and he lifted his head, studiously watching her approach. At his side, she whispered, “Goodbye, cousin,” as she leaned down. She purely intended to kiss his cheek. That was all she’d allow herself. But as his skin drew closer, she couldn’t make herself twist to the side like he had earlier. Her lips went straight to his. Kai closed his eyes, not able to turn away either. Her hand came up to caress his cheek as their mouths met—soft, full, wondrous. A perfect kiss. Perfect and awful, because it never should have happened.

Feeling sick, Jessie pulled away and left him on that bed, his eyes still closed.





The following night, Jessie felt anxious. Both because of the soft kiss that never should have taken place between Kai and her the night before, and because April was in the bathroom, putting the finishing touches on her costume. She’d spent a good chunk of the morning getting everything she needed for her outfit and instructing Kai on where to get his. They were going to a club downtown that was having a contest for the best costume, and April was determined to win.

Watching April walk into the living room when she was finished, Jessie thought they might have a good chance at winning. She looked amazing. Sexy and alluring, she had taken the slutty bar wench theme to the extremes. April wasn’t the most buxom person, but she seemed to pour out of her laced-up peasant top, the edge of her black bra peeking through. Her long black hair was curled and arranged in such a way that all of it spilled over one of her bare shoulders. The long, tight skirt she wore was slit up both thighs, all the way to the top, and most of her shapely legs were showing. She was wearing fishnet stockings underneath that were strategically ripped in all the right places. Black, thigh-high boots, a wide belt, and gaudy but authentic jewelry completed the outfit.

Grinning, she did a little twirl for Jessie in the middle of the room. Jessie made herself nod in approval when she really wanted to tell her friend to go put some more clothes on. She couldn’t tell April that without sounding like her mother though.

The doorbell rang, and Jessie’s heart dropped. Kai was here, but not for her. April giggled and bounded to the door. She squealed when she saw Kai standing there. Torn between leaving and staying, Jessie slowly stood up. She watched Kai give April a warm smile and then a soft hug. Over April’s shoulder, his eyes found Jessie’s, and their gazes locked. Jessie’s breath stopped at the wistful passion she saw in his eyes. If April ever saw that expression on him, she’d know that something had happened between Jessie and Kai. His blue-green eyes were sad, remorseful, like he’d rather have Jessie in his arms. It only reaffirmed to Jessie that, even though this was hard, Kai dating someone else was a good thing. He shouldn’t want her that way, just as she shouldn’t want him.

Kai and April pulled apart, and his gaze refocused on his date. His sadness instantly shifted to a small smile of appreciation for the beautiful girl in front of him. Even though his smile was a contained one, Jessie hated seeing that look directed toward anyone else.

April yanked him through the front door and into the room. She was overjoyed by his outfit. Kai let out a weary groan as she spun him around. Jessie felt sorry for him, but at the same time, she highly approved of his outfit. She was never one to get into the whole dress up thing, but Kai looked incredible as a pirate.

April had him in scruffy, well-worn black trousers, with heavy black boots over the top. A colorful scarf belt matched the ribbon around April’s neck, and a white, lacy, bell-sleeved shirt exposed a good portion of his skin, although, not a speck of his tattoo showed. Over his shirt was a black vest topped off with a long, black coat. He had on enough gaudy jewelry to rival April’s, but the kicker, and the part that Kai seemed the least happy about, was the ridiculous hat. Wide brimmed with a band around the middle that matched his belt, it absolutely completed the look; it even had a feather.

As April clapped her hands and squealed again, thrilled over her date’s appearance, Jessie studied Kai. He didn’t look very happy. In fact, he looked miserable. Not noticing, April exclaimed that she just had to touch up her makeup, then they could go. Once she was gone, Jessie walked over to him. Crossing her arms over her chest as a precaution, so she wouldn’t be tempted to touch him, she nodded at his outfit. “You look good,” she whispered.

He gave her a glum look. “I feel like an idiot.” Jessie cracked a smile but didn’t say anything. He looked anything but.