This Love of Mine (Raine Series #1)

CHAPTER 11

Kayla

The second the words came out of my mouth, I instantly regretted saying them. I had no intentions to ever let anyone know, but something strong came over me, possibly the Vicodin. When I saw him get up to leave, for whatever reason I just didn't want to see him go. I could feel my body reacting to him and although it scared the ever livin' hell out of me, I couldn't just let him walk away and take the chance that I may never see him again.

I had the sudden urge to bare my soul and body to him, maybe too early for the latter, but still it was true. I stared up at his expressionless face, waiting for him to say something, anything, but when he didn't I was disappointed. Maybe my grandparents were right in their warning of Madison. But always staying true to myself, I threw caution to the wind. Apparently, that wasn't the best idea it would seem.

"Come again?" His voice was soft and soothing, which only intensified my yearning to be closer to him.

He sat back down next to me, never releasing eye contact. I was suddenly rendered speechless, as a sea of sparkling green was staring right into my eyes. When I opened my mouth to utter those words one more time, my mouth closed tightly and I contemplating telling him I was only lying. My eyes were still on him and I was lost in his gaze, until he decided to speak again.

"You know KJ, you can tell me anything. I know you don't know me all that well, but I can be a real good listener if need be."

"Why did you just call me KJ?" I tried to remove all worry from my thoughts, but he must've noticed my vulnerability.

"Oh...um, my grandfather told me that's what people call you. I'm sorry sweetheart, I can call you Kayla if that works better for ya." He slowly removed his baseball cap from his head and pushed his fingers back through his thick hair. It wasn't long, but it wasn't short either. It was cut similar to Justin Beiber's old hairstyle, but shorter and he definitely made that look sexy. Man, he was a beautiful specimen of man. God broke the mold when he created this one, that's for sure. He slowly tugged his cap back on, just as I started to realize that I was staring.

I cleared my throat, not wanting him to know just how much I truly wanted him. "Um, no KJ is fine. Most people don't call me that anymore that's all." I lifted up my face to look at him again. Damn, this guy was hot.

"So, you were about to tell me what you said." He winked and I grew wet.

"Oh that. Sorry, I don't usually go around blurting out random things to people, especially people I barely know." I grabbed a fresh smoke from my pack and as I reached for my lighter, a bright orange flame flickered in front of my face. I took the small opportunity to see him better in the light. His lips slowly pulled up and into a wide smile, before the flame flickered and then went out. I definitely wasn't disappointed with the turn of events thus far.

"Like I said, I'm a great listener." He sat back on one of his hands and lit himself a smoke.

"I was stabbed." I wasn't quite sure what else to say, but it seemed like a good starting point. Like I said, totally wasn't my plan to tell him or anyone.

"Well, I guess that explains the limping. Hmm." His hat was once again off of his head, but this time he threw it a ways away from him. His free hand was pushing though the thick, soft, unruly hair again. I was starting to figure out that this was somewhat of a nervous habit of his. I took note, and then turned myself so I was facing him.

"Look, I know we don't know each other all that well. Apparently we hung out a few times when we were younger but I don't remember, just as I'm sure you don't either. My life is messy, and when I say messy, I mean f*cked up." I let out a small laugh to help lighten the mood before I continued. "I won't bore you will the details. It was a bad situation, that hopefully I have left behind."

"What if I said I wanted you to bore me with the details?" I could see the smoldering look in his eyes and I backed up a tiny bit. I wasn't quite sure how comfortable to feel around him, but it did feel like I had known him for years. Speaking of years, I quietly made a mental note to remember to call Cami when I got back in the house.

"I don't open up to anyone, Madison. I have trust issues and a whole closet full of ghosts. So...I can't guarantee that you will even like me, I mean care about me, wait not that either. I mean, I can't be certain that what I tell you won't have you running as far away from me as possible." I took in a deep breath, exhaling loudly.

"I have my fair share of ghosts, KJ. I'm pretty sure that whatever you tell me, won't have me running for the hills, mountains, ocean or any other far off place. Got me?" If I was in a different state of mind, I may have been put off by the way he was speaking to me, but part of me liked it. A lot!

I took a long drag from my almost gone cigarette; before I could muster up enough courage to finish telling him what happened. "Maybe we could talk about some things about ourselves first. Then maybe, I won't feel like I'm talkin' to a complete stranger. Sound good?"

"Sure, but just because I tell you my favorite color, doesn't mean we will be any less strangers."

"Ah, but that's where you're wrong. I think once I know a few key things, then I'd say we were well on our way to being friends." He grinned up at me, and my heart melted a bit. He was good. I'd give him that much, for now. "So?"

"What? You didn't ask me anything. How am I supposed to answer a non-existent question sweetheart?

"Oh sorry. Ok first question. What's your favorite time of day?" I knew it sounded like a stupid question, but that actually says a lot about a person.

He let out a chuckle and then became very serious, for my benefit I'm sure.

"Noon, and you?

"Noon, why?" He had already peaked my interest and we were only on our first question.

"You sure ya wanna waste one of your questions on that?"

I could tell he was teasing me, just by the way he was smirking, but I seriously wanted to know. "Yep, now spill cowboy."

"Well, I don't know really. It always has been. I suppose in high school, it was because that's when we all took lunch. But, now that I'm out of school, I think it's because that's when I feel the most productive. Your turn." He glanced over at me, but I quickly turned my attention back to the ground.

"I would have to say sundown. The sky turns such a magnificent shade of orange, red and yellow. It's almost hypnotizing to me. Okay, next question. How old are you?"

I just had to know, but his reply wasn't exactly what I was hoping for. In fact, I believe it damn near almost broke my heart.