Chapter 4
The nerve of him to come back after fifteen years and just talk to me? Why did he come back? Why did he leave in the first place? Brenda asked herself. The pain inside kept growing, and she drowned it in alcohol, hoping it would soothe her. After drinking too much, she finally fell asleep.
She woke up earlier than someone who'd been drinking should, with a pounding headache. She took a shower, got ready for work, and ate breakfast. Still, Kai haunted her mind, his presence lingering like a shadow. She put on dark shades—something she never did at work. People stared, and as usual, gossip started to fly.
She walked into her office and sat down. Halle came in with her coffee.
"Are you okay, madam?" she asked.
"Yes, Halle. Just something wrong with my eyes. Thank you."
Her tone stopped any more questions, and Halle left respectfully.
Just then, Greg walked in. He had something shiny on his lips.
"What's that on your lips, playboy?" Brenda teased.
"Oh, lipgloss. Want some?"
She took off her shades; her eyes were a bit red, bags underneath. She sipped the coffee, feeling fragile.
"Do I always have to tell you to sit when you come into my office?"
"Sorry, madam. I just thought—" He carefully pulled out a chair, not wanting to make noise.
"Ugh, my head hurts," Brenda sighed heavily. Greg could see she wasn't okay.
"You didn't get enough sleep or you were drinking last night."
Her perfectly arched eyebrow lifted. "How'd you know?"
"Let's just say I've been there." He smiled softly.
"Take care of things here. I need some air. Call me if you need approval." She grabbed her bag and left for the elevator.
At home, the house was dusty—a reflection of her state. To distract herself, she cleaned—sweeping, mopping, dusting—until the scent of lavender filled the air. It'd been too long since she cooked, so she made mild spaghetti with shredded cheese and chicken.
Before eating, she took another shower. Halfway through, the doorbell rang. Wrapped in a towel, she called down, "I'm coming!"
Opening the door, her mouth fell open.
Kai. Black jeans, black shirt unbuttoned halfway, chest exposed.
"How'd you get my address?" she asked calmly.
"Come on, Belair! Everyone knows you here." His smile was as charming as ever.
"What do you want?"
"Aren't you gonna let me in?"
She stepped aside and let him in. He looked around, impressed by the home. They sat down to talk.
"How've you been?" he asked.
"Fine, Kai. How about you after running away?" Her tone was sharp, sarcastic.
"I didn't run away, Belair."
"Then what the fuck do we call what you did? You disappeared without a word—not even to me!" Her voice rose with each word.
"My mother had financial trouble. We sold the house. With nowhere to go, I moved to Birmingham."
"Why didn't you tell me then, Kai? Why?"
"I thought telling you would hurt us both."
"So you thought leaving me like that was supposed to heal us? Do you know how much I suffered? How I'm still suffering?" Tears threatened but she swallowed them back.
"I'm sorry, Belair. Nothing I say can fix it. Please forgive me."
He stood, took her hand. Their eyes locked. He leaned in, about to kiss her, but she looked down.
She moved to the kitchen, serving the food. She made enough to spare a plate.
At the table, Kai said, "I see you've done well. Owner, founder, CEO of several distilleries. Impressive, Belair."
"All hard work and God's blessing. Without Him, I wouldn't be here." Her smile was soft but bittersweet.
Still wrapped in the towel, he asked, "Family? Husband?"
"None." She chuckled.
"What about you? Wife? Kids?"
He shook his head.
"I miss you," he said quietly.
Her eyes searched his face.
"Kai, it's been more than a decade."
"I know, Belair. But I still want you. I even opened a club here hoping to find you. Just give us another chance."
She shook her head and moved to the plate. Kai grabbed her hand.
"Kai, no!" She wasn't sure if she wanted him to stop or continue.
He stood, kissed her deeply, tongue teasing her, giving her time to catch up. She lost herself, hands on his chest.
Feeling entitled, he dropped the towel, leaving her bare. He pulled her close. She gripped his belt.
"Let's take this to my room," she whispered, lips still on his.
He carried her there. The room was full of mirrors. He pushed her onto the bed, tore off his shirt.
She helped him with his jeans. The sight of his hard cock made her shiver. Veins pulsed as his erection grew harder.
"You missed this, didn't you?"
"Can you handle all this, Belair?"
"The question is, can you handle it?" She smirked seductively.
He pulled her legs close. Like a camel seeing water, he buried his face between them.
Brenda ran her hands through his hair.
"Ahhhhh!" She moaned, coming while he teased her clit.
Before she could recover, he rubbed himself on her, slapping his dick on her clit, making her burn with pleasure.
Sliding in, they moaned loud together.
He fucked her unapologetically—deep, rough, like he owned her. Choking her now and then, kissing her to taste her moans.
He flipped her on all fours, driving in from behind with fierce passion.
"Ahh, Kai, wait—give me a minute!" she begged, sweat slicking her skin.
"Not yet, Belair. Just a little more."
He wrapped her locks around his hand for grip, sometimes grabbing her neck, making her look at their reflection in the mirror.
"Look at how I'm handling you."
He fucked her until satisfied, then made her look in the mirror again.
"K... Kai," she moaned breathlessly.
"No one makes you edge like I can, Belair. Fuck!" He came hard, releasing her hair as she collapsed like a log.
Exhausted, they dressed. Brenda's eyes caught a ring on his finger. She prayed it wasn't what she feared.
Before she could ask, his phone rang. He glanced at her, then answered:
"Hello? Yeah, I'm coming."
She asked, "Who was that?"
"No one." He avoided her gaze.
The ring.
She swallowed hard, trying to stay calm.
"I saw that ring. Are you married?"
"No."
"Then why the fuck do you have a ring on your finger?"
She flung the towel aside, exposing herself.
"I'm engaged. Not married." The words slipped out before he could stop them.
Brenda bit her lip, unsure what to do.
"Get out of my house!" she screamed.
But Kai didn't move.
"Kai, I said get out!"
She grabbed his hand, intending to drag him, but he subdued her.
"Let me explain, Belair."
He held her hand tight, eyes pleading.