Kye's Heart

Chapter Six

Twenty minutes before they were to meet Katy at the restaurant, Kye buzzed up to Michaela’s apartment. After letting him know she’d meet him downstairs, she gave herself a quick check in the bathroom mirror. Even though Kye had reassured her he wanted only her, she felt she still had to do a little something to keep herself in the running with Katy. Not one for wearing any makeup, Michaela had put some on just to accentuate her eyes and lips. She tugged at her blue short-sleeved, silk blouse before running her hands down her black skinny jeans. On her feet, she wore black high-heeled sling backs. Heels were something else she rarely wore, but she had to admit they made her legs look longer. And the extra height wouldn’t hurt, since Kye was so tall.

After picking up her purse on the way out, Michaela stepped into the hallway and locked her apartment door behind her. A short elevator ride down, and she was in the lobby. She saw Kye standing in the vestibule, waiting.

Michaela pulled open the glass door and joined him. She kissed him and stood back to get a good look at him. She ran her gaze over his dark gray button-down shirt and dark blue jeans. The material hugged his broad shoulders and wide chest to perfection, leaving no doubt about his muscular physique. The pants were tight-fitting and outlined him just right.

Kye held out his arms straight from his sides. “Do you want me to spin around, so you can get the full picture?”

She shook her head. “No, I don’t think that’ll be necessary, though you do look very nice this evening.”

He took his turn running his gaze over her. It was so intense it almost felt as if he physically touched her. “Not that there is anything wrong with how you normally dress, but I have to say you’re looking particularly fetching.”

She laughed. “Fetching? I don’t think a man has ever used that term about me before. It sounds kind of old-fashioned.”

Kye stepped closer until there was almost no space between them. “Maybe I’m just an old-fashioned man at heart.” His gaze focused on her mouth. “We’ll get this dinner over and done with, then we can come back here and I can get to the fun stuff. I’m going to enjoy stripping you out of those very tight jeans of yours.”

Michaela felt her face flush with heat. Not from embarrassment, but with the surge of arousal that had shot through her body at Kye’s words. “As long as I get to strip you out of yours,” she said huskily.

He grabbed her hand and pulled her to the outside door. “Time to leave before I do something stupid like take you right here and now against the wall. I’m sure that would be enough to have one of your neighbors calling the cops.”

She took a deep breath, trying to slow her rapid breathing, and allowed Kye to lead her out to the visitor parking lot at the front of the building. Her steps slowed a bit when he took out his keys and aimed the remote at a blue Jaguar. The two-door car was new-looking, and expensive. All she could think was the protection business must pay well. Very well. On her salary from the zoo, she’d never make enough money to buy a car like that in a million years.

Kye let go of her hand and pulled open the passenger door, holding it for her. Michaela got in and sat on the leather seat. Once he closed her in, he came around the back and climbed into the driver’s side. After turning the key in the ignition, the vehicle came to life, sounding like the expensive sports car it was.

Out on the street, Kye drove in the direction of The Cliff House restaurant. Michaela still dreaded the thought of having to spend any time with Katy. At least, she wasn’t the skinny, ostracized teenager who Katy once took great joy in bullying. And having Kye at her side helped. Michaela turned to look at him. It probably got the bitch’s goat to see him with her. All she could say about that was good. Katy deserved it.

Kye parked in an empty space next to the restaurant and turned off the car. Michaela got out and waited for him to join her before they headed inside. Katy was already there waiting for them. Michaela silently groaned when her nemesis spotted them and animatedly waved them over.

“You made it,” Katy said. “I called earlier and got a reservation.”

“Great,” Michaela said unenthusiastically. She looked the other woman over, noticing she wore something similar to her, only her blouse was much lower cut. And she had on more makeup.

Katy talked to the hostess, and soon after, they were led to their table. It was round with four chairs. They took their seats, but Kye jumped up when Katy made sure to sit next to him. He went and sat on Michaela’s other side and shifted closer to her.

Michaela looked over at Katy and had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop from laughing. Her nemesis’ smile had slipped a little, and the look in her eyes said she wasn’t too happy about Kye’s change in seating.

A waitress came and took their drink orders before leaving them alone again. Michaela bent her head to the menu, trying to decide what she wanted to eat. She felt Kye’s shoulder brush hers as he opened his to do the same. The waitress returned with their beverages, then left after taking their food orders. Soon after, Katy started—what Michaela decided to call—putting her moves on Kye.

“So, Kye,” Katy said, smiling while she leaned in closer to the table, giving a better view of the cleavage she had showing, “what do you do for a living?”

He placed his arm around Michaela’s shoulders, his fingers stroking along the top of her arm. “I’m in the protection business.”

“What kind? Like security systems and whatnot?”

“No. I’m more of what you would call a personal bodyguard.”

Katy’s gaze blatantly ran over his chest and arms before she licked her lips and looked back up at his face. “I see. I must say, you,” she gave another pointed stare, “have the body for it. Have you been in the business long?”

“It seems as if it’s been forever. Not that I don’t like the job, because I do.”

“And where did you meet Michaela?” Katy took a sip of her white wine.

“At the zoo,” Kye answered, turning his head to meet Michaela’s gaze. “I saw her and instantly knew she was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my live with. I fell head over heels at first glance. I’ve waited a very long time to find her. She completes me.”

Michaela felt as if she were falling into Kye’s eyes as he spoke. She couldn’t shake the impression he meant every word he said. That it wasn’t just for Katy’s benefit. And that he was telling her what was truly in his heart. He’d told her more than once she was the woman he wanted, but he’d never said it with such feeling before. She believed him now. Unable to look away from his gaze, what she felt for him deepened a little more. It also made her wish she could drag him out of the restaurant right now, take him to her apartment and make love to him for the rest of the night. The thought had her pussy growing wet.

“Really?” Katy asked. “Not once did you second-guess yourself?”

Kye took a deep breath and his grip tightened on Michaela ever so slightly, pulling her closer. “Really,” he said, his voice sounding a bit strained. “And why would I regret being with Michaela?”

Katy snorted. “Come on, with your looks? No offense to Michaela, but you could get someone prettier with a snap of your fingers.”

Kye’s head whipped around in Katy’s direction. From the deep scowl on his face, there was no missing the fact he had taken offense to what the other woman had said. “Just because you say you didn’t mean any offense to my wife doesn’t mean what you said will be excused.”

Katy was saved from answering as the waitress showed up with their food. But Michaela saw the shocked expression her nemesis wore. She bet no one had talked to Katy like that in a long time, if ever. Kye had definitely brought her down a peg or two with his comment.

Even though some of the company wasn’t her choosing, Michaela enjoyed her meal. And when Kye fed her from his fork, she saw Katy give them a look of disgust.

It was after they had finished eating, but the dishes had yet to be taken away, did Kye stand and say he wanted to use the restroom. The uncomfortable feeling that washed through her at the thought of being left alone with Katy vanished as the other woman stood after Kye had gone and excused herself for the same reason. Michaela breathed a silent sigh of relief. She and Kye could ditch Katy soon and spend the rest of the night enjoying each other’s company.

After washing his hands, Kye turned off the water in the sink. He glanced at his reflection in the mirror on the wall in front of him. He didn’t see the telltale sign of the arousal coursing through him. He hated leaving Michaela alone with Katy, but he’d needed to use the toilet and put some space between them to get a better grip on his control. Sitting close to her, totally focusing on her alone, confessing his true feelings— even though she probably thought he’d put on a show for their dinner companion—had gotten him all worked up. But at least, the meal was over and he could get away from the self-centered woman and take his soon-to-be mate home.

Michaela had been right about Katy being a bitch. He’d never wanted to slap a female as much as he did her, especially after her rude comment about Michaela. She had some nerve to say he’d basically settled for his mate. As if he’d ever want Katy instead. She wasn’t ugly, by any means, but her personality made her less attractive. At least, for him it did. His Michaela was just as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. He didn’t think she’d ever say something spiteful to anyone.

After he dried his hands, Kye headed out of the restroom and exited into a short hallway, which was hidden from the main part of the restaurant by a short stretch of wall. Much to his disgust, Katy stood close to the doorway, looking for all the world as if she waited for him.

“I’m glad I caught you alone,” she said.

“Why?” The word came out sounding clipped.

She took a step nearer, giving him what she probably thought was a sultry smile. It did nothing for Kye. If anything, it annoyed the hell out of him.

“Without Michaela around, you can talk more freely. Say how you truly feel without having to worry about the consequences.”

He narrowed his eyes. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

Katy came even closer. “There’s no need to play stupid, Kye. It’s just the two of us. I know the things you said about being so in love with Michaela were just for her benefit. She’s a nobody and will always be one. She’s not even that pretty.” Her hand dropped and cupped his cock. Katy licked her lips and smiled. “I know you’re attracted to me. You’re hard.” She moaned. “I’m going to enjoy riding you.”

Completely pissed off, Kye put his hand around her wrist and squeezed, painfully. He also let the anger he felt show in his eyes. The widening of hers told him his mutedly glowed. With a borderline growl lacing his words, he said, “You’ll take your hand off me unless you want it broken.” She released his dick, but he didn’t let go of her wrist. “Just to set things straight, I wouldn’t want you if you were the last woman on Earth. Now you’re going to go back to the table and apologize to my wife for insulting her. I also suggest you leave, never to see Michaela again.”

Kye released her with a shove. Katy stood there, her mouth working as if she tried to say something. To get her moving, he snarled his upper lip and growled softly. With a squeak, she turned and hurried away.

“Now that’s what I call putting a woman in her place,” a man’s voice said from the entrance of the hallway.

Kye looked in that direction and stiffened at the sight of Miles standing there. “What do you want?”

Miles stepped farther into the hall. “I’m not following you, if that’s what you think. I’m here with friends. I happened to need to use the restroom, and here you are.”

“Friends? I didn’t think you had any of those, unless you count all the lone wolves you’ve recruited to your side.”

Miles’ eyes glowed for a split second with anger. “Those days are done. I no longer associate with the likes of them.”

“So you expect me to believe that since finding out your daughter is the foretold one, you’ve turned over a completely new leaf? That one day you won’t up and change your mind about wanting to rule the packs yourself, through Jaden?”

“I have, and I would never do anything like that to her. She’s my flesh and blood.”

“So is Saskia, your own sister, and that didn’t stop you from sending one of your thugs to kill her mate. Eli barely survived.”

Kye just stopped himself from saying that only Eli being turned into a werewolf had saved his life. As far as Miles knew, it wasn’t possible. He had no idea there was a spell only Roxie could use that would change a mortal into one of their kind, since she was the true foretold one.

Miles sighed deeply. “I’ve come to regret that decision. I’ve apologized, even though it doesn’t make up for it. But believe me, those days are behind me. I want to be a better man for my daughter. I want to keep her safe just as much as all of you do. I know you won’t accept me back into the ranks of the Protectors, but I’m willing to take whatever you allow me.”

“Does this newfound sense of duty extend to Saskia? And to Jaden’s unborn child?”

“What?” Miles asked, a shocked expression on his face. “Jaden is pregnant?”

Oh shit. Leif and Jaden obviously hadn’t yet told Miles about their good news. Hopefully, Leif wouldn’t want to kill him for telling his father-in-law about the baby. It didn’t matter, anyway, since Kye couldn’t take it back.

“Ah, yeah, she is,” he said. “We just found out.”

A wide smile broke across Miles’ face, then he hugged Kye, making him feel extremely uncomfortable. Kye had never taken Miles for the type to put on outward displays of emotion like that.

Miles released him. “I’m going to be a grandfather,” he said exuberantly. “I have to call Jaden.”

With another glowing smile, Miles turned on his heel and walked away. Kye hoped to hell he hadn’t messed things up for Jaden and Leif. Taking a big breath, he returned to his table.

Michaela sat there alone with Katy nowhere in sight. She smiled. “There you are. I wondered if everything were all right, especially after Katy came back from the restroom, mumbled an apology and almost ran out of here.”

“Sorry,” he said as he sat next to Michaela. “I was held up by a couple of people.” At that moment, Miles walked by the table with his cell phone held to his ear and gave him the thumbs-up sign.

“Who is that? Was he one of the people you mentioned?”

Kye waited until he saw Miles leave the restaurant. “He’s an old acquaintance. And yeah, he was one of them.”

“And the other person?”

“Let’s just say Katy decided to corner me, but I convinced her she’d made a terrible mistake. I doubt you’ll ever see or hear from her again. I wasn’t exactly nice about it.”

“What did she do?” Michaela asked.

Kye put his arm around her shoulders and brushed a kiss across her lips, quite happy to see the indignant expression on his mate’s face on his behalf. “She basically offered herself to me and got a little grabby.”

Michaela narrowed her eyes. “Grabby how?”

He took a quick look around the restaurant to make sure no one watched, then took Michaela’s hand and placed it on the bulge in the front of his jeans. “She mistakenly thought it was her that has me in this condition. I set her straight, though. It’s all for you.”

Seeing the hungry look in Michaela’s eyes, his cock jerked under her hand. A very quiet, breathy moan pushed past her lips as her grip tightened on him. It took everything Kye had not to shove the dirty plates off the table and strip her naked, so he could finally ease the raging desire she stirred inside him.

His voice rough with need, he moved her hand away, and said, “Let’s get out of here. You’re my dessert and I want it now.”

Michaela silently nodded, but with his acute hearing, he was able to hear how fast her heart beat. He looked around the room, caught sight of their waitress and waved her over to the table.

Once she stood next to him, he asked, “Can we have the bill?”

“That won’t be necessary, sir. The woman who was with your party paid it on her way out.”

“In that case, here’s a tip for you.” Kye took out his wallet and handed her some money.

“Thanks, and I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening.”

“Oh, we will,” he said as he helped Michaela to her feet before ushering her out of the restaurant.