Perfectly Imperfect by Harper Sloan
Her breathing starts to pick up and that overwhelming feeling to protect her starts forcing its way out. My mind races to keep up with her rushed words. She's right about most of it. I haven't been a relationship man, but that wasn't a choice made out of playboy ways. She thinks this is some joke at her expense? How could this beautiful woman even think that about herself? Can't she even see what I see?
And then it hits me. Each second of our prior meetings. The way she would fold into herself, the pulling at her clothing, the way she tried to move past me when I blocked the doorway in Logan's office.
She really can't see it.
And if I'm right, she probably really believes that bullshit she just spewed out of her mouth.
"Fuck it," I growl, cutting off her muttered panic. Her eyes snap to mine just seconds before I push from my side of the bench seat. My hands frame her face, my fingers curl around the soft hair on the nape of her neck, and I crush my lips against hers.
She gasps, and I use that to my advantage, dipping my tongue into her mouth and caressing against hers. Fuck, her taste is just as addictive as the rest of her. Her scent wraps around me, and just like that, I'm a starved man feasting like it's the first meal I've had in years. I move my mouth to take her bottom lip and bite it softly causing her to let out a moan.
That's right. Pretend all you want, my timid doe. Throw some bullshit lies at me. I'll make it my mission to prove to you that this feeling is damn sure real and not some sick joke.
She's immobile just a second longer before she gives me another moan that causes my cock to harden even more, pressing against my jeans uncomfortably, and then her hands are fisting the cotton of my shirt for seconds.
Our kiss deepens, and when I know she's just as lost in me as I am in her, I move my hands from her face, use one to unsnap her seat belt before placing them on either side of her hips. She tenses when her belt clangs against the side of the door, but I nibble on her lip again, keeping her focus on me.
The sounds of our breathing echo around us, and unable to wait, I grasp her before pulling her toward my body. One leg goes to either side of my thighs and I use my hold on her body to press her center tightly against my rock hard cock.
Let's let her try to explain that as disingenuous.
Fuck, the heat from her pussy hits me a second later, and with a brutal groan, I rock her slightly on my erection. Her hands dig into my hair and tug, giving my scalp a sting before her hips start rocking on their own. Taking what she wants. What I'll happily give her.
Jesus, Kane. You're doing nothing but proving her right.
Logically, I know I should pull back before I'm past the point of stopping, but having her body moving against mine and her moans being swallowed by my mouth takes my desire for her to levels I've never felt before.
Pulling back is the hardest thing I've ever done. But if I want to prove to her that I'm not some playboy out for cheap thrills, I need to shut this down now.
"God, Willow," I pant against her lips, swiping my tongue out for one more taste.
She stiffens when the haze of desire from our kiss lifts and I watch her eyes open and shock begin to etch in her features.
She's bracing herself. For what, I'm not sure, but I'm going to work my ass off to make sure this look never washes over her features again.
This connection between us is even more powerful than I could have imagined, and now that I have her in my arms, nothing will stop me from making her mine.
"YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND," I gasp. "A pregnant girlfriend, at that."
Of all the things I could have said at that moment, that's what I go with. It seems safer than asking him what the heck he's trying to prove here. Or better yet, safer than to acknowledge the fact his erection is pressing firmly against my wet core. Good God, I don't know what's come over me. I have never acted so brazenly.
"I don't," he insists, allowing me to climb off his lap.
My eyes narrow, and anger fires my blood. "You most certainly do. I might be naive in a lot of things, but pictures don't lie, Mr. Masters. I would have to be blind to miss the headlines that have been all over the place for the last few weeks."
"It's Kane," he forces through tight lips before the silence returns around us. He shakes his head and opens his mouth to speak before closing it and shaking his head again. I can tell by his body language that he's uncomfortable. I'm assuming that's because he just tried to cheat on his pregnant girlfriend. Oh God, he did cheat on her. I'm going to be sick. I've turned into my sister!
His voice breaks the silence of my inner thoughts. "You can't believe everything you read in those fucking magazines, Willow. They print what will sell. What will cause people to stop and throw down a few bucks on what really equates to a handful of pages full of bullshit."
"So you're saying that every single one of them, plus the online media outlets and television reports, are lies? Just like that?"
My body hums with anger. I'm angry he had the nerve to kiss me. And the tipping point of my anger is the fact my body loved every second of it, girlfriend or not.
He wasn't wrong. I feel it too; I'm just not sure what I'm supposed to do with it. I felt his reaction to our kiss against my soaking wet core. There is no way he could have faked a reaction like that. I'm just having a hard time understanding how he could feel that way about me. Each time I've been face-to-face with him has been during the most humiliating of situations. I've been at my worst. Those magazines he claims prints lies can't make up the kind of woman he usually has at his side and they're nothing like me.
"You're right. They couldn't hold a candle to you," he says, breaking into my thoughts with a smooth purr of hypnotizing tones.
I snort out a laugh and throw my hand over my mouth, my eyes widening. Well, that's just lovely; apparently, my thoughts slipped through my lips yet again. I really need to work on that.
His distressed gaze falters at my unladylike display. Those full lips curling. The way he looks at me is so unnerving.
Well, Eddie--what was it he said? Life begins at the end of your comfort zone? I'm so far outside of my safe zone of comfort; I might as well be on another planet.
"I don't have the slightest clue what I'm doing here," I tell him honestly. "Things like this don't happen to girls like me."
Those crystal eyes slight, and he cocks his head adorably. "That's not the first time you've referred to yourself negatively, Willow."
I laugh again, his eyes narrowing further. "Yeah, well, one thing you should know about me, Kane, is that I'm not exactly the most positive person."
"And why's that?"
Yeah, right. As if I'm going to open the floodgates of the cesspool of my many issues.
"Willow? I asked you a question."
"Has anyone ever told you that you're a very intimidating person?" I hedge.
"Wouldn't be the first time. But you don't get to where I am by not taking what you want."
"Look," I start. Hike up those big girl panties, Willow. "I'm really not sure what I'm supposed to say here. I don't understand why I'm here ... with you ... and I'm really not sure I trust you and whatever is motivating this situation."
His features smooth out and he reaches out, again, to take my hand. I try to resist, but his determination is something I can't match. I shift uncomfortably and swallow the lump in my throat.
"You don't know me, Willow, but I don't lie. You're here because I want you here. Sure, I went about it unconventionally, but I live a life that isn't conventional in the least. I'm the kind of man who takes what he wants with no apologies. So I won't give you any. Just like you don't know me, I don't know you, but what I've felt by just being around you makes me believe it's a feeling worth some drastic measures to explore further. I took what drastic measures I needed in order to rectify the situation at hand."
"And that situation being me?"
He laughs. "The situation has everything to do with you. I haven't felt a bond like I feel with you toward anyone in a damn l
"And your girlfriend?" I question, my voice coming a heck of a lot more steady than the rapid beating of my heart.
"I told you, I don't lie. I don't have a girlfriend, Willow."
I sigh, shifting again before pulling at my top when I feel it tighten against my belly. I don't miss the way that his eyes move to follow my hands movements.
Crap.
"I'm going to be honest," I warn him, shifting again. My body betraying the calm I'm trying to present outwardly.
"Please do." He nods, the hand still holding mine and giving me a squeeze before his dexterous fingers sweep across my wrist, spiking my already pounding heart to dangerous levels.
"Okay," I squeak, clearing my throat. I look down at our connected hands and take a deep breath. "You ... the things you talk about ... crap."
"Willow, you can speak your mind," he assures, his voice calm and low.
"This has never happened to me. I'm not sure I can be the person you want me to be." Spit it out, dang it. "You've seen me twice before, that I know of, and both of those times could probably sum up the downward spiral of my life. I've been a roller coaster of dips and turns that have made me a skeptical person who doesn't have the type of ... confidence that you seem to exude. I've learned it's easier to tighten my buckle and take the safer rides in life. Ones that don't set me up to fall on my tail."
He's quiet for a moment when I finish speaking, but his eyes are telling me everything his silence isn't. Kane is a smart man, so I'm sure he's reading between the lines with no difficulties at all.
"Three times," he says confusing me for a second before I remember his claim to have seen me years before.
"So you say," I respond.
"We'll come back to that," he promises with purpose. "You say it's easier to take the safer rides in life, so I guess that means I just need to show you that life is a lot more fun when you learn how to enjoy the ride. Look, I'm not asking you for forever, Willow, but at least give me a chance to show you the fall is worth taking off your seat belt and saying to hell with it, regardless of what your mind is telling you." His eyes look over to where my seat belt is hanging, unconnected, next to the door. "I think you've already seen what fun it can be when you decide to unbuckle."
"Not that I had much of a choice," I mumble.
"That's right. But can you tell me you didn't enjoy the fuck out of it? Feeling the rush when you stopped thinking and just rolled with it. Each and every hard inch created by that rush?"
I gasp, catching his meaning.
"All I'm asking is that you give me a chance to find out what makes you ... you. Explore all those things I know you felt before and confirmed just now when you were in my arms. I have no hidden agenda here, Willow. I'm just asking you to take a chance. What you see through those skeptical eyes isn't me exuding confidence, but rather me trusting my gut when it has never steered me wrong before."
"That's what I'm afraid of," I whisper and pull my hand from his when I feel the SUV stop. I ignore his sigh and look out the window to see we've parked next to a large home. "I don't want to be the girl who's stuck on the kiddie rides in life anymore, Kane, but I'm warning you this won't be easy for me. It won't be easy for me to just let go and trust this isn't some cruel joke fate has tucked up her sleeve." I turn my attention back to his while reaching my hand out to the door handle. "Everything you make me feel scares the crap out of me, but you're right. Regret is an ugly thing, and I'm sick of being the girl who has a closet stockpiled with it."
His face, which has been the picture of apprehension since I started speaking, relaxes, and the smile he's famous for knocks the wind right out of my sails.
"A chance. My head says no, but for once, I'm going to follow your lead and trust what my gut is telling me. My mind has proven lately that I don't always know what's best for me." I take a breath and hold my hand up when he opens his mouth to respond. "Please, just don't make me add another regret to my already stuffed full closet."
I don't give him a chance to respond; instead, I pull the handle and step out into the comfortable Georgia fall weather. Kirby is standing nervously outside of the vehicle that brought her and her family here.
"Are you okay?" she questions obviously noting my appearance and frazzled nerves.
I sigh. "Honestly, Kirb? I'm not really sure."
I look back at the black windows that close Kane to us and wonder what in the hell I'm thinking by allowing myself to potentially be crushed by that man. I wasn't lying; I don't trust him. I would be a fool to blindly trust someone I don't know, let alone someone who is so publicly scrutinized.
I've wanted a change, and this is about as big of one as it could possibly get.
It's time to put the new Willow out in the world and finally be the strong woman I've been building myself to be. Fear is no longer a ride I wish to travel.
WE SPEND THE REST OF our afternoon enjoying the house we've been put up in. I'm not sure how Kirby managed to swing this, but we might as well be staying in a mini mansion. With seven bedrooms--SEVEN--four bathrooms, the largest gourmet kitchen I've ever seen in my life, two living rooms--both formal and informal--and probably every upgrade known to man, this place is far beyond something that a regular member of the production team would ever have. Kane's entertainment company sure did roll out the red carpet for Kirby.
Alli and Rob have been playing PlayStation in the media room--yeah, actually, it's more like a mini movie theater that takes up the entire third floor. Complete with a candy vending machine, soda dispenser, and popcorn maker. Last I saw Kirby, she had been enjoying it just as much as her family, but if I know her, she's dying to hunt me down and question me about what happened on the way here.
I've been in the kitchen baking things I have no intention of eating. Taking full advantage of the fully stocked fridge and pantry, I replay every second of my encounter with Kane. Cooking out my thoughts and trying to convince myself that I haven't lost my ever-loving mind when I agreed to explore this ... bond Kane and I seem to have linking us together.
My stomach rumbles when I place the last of the chocolate chip cookies on the cooling rack. I look down, and with a sigh, I stuff one of the warm cookies into my mouth. I let out a deep moan around the sweetness that explodes in my mouth and start to lick the chocolate off my fingers.
Heaven.
"Fuck me," I hear mumbled harshly and snap my head over to the doorway and the intruding voice.
"Crap," I muffle through a full mouth of sugary heaven. I had been so lost in the first taste of sweets I've had in a long time that I didn't even notice I wasn't alone anymore. Finishing the bite too quickly to enjoy and wiping my mouth with a discarded towel, I look over at the man filling the room with the thickness his heated gaze is causing. "You're going to give me a heart attack," I snap, more embarrassed at being caught mouth raping a cookie than I am at the man himself.
He reaches down and I watch in shock as he presses his hand against the crotch of his jeans before adjusting himself. Does this man have no shame?
"That noise. Shit, Willow, that noise."
"Yes, well ... I'm sorry, but it was a really good cookie," I lamely tell him.
"Yeah, I'm sure it was," he purrs and moves toward me.
"How did you get in here?" I question, my mind clearing long enough to form some sort of coherency.
"With my key," he answers with a devilish smile.
"You have a key? To our house?"
"I would hope so since I own it."
Do what? "You own this house?" Well, that would explain the grandeur around me. "So why are we here and you aren't?" I evade his advancement and back up a step when he takes another toward me.
"Because." He doesn't continue, but his smile widens.
"Because ...?" I implore. Crap, I can smell him--that delicious cologne he wears--and I swear my body hums with arousal.
"Why are you in here cooking?"
"Because," I smart, and even with my nerves spiking by just being near him, I'm enjoying this little game.
"Fair enough, Ms. Tate, fair enough."
"You're a confusing man."
His eyes twinkle with mischief as he walks further into my personal space. His eyes study my face, my body, and then my face some more. I resist the urge to pull at my top when his eyes travel the length of me.
Barely.
"You missed some," he oddly says, but before I can comprehend what his words mean, his head is lowering and his mouth is on mine.
Teasing.
Exploring.
Feasting.
Oh. My. God.
The shock of his lips against mine, soft and warm, holds me still, but my heart picks up and panic starts to invade.
He pulls back, licking his lips, and the fire in his eyes burn into mine.
"Delicious," he whispers, then turns to grab a cookie off the cooling rack and leans against the counter.
"Is this you trying?" I ask, giving in to the urge to lick my lips, tasting him again on my tongue.
"No, this is me taking," he retorts, and with a smirk, he takes a huge bite of the cookie. When I don't respond, he continues to study me ... study my reaction to his kiss.
Okay, Willow. You want this. You promised yourself you would be better, honest, and try. So ... do it.
"You're terrifying." There ... that wasn't so bad.
His smirk dies. He drops what's left of his cookie on the island, and he opens his mouth.
"Willow?" I hear Kirby call, cutting off his response. I look around the room frantically as her footfalls get closer.
Crap.
"I don't want to scare you," he tells me honestly, ignoring Kirby's advancement.
"Wills?" Kirby's calls out again, her voice closer this time, and my eyes widen. My shocked and somewhat panicked brown eyes meet his calm and assessing ice blue ones.
Searching and questioning me with just a glance.
God, he confuses me.
"Trying to find somewhere to stuff me?" He laughs. Stepping away from me slightly, he grabs his discarded cookie and swallows the rest in one bite.