Beautifully Shattered

Before I give Kohen a small tour of the main level, I kick off my shoes because I hate the clicking they make on the marble floor. Besides, Co

From the corner of my eye, I notice Kohen studying the pictures in the hallway. I slow my pace but don’t stop. He admires a black and white painting before striding to my side. He takes in the lavish decor as I lead him around Co

The guys sit on the black leather couch, playing some sort of shooting video game. Guys. You would think at twenty-eight, Co

Di

Kohen jokes along with the guys. He even thinks Co

“So Addie must really like you,” Co

“Why do you say that?” Kohen asks.

Logan and Co

“Well, she was able to eat her entire burger while being a lady.”

Logan nods in agreement. “Yeah, she didn’t even stuff her face like usual, Co

“She must really like you,” Co

I’m debating what excuse will get us to leave so they can’t embarrass me any further when Kohen starts laughing with them. I was so consumed by not blushing that I missed Kohen making a mess of himself. I give him a grateful smile when I see the remains of his burger all over his face.

“Touché, you two are perfect for each other.” Logan winks at me.

Co

I keep pretending that I don’t notice every time Co

I stare down Co

Jax.

I hold in my humorless laugh. Everything leads back to the one guy who doesn’t love me. I nestle closer into Kohen because I’m not going to second guess everything I do with someone who actually likes me. As I concentrate on the movie, Kohen runs his fingertips along my shoulder and down my arm. If I didn’t feel guilty using Kohen as a distraction, I would enjoy his simple defiance of my brother and Co

As the end credits roll, I mentally curse myself for falling in love with the damaged boy who trusted me to take care of him when he used to sneak into my bedroom growing up. Ignoring the questioning look Logan sends my way, I rise and collect my purse. I plaster on a fake smile when I face the guys. For the first time tonight, I’m glad Jax isn’t here. He would be able to see right through me, and that’s not something I want or need right now.

“Ready to head out?” I ask Kohen.

I can tell my mood change catches him off guard, but he recovers quickly. “Absolutely.” He assures my brother, “I’ll make sure she gets home safely.”

Logan shakes his offered hand. “Alone,” he says in a brotherly tone that isn’t necessary.

I could die of mortification.

Co

Kohen forces out a laugh. “Yeah . . . no problem.”

They escort us to the elevators and before Logan decides to join us, I rush to hug him and then Co

“Give it time,” Co

The cab ride to our building is long and awkward. Every time things start to get normal between us again, an image of Jax pops into my head, shattering our conversation. I tell myself it’s because I haven’t seen him in forever and I miss my friend. As the car pulls up to the curb, I almost sigh in relief.

Once we’re in the elevator, I look up to apologize for my bipolar behavior, but the words stick in my throat. Kohen watches me with his dark, stormy eyes. Since words are nonexistent at this point, I try for another tactic. I lean up on my tiptoes and kiss him. His kiss is nothing like Jax’s. Where Jax is passionate, Kohen is tender. I break away from the kiss as soon as I realize that I’m comparing the two.

Breathless Kohen, seems influenced by our kiss. His eyes are full of desire. I want to throw up. This is wrong and unfair to him. Luckily the elevator gods decide to have pity on me. They finally stop at my floor.

“Next time it will be a real date.” I step out.

“I’ll hold you to that. Good night, Adaly

I make it back to my apartment and sink to the floor. Why am I still obsessed with Jax after all this time? Why can’t I just move on? Why can’t I even remember the sensation from Kohen’s lips on mine? Forcing myself off the floor, I concentrate on getting ready for bed.

Three weeks have flown by since that unforgettable di

Luckily Kohen treats me with extreme patience. Which is great because every time things get interesting between us, I think of Jax. I have to concentrate on removing Jax from my mind, total mood killer. Kohen thinks I’m just not ready to take the next logical step in our . . . whatever we are . . . but the truth is I don’t want to do anything with him that I will regret. I have a sinking feeling that if I’m with him, I’ll be thinking of Jax. So until I no longer have to force my thoughts off Jax, I can’t take that much needed next step. It’s unfair to Kohen.

Jax avoids me at all costs. I’m not even worth the effort for him to nod in greeting. I hate that he’s ignoring me. Sure, when I’m at the office he mumbles two words to me in passing if someone is around. I learned pretty fast to give up on conversation. If he doesn’t want to talk to me, fine, I’m not going to beg him. I’m not a dog. Jax makes excuse after excuse so he isn’t forced to be around me. It’s a good thing Co