Free Impossible Love: An Unforeseen Destiny Novel Book One by Kimberly Readnour

annoying.
    “Well, Kayla, what brings you to the island? Business or pleasure?”
    Really?
    I shift my gaze back to Mark. The gray-streaked sideburns and slight creases around his eyes place him about forty. And he reeks of money. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but the whole confident, arrogant demeanor he has about himself is overbearing.
    “Pleasure,” I say unwillingly.
    “So you’re the type of girl who likes to have fun?” Marks leering stare wanders over my body again, and I cringe at the clichéd thoughts floating in my head. But I actually feel like a lollipop he wants to lick. And as if to showcase my point, his tongue sweeps across his lips.
    Gross.
    I don’t respond and swallow the insult on the tip of my tongue as a pang of uneasiness washes through me. My hands squeeze the handles of my purse, but I refuse to be the one to break eye-contact. One corner of his mouth raises, and I want to punch the smug look on his face.
    Fancy Pants opens his mouth to speak, but I’m saved by the bartender, yet again.
    “Here you go, ma’am.” He slides the drink across the hard maple top, and I smile at him in relief. “That’d be five-fifty.”
    “Here, let me get that,” Mark says, reaching for his wallet.
    “Thanks, but no. I’m waiting for someone.” I whip out a ten-dollar bill and hand the money to the bartender. “Keep the change.”
    The bartender nods and murmurs a thank you before leaving me alone with Mark.
    Crap. How the heck am I going to get out of this? He’ll get suspicious when no one shows up. Thanks a lot, Staci. I’m so yelling at her the next opportunity I have.
    “I hope it’s a girlfriend you’re waiting on, sweetheart.”
    “No, I’m waiting for my boyfriend.” The lie slides off my tongue almost too easily. God, I hope Fancy Pants doesn’t call me on my lie because it’s obvious I’m not local. I haven’t even been here long enough to develop the slightest trace of a tan. Although, I suppose he doesn’t know I’m visiting the island with my mom. I glance at my untouched drink and suppress a sigh. I’ll have to chug the liquor and leave. This is why I don’t go out.
    “Well, that’s too bad. I’m sure I could—”
    “Kayla,” a deep voice says behind me.
    My body instantly stiffens and then relaxes. I know that voice. The deep sexy baritone has been keeping me up at night. I whip around to face Kai. Relief floods my insides before my pulse beats faster. Which I find strange. His perpetual glare shouldn’t be welcoming. Except, he’s not glaring now. Or at least, not at me.
    “Sweetie.” A smile engulfs my face, and I stand to give him a hug. Overplaying it? Yeah, pretty much. But I want Fancy-pants Mark to go away. I lean in close to Kai’s ear and whisper, “ Please , go along with this.”
    Not missing a beat, Kai whispers a soft, “Of course.” Kai runs his hands along the exposed part of my back as he returns the hug. Tingles trace everywhere his fingertips glide against my bare skin, and I shudder at his touch.
    My fingers graze the back of his head, and I breathe in, immediately wishing I hadn’t. Kai smells incredible‌—‌a mixture of spice and musk‌—‌and my body erupts into flames. A small gasp escapes as my expression slackens. I withdraw somewhat. Our gaze connects, lips mere inches away. Kai’s brown eyes darken with lust as his fingers press into my skin. I can barely breathe; my nerves heighten at the anticipation of kissing him.
    Wait‌…‌what? Kissing him? Kai doesn’t want to kiss me. He doesn’t even like me. Does he? I force myself to break eye-contact, blinking several times. Kai lowers his hands as I step back to collect my thoughts.
    “Uh‌…‌let me grab my drink,” I say, my voice throaty.
    Mark shifts in his seat and eyes Kai as if he’s a parasite, and then draws his gaze back to me. “Kayla, it was my pleasure to meet you. Perhaps later when you’re”‌—‌he flicks his gaze back to Kai and then