5

KENNEDY

I stopped dead in my tracks. My breathing held as we stared at each other for the second time. I was gripping my robe against my chest as if it would fall willingly as his gaze burned on me. 

My pulse quickened. I didn’t know how long I was there standing in front of him, and I couldn’t utter a word of my purpose. 

His lips were so full, slightly parted. I wanted to feel the softness against my finger, against my lips. 

I squirmed. I was tingling all over and between my thighs.

I was so attractive to this man, even if I didn’t even know his full name. I couldn’t deny his physical beauty and my attraction to him. 

I just broke up with my ex, yet I was drawn to Thayer like I was never with any men—I was like a moth to his flame.

His throat bobbed up and down. “Kennedy, what a surprise?”

I gulped. My throat dried. My cheeks were burning as he waited for me to talk.

“Would you like to come in?” There was a hesitation in his voice as he figured what I was wearing, I thought.

“Um, I really have no idea you’re the one checking in across my room,” I told him truthfully. At the back of my head, what a coincidence? I was just thinking about you last night, and then here we were, and I was still acting like an idiot in front of a Greek god Thayer.

“I didn’t also expect you to check-in across my room.” He smiled. God, he smiled. He looked like he woke up early. He was already on her shirts and jeans. And he looked even attracted in casual wear. 

“It was kinda unplanned.” I suddenly felt shy. When was the last time I felt shy? Never. 

“Unplanned is good.” He let out a chuckle. There was something in his smile that lit up the day. His forest green eyes glittered. 

“I usually planned everything ahead of time, and now I’m freaking out what to do.”

“Can I help?” 

I bit my bottom lip, thinking if it was a good idea.

“Kennedy, if you don’t wanna come in. At least let me help you. That’s what a good neighbor is for?”

“I think what you mean to say is that’s what friends are for. But yeah, I get it we’re not friends.”

“We can be.” 

I hope so. But I was certain that your stay was not permanent. You were not from around here. I could guarantee that. 

“Now, please, let me help a friend.”

“I want to borrow your charger.”

“My phone charger?” he asked.

“You’re not an android, are you?”

He laughed. My cheeks heated. “The last time I checked, I’m 100% human.”

“Oh, my God. What I mean, an android user.”

“I know, Kennedy. Please, come in.” He widened the door, stepped aside, and gestured me to come in. “I promise, I’m a decent man.”

“Thanks.”

His room had a similar floor plan as mine, but his well-made bed was different. There was an additional table inside and a very comfortable chair. 

“Here’s the charger.”

“The phone charger.”

“I was trying to adapt your lingo.” 

“You’re a fast learner.” I took my phone from the pocket of my robe. “You don’t mind me sitting here for a while. I mean, if I’m not holding you to do your plans.”

“I don’t mind, Kennedy. Have you eaten your lunch?”

 I leaned against the side table after I connected my phone to the charger. I opened my mouth to say something but failed to do so. Every time our gazes met, I lost my thoughts. There was something in the way we looked at each other, and it was freaking me out.

“I get that as a no.”

“Um. I went to get drunk with my friends last night—” A knock interrupted us. His attention went to the door. “I’m sorry I didn’t know you were expecting someone.” I stood straight and pulled my phone from the charger. 

“I can assure you, they’re not someone,” he said as he walked towards the door. Even his walk was sexy. 

God, I was losing my mind. I needed to get away from him as far as I could.

He opened the door slightly, and I couldn’t see who was behind the door, but he definitely knew who he was talking with. The murmurs followed. 

“Thayer, let me just borrow your—” The door swung open. 

My jaw dropped. I knew them. 

I covered my mouth in shock. 

“You’re not—you know them?” I stared at Thayer in shock. 

“Hi, Kennedy as in John F. Kennedy.” He waved his hand at me, and then his gaze dropped to what I was wearing. 

Oh, my God! I must be beet red right now. I finally realized why Thayer was staring at me that way—I just came out from the shower. I wasn’t wearing any underwear, no make-up—nothing. My hair was all over the place.

“Don’t go in there,” Thayer warned him.

“Oh, I don’t mind at all,” Lud replied.

Ash shook his head. “How’s your hangover?”

“I still have a little, but I’ll live.”

“Don’t be silly.” He walked past us to the bathroom. Then I heard a door close. He came back with a bottle of pills. He then grabbed a cold bottle of water from the mini-fridge and offered it to me. “There you go. It’s safe to take in an empty stomach.”

“Thank you. You’re a lifesaver. How do you know it’s safe to take these pills on an empty stomach?” My curiosity kicked in. 

“I was a corpsman.”

“Oh? That’s impressive. So, they’re also in the military?”

“You can ask T directly.” 

I turned to face Thayer, who was shooting Ash a glare. There was something in a stare—so powerful that made Ash almost cower and apologetic. What the hell was that all about? 

“Thanks for the pill.”

His gaze finally went to me, still burning. “You’re welcome.”

I looked at Ash. His gaze dropped before he lifted at me. “I’m gonna leave you two alone.”

“You don’t wanna stay?”

“Lud and I have plans.”

“Thanks again.” 

“You’re very much welcome.” His smile was forced.

Once they were gone, I connected my phone back to the charger. 

“I apologize for the interruption.” 

“Please, don’t be. I was the one who asked for help. How do you know them? I mean, it looked like you’ve known each other for long.”

“We both were in a military. After our discharge, instead of going separate ways, they work for my father. How did you meet them? Have a seat, please?”

“Oh, I met them in the club. At Night Stalker last night.” I took a seat. Thayer chose the bed. “Are you all these kind and helpful?”

“It’s a swore oath to help and protect.”

My brow arched. I wasn’t entirely convinced. “Really?”

“Yes. Are you going to tell me what happened last night?”

“I just broke up with my ex.” I stopped and watched him. His jaw clenched. “He dumped me. My things are still in his apartment. My friend Serenity sent me there last night, but I couldn’t bear the thought of staying there or sleeping in the same bed or on the couch. That’s why I am here.”

“I’m sorry to say this, but he’s an asshole and a loser.” 

“I was about to call my friend to bring me something to change when my phone died.”

“Do you wanna change from that robe? I have shirts that might fit you.” His offer was tempting, but I had enough humiliation and had bothered him a lot. I couldn’t abuse his kindness than I already did.

I shook my head. My face heated again. Just thinking that I was wearing his shirts made my skin tingle.

“I don’t mind, Kennedy.”

“You can call me Ken.”

“I like Kennedy better.”

“I’m fine in robe.”

“You can use anything you want. Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

I nodded. When the door shut behind him, I crossed my legs, chin on my knuckles. 

Oh, God. My life just drastically changed. I hadn’t found an apartment. Now I was with the hottest man in the world, half-naked in his hotel bedroom.

The door swung open again. My hand was quickly on my chest.

“I apologized. I forgot to knock.”

“It’s okay. This is your room.”

He might have noticed my reaction. “I’m not gonna do anything stupid, Kennedy.”

“I know. And I should be grateful for your help. It’s just the robe size is a little bit bigger, and I’m not wearing anything underneath.”

I swore I heard him curse. 

He cleared his throat. “I’d like you to join me over lunch, Kennedy.”

“I’d love to, but—” 

“I hope I’m not too forward, but since it’s necessary for you to dress properly, I asked Lud to buy you clothes before you have a wardrobe malfunction.”

I pressed my thighs together in response. His eyes darkened as he dropped his gaze from my eyes to my chest.

“A gift?”