Chapter 4

Kaleb

I couldn't stop thinking about Ayla's reaction when I pinned her against the wall, as I drove to the family mansion. Since Roman had ignored my calls the entire day and could not find him in the office, I was going to confront him at home. The fucker had taken millions out of the company's account without any explanation however, an action that was dangerous to the company's progress.

'Will I see her?' I thought, shaking my head to stop thinking about my step-brother's wife in that manner. I could still feel a shudder running down my spine when she wiggled her body against mine. I wished I could hear her breath hitch again, as I whispered against her ear. She had gotten me so mad when she tried equating me to my fucked up step-brother. Despite that, her outburst and her foul mouth had also awakened feelings that I couldn't describe.

"Fuck!" I hit the break, the near hit on a homeless girl in the middle of the road pulling me out of my thoughts. She stood unfazed by the screeching sound of the tires and the loud horns that I blared at her.

"Jesus, do you want to die?" I swore, getting out of the car to check on her.

"Ye-s," she answered, covering her face with her hands. Her voice was so shaky, but something about it sounded so familiar.

"It's too much," she added sinking into her knees and that is when it dawned on me.

"Ayla," I muttered in realization, swinging into action at that moment. I pulled her up, so many questions running in my mind at that moment.

"What happened?" I asked, helping her to the side of the road, when she turned her face from the headlights.

"I just want it to end," the tone of her voice was so flat, her voice hypernasal. It seemed that she had been crying for a while now.

"Come on, I'll take you home."

"No, no, no, please don't," she mumbled, attempting to pull away from my hold.

"Please," she added, her previous flat tone spotting some emotion.

"Don't worry, Roman won't see you if that's why you're worried. I'll use the rear driveway to the rear wing."

"What if...?" she trailed off.

"There's a reason why I chose the rear wing when Roman was choosing the East Wing. Trust me he won't see you." She didn't refuse as I helped her into the passenger seat, noticing that she was bearfoot. I chose not to press for more answers until she was well fed and rested.

By the time I got to the mansion back entrance, Ayla was already asleep. Instead of waking her up, I chose to carry her into my wing, gently not to wake her up.

"Oh my god," I swore the moment I looked at her face under the lights inside the building. Much of her appearance remained the same as earlier when I had seen her, but her cheek was purple, with her lip split at the corner with dry blood visible. Her blood was wet with what I assumed was tears and some drops of blood.

I didn't have to worry about anyone in the hallways because I had a private one that led to my space. I gently lowered her onto my favorite couch, where she stirred, mumbled but continued to sleep. The sole of her feet were dirty, bruised and swollen, meaning she must have walked for quite a while.

I cleaned her face and her feet, then covered her with a light blanket. After that, I decided to make baked chicken and potatoes, with broccoli on the side. It took a little under an hour, giving Ayla additional time to nap.

"Ayla." I gently tapped the side of her arm, after serving the food.

"Hey, wake up." I shook her a bit, making her stir. She opened her eyes, then closed them almost immediately, obviously trying to adjust to the light.

"Ka-bbb," she called, my name muffled as she yawned.

"It's time to eat." I extended my hand, nodding for her to take it. After pulling her up on her feet I didn't let go until we got to the dining area.

"Anything that is going on in your mind and life right now can wait until you are full. Now eat, take a warm bath or shower then sleep." She didn't say a word, digging into her meal without hesitation. I watched as she took her first bite, closing her eyes as chew once, paused then chewed until she swallowed.

"Mmh," she let out a moan, the sound going straight to my cock, though unintended.

"Damn it's so sweet," she spoke with her mouth full, drawing a smirk from me.

"I'm glad you love it." I didn't stop looking at her until she was done, partly happy that the swelling on her face and lips had significantly gone down.

"I uuh," she started after taking a sip of red wine that I had served her, tapping her fingers on the dining table.

"I don't know how to thank you Kaleb. Now that I am back to my senses I realize back at the road was wrong, I'll be out of here fir-"

"Hey," I cut her off.

"What you need right now is a good bath like I said, and a good night sleep. I have an idea of what is happening, but I also have questions but that can wait until tomorrow." I stood, beckoning her to follow me to the master bedroom. It was the only one among the three bedrooms with a Jacuzzi and a much larger shower.

"Thank you." She wouldn't look at me, as she got inside the bathroom, but I understood.

"Would you like a shower, a nice soak in the Jacuzzi or both?" I wanted to make her as comfortable as possible, to help her relax a little. I was never one to show any form of care to women, but to Ayla, it came naturally.

"Uum," she shifted on her feet, looking at the glass cased shower stall, then at the Jacuzzi right by the glass window. The view was always relaxing especially at night, allowing a good view at the backyard.

"Both." I smiled, satisfied with her answer.

"There are new towels in the second bathroom closet drawer for when you are done. You can use my shower sandals. Meanwhile, I'll rummage in my closet for an oversized T-shirt that you could sleep in and leave it on the bed. When you are done, I'll be in the living room." With that I walked out.

I decided to call my best friend and Chief Operating Officer of my infant company in Memphis, before picking out the shirt. After all, Ayla would take longer showering and soaking in the tub. That meant I had enough time to make the call, then put the shirt as promised.

"I thought by now you'd be in a club finding yourself an easy lay for the night, why is it all quiet?" Dean stated as a matter of fact.

"Because I'm in the house you dumb fucker," I responded.

"Naah, you got to tell me what's up man. You had missed Nashville babes to miss out on a fast fuck." Dean knew me so well, I wasn't surprised that he had figured that something was up in a matter of seconds.

"Story for another day. Did you sent out the invitations of the Human Resource Manager job applications?"

"I'm just winding up, they should be up in social media platforms within the hour." I breathed a sigh of relief, glad that he wasn't done yet.

"Nice, don't send them out until I communicate tomorrow. Good night." I ended the call before he could ask a bunch of questions.

I then proceeded to pick a white shirt for Ayla, the material was silky, soft for her skin. Just as I was passing right in front of the bathroom door, it was suddenly opened. I watched in slow motion as Ayla yelped, the grip on the hem of her towel loosening. My eyes caught a glimpse of Ayla's perky boobs, my mouth instantly watering at the sight.

"I'm so sorry...uuum, there's the shirt. I'll sleep in the next room, goodnight." I left in a hurry, the image of her hard nipples replaying on my mind.

"Those are the most gorgeous boobs I have ever seen in my entire life," I whispered when I got into the next room, attempting to push down the weird feeling that was brewing inside my body.