I don’t know if it’s that I feel like our shared grief connects us on some level, or his obvious regret for his actions that makes me forgive him. Covering the hand caressing my cheek, I lean into his touch.

“I’m so sorry for running off like that. I should have let you explain. I know more than most people about losing yourself to your past, Kohen.”

Framing my face with his large, strong hands, Kohen asks, “Can you forgive me?”

“There’s nothing to forgive.”

Kohen kisses me as if he thinks I’m going to change my mind. Wanting him to believe that I’m here for him and to show him how happy I am that he opened up, I kiss him back with everything that I have. When he trails one of his hands down my neck, along my collarbone I pull back, breathless. His lust-filled eyes, reveal how he sees me. Beautiful. I open my mouth so I can slow things down, but he beats me to it.

“I’m going to go before I press my luck. I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”

“Sounds perfect.”

After saying goodbye to Kohen with a few more heavy kisses, I head to my bedroom to get ready for bed. As I undress, it becomes disgustingly clear that I was just making out with Kohen covered in sweat. Yum, I sure know how to be as sexy as possible with men. No wonder he didn’t try going further tonight. I wouldn’t want to do anything with me, either. I step out of my sweaty workout clothes and climb into the boiling hot shower.

I can’t believe how I treated Kohen earlier, I should have given him a chance to explain before fleeing. I know what he did was bad, but I shouldn’t have overreacted and slapped him. Okay, so he deserved the slap, but comparing him to Wyatt was inexcusable. I should have never have let that thought drift into my head. Wyatt is a poor excuse for a human being whereas Kohen is nearly perfect.

Kohen has been nothing but nice to me. Everyone at work adores him, minus Mike. Ugh, my stomach clenches. I almost let Kohen go just because of a misunderstanding. Thank God he didn’t just let me walk away from him. Letting me in and sharing his pain means more to me than he can ever realize. I’m so used to Jax shutting me out.

Kohen opened up to me even without the knowledge that I would listen. I can allow myself to plan things with him instead of always worrying he will leave without warning. He doesn’t strike me as the type to let me go so easily. I smile. No, he sure doesn’t. I pick up my phone.

Me: July 12 is Logan’s surprise party . . . You in?

Within seconds my phone beeps, making me exhale in relief upon opening it.

Kohen: Love to :)

As I’m texting him back the info of when and where, he responds before I can even hit the send button.

Kohen: How old is the birthday boy going to be and what should I get him?

Me: 28 . . . I am so the wrong person to ask.

Kohen: You do know you’re his sister, right? Who better to ask than you?

Me: I suck at giving gifts so if you want to get him something then you have to come up with it all on your own C:

Kohen: You couldn’t suck at anything if you tried, but fine, thanks again for all the help.

Me: Welcome!

Kohen: Night Adalynn xoxo

I can’t help the little chuckle that escapes when I read his last text. XOXO. So cheesy and high school, that I wrinkle my nose.

Chapter Eleven

Since the incident at Kohen’s work, we’ve become a lot closer. I still haven’t opened up to him about my past, but I make up for it by telling him about everything else. If he’s proven anything in this past month, it’s that I can count on him. To move our relationship forward, I’ve let him spend the night during the weekends. I don’t know why we haven’t had sex yet. Whenever we get hot and heavy, I always end up stopping it. I love that every time I do, he doesn’t get mad at me or even say I’m a tease. He just pulls me in close and holds me all night.

Kohen is the only one who knows what I have planned today. It still amazes me that he was able to get me an interview. One night I told him that I wanted to do something with my business degree and the next day he’s selling me on anyone’s dream job. It’s something that Logan would want me to do; he’s never said it, but I don’t think he approves of my current job. He will be thrilled if I can land the interview at Malcara Enterprises. I might be accomplishing his dreams today. For the life of me, I can’t muster the excitement I should be feeling. I almost feel numb; I’m at the point between numb and feeling everything all at once. My heart races as I decide on the perfect interview outfit.

After pinning my hair into a knotted bun, I apply minimal make-up. Gazing at myself in the mirror, I untie the sash of my robe and let it fall off my shoulders to the ground. I slip into my white sheath dress and then slide my arms through the sleeves of my black blazer. Not a strand of hair is out of place, my lips bear a glossy shade of light pink lipstick, my violet eyes are accented with only mascara. I appear to be well put together, perfect.

As I sit in the back of a cab, I check the time to make sure Logan’s in his morning meeting. I wait an extra five minute before I call Logan’s assistant, so he can inform my brother to meet me at Liv’s, instead of picking me up. If my overprotective brother knows that I’m on my way to an interview, it will be more than my nerves I’m worrying about. Adding Logan’s would be too much for this opportunity, that arose thanks to Kohen.

Before I know it, the elevators open and I’m walking across the overly polished floor to the office of my hopefully soon-to-be boss and owner of Malcara Enterprises, William Malcara. If I can land this interview, I will be an assistant for the second largest marketing firm in the US. The first is Trinity. I square my shoulders back as I enter the impressive office, every step feeling as if I’m following my brother’s footsteps instead of my own. I can’t even think about what my own would be right now because I need to land this job. I need to prove to everyone that I’m not a kid anymore.

A receptionist ushers me down a corridor and introduces me. Mr. Malcara stands as I reach his desk. I shake his hand like my dad taught me. A firm handshake will go a long way in the business world, was his mantra when I was growing up. He looks as if he’s in his early twenties, but I know he’s in his late thirties from the internet.

“Have a seat, Ms. Maxwell.” He directs me to the chair in front of his desk.

I hide my surprise that we’re not moving to the conference style table to the left of his office. That’s where my brother would hold an interview, Connor too. Jax wouldn’t have bothered inviting them into his office. He would have them shown to the actual conference room.

“Thank you, Mr. Malcara.”

My eyes scan the room and I notice that he is very much in love with his wife. Pictures of her, and of them together, fill his office.

“Can you tell me why you would want to work for me instead of your brother?” He gets straight to the point.

I was prepared for this question. I knew he would recognize my last name from his competitor. I get straight to the point. Mr. Malcara doesn’t seem like the type for bullshit. I like that.

“If I wanted to work for my brother, all I would have to do is ask. I want to work somewhere where I can prove myself instead of being the owner’s sister. Here, I can flourish and make something of myself. I can be an asset to your team. Working at Trinity I couldn’t do that, and frankly I’ve never wanted to work for him.”

He rubs his clean-shaven chin. “You have no experience in the industry except the internship you completed in college. Why should I choose you over any of the other candidates?”