Page 7 of Kiwi

3

Kiwi

It's late afternoon. I have a cold beer in my hand, good music in the background, and the entire club, along with their families, are gathered inside the bar. We're waiting for Piper's arrival. Nova's daughter has been away, attending college in Texas for close to a year. Moving away from home was a difficult choice for Piper to make. She and I talked about it often before she left. I understood where Piper was coming from, and the desire to discover more about life—about yourself. Sometimes you have to leave home to figure out who you are. Piper has always had a zest for life. She thrives on helping others and lives for her family, but she needs to live for herself too. The only problem was, once Piper finished high school, everything changed. Her mother wanted back into her life, and that alone was enough to make her want to leave so that she could breathe again. She tried to get away from it all—her feelings. Piper wanted to quiet the storm inside her. She was looking for peace. I knew she needed to leave home because she wasn't finding solace in Louisiana anymore. And I won't lie. Even though she's been home a couple of times since, her absence hasn't gone unnoticed.

Nova walks through the front door as I lift my beer to my lips. At his side is Promise, holding their son in her arms. Then, in walks Piper..Holy shit. My chest tightens. Is that Piper? Long platinum blonde hair replaces her once brunette, falling in waves over her shoulders. I take her in, following the curves of her body. The emerald green bodysuit she's wearing compliments her sun-kissed skin.

I can't take my eyes off her.

Breathe.

Her eyes lock with mine from across the room. She smiles, and I swear to God, my soul leaves me. My heart pulsates, matching the rhythm of the music playing from the speakers behind me, as I watch her embrace everyone in the bar. The moment Everest wraps her in a bear hug, welcoming her home, my body heats with an overwhelming urge to bury my fist in his fucking face for touching her.

What in the hell is wrong with me?

Get your shit together, Tai.

It's Piper for fucks sake.

Throwing her head back, Piper laughs as Wick lifts her feet from the ground when he embraces her. Even that shit pisses me off. I should be making her laugh—be the reason she is smiling. My hand tightens around the bottle in my hand. I close my eyes. With everything in me, I fight what I'm feeling.

Rage.

Want.

Need.

Because she's mine.

"Tai." Aside from my parents and siblings, Piper is the only one who calls me by my name. Her voice's mellow tone creates a physical pull, and I open my eyes to her, standing in front of me. I take her in once more. Her bright hazel eyes are sparkling. She's so different, yet the same. Piper throws herself into my chest, her arms wrapping around my waist. The sweet scent of honey blended with jasmine engulfs my senses as I embrace her.

"Fuck, you always smell good." At my comment, I feel Piper smile against my chest. I mentally kick my arse for saying that.

"I missed you," Piper says.

There is a shift in the core of my soul—an audible crack in the universe. With those three words, I realize I'm screwed.

I want this woman to be mine.

"Missed you too," I clear my throat, "we all did." Then kiss the top of her head. "Welcome home."

"Feels good to be home."

Pulling back, I reach out and touch her hair. "This is different." Her strands slide between my fingers.

"I needed a change. Something drastic and bold." Piper nibbles on her lower lip, something she often does when something is on her mind. "You like it?"

"Yeah, babe, I do." Fuck if she only knew the thoughts running through my head right now. Thoughts I shouldn't have—accompanied by feelings I shouldn't be feeling for her. Stepping back, I put a little extra space between us.

Looking past her shoulder, I take notice of Nova walking in our direction. He comes to a stop at his daughter's side, pulling her to him. Nova eyes me as he speaks to Piper. "Bean, I need to speak with Kiwi for a moment. Why don't you give the women a hand with the food that was just delivered?" Then kisses her forehead.

Piper flashes another smile my way before heading across the room to where the women are busy setting out dinner. Nova jerks his head. "Let's talk in the office."

I follow him toward the back of the bar, closing the door once we've both entered the room. His demeanor changes, becoming intense. For a moment, I believe he must have seen something in the way I looked at his daughter. Quite frankly, I wouldn't blame him for losing his shit. I'm pissed at myself as well.

"I need a favor." The sharpness of his words put me on alert, and I give him my complete attention. "A couple of men harassed Piper earlier today." I feel my body heat, and my fists clench at my sides.

"Where?" I struggle to keep my anger in check.