Page 132 of Rebellious

At the sight of her pretty leg, within touching distance, Kaia choked. Rebel didn’t notice. She lifted the anklet from its box and got to work securing it around her slender ankle. Finished with her task, she smiled, slid her chair back further, and raised her leg, flexing her toes as she studied her handiwork.

Kaia was suddenly so aroused, he felt dizzy.

“It’s pretty, isn’t it?”

When he didn’t answer, she looked at him, and turned bright red, biting her lip, and immediately putting her leg down and repairing her nightgown.

“Sorry,” she mumbled.

“I’m not made of stone,” he said crossly, frustrated by the entire situation.

“I know, and I’m sorry,” she repeated. “I wasn’t thinking.”

Gritting his teeth, Kaia glared at that motherfucker’s presents, then growled and brushed a hand over his almost non-existent hair. He wasn’t sure if he’d give her the other presents he’d purchased for her. They were expensive—to him—but nowhere near Diesel’s budget. The cost of the gold knot earrings and matching bracelet boggled his mind.

Defeat replaced his frustration and fizzled his desire. He couldn’t think of a poem to wow her with, the one area where Diesel couldn’t compete.

“Rebel, I want to apologize again and ask—”

Her fingers on his arm shut him up. “You’ve said sorry enough. I’m not innocent either. If I would’ve had sex with you, you wouldn’t have gone to Fia. Again.” She grabbed the beaded handbag, turning her attention away from him and avoiding his gaze. “I should’ve,” she repeated. “Except…”

“Except…?”

“I want…ed,” she pushed out, “Diesel to be my first.”

Wanting her brother, adopted brother, to be her first was a fucking choice.

Kaia gritted his teeth at the uncharitable thought, reminding himself—again—that Rebel had never lied to him about her feelings for Diesel. Yet, she could’ve named anyone, anything, other than that arrogant fuckhead and Kaia wouldn’t have been as hurt, furious, or jealous. He fucking despised Diesel simply because that motherfucker hated him and thought he had a claim on Rebel.

Which, apparently, he did.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, unaware of the storm raging inside of him. “But that still doesn’t completely exonerate you, Kaia. It would’ve almost been better if you’d slept with a different girl. You like Fia.”

So fucking what? She was stuck on repeat with that, while he had accusations of his own. “And you like Diesel, so we’re even.”

“Honesty is always the best policy. You want us back together. I’m trying to be honest with you. Not that I’ve ever lied to you about Diesel.”

He almost wished she had.

“Unlike you with Fia.”

“What do you want me to say, Rebel?” he demanded. “You took accountability for your own actions that led to mine. The reason why you held yourself from me is supposed to make me feel better?”

“I don’t know, Kaia,” she said in frustration. “I just wanted to talk to you. I…Diesel said the fact that you’ve slept with Fia more than once and didn’t want me to know means she’s your mistress.”

She was adding insult on top of injury Kaia narrowed his eyes. “You talked to that motherfucker about our relationship?”

“I trust him,” she snapped.

“You shouldn’t. He’s the last motherfucker you should fucking trust.”

She ignored him and asked, “Who else was I supposed to talk to?”

“What about me? You know? The other half of your relationship? Or how about anyone except him. He doesn’t like me, and you fucking know it. You want him to co-sign your decision to keep me at arm’s length.”

“Look, fuckhead, I don’t want a fucking relationship built on lies and mistrust. No matter what I decided that night, that didn’t give you the fucking right to cheat, so fuck you and that bitch. I wouldn’t accept it from Diesel. I don’t accept it from you. No, fuck you two times. I wouldn’t accept a cheater no matter who it is or how much I love them. Fuck you until the end of eternity.”

“You were the one who accepted the fucking blame, Rebel. I’m just agreeing with you. I’m a grown ass man with needs that apparently you can’t fulfill. You can’t even wear my fucking jewelry. So, yes, fuck, I slept with Fia and—”