LOGIN*Kiera*That was our first kiss.Will drops his hands away from me, and I'm left swaying on the spot. Thank god I'm turned away from the room so no one can see my flushed cheeks and dreaming eyes. Some people are into public displays, but that's never been me. I was just so desperate for Will to see me, hear me, that I didn't care that we weren't alone.Will.He sits on the edge of the table, ice pack wrapped around one shoulder, hair a mess from my hands. His lips are parted, still wet from my claiming kiss. And he's looking at me like I'm the answer to every question he's never thought to ask.I have to remember this moment. I want it tattooed on my brain. The way he's looking at me now? He's not seeing Kiera the secretary, or Kiera the fake wife, who wraps ice packs on shoulders. He doesn't even see Kiera the caretaker, who over-bakes cookies and braids Frida's hair. For the first time since we met, the man I've loved and longed for sees me.And I think he likes what he sees.This
*Kiera* The sun hangs high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the park where our company event is in full swing. Laughter and cheers fill the air, punctuated by the crack of a bat and the thud of a ball hitting the grass. I shift in my seat on the bleachers, scanning the field for Will. He’s out there, looking every bit the part of a charismatic CEO, complete with his sandy hair slightly tousled from the breeze and that killer smile that can light up a room. Beside me, Colin leans back, arms stretched out, as he watches the game unfold. He is fairly new, and has been a breath of fresh air at the office, always ready with a joke or a sarcastic quip to lighten the mood. Today, he’s in a vibrant Hawaiian shirt that matches his easygoing attitude. He nudges me playfully, “You see that swing? He’s got some serious talent.” I chuckle, though my gaze remains glued to Will, who stands at the plate, bat in hand, eyes focused intently on the pitcher. “He’s just showing off,” I reply, my he
*Kiera* “Okay, what exactly did he say?” Marissa takes the beer and two jumbo soft pretzels I offer her as we navigate through the throngs of excited basketball fans. It's the first home game for the Knicks in a while, and the buzz in Madison Square Garden is electric. “Did you hear that?” I ask Frida, pointing to the court, where players are warming up. Frida’s eyes light up, her face painted with a bright pink heart, and I can’t help but smile as I see her excitement. “Yeah, yeah, we heard it,” Marissa rolls her eyes playfully, adjusting the Knicks cap perched on her head. “But seriously, what did he say?” I thank the concession stand attendant, slipping our bottles of water and a bag of cotton candy into the backpack attached to Frida’s wheelchair. Giving her a gentle push, we weave through the crowd toward our seats. We’re early enough to catch the tail end of warm-ups, and I can’t wait to see Frida’s reaction when the game starts. “So, did he give any indication of how slow
*Will* She opens her mouth to speak just as the waiter appears. “Hey there! How are we doin’ over here? Oooh, looks like we’re still working on those mains. Can I get either of you a refresh on your drinks?” “We need a minute,” Kiera says, her gaze locked on me. The waiter looks confused, “But you called me over…” “Sorry about that,” Kiera cries. “We need a fucking minute. Please and thank you.” The waiter disappears, and I can’t help but smile. She groans, dragging a hand over her face. “Fuck, that was so rude.” “I’ll tip him generously,” I reply, still smiling. Kiera doesn’t smile. “You were saying?” “We can’t go backwards,” I repeat. “Whatever hand of fate led us here, we are here. We’re in this moment. We’re married, sharing custody of a child … and you’re in love with me. If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to see if I could maybe figure this love out too.” Slowly, she shakes her head. “What if you can’t? Will, I won’t survive it …” I take some cash
*Kiera* What the actual fuck is happening right now? I glare across the table at Will. “What are you doing?” “I think the technical term is flirting.” I blink, my vision spinning like I just took a punch to the fucking head. There are a lot of thoughts and emotions swirling in my mind, but only one coherent word pops out. “Why?” He shrugs, taking a sip of his beer. “This is a date, right? We’ve never been on a real fancy date before. I know it was orchestrated by Candy, and I know we have an audience, but I’m still here with you, sharing this nice meal. It’s customary to flirt on a date, no?” I groan, sinking back in my chair. “Will, come on. I don’t need you to pity flirt with me. That’s just fucking depressing.” He arches a brow. “What pity?” “I don’t want you flirting with me because you have to or because you think it’s what you’re supposed to do on a date.” “Then when am I allowed to flirt with you?” I’m fucking reeling. “What?” He gestures around. “If
*Will*As we are eating, listening to the entertainment of the event I can’t help but thinking about me and us… how I feel about everything.And I’ve researched the term Demisexuality. It’s under the asexual spectrum, a rather broad term, covering everything from those who seek no sexual touch ever to people who engage in casual sex sometimes and those who may not express sensual feelings until a deeper relationship is established first.The more I read, the more the label seems to fit me. The article last night talked of primary versus secondary sexual attraction. Apparently, primary attraction happens at first sight. You can look at a person, even a stranger on the street, and feel attracted to them. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt that before. Aesthetically, I may look at someone and admire their beauty. But I admire them with the same feeling of joy or excitement as seeing a sunset or a stag standing in the snow.I glance across the table at Kiera again. Aesthetically, she’s very plea
*Kiera*I can feel the weight of Will’s confession settling into the small space of the car. His words echo in my mind, wrapping around my heart like a vice. I want to reach out and touch him, to let him know that he’s not alone in this, but I can’t shake the feeling that any move I make could shat
*Will*The engine roars to life, and I’m grateful for the sound to fill the silence between us. I keep my gaze fixed on the road, the streetlights flickering past like the thoughts racing through my mind. Kiera’s voice lingers, echoing in my ears. She wanted me to kiss her. Hell, I wanted to kiss h
*Kiera*I wait, breathless, as that electric moment stretches out between us. The air is thick with unspoken words, and all I want is for him to close the distance. But instead, nothing happens. My heart races, a wild drum echoing in my ears, and I realize I want him to kiss me. I want it so desper
*Kiera*I blink at Will, trying to make sense of what he just said… then the weight of his words settles over me like a heavy blanket. “Will, stop this,” I say, forcing my voice steady. “I was the one who suggested marriage. I wasn’t coerced, forced or anything else. I want you to trust that I can







