4

~ KAIA ~

It’s been raining again.

Because of course it has.

Whoever named this place Sundale must’ve had a twisted sense of humor. There’s nothing sunny about it. Grey skies, damp sidewalks that dry too fast and the smell of wet concrete. 

I’m twenty minutes from where I suppose the main gate to sundale should be— I'd slept off through the journey here. My mind wanders off. Again.

It's already been two days since that night but I’m still sore.

Not the “I need a heating pad” kind.

The other kind.

The delicious kind that flares when I shift in bed or bend over to check my new scrubs for the umpteenth time. The kind that makes me bite my lip at the memory of hands I can’t even put a face to.

I remember the way he felt. The way he moved.

But not his name.

Not even his face.

Just that body. That mouth.

That night where—for once—I wasn’t the woman who stayed too long or cried too hard.

I was just… wanted.

And I needed that.

I inhale deeply, breaking my train of thoughts.

Ashby doesn’t work in Sundale, but she managed to send Hailey back to me through one of her friends. Said she had to beg him since her boyfriend’s a walking red flag and hates house guests. Typical.

I spot the car pulling into the driveway and rush out with a hoodie over my head and an umbrella in my hand. Hailey’s in the back seat, curled up, her little face pale.

“Hey baby,” I murmur as I slide the door open and unbuckle her. “Mama missed you.”

She leans her weight into me, tired and warm. “Me too. My tummy still hurts.”

“I know, sweetie.” I whisper into her hair, sheltering us with the umbrella.

She nods, barely, and rests her cheek against my shoulder. She’s six, but moments like this… she feels much smaller.

When I step into the apartment with Hailey in my arms, the lights are dim. The rain taps gently on the windows like it's trying to apologize.

I sit Hailey on the couch and bring the cereal bowl I'd make to her. She takes a few bites, then stops and looks at me with those big eyes of hers.

“Mommy… I'm full.”

Her voice is soft and wobbly.

I sigh. Loss of appetite again.

When I checked, it was a severe fever. 

I just hope my baby will be fine again.

I lean down and brush a strand of damp hair from her forehead and press a kiss there. “Of course, you don't have to eat anymore.”

She yawns as she stands up, drawing the blanket to cover her little frame.

I pick her up. “Let's tuck you in.”

“Will you stay beside me?” She murmurs into the crook of my neck.

“Always.” I say, brushing a kiss to her hair as I walk towards the only bedroom in the apartment. When I tuck her in, she hugs an extra pillow to her chest and I lie beside her for a while, stroking her back as her breathing slows.

It's a surprise since Ashby had said Hailey hasn’t been able to sleep well for days. 

I watch her, chest rising and falling, sleep slowly claiming her.

This is my peace. My purpose.

All the things I thought I’d never have.

When her breathing finally stabilises, I tiptoe back toward the kitchen, ready to make a quick smoothie even though it's night— staying with Rob for so long has ruined my sleeping schedule— when it pierces my hair.

Thump. Thump. THUMP.

Loud invasive music with bass so deep it vibrates in my chest.

My eyes dart to the door of the bedroom and back to the main door again, my brows rising as I imagine her stirring with eyebrows knitting.

Shit.

My girl just fell asleep after being sick for days. If she wakes up now—

I shake my head and hurry back to the living room to grab a hoodie and then, I stomp out the front door, heart pounding. The music’s coming from the duplex next door. I march up the steps and knock hard enough to crack a knuckle.

The door swings open.

And God has jokes.

Because standing there—tall, shirtless, and stupidly hot—is a man with dark scruff on his jaw and a smirk like he’s seen me naked.

“Damn,” he says, looking me up and down. “That was fast. I only just ordered the hook-up twenty minutes ago.”

I blink. 

“What?” I blink again, heart stuttering.

He just smirks wider, sizing me like a slab of meat. “You look better than in your picture. Definitely bustier too. I’m gonna enjoy filling you up with my cum, sweetheart.”

Before I can react, he grabs my wrist and yanks me inside, loud music permeating my senses. 

“Hey!” I gasp, stumbling into the hallway. “Let go of me—!”

His hand tightens just enough to make me flinch, and his body pins me lightly to the wall while he sucks the crook of my neck just above my pulse point.

His voice drops to a growl. “God, you smell so good. And I love when they act like they don’t want it. You’re really committing to this roleplay shit, huh?”

I freeze, chest rising and falling fast as my eyes search his face. His eyes flash yellow when they meet mine or maybe it's just the light as I scream trying to get him to hear me over the loud music. 

“I’m not the hookup, okay?! I’m your neighbor! My baby is sleeping next door and your music is blasting—let me go!”