Protector

chapter 19: delay the next step

less and i drive separately to her house

i needed to make sure i didn't fuck this up, i needed to get my words out and talk my thoughts to her

i needed to prove to her that she could trust me, and if i opened up about my feelings it might show her that she can trust me

i needed to be brave.

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kai pulled in after me, i took a deep breath before getting out of my car and waiting for kai

she stepped out and locked her car door before walking up to me

"you okay?" she asked softly as she looked down at me

i looked up at her and smiled softly, nodding my head and making my way to the front door

i unlocked it while kai stood behind me, waiting to be let in

"want some tea or anything?" i asked as we slipped our shoes off

kai brushed her hand against my back as she walked past me

"let me make some drinks, you sit down and get comfortable" she said softly, goosebumps raising at the touch between us

she was trying to get rid of some of the tension between us

i sat myself down on the sofa while i listened to kai move around my kitchen

she soon came in with a coffee for me and a water for her

she handed it me with a soft smile

"thank you" i said as i placed it on the table in front of me

kai sat in the chair next to me, rubbing her hands back and fourth

"i'm sorry for the way i treated you" she said, not taking her eyes off her hands

"i just thought it was the best way to handle it" she mumbled

"handle what kai?" i asked softly

"the fact i can't afford to look after you and provided for you" she said

boom, that's the thing that caused everything

i knew that's what she was struggling to put into words, struggling to process and that's what caused all those problems between us

"oh kai" i sighed softly, her eyes moving from her hands to my eyes- searching for some sort of reassurance

"come here" i mumbled to her

she stood up and made her way over to me as i laid down on the sofa, kai getting the idea and laying on top of me as i ran my hand up and down her back

"was that what was causing you to be so distant with me because you felt like you couldn't provide for me?" i asked

i felt kai nod her head against my chest

"kai you've treated me to plenty of things, you buy gifts for me all the time, you make special date nights for us and so much more" i said softly

"yeah but they are tiny compared to a house" she mumbled

it clicked, she wanted to buy the house for us even when she was saying to do half and half what she really wanted was for her to take responsibility of buying the house fully

so when i said i'd just pay it- it must have really upset kai as she thought she wasn't doing her job she's adopted herself

"i've got a plan" i said as i felt kai move her head to look at me