Note: This series explores Kai and Damien’s relationship in the 4 years prior to the event of Perfect Match and then continues and is woven in with canon events. As always, feedback is much appreciated.
“A private investigator?” Kai challenged her cousin. “Nadia, do you really think that is the best way to deal with your stalker? Why not just leave it to the real police.”
“What’s wrong with a private investigator? He comes highly regarded, and besides, the police have been working on this for weeks and haven’t gotten anywhere.”
“I don’t know… It’s just that when I think of a PI, I think of some sleazy, wannabe detective who resorts to unethical practices to get the job done.”
“At this point Kai, I am willing to do whatever it takes to feel safe. Here, take a look at his business card, he doesn’t look so bad.
Kai examined the card. On it was a picture of man no older than 30 with dark hair, deep brown eyes, and an endearing smile. The name Damien Nazario, PI was printed on the card as well as his contact information. “Oh…he’s…rather attractive, but that still doesn’t mean he’s trustworthy. I think I should come to your meeting to help feel things out. You know what they say, safety in numbers!”
“Ha, sure, for safety. It has nothing to do with the fact that you are practically drooling over him. Settle down Kai. Did you forget you have a boyfriend?”
“No I did not forget. I am perfectly content with Kyle, but that doesn’t mean I don’t notice when another guy is good-looking. Anyway, I would feel more comfortable being there with you for support.
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Damien sat in the café waiting for his new client to arrive. He’d worked plenty of stalker cases before. This should be business as usual. He anxiously alternated between watching the door and checking the time on his phone. He had several other cases that needed attention, so he was hoping to breeze through this meeting.
He noticed two women walk through the door. They looked more like models or movie stars than his typical clientele, so he was a bit stunned when they walked up to his table.
The shorter brunette held out her hand as Damien rose to meet her and return the handshake. “Hi, I’m Nadia, and this is my cousin Kai.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” Damien said while extending his hand to Kai. Her hands were soft, and her grip was firm but not overly aggressive. Her smile lit up her whole face which was framed perfectly by her long, blond wavy hair. Not that Damien noticed this, he tried to convince himself. He was also going to ignore the small tingle of electricity he felt run through his body from her touch. It was necessary to create boundaries in his line of work, and getting involved with his clients or their family members was a line he didn’t cross. Whether she was gorgeous or looked like a potato, it didn’t make a difference to him. Nope, not at all.
“Wow, you are taller than I expected…I mean, uh, nice to meet you too,” Kai stammered.
“I’m not sure if I want to know why you had been thinking about my height, but..umm…thanks, I think.” Damien noticed a slight blush to her cheeks as he said this. “You are actually more feminine than I pictured.” Damien regretted this remark instantly after it came out of his mouth. This meeting had turned awkward real fast.
“Excuse me?” Kai said sounding more like a demand than a question.
“I just meant, most Kais I know are men.” Damien scrambled to recover. “I figured Nadia was bringing a bodyguard for protection. I know more than anyone you have to keep your guard up and be safe when meeting someone new.”
“I may not be a big burly man, but I can hold my own. And damn right I am here to be Nadia’s body guard, so your tactics better be on the up and up, or we are out of here.”
“Fair enough,” Damien conceded with a smirk, and in that moment he knew he had met his match. “I definitely don’t want to see what happens if I get on your bad side. Shall we sit and discuss the case?”
Nadia and Kai nodded as they sat down and shared the details with Damien.
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“So that went pretty well. Don’t you think so?” Kai asked on the drive home.
“You mean after the tragically awkward display of flirting between you and Damien? Yes I am confident, Damien can help put my stalker behind bars,” Nadia answered.
“Nadia, I was not flirting, I have a boyf–”
“Right, you have a boyfriend. You love Kyle. Blah, Blah, Blah. You’re the one that said Damien was attractive before we met him. I mean, he’s not really my type, but I can kind of see the appeal.”
“What are you talking about Nadia, Damien is hot. He is everyone’s type. Tall, dark, and handsome…Oh, I see what you did there. Have I reminded you lately you are like the bratty sister I never had?”
All the time Kai. All.the.time.
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That night Kai drifted off to sleep next to her boyfriend, but her thoughts were on another man