Chapter twenty two

Karis couldn't sleep. Her scent was everywhere, wherever he turned, he could almost see her, innocent, trusting, yet a siren. She was the embodiment of a paradox, he had thought he was going to hurt her by breaking off what could never be even before it started -- but then she had pre-empted him, as he had lain beside her, blabbing like a school child about what they had just had. A one night stand, that had been neat, uncomplicated, what adults in their situation were to call it, but he had heard the hurt in her voice, and hated that he was the reason for it.

He needed to stay away from her, for her own good, as well as for his. She was no match for his family, some street girl who was the daughter of a local gangster. He didn't want her to get drawn into the politics that was his family, the controlling ways of his father. He had watched his father make or break several people simply because he felt it would get him a re-election, or add more money to the unmeasurable wealth h