I’m in deep.
Rolling over so we’re face to face, I study him—the strong angle of his jaw and his shaggy brown hair that hangs down into his brown eyes. Unable to stop myself, I reach up and run my fingers through his hair. His eyes bore into mine, both of us refusing to look away.
Evan pulls me closer, our faces now mere inches apart. Our eyes never wander, his chocolate irises so full of despair. I want to take it away. I want to help him forget about the worry, just help him relax. Without further thought, I lean forward and press my lips to his. He doesn’t respond at first, but I don’t let that stop me. I softly kiss him again, running my tongue across his lips.
“McKinley.” My name is a feather-soft caress falling from his lips as he presses them hard against mine.
I suddenly have no control over the situation. Evan’s hand, which was resting on my back, slides up the back of my neck, holding me in place. His lips, soft yet firm, devour mine. I hear a low moan and realize it was me. I want more of him---all of him.
I allow myself to get lost in his kiss, the taste of him and the feel of him pulling me closer. I have no idea how much time passes and I don’t care. I want this moment with him.
The ringing of a cell phone causes Evan to pull away. He rests his forehead against mine. My eyes are closed, but I can feel the rapid rise and fall of his chest with each breath.
A loud beep causes him to pull away. “Kinley.” His voice is pained.
Looking into his eyes, filled with so many emotions—pain, desire, and maybe even regret—I place my index finger over his lips to stop him. “I’m here for you, Evan. Whatever you need. I don’t regret this, being here with you, but I am going to leave. I think you need some time to process your day. I’m going to Mike’s tonight. I’m meeting Olivia there, but if you need me, call me. I will be here if you want me.”
I place one final soft kiss against his lips before climbing off the couch and walking out the door. I fight the urge to look back, to see if he followed me. It takes me no time to make it back to the house. It’s quiet; Mom and Dad were going out to dinner with friends and it’s hard to tell where Aaron is. He might even show up at Mike’s. That’s where everyone usually ends up. Not much to do in this small town.
Glancing at the clock on the wall, I see I’ve only got a half hour before I’m supposed to meet Olivia. I’d spent more time at Evan’s than I thought. Running upstairs, I freshen up, spritz a little Victoria Secret body spray, and call it good.
I pull into Mike’s with two minutes to spare. As soon as I walk through the door, Olivia spots me.
“McKinley, get your ass over here, girl.”
She’s already well on her way to having her ass carried out of here. I’m sure Mike is thrilled.
“I didn’t think you’d ever get here,” she says when I reach her.
“I’m right on time.” I raise my arm and show her my watch.
“Hey, McKinley, what are you drinking?” Mike asks.
“Just water for now.” He raises his eyebrows, but I ignore him. Even though I’m in my hometown, I don’t like to drink alone, meaning I don’t have someone designated to make sure my ass gets home safely. It’s a rule my roommates and I made in college and I still live by it.
Mike slides a cold bottle of water toward me. I reach out to grab it, and he pulls it back. “You still owe me a dance.”
I smile and nod. I’ll give him his one dance, but that’s all he’s getting, regardless of how charming he thinks he is.
“Let’s dance,” Olivia says, pulling my behind out onto the dance floor. The band is a local cover band and they’re really good. Olivia and I dance for five or six songs straight, so many that I lose track. A slow one comes on and I mimic taking a drink. She nods her agreement and we make our way through the crowd back to the bar.
Mike sees us approaching and places a bottle of beer and a glass of water on the counter. I chug the water and hand it back to him to throw away. The slow song ends, but the band slips right into another. “You ready for that dance?” Mike asks me.
“Let’s do this,” I say in reply. I’m trying to keep our interactions as friendly as possible. I don’t want him getting the wrong idea.
Mike steps out from around the bar and reaches for my hand. I place mine in his and allow him to lead me to the dance floor. He stops at the edge and pulls me against him, resting his hands on my hips. I take a step back and rest my hands on his shoulders.
“So, how’s the studio coming along?”
“Great actually, thanks for asking. I’m staying busy.” I look around at all the people in the Tavern. “Looks like business is good,” I say, making small talk.
“Yeah, I really couldn’t be happier with the crowds. It took a while to get the word out, but once I started booking bands, that changed quickly.”
“People do love live music,” I say.
“Listen, McKinley—” he starts to say, but the song ends the lead singer starts talking to the crowd. I release a deep breath.
I once again mimic taking a drink, so we can leave the dance floor. I said one dance. When we reach the bar, Evan and Aaron are sitting there talking to Olivia.
“McKinley, thank you for the dance.” Mike pulls my hand to his lips and kisses it with a wink.
Chapter 15
Evan
Son of a bitch!
The first thing I see when we walk into Mike’s is him and Kinley dancing together. From her stance, it looks as though she’s keeping her distance and they’re talking. It doesn’t look the least bit romantic, but it still burns my ass that he has his hands on her.
I know what it feels like to have her in my arms.
Olivia greets us with a smile and a drunken, “Hey y’all.” She pulls Aaron down to her level and kisses his cheek, only offering me a wave. Not that I care. Aaron can have her. She’s never hid the fact that she wants him. I have my eyes on forbidden fruit.
I focus my attention on Aaron and Olivia. They’re talking about Morning Star. “She pulled through. So far, the vet comes out weekly to check her and all is well,” Aaron explains.
From the corner of my eye, I see Kinley and Mike approaching us. I watch as he kisses the back of her hand, and I have the overwhelming urge to beat my fist against my chest and go all Tarzan on his ass. I’m about to do just that when he drops her hand and steps back behind the bar. I watch as Kinley wipes her hand on the back of her short-as-hell shorts. The same shorts she was wearing out at my house just a few hours ago.
I try to bite back my grin at her obvious annoyance with Mike, but it’s just not possible. “What’s got you all smiles?” Aaron asks.
“Nothing, man. Just nice to get out and clear my mind,” I tell him. It is. Misty’s appointment today really messed me up. I’m worried sick about my unborn daughter while she’s off doing God only knows what.
I tried again today to give her money, but she refused. I reminded her she’s carrying my baby, and her reply was, “You don’t need to keep reminding me, I know.” I hate how she’s not taking care of herself, and I despise it even more that I can’t do anything about it. Yes, she signed the papers, but there is no real proof she’s not eating. Just a suspicion I have, not to mention the doctors worry over her lack of weight gain.