She wags her eyebrows. “He’s into you.”
“Stop it. You’re going to get my hopes up. Besides, we both know Rip could have any woman he wants.” I hold up my hand when she starts to argue. “You know I’m right,” I tell her.
“Whatever you say, Mac. I’m going to shower with my fiancé. I’ll see you downstairs.” With a wag of her eyebrows, she jumps off the bed and leaves the room.
Grabbing the clothes she brought for me from the bed, I lock myself in his bathroom. His scent surrounds me.
I can’t believe, after crushing on him as hard as I did, that I’m finally here, in his room. That I slept in his bed, in his arms last night. The teenager McKenna would be thrilled at this turn of events.
Who am I kidding? The adult McKenna is too.
After my shower, I took my time getting dressed. Luckily Laramie and I are the same size, just like we’ve always been, and we have the same taste in clothes. She gave me a pair of cutoff jean shorts and a tank top. Some might think it’s weird to wear your best friend’s bra and panties, but they’re clean, and this is Laramie, my very best friend. There are worse things I could be wearing. The outfit is perfect for the Texas summer heat. Knowing I’ve stalled long enough, I pull open his bedroom door and make my way downstairs.
“There she is. I thought you fell back asleep,” Rip says as soon as I enter the kitchen.
“Sorry, the shower was too nice not to indulge.” I take a look around the room. The long kitchen island has six barstools. Colby and Laramie are occupying two on one end, while Rip and Corbin take up two on the opposite, leaving two in the middle. I spy a plate full of crispy bacon and pancakes and have to bite down on my cheek to keep from smiling.
“Kenna,” Rip says, my name pulling my attention away from breakfast. He’s standing with a plate that I assume is for me as he places it on the island next to where he was sitting. “Come and eat.”
“Why didn’t you make my plate?” Corbin asks.
“Because you don’t have legs like McKenna,” Colby fires back.
“Is that how it is?” Corbin chuckles.
My eyes are locked on Rip. He smiles and shrugs before pulling out the barstool next to him, motioning for me to sit.
My eyes flash to my best friend, who’s grinning from ear to ear. She mouths, “Told you,” before turning back around and focusing on her plate.
My feet carry me to the seat Rip insisted that I take, and I sit.
“What do you want to drink?” Rip asks.
“Oh, I can get it.” I start to stand, but his hand on my shoulder stops me.
He bends close, his hot breath brushing across my face. Goose bumps break out on my skin when he says, “Tell me what you want, Kenna.”
You. The deep timbre of his voice and the way that his hand traces down my bare arm tells me he’s not just asking what I want to drink. At least I don’t think he is. I’ve not dated much. I wasn’t kidding when I told Rip the guys at school were not my type. Give me a man in boots and well-worn jeans any day over sweater vests and loafers. “Juice is fine.”
“You want some coffee too?”
“Um… sure. I can get it,” I offer again.
“Let me take care of you,” he says, his voice low and only for me. He stands and walks around the counter, pulling a mug out of the cabinet and pouring me a cup of coffee. “Black?”
“Yeah. Thanks.” I take the offered cup when he hands it to me. I sip the nectar of the gods while I watch him also pour me a small glass of juice and slide it across the island. When he takes his seat next to me, I set my coffee down and settle down to eat. Just before I take my first bite, his large hand lands on my thigh. I pause and glance over at him out of the corner of my eye, but he’s just taken a huge bite of bacon, his head turned toward Corbin, listening to whatever it is he’s saying.
Turning to my left, I look over at Laramie, who’s ignoring me for her fiancé. I get it. They just got engaged last night, but I need backup. I don’t know what’s happening here. It’s as if I came home to the twilight zone. Every dream I’ve ever had about Rip wanting me is suddenly the only thing I can think about. Five years ago, before I left for college, I would have given anything for him to notice me. Here I am five years later, and I’m preening from his attention. I don’t know what any of this means.
“You not hungry?” Rip asks, pulling me from my thoughts.
“No. It’s good. Thank you.”
“You okay?” He gives my thigh a gentle squeeze.
No. I am not okay. Why are you touching me? Please don’t ever stop. Instead, I say, “Yeah, just still tired, I guess. Thank you for this.”
He leans in close. “You’re welcome.” He pulls away and digs into his breakfast as though nothing has changed. Like he’s not spinning my mind or my heart in circles. I want to ask him what all of this means. I want to know if his kisses, and his tender touch, mean something to him, like it does to me, but part of me thinks this attraction between us is all in my head. He’s just being flirty and friendly.
That’s all it is.
Right?
Chapter 5
Rip
I can’t stop touching her. If she’s close to me, I have to have my hands on her. I can’t seem to stop myself. I’ve wanted her for so long, and when she walked into my parents’ place two days ago, something inside me shifted. That something craves her with an intensity I’ve never experienced before. I’ve always wanted her; she’s gorgeous. What’s surprising to me is the need that I have for her and the depth of my feelings that I never realized were there. The reality that she’s home for good, and that I could finally have everything I’ve ever wanted, is a lot to take in.
I want her to be mine.
“So, what are we doing today?” Corbin asks from his seat next to me. He’s resting his arm on the island, his chin propped up on his hand. It’s easy to see he’s hungover from last night.
All of our plates are empty, even McKenna’s, which makes me smile. I don’t know why, but something about the fact that I cooked for her, that I’m taking care of her, has my heart swelling in my chest. It’s a new feeling, one I’ve never felt before, but it’s one I could quickly get used to. I knew I cared about her. Hell, she’s been in my life since we were kids. But this intensity, this need to be with her all the time, the yearning to feel her in my arms, it’s new and unexpected.
I shrug and turn to look at McKenna. “You said you wanted to relax. Anything specific you have in mind?” Whatever she wants to do, I hope it involves me. I want all of her time.
“Oh, you don’t have to entertain me.” She’s quick to reply.
I lean in close, getting a whiff of my body wash, and my cock stirs, knowing she smells like me. “We talked about this,” I remind her. “I want to spend time with you.” You need to relax, and I need you. “Tell me what you want to do today.”
“I’m up for anything.”
I look past McKenna to my sister. “Lara?”
She places her hand on McKenna’s shoulder. “Don’t you have to study?”