Page 43 of Make the Play

“I don’t know. I don’t have the answers.”

He studies me for several seconds. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

Closing my eyes, I rest my head against the house and tell him what’s floating through my mind. “I’m thinking that I’ve never been kissed like that. If I were allowed more of those kisses and more of you, I wouldn’t hesitate to take them. I’m thinking that this is new, whatever this is, and it could fizzle after a few more kisses, and telling Landry or anyone else could ruin a lot of things. Friendships and careers are on the line. Maybe it’s something that’s just between us.” I open my eyes as I finish my speech to find the intensity of his gaze locked on me.

“For how long?” he asks, his voice gruff.

“I don’t know. Until we’re done.”

“What if we’re never done?” he counters.

I shrug again. “Then, we cross that bridge when we get there. Your life is hectic, and I’m starting a new job. Neither of us has the time or energy to put into something serious. I say we lay low and play it by ear.”

“You’re telling me we steal kisses when no one else is looking?” There’s an edge of disbelief in his tone.

“Something like that.” I smile up at him.

“We’re playing with fire, Corie girl.”

“We both have our eyes wide open. We won’t get burned.”

He leans in close. “Having more of your kisses is worth the scar of the burn.” He takes my mouth yet again, and I moan into the kiss. It’s fast and demanding, and he's pulling away again before I can catch my bearings. “We’ve been gone too long. Go inside and go out the back door. I’m going to handle this”—he places me on my feet and nods to his hard length—“and get changed. I’ll be out in a few.”

“So… kisses?”

“All of my kisses are yours, Corie, until you tell me you no longer want them.”

“Careful, Beckett,” I tease. “I might take them all until the end of time.”

He nods, pecks my lips one more time, and takes a step back, putting some much-needed distance between us. “They’re yours,” he says, before turning and walking back around the house.

With a deep inhale, I rush to the front porch, slip inside, and head to the bathroom just off the kitchen. I hear the patio door open, and Landry calls out for me.

“Corie!”

“Hold on!” I call back. I flush the toilet, even though I didn’t use it, and wash my hands before pulling open the door. “What?” I call back.

Landry’s standing at the kitchen island. “I thought you got lost. Did Knox leave?”

“I don’t think so. I walked him to his truck and left to come use the bathroom.”

“You okay?” He furrows his brow. “Your face is a little flushed.”

“I’m good. Something didn’t agree with me.” I place my hand over my belly to, hopefully, pull off the lie.

“You need anything?”

“Nah, I’m good. Thank you, big brother.” Guilt washes over me for lying to him, but I push it down, telling myself it’s a few harmless kisses. We’re both adults. We can make these choices without my brother or anyone else knowing or sharing their thoughts about our decision.

The front door opens, and Knox walks in. His hair is mussed, and he looks sexy as hell. I can feel my face heat, knowing what we just shared and what we agreed to in the dark shadows of my brother's yard.

“What took you so long?” Landry asks him.

“Everly called about wedding planning,” he says, not missing a beat. “I sat in my truck and talked to her for a few minutes.”

“How’s that going?” he asks.

“Good. She’s got it all under control. I think she uses the wedding as an excuse to call and check on me. I might be two years older than her, but she treats me as if I’m ten years younger.”

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