Page 44 of The Kissing Part
I surrender to the pleasure, to him. This was a long time coming.
11
Owen
I’m up early for Shayla’s call time after a fantastic night and early morning too. I walk into the kitchen for coffee, tired but extremely relaxed. I convinced her to move in with me, so I don’t have to worry about any danger coming to my sister or cousin by association. All I have to do is keep things casual and light. Last night was fun, and we can have more fun too.
Okay, it was more than great sex. It was like we picked up where we left off, both of us crazy about each other. She has this way of touching me, a way of looking at me that feels like—
What have I done?
I exhale sharply. It’s fine. Nothing to worry about. Shayla will move on eventually like she always does. I know the score. This is temporary. Why shouldn’t I enjoy myself? As long as I’m careful not to let her all the way in. No big expectations, so no one gets hurt.
Harper walks in. “Did you hear those weird sounds last night? Sounded like a dying animal. Maybe a coyote took down a deer in the backyard.”
I pour coffee into my travel mug. “I didn’t hear anything.” She’s talking about Shayla’s sex sounds. It’s too early to deal with shit from my sister.
“What’re you doing up so early?” I ask.
“Shay said I could ride into the city with you guys for work today. Saves me time going the train route.”
“She’s moving in with me tonight.”
“No, she’s not.” She pours herself a cup of coffee and looks in the refrigerator, pulling out a yogurt.
“Yes, she is. She agreed last night.”
“During the deer attack?”
“Ha-ha. Ask her yourself.”
“Ask me what?” Shayla says, walking in with her hair wet and piled on top of her head. She’s wearing a loose T-shirt and jogging pants. Nothing about this picture should be enticing, but I’m instantly hard.
I shift toward the counter, covering the evidence and fiddling with the lid of my travel mug. “You’re moving in with me tonight. Harper doesn’t believe me.”
Shayla pours coffee into her travel mug. “Oh, well, I’m not sure if that’s the right way to go. It’s like a fast-forward for a relationship that’s only just begun.”
I shift to face her.A relationship? Are you sticking around? Because that’s the only way I’d take that risk.
Harper pounces. “Ooh, a relationship? I didn’t know that’s what was going on. Since when?”
“It just happened last night,” Shayla says, sending me a warm smile.
I look from her to Harper. It’s way too early to be having this conversation. The sun didn’t even come up yet. And, obviously, I’m not going there in front of my sister.
“I’m going to get ready,” I say and walk out at a quick pace, but not too quick. I don’t want to hurt Shay’s feelings.
Harper’s voice carries out to the hallway. “Nothing scares a guy away faster than bringing up the relationship.”
I don’t wait around to hear Shayla’s response to that.
* * *
That night I sit on Shayla’s bed and watch her pack a suitcase. I convinced her at lunch that her moving in with me was best for everyone’s safety. She was suitably worried about her friends to oblige. I’m more relieved than I’d like to admit. Truth is, I can’t bear any harm coming to her or, God forbid, to lose her because of some crazy stalker. No. Not on my watch.
“Mackenzie and Harper weren’t too happy with you moving out,” I say.
She nods. “At least Nathan put in the top-of-the-line security system today. Even so, I know it’s for the best that I leave. I’m the big draw for the crazy.”
