Desired (Club Sin 3)

That was relationship stuff, things people who were dating each other did.

Kyler barked a laugh. “Friends do take friends to family events.” His smile faded into a frown. “As you keep reminding me that we’re friends-with-benefits, I’ll remind you that I’m not taking you there as a girlfriend, but as a friend. There’s no need to hyperventilate.”

“Sorry. You’re right.” She chuckled away her ridiculous thoughts. “It’ll be fun.” The last thing she wanted to do was lead him on. Passion with Kyler was unbelievable—scratch that, it was mind-blowing. He was gorgeous and completely lovable, but she didn’t want another messy relationship.

She just needed to keep telling herself that.

Kyler put the truck in gear and then booked it down the road. Las Vegas streets whipped by her window, and she stole glances at him. His fingers gripped tight against the steering wheel, and an odd tension exuded from him.

To break the stifling silence, she said, “The doctor called a few hours ago and she got my clear test results in. I plan to grab them on the way to work tomorrow.”

“Good. I’m glad they came back so quickly. Though I should have known they would.” He smiled, warmth shining in his features. “Mary tends to rush results for new Club Sin members.”

“She’s not a member at Club Sin, right?”

Kyler shook his head, taking a left turn. “She used to play at my old club with her husband, Charles, who passed away a few years back. The crowd at Club Sin is young. I doubt she’d feel comfortable there.” Then he gestured to the envelope tucked in the side of the seat. “That’s your police report.”

“Oh, nice.” She swallowed against the surprising heady desire filling her. This is happening. “So, tomorrow is the night, then?”

He chuckled, low and deep. “Tomorrow is the night.”

With thoughts of her first night as a Club Sin submissive swirling in her mind, she remained silent on the remainder of the drive. As the truck slowed, she noticed he drove into the Henderson suburbs. She’d been shown a house in this part of the city by her real estate agent, but the neighborhood had been too family-oriented for her.

Kyler stopped the truck in front of a Spanish-style house that had a rustic tile roof with palm trees and large cacti decorating the front garden. She followed him out of the truck, and when he reached her around the hood, he said with an amused voice, “Look out, you’re about to be attacked by the mob.”

Ella turned, seeing a bunch of young children running straight for them. Kyler brushed past her, meeting the kids halfway, and dropped to his knees as the kids tackled him, screaming, “Uncle Kyler.”

She smiled. Cute kids. Sexy Uncle.

As quick as the kids jumped him, they were off and running toward the backyard. Ella noticed two of Kyler’s brothers, she assumed, since they looked a lot like him only older, standing at the gate to the backyard, watching their children. Then a soft voice said, “Tackle, uncle Ky-Ky?”

Ella looked to the small boy, then said to Kyler, “Uncle Ky-Ky?”

He patted the head of the littlest boy, who hadn’t run fast enough to catch Kyler earlier. “Apparently, Kyler is a tricky name for little monsters.” On his knees, he turned to the child and opened his arms. “Come get me, tiger. I?

?m shaking in my boots.” The kid leapt into his arms and Kyler pretended to fall back, holding the child in his arms and making dying noises.

“Uncle Ky-Ky die.” The kid jumped off, laughing, and ran toward the other kids.

Kyler called, “Joey, go be a zombie and scare all the girls.”

Joey lifted his arms. “Me. Zombie.” Then he went toward the backyard, screaming.

Kyler pushed off the ground and Ella shouldered him, smiling. “You’re sweet with them.”

“I like kids, always have.” He placed a warm hand on her back and ushered her forward. “Let’s go meet the older mob, since they’re all staring at us anyway. Be prepared to have my mother gush all over you.”

Ella looked to the backyard, seeing he was right. Three couples and Kyler’s parents she assumed all had their eyes trained on her. All three brothers shared their father’s traits of a tall frame and light brown hair, but Kyler had a little more muscle than the rest. Two of the older brothers were a little softer around the middle, as was his father. The oldest brother was slender, and just a bit taller than the rest.

“Everyone, this is Ella,” Kyler said. “You can all stop staring at her.”

His brothers laughed and said hello to Ella before they all shared a manly hug with Kyler. Ella received many nice-to-meet-yous from Kyler’s sister-in-laws, who were all ranging from mid-thirties to early forties. But then the eldest woman, looking around sixty, with short brown hair that was perfectly curled, stepped out of the group. Her soft blue eyes held Ella’s before she hugged her.

“Welcome, Ella.” Kyler’s mother leaned away, hooking her arm into Ella’s. “Let’s get to know each other over some wine. I could use some help in the kitchen.”

Kyler’s father, with the stern eyes, frowned, brushing a hand through his salt-and-pepper hair. “Lisa, do not frighten the poor girl away.”

Leaning away from the last brother he hugged, Kyler added with a grin, “Forgot to tell you, my mother is nosy and will ask you a thousand questions.”