McKenzie Cousins Box Set 3

The large house sits in a dip and can be seen from where I’ve slowed to a crawl. Lights appear to be on in every room downstairs, and the horse statues at the end of the driveway are lit in a soft glow. Drawing forward, I finally start to wonder the wisdom of just showing up when I see other cars parked by the house.

Perhaps I should have called first.

Chewing on my lips, I find myself climbing from the car and heading for the front door. I nervously glance down at myself and feel like a fool. Under my raincoat, I’m wearing black thigh-highs, lacy black thong and bra set. Shane had said how much he’d wanted me and he’d shown me today what magic we could make together so I’ve decided to bring out the naughty side of myself. I may dress conservative on the outside, but under all my clothing, I like pretty things. Now though, I’m thinking I should have worn a dress at least.

While I’m working up the courage to knock, the door flings open and Shane’s mother is stood glaring at me. “Sofia!” she says surprised. “I had no idea my daughter had invited you.”

The way ‘you’ drips off her tongue as though I’m a piece of dirt on the floor while she looks me up and down, tells me she has a problem with me.

“I didn’t know there was a party. I just need to grab something I left the other day while I’m on my way home from dinner at my parents’ house. I’ll go around back.” I quickly take off for the back of the house cursing myself for the lie.

I could hardly say I’m here to seduce your son.

Still cursing, I enter the house through the utility room and find that I’m frozen in place at the sight of Shane leaning in very closely to a woman I haven’t seen before. Unfortunately, I’m an idiot and gasp into the silence, drawing their attention.

I’m unable to hide the hurt I feel, my anger beginning to build, which it eventually does as I look at Shane and see surprise on his handsome face. It isn’t just that, I notice how uncomfortable he is and as much as I want to stay and put him on the spot in that way, I don’t.

I do an abrupt about turn and race back outside as fast as I can on the high heels I’m not used to walking in.

“Sofia! Wait!” Shane shouts, gaining on me.

I look behind to see just how close he is and then I’m falling. My heart’s frantic as I put my hands out in front of me to catch myself, but not before pain rips up my left leg. Rain soaks me to the skin and my ankle throbs, having been wrenched as I fell.

Shane drops to his knees. “Sofia! Jesus, you scared the hell out of me.” He tries to shelter me with his large body, and then I feel his hands on my ankle. “Sprained.” His hands linger and caress up to my knee, his gaze lifting to mine. Curiosity is in his, but I’ll be damned if I tell him why I’m here, or let him see what’s under this jacket.

Clearing his throat, he scoops me up into his arms and starts striding toward the house when I suddenly realize he’s taking me inside, and panic. “No.” I flare my arms, but all that does is make him grip me tighter. “Put me down. Now.”

He pauses. “You twisted your ankle and banged up your knee. You won’t be able to walk.”

Tears of frustration run down my face. “I don’t want to be anywhere near you right now.”

Frowning, he places me on a chair in the kitchen and glances to where he had the woman pressed up against the wall and then back to me. A light seems to go off in his head. “It wasn’t what it appeared. I promise you.”

“I don’t care. I just want to go home.”

“Now you’re sounding like a petulant child.” He moves behind me. “Let me take the jacket and I’ll find you a towel…but first I need to take a look at your knee.”

“No thank you.” I clutch the lapels to my chest. “I’m not staying.”

“Stubborn!” He curses and paces around his kitchen while I shove my hand into my jacket pocket and pull out my cell, which is luckily undamaged.

Pressing quick dial ‘5’ I glare at Shane while listening to the ringing tone.

“Who are you calling? I’ll take you home.”

“No you won’t.”

My brother, Ryan answers. “What’s up?”

“I think I’ve sprained my ankle and need a ride home.” I wince. “I don’t suppose you can come out and get me?”

“Where are you?”

I give him the address. “Thanks, Ryan.” I hang up the call.

“Whose Ryan?” Shane sits in the chair opposite.

“I don’t think that’s any of your business,” I reply, refusing to look at him.