Saving Kylie

Kylie swallowed deeply. She wasn’t his yet. Maybe she wouldn’t ever be. But that possibility shimmered in front of her like a diamond, and she ached to grasp it with both hands.

After they cleared up one more teensy thing.

Though she felt a little guilty, she couldn’t help her keen interest in one point. “Lola?” she asked, striving to sound casual as she lifted her own glass.

“Sorry. Dr. Sheen. She told me not to be so formal.”

“I just bet she did,” Kylie muttered, knocking back half her champagne in one gulp. Even the explosion of bubbles in her belly didn’t smother her spurt of irritation. “Really, Lola? What kind of doctor’s name is that?”

“She said—” He broke off and grinned. Flat out grinned. “Hey, you’re jealous.”

“I am not.”

“Are so.”

She finished off the rest of her drink and relaxed in her chair. She might not be a big fan of drinking under most circumstances, but tonight it was definitely hitting the spot. “So what if I am?”

He braced his forearms on the edge of the miniscule table and dazzled her with his smile. She wished she knew how to sketch, because she would’ve immortalized that carefree expression for all time. It had been so long since she’d seen it, she’d almost forgotten the joy his happiness gave her. “I think it’s fucking awesome.”

She had to laugh. “You’re weird.”

“No, it’s called having the shoe on the other foot. For so long I imagined you with your ex, and now you’re pissy about Lola. Christ, it makes my day. Hell

, my fricking year.”

“Do I have a reason to be pissy about Lola?”

“Absolutely none.” He held her gaze. “Do I have anyone to be jealous about anymore?”

“No. Rob and I are completely finished. He’s moved on to his harem of sl—lovely ladies”—Justin suppressed a laugh—“and I’m living the high life, as you can see.”

He glanced around and toasted her with his glass. “It seems like a pretty good life, all things considered.”

“It is.”

“The Cove is a great little town. And you’ve got that awesome view of Crescent Lake.” He gestured toward the living room. “I bet it’s amazing when the sun comes up, all that light over the water.”

She laughed lightly. “Not this time of year, but yeah. It’s pretty sweet. And my neighbors are so fun. I’m already making friends here. One of them has a stripper pole.”

He took a quick drink of his champagne. “I hope you become very good friends.” His eyes glinted teasingly.

“We’re getting there. Luna reads tarot too.” It was Kylie’s turn to drink. “She told me I was in for a banner year.”

“That so? I’m very glad to hear it.” He cleared his throat. “I met with someone else too,” he said after a moment.

She wrapped her fingers around the stem of her glass and propped her chin on her other hand. “Listening.”

“This guy, Van Burke, is into BDSM. He has a studio of sorts. I guess he does sex therapy, among other things.” Justin’s brows dipped low over his blue eyes. “He has the whole setup there. Except his playroom is right next to his counseling area,” he finished with a quiet laugh.

The back of her neck tingled, and she bit her lip to hold back the stream of questions. Easy. One at a time. “What did he have to say? Or do?”

Justin looked a little embarrassed himself. He quickly shook his head and tossed back the contents of his glass. “It wasn’t that kind of session. He got that I wasn’t there looking for instruction. It was actually Lola’s idea I visit him to discuss some of my—”

When he faltered, she whisked her tongue over the corner of her mouth under the guise of picking up stray droplets of champagne. “Hangups?” she offered sweetly.

He narrowed his eyes. “Not the word I prefer, but okay. Hangups. Referring to you specifically and your past.” He ran his fingertip along the rim of his glass, and she had to suppress a shiver. She was already imagining those calloused finger pads on her skin. “And mine.”

“And?”