Just One Wish (The Kingston Family 4.50)

“Tara,” a woman said in a singsong voice. “Who’s the hunk?”

Since she was sitting on another man’s lap, Axel knew it wasn’t a pickup line. She was obviously drunk, too.

He shifted Tara against him. “I’m Axel. An old friend of Tara’s. And you are?”

The woman stared at him through her heavy-lidded gaze. “The drummer and Tara’s ex!” Her voice rose in excitement.

“This is Amy, Tara’s stepsister,” the man said, his amusement clear. “I’m Kenneth, Amy’s fiancé.”

“Nice to meet you,” Axel said. Tara’s head was on his shoulder, her body weight leaning against him. “Anything I need to know?”

“Other than a successful bachelorette party without strippers? Not a thing.” Kenneth paused. “I was going to take them both home, but Tara seems to be settled where she is,” he said, chuckling.

Axel grinned. “I’ve got her.” Which was easier said than done, but eventually he managed to encourage Tara to lean on him as she walked to the car. The top was closed, and he leaned down to strap her in, debating about where to take her and deciding to go to his place. He knew where everything she’d need was located, and he lived closer.

Only when he carried her into the house did he realize he’d only furnished his bedroom and minimally at that, which meant she’d be sleeping in his bed tonight.

Chapter Six

Tara was too old to drink like a teenager. She woke up, her head pounding and her mouth feeling like cotton and tasting like something foul had settled in there. Her bladder was screaming at her, and she slowly pulled herself to a sitting position, waited for the waves of nausea and head throbbing to settle, before opening her dry eyes.

She looked around the unfamiliar room and panic seized her. Where was she? Who had she gone home with? Heart pounding, she glanced down to see her bare legs and a man’s T-shirt covering her important parts. No bra but panties still on. Thank God. She hoped that meant she’d passed out and nothing had happened. But where and with whom?

She couldn’t remember last night, and a careful look at the other side of the bed told her she was alone. She blew out a breath, stood, and made her way to the bathroom.

She found an array of towels stacked on the counter, a folded man’s shirt, toothbrush in a package, and realized whoever had taken care of her seemed to be looking out for her.

She closed the door and locked herself in before brushing her teeth well, then stripping down and taking a hot shower. Although there was only generic shampoo and men’s soap, she used both. Once she came out feeling fresh, she dried off, put her underwear on inside out and used the new shirt left for her. She glanced in the mirror, took in her tangled hair and the Caged Chaos logo on the shirt, and knew exactly whose house she was in.

She let out a low groan, trying her best to remember how he’d found her last night at Amy’s bachelorette party. Texts. Shit. She’d drunk texted him. Where was her phone so she could see how much damage she’d done to her self-respect?

Pulling in a deep breath, she opened the bathroom door. Steam escaped as she stepped into the bedroom to find Axel sitting on what she assumed was his side of the bed.

He was barefoot, wearing a pair of faded jeans, and the button was undone. His chest had a light coating of hair, and he had muscles indicating he worked out. His abs were a six-pack any woman would drool over, and his flat stomach made her want to lick from his belly button down. Her nipples puckered beneath the T-shirt.

He caught her staring, and his lips lifted in a sexy, knowing grin. “See something you like?” he asked, amused.

Caught but refusing to admit it, she folded her arms across her chest. “How did I get here?” she asked.

“You drunk texted me, and I came to make sure you got home safely. I brought you a glass of water, some toast with jelly, and two ibuprofen.” He gestured to the nightstand on the side of the bed where she’d slept.

She swallowed hard. “Thank you.” She walked over to the items he’d left for her and sat down, taking her time to eat the piece of toast before taking the pills.

Feeling better, she turned to face him. She appreciated what he’d done for her, but she’d woken up in his shirt. “Axel, did you undress me?”

“I did, but let’s be honest, I’ve seen you naked before.” His eyes gleamed at her question. “But I did my best not to look. I just wanted you to be comfortable.”

“And did you … did we…?”

He shook his head. “Drunk texting might be your thing, but consent is mine. I wouldn’t take advantage, and you know me better than that.” He sounded hurt by her question, and she saw the pain in his eyes.