“I understand that,” she admits. “I haven’t found that person either. Not even close. There have been so many men who’ve wanted to date me just because of my family. I know you’ve probably gone through the same thing. It gets old, and I usually can see through it now, but when I was younger, not so much. I thought they were into me, but they were really into buddying up with my dad,” she admits.
“I’m sorry you’ve had to go through that. There are a bunch of assholes out there. You deserve better,” I tell her.
She takes another drink and yawns. “Thanks, Ryan.”
I can’t help but think how goddamn beautiful she is and how she shouldn’t have to put up with men using her. Kendall sinks into the cushions and stares at the fire. The candlelight illuminates her face perfectly, and she seems to be lost in thought.
I get up and put another log on it until the flames lick up the chimney. When I sit, I seemed to have settled closer to her because I can feel the warmth of her body next to mine. It’s cozy and feels like home.
Kendall scoots closer and places her head on my shoulder. I wrap my arm around her, and there’s no denying the electricity that streams between us. The alcohol has made us both too brave. While I refuse to cross that line with her, I feel as if she’s shown me a different side of her–one that isn’t so focused on superficial things. One that I should’ve seen all along.
We listen to the crackle and pop of the wood, and there are so many things I want to say but don’t. After a moment, her breathing softens and when I tilt my head, I notice she fell asleep. Slowly, I move, and she wakes.
“You should lie down and get some rest,” I whisper.
Her eyes stare at my lips, then she meets my gaze. “Yeah.”
I pull the covers down, and she snuggles in on her side of the couch.
“Good night,” I say, giving her a warm smile.
She blinks, her long lashes touching the top of her cheeks. “Good night, Ryan.”
It doesn’t take long before she’s out. Seems as if Kendall can’t hold her liquor, and the thought makes me chuckle. I take two big gulps of tequila, then climb under the blankets. Though I’d like to fall asleep, I can’t because all I can think of is Kendall and the things she shared with me tonight.Chapter SevenKendallDAY 4Warmth covers my body as I slowly blink open my eyes. It’s a major contrast to how I woke up yesterday when I was freezing my ass off. The tequila’s certainly having an effect on my head and I’m wondering if I’ll be suffering from a hangover all day.
“Mmm…” a husky voice next to me mutters in my ear. Ryan’s bare chest is pushed up against me with a leg arched over mine. One of his arms is wrapped over my waist and the closeness feels nice, too nice. He nuzzles his nose in my neck and moans again.
Fuck my life.
There’s no way he realizes what he’s doing.
How the hell did we even get into this position? When I fell asleep last night, I was on my side of the couch, and he was sitting on his. But somehow he ended up next to me and holding me in a way that’s making my mind run wild with possibilities.
As if he senses my thoughts, he moves against me, and it pushes his hardness into my side.
Holy shit.
I blink and slowly look down at the tent in his sweatpants. His erection is…impressive. Definitely wouldn’t say no to that.
As he squeezes me closer, I realize I have to pee. Though I’m enjoying how warm he is and our bodies being together, I’m going to explode. Not to mention, I really don’t want Ryan to wake up and freak out the second he realizes what he’s doing.
Slowly, I do my best to slide out from under his arm and leg. Though not very gracefully because my ass ends up falling on the floor. Quickly peeking at him, I blow out a relieved breath that he didn’t wake. I tiptoe to the stairs and go to my room. Once I’m in the bathroom, I look at myself in the mirror and see a hot mess starring back. Jesus.
Once I’m done, I grab a bucket of water from the tub so I can flush the toilet. This is so weird and I hope we don’t run out before the power returns. First thing I’m doing when that happens is taking a shower.
I’d never survive being Amish.
After I change into clean clothes, brush my hair and teeth, I casually go downstairs. My head is throbbing, but maybe some meds and food will help.