The Playboy (Chandler Brothers 2)

“The point is she cared.”

Kendall nodded, then swallowed hard. A lone tear dripped down her cheek.

He hadn’t wanted to dredge up painful memories, but he’d accomplished his goal. She’d let him in. He wiped the drop of moisture off her cheek with his thumb, then sealed his lips over hers. As usual the kiss ignited the burning desire to be inside her but more than physical need, Rick wanted to show her he cared. To make her feel special and let her know she was wanted in so many different ways. He undressed her slowly, appraising her with his eyes and worshiping her with his hands. He got rid of his own clothes in quick succession and grabbed for the foil packet in his drawer.

“We’re working our way through the box,” she said, obviously pleased.

“That’s the plan.”

He’d no sooner ripped open the package than Kendall snatched it from his hand. “Let me.”

And while he watched, she did as she’d promised earlier—she took care of him—sheathing his hard erection with trembling hands. Then she lay back on the bed and opened her legs, waiting for him. Knowing she wanted him as badly as he desired her was a huge turn-on, one that humbled him in many ways. The sight stole his breath.

He moved on top of her, thrusting fast. She was moist and wet, contracting around him, taking him deeper and deeper inside. She wrapped her legs around his waist and suctioned him completely into her. Their skin was slick with sweat, their bodies rocking in unison, not fast and frenzied, but a slower coming together, a meaningful joining of two people who’d bared not just their bodies but their souls.

Rick thought he’d long since understood the distinction between having sex and making love. But as he surged one last time, taking them both over the edge, he finally comprehended that distinction, in a way he’d never experienced before.

Minutes later, the aftershocks still shaking him, his breathing still rough, he settled beneath the covers with Kendall in his arms. A sense of peace and rightness settled over him, along with one of imminent doom.

“I was supposed to take care of you tonight,” she whispered as her eyelids drifted shut.

He forced a laugh. “You did.”

“I’m glad.” Her drowsy voice wrapped around his heart.

He held her in silence and waited until her breaths came in slow, shallow succession before shutting his eyes. He could easily get used to this, but unlike the dream of becoming a cop, this one that involved Kendall was much more futile.

* * *

A high-pitched ringing woke Kendall from a deep, luxurious sleep. She didn’t want to be bothered, not when she was cocooned in such delicious warmth, but a hand on her arm was shaking her, giving her no choice but to open her eyes.

“Kendall. It’s the phone in your purse,” Rick said. She groaned and buried her head in the pillow before rolling over and out of bed. Air-conditioning hit her bare skin and she shivered. She dug through her bag, pulled out her phone, and glanced at the incoming number. She didn’t recognize anything but the Vermont area code. Hannah, she thought and realized the cold air on her naked body was the least of her problems.

She pressed the green button, hoping she hadn’t missed the call. “Hannah? Hannah, are you still there?”

“Of course I’m still here. Vermont’s the other end of the world. I can’t travel far without money or a car.” Her sister’s annoyed voice sounded over the phone lines.

“That’s not what I meant.” Kendall ran a hand through her morning-messy hair. “We need to talk.”

“Yeah we do.”

Kendall narrowed her gaze. Hannah had been avoiding her phone calls for days and now she was suddenly being agreeable? “What’s going on?”

“Like you care.”

Kendall ignored that comment. “I spoke to Mr. Vancouver—”

“He hates me.”

“Apparently you’re giving him good reason.” Her sister snorted.

“He said you’re on probation.”

“Uh, not anymore.”

Kendall blinked. “You’re off probation? How’d you manage that? Did you apologize or—”

“I left.”

“What do you mean you left?” Kendall shrieked and Rick jumped out of bed, coming up behind her and leading her back so she could sit down on the mattress. “Where are you? And how are you?” She willed herself not to panic. Yet.

“What do you think I mean? I left. It’s not like they wanted me there anyway. I’m sure I saved him the job of kicking me out.”

“Kicking you out?” Though Mr. Vancouver had intimated such consequences were possible, Kendall had thought for sure he’d sit down with Hannah and her parents, or Hannah and Kendall, and talk first. And she’d never thought her sister would do anything to lead to such drastic consequences.

“Would you quit repeating everything I say? It’s no big deal. This school sucks.”

“Watch your mouth.”

“Don’t tell me what to do. You’re not my mother.” Kendall cringed at Hannah’s nasty tone. What happened to her sweet sister and what had caused her to run from school? “Look, I happen to be the only adult relative listed on your emergency card at school. That gives me some rights. And the first right I’ve got is to get a straight answer.” To the most important question, Kendall thought. “How are you?”