Double Bossed

I giggled. “Ok, maybe.”

How had a backroom bar hookup turn into this? There was more love and family in this loft than I’d ever experienced in my life. It was

a Christmas card. A movie set. It was my life with Hawk and Hunter.

Hunter stuck out his tongue, trying to untangle one of the strands of lights. I laughed harder.

“Do you see him?”

Hawk shook his head. “Not right now. All I see is a sexy woman that I can’t wait to spend my night with.”

My chest seized with lust and love and something I couldn’t explain. I wanted this man in ways I couldn’t explain.

“After we decorate the tree.” I eyed him.

“It is a school night isn’t it?” he asked.

“Yeah. I have to get up early.”

We were on the other side of the kitchen island. His calloused palm found a sliver of space and slid between my skin and my panties, gripping my bottom roughly. I inhaled sharply.

“Then I’m taking you to bed early, Jules.”

I nodded in agreement. As long as he said the word bed, I was never going to say no. Lying skin to skin. His body moving inside mine. His lips taking mine. His hands canvassing me in heat. It was all I could think about.

“D-dinner,” I stammered. “I have to make dinner.”

“Right.” He removed his hand, dragging it over my skin torturously. “Hey, bud. Need some help with those lights?”

He strolled out of the kitchen and I grabbed the island for support.

Maybe I needed to open a window and let some of the snow inside to cool me off, because from my lips to my core that man had lit me on fire.

37

Kane

I should have known it would come crashing down. Shit. Why did I think I deserved this? What on earth could have possibly convinced me that happiness was meant for me? I had let my guard down. Way down.

The instant I heard the phone ring at 6am I knew everything was fucked. Call it living with disappointment. Call it growing up without hope. Call it fucking reality.

Julie sat up when I answered the phone.

“Savi, what in the hell are you doing calling me this early?”

Her voice was urgent. “There’s a problem, Kane.”

“What kind of problem?”

The covers fell from Julie’s body as she leaned toward me, gripping my arm.

“It’s the boy.”

“What are you talking about?” I was barely awake.

“Maybe I should just come over there. Actually, I’m on my way over now. Sit tight.” She hung up and I stared at a blank phone.

If I thought I could hide the dread on my face, I was wrong. Julie looked as panicked as I felt.