Chapter Five

Asher

"You really didn't have to follow me all the way home," Kennedy says, peeking up at me as I walk her to her front door with her overnight bag in hand.

"Trying to get rid of me already?" I smirk at her, which makes her roll her eyes and blush.

"No. I just thought you might have other places to be," she mutters, her hips swaying as she walks up the stairs.

I grit my teeth and clench my hand around her bag, trying to resist the urge to reach out and smack her ass. Swear to God, she's tormenting me without even trying to do it. And fuck me if it isn't the sweetest torment. I'm not a dancer, but I would have stayed on that floor all night without a complaint if it meant holding her while she swayed those hips and shook her ass.

She's so vibrant and full of life when she's happy. It shimmers in the air around her like fucking glitter, infecting everything. Even my surly ass had a good time tonight. She makes me feel…playful and carefree. I've never felt that shit before. It's not as intolerable as I thought it would be. In fact, there isn't much that I wouldn't tolerate if it made her happy.

She's so beautiful. I've never met anyone who fits so neatly into every box on my dream girl checklist. I didn't even know I had a list before her. But she surpasses every item on it by miles. She's smart, talented, creative, caring, and kind. She's also independent, ambitious, and motivated. She may think people look out for her because they think she isn't capable of doing it herself, but I'd bet my left nut that's not why. People look out for her because it's impossible not to want to protect the innocence shining in her eyes.

The way she looks at the world is an endless source of fascination for me. I never believed in that old soul shit before, but I think she fits the bill to a T. She's an old soul in an innocent wrapping, both wise beyond her years and eternally optimistic. She wants to give people the benefit of the doubt, even when they don't deserve it…even her asshole professor. And fuck that guy. When I meet him—and I will be meeting him—I have a few things to say to him.

Looking after Kennedy is my job. No, scratch that. Protecting and loving her could never be as tedious or burdensome as a job. It's a joy, especially if I get to touch her and kiss her while doing it. I have no clue what to do about this whole New York thing, but she isn't going by herself. I want to be selfish enough to ask her to stay, but I'm not sure I can do that. If going means as much to her as it does…then she has to go. Even if her going rips my fucking heart out of my chest.

Jesus. It is going to rip my heart out of my chest. Don't know if love at first sight is normal and don't really care. I'm crazy for this girl. Completely obsessed. If this is how Trick feels about Sophie, it's no wonder he had her at the altar faster than I could blink. I want my life tied to Kennedy's. I'm so fucking in love with her.

She stops in front of the door to her apartment and fidgets with the keys. "Um, do you want to come in?"

"What about your sister?" I'm not opposed to meeting her in the least, but she and my girl need to hash out their issue. Kennedy won't be completely happy until they do. She loves her sister. Being at odds with her is clearly weighing on Kennedy. They need to talk it out so they're both happy again.

"I don't think she's home. Her car isn't here." She bites her bottom lip, looking up at me through her lashes, all shy and innocent and sweet as cherry pie again. "You don't have to come in."

"Open the door, angel baby," I order her, shaking my head. If she thinks I don't want to be all up in her personal space, she's wrong.

The relieved smile she gives me lets me know she wants it just as badly as I do.

"Oh!" she cries, spinning to face me. "Are you afraid of dogs?"

"Do I look like someone who would be afraid of a dog?" I arch a brow at her.

"We have a guard dog."

"You have a guard dog?" I have to fight a smile, thinking about her with a neurotic little purse dog who thinks he's a killer.

"Yes. Well, no." She huffs. "He's technically Caroline's dog, but he's supposed to keep us safe. Mostly, he just lays around and watches Lifetime. He's kind of spoiled, but he can be intimidating the first time he meets someone, especially men." Her face scrunches up into an annoyed scowl. "Our brothers are kind of crazy. And we don't even have men over here. Mostly just Bitesquad drivers when we're too lazy to cook."

I shake my head and chuckle at her rambling. "I'm not afraid of dogs, angel baby."

She shoots me another relieved smile and then unlocks the door and pushes it open. "Meeko?" she calls, poking her head into the apartment. "Come here, Meeko!" She pauses for a minute and then turns to look at me. "I guess he's with Caroline."

I follow her into the apartment and then pause to look around. Her place is definitely not the typical college pad. For one, everything is perfectly tidy. For another, her furniture alone is probably worth more than the building it sits in. The place is small but not cramped. It's bright and sunny, inviting.

"Here," she says, reaching out to take her bag from me. "I'll put this up."

Tags: Nichole Rose Claimed Romance
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