Kissing Kennedy (Claimed 4)

I wipe them away with my fingers, my heart pulsing with emotion. "Wishful thinking, perhaps," I admit. "Mary watched over Jesus his whole life. Don't know anything about my mom, but I guess I like to think she left me behind to give me a chance at a life different than hers, that her leaving me was her watching out for me in her own messed up way. The little old lady who found me watched over me too. She saved my life. I wanted to honor both of them."

Kennedy's expression melts. "That's really sweet, Asher."

"You're the sweet one, angel baby," I say, touching my thumb to her bottom lip. "So damn sweet you've got me addicted to you."

"I think I'm addicted too."

"Yeah?" I grin at her, feeling like a rockstar again.

"Yeah. I…"

The front door opens.

"Meeko, you can't just run everyone over," a female complains in that affectionately annoyed tone women use when they're supposed to be mad but aren't really.

As soon as Kennedy hears her, she catapults off the bed, staring at me with wide eyes. "Caroline's home," she whisper-hisses.

"I hear that."

"You're so spoiled," Caroline says.

"I'm pretty sure you spoiled him, princess," a man chuckles, his voice soft.

Kennedy's eyes get even wider.

I think she'd hide me in her closet if she thought I'd fit, but we're not hiding. Not from her sister or anyone else. If anyone doesn't like us being together, tough shit. I'd fight every demon in hell to keep her. I'll fight her family too if I have to do it.

"Come on," I murmur, running my hand down her back in a soothing gesture. "Let's go say hi to your sister, angel."

"You're sure?"

"Positive."

She exhales a deep breath and then nods.

"He didn't know that when you…" Caroline trails off as Kennedy peeks her head out into the living room.

I step up beside my girl and wrap an arm around her waist, reminding her that I'm right here with her. She doesn't need me to speak up for her though. She's capable of doing that all by herself. Doesn't mean I won't be having words with King, but still. This is her show. I'm here for her to lean on. My strength is hers if she needs it. I know how anxious she is about the rift between her and her sister, and how much she distrusts King.

Caroline stares at me with wide eyes. She's as short as my girl with some of the same facial features. Her eyes are red and puffy as if she's been crying. The man standing at her side is damn near the same size I am…not what I expected from a writer. Then again, I didn't expect them to look like Kennedy either.

"Um, hi," Kennedy whispers, her face bright red.

"Hi," Caroline whispers back, staring at Kennedy like she's shocked.

Shit. She probably is. Kennedy looks freshly fucked. Her hair is messy, her dress is wrinkled. Her lips are swollen from my kisses. From what Kennedy has told me, she's never dated before me. Guess Caroline is surprised to find me half-dressed and her sister looking thoroughly ravished.

Shock turns to surprise and then to mischief in Caroline's eyes as she looks from me to her sister again. She giggles.

"We weren't having sex!" Kennedy blurts out, her eyes wide.

"Making love," I growl. When I get inside her, we won't be fucking. It won't be casual or meaningless. When I get inside her, it'll be because she loves me as much as I do her. When that happens? I'm claiming her permanently.

"I had sex," Caroline whispers to her sister.

Jesus Christ.

"Made love," King corrects her.

Kennedy and Caroline stare at each other for another minute and then they both start giggling. The sweet sound relaxes me. If they're laughing together, they're going to be okay. And if my girl is good, I'm golden.

"Can we talk?" they both say at the same time.

Caroline looks at King. "Would you mind waiting?"