I exhale a deep breath. I have no idea if Robert knows that Jack and I can’t stand each other. He probably does, but it’s not like he would make any concessions for us, or that I would want him to.
We head up the sidewalk, dread bearing down on me with each step. I ring the bell, and Robert answers the door, smiling like a sucker in love. “Come on in.”
We follow Robert into the kitchen, where a woman around his age stands at the stove, stirring something. Jack and Kylie sit at the bar facing the woman, who is talking a hundred miles a minute.
I meet Kylie’s gaze, and she gives me a nervous smile. I look away and focus on the lady at the stove, a rope tightening around my heart.
“Catherine,” Robert says, “I’d like you to meet Brett and Tori. They both work at Kids Company. Brett’s an OT and Tori’s a recreational therapist.”
“It is so nice to meet you both. Robert talks about you guys and Jack all the time.” She looks over at Jack and then back at me like she’s doting on children.
Catherine launches into a narrative about what she’s making for dinner and where she got the recipe, and I nod, my whole body fueling up like a gas tank on fire. I’m not even looking at Kylie or Jack, but feeling their presence together right here, inches away, taunts me like a massive fuck you.
Robert takes the bottle of wine from Tori and says, “This is a great brand. Look, Catherine, it’s a Pinot Noir. We had this one last week.”
“Yes, we love that one,” Catherine says, handing him a corkscrew.
“I’ll pour everyone a glass,” Robert says.
“I’m good,” Jack says, “but thanks.”
Motherfucker’s too good for my wine, huh?
“Why don’t you four head out to the patio, and we’ll be there in just a minute with the wine and some appetizers,” Robert says.
We all play along, padding to the patio. Once we get out there, no one sits. We all just mill around awkwardly.
Tori pulls out her phone and starts flipping through it. Jack follows suit. I start to pull my phone out, but Kylie says, “Can we please talk just a minute?”
“We won’t listen,” Tori says, not looking up from her phone.
I glance at Jack, but he’s completely engrossed in his phone, frowning and typing into it like he’s working.
“This isn’t the place,” I say.
“Please. You can show me the pool,” she says, pointing at it.
I glance at Tori, I guess for some sort of permission. I don’t want to leave her alone with Jack. I know she can handle herself, but I also know being alone with him can’t be comfortable for her.
Not looking up from her phone, she gives me a shooing motion. I roll my eyes and walk down the steps toward the pool.
When we get far enough away that no one can hear, I stop and face Kylie, but I don’t look at her.
“I tried to text you a dozen times this week,” she says. “Well, not a dozen, but probably like five or six at least.”
I just look at the pool.
“Nothing has happened between Jack and me.”
I dare to meet her gaze, looking for truth in her eyes, and I find it there—that or else she’s a good actress. “Like the same way nothing happened between us on the boat last Friday night?” It’s a cheap shot, but she’s not getting away with this so easily.
She looks down, frustrated, and then meets my gaze. “I have been staying with him, but what other options do I have? I texted Bailey, but she’s pissed at me, too.”
The fact that Bailey’s mad only gives legitimacy to my biggest concerns. I want to bolt, but I’m stuck here at Robert’s house, where I have to play nice.
“I really don’t know why she’s so upset,” Kylie says. “I suspect she might have seen Jack and me talking, or maybe hugging at the bar on Saturday night, but she’s totally off base.”
I shift uneasily, glancing at the house, hoping Robert will save me with hors d’oeuvres. “I don’t want to hear this.”
“I was upset. I was available to you all day, but you ignored me, waiting for Tori to get home. Then when you got there, you closed the door to Tori’s bedroom. What was I supposed to think about that?”
“Tori closed that door.”
“But you didn’t open it back up.” She lowers her voice. “She was in a silk robe.”
“You know Tori and I aren’t like that.”
“Yeah, but did you see her in that thing?”
I wince. “I don’t think of her that way.”
She sighs. “I believe that. But what about the way you ran to her to figure stuff out when I was right there in the car with you for an hour and you were totally quiet? Is that what a relationship with you would look like? Anytime you needed to talk about anything, I would step aside for Tori?”
“No, of course not. It’s just that she knows all the history.”
“Tell me the history.”
I can feel myself conceding to her, as much as my brain is telling me not to. “Okay, I’ll admit that I screwed up. But the fact that you left with Jack Massey without even texting me was not fucking cool.”
“I know. I was upset, and I should’ve told you where I was going. Is there any way we can get past this?”
“Are you still living with him?”
She closes her mouth and her eyes give me my answer.
I huff a humorless laugh.
“What are my options? I’m on the wait list for housing. I’m saving every dime for first and last month’s rent. I’m literally looking for anywhere to stay every day. I still have not gotten a paycheck yet. I hear it’s going to be another week because of the way payroll works. I’m in survival mode and trying desperately to make this life work. If you can’t handle this right now, and we need to just be friends, that’s fine. But this is temporary. I’m not living with him as a couple. He told me I’m like a little sister to him.”
“How classic.”
“If he’s so hot for me, why hasn’t he tried to kiss me one single time? Or flirted with me? Why do we go to separate rooms every night?”
I consider her, wanting to cave, but my pride won’t let me. “Why is he so goddamned willing to have you stay there? Have you thought of that?”
“I asked him that question. He’s just being nice.”
I shake my head.
“He’s totally still in love with Tori. Any fool can see it.” We both turn to look at them, and on cue, Jack glances up from his phone at Tori like a lovesick Saint Bernard.
I look at Kylie, the determination in her eyes, the hope, and I know I want everything she wants. Most of all, I want to quit feeling like I’ve lost everything. “How is this supposed to work? I’m gonna take you out on a date and then drop you off at his house?” I point at him for effect. “Are you kidding me?”
She looks away. “Then let’s just be friends. I’d rather have your friendship than nothing.”
As the next words are about to come out of my mouth, I feel Tori bearing down the weight of her stare on me even though she’s still buried in her phone. “Stay with me.”
Kylie shakes her head. “I’m sorry, but that’s just not an option. This is brand-new. We’re trying each other on right now. That first weekend was nice, but it had an expiration date. I don’t know exactly how long it’s going to take for me to get on my feet. I might need somewhere to stay for two or three months.”
I nod, understanding where she’s coming from, especially knowing how quickly things went south with Madison after we moved too fast. But I still cannot imagine myself dropping her off at his place.
“Why don’t you go talk to Jack,” she says. “Ask him what’s going on with us. If anything were happening, you know he’d want to brag about it to you.”
“That’s for damn sure.”
Catherine comes outside holding a tray, and Kylie and I meet each other’s silent gaze and then head over to the table.
Kylie and I sit across from each other, Jack and Tori next to us. The tension i
s so thick you could bounce off it. Catherine thankfully uses her gift of gab to yap away endlessly through dinner, with Robert smiling at her like he’s won the lottery.
Catherine stands, taking Tori’s plate, and Tori gets up. “Let me get that.”
“No, please, sit. Robert and I will clear these dishes and bring dessert. Give us just a moment.” The two of them leave the four of us out here in our awkward silence.
Kylie turns to Tori. “Will you please show me the bathroom?”
Tori stands, and Kylie and Jack exchange a significant look. Their connection with one another makes my skin crawl.
Once they’re gone, Jack stares at me. “Come on, man. You know me better than that.”
“I know payback for you would be sweet right now.”
Jack sits back in his chair. “We both know I fucked things up with Tori. I was jealous—losing-my-mind jealous. I couldn’t see any sense. All I could see was her with you.”
“Even though we both told you it wasn’t like that with us?”
“I didn’t get it. Honestly, I think it’d still be hard for me if she and I would’ve worked things out. I’m admitting this to you because I want you to know I’m not pissed at you or trying to get you back for anything. I’m fucking jealous of you. I’ll probably always be jealous of you. But I’m not out to hurt you, and I damn sure wouldn’t want to use Kylie as a pawn in some stupid game.”
I gauge him, knowing none of that was easy for him to admit. I want to believe him, but it’s too hard.
“I’m asking you to trust me…like you once did,” he says. “Can you do that?” Robert and Catherine come back out carrying plated desserts. Catherine sets one in front of Jack. “This looks really good, thank you.”
I know Jack. He never eats sugar, but he’s going to eat that dessert so he doesn’t hurt Catherine’s feelings. Maybe he’s not the worst guy in the world.
When it’s time to go, everyone says their goodbyes, and Catherine and Robert walk us outside. Jack goes to the passenger side of his car and holds the door open for Kylie. She hesitates, giving me a hopeful look. I just stand there, not sure what to do, so she gets in the car with him.
24
Kylie
“Do you want me to take you to his place?” Jack asks.
I check my phone for a text from Brett, but there isn’t one. “No, I guess I’ve just got to give it time and see if he’ll come around.”
“He will.”
I glance over at Jack, leaned back in his driver’s seat. “I wish I shared your confidence.” I stare out the window, my stomach in knots from the whole evening. As we pull up in the parking lot of Jack’s condo, my phone dings. It’s a text from Brett.
Can I come get you?
I could float out of the seat I’m so relieved. I look over at Jack with a smile. “He came around.”
Jack rolls his eyes at me, but he’s smiling a little. He puts the car in reverse. “I’ll take you over there.”
When we pull up in front of Brett’s unit, he’s sitting on the front porch. But this time, he doesn’t go inside. He stands up, pocketing his hands, his shoulders rising and his chest getting bigger.
“Tell him he can stand down,” Jack says. “I’m getting my ass home.”
“Thank you, Jack,” I say, wanting to give him a hug or a kiss on the cheek but not daring to. I get out of the car, and with each step I take toward Brett, my heart beats faster.
“Hey,” he says, his face still hard to read.
“Hey,” I say. He opens the door and lets me inside. I stand in the living room, gripping my purse with both hands.
He closes the door behind him, then takes the purse from me and sets it on the dining room table. I clutch my hands together and then pull them apart, not knowing what to do with them. This stupid skirt I’m wearing doesn’t have pockets.
I glance around. “Is Val home?”
“No.”
“Mmm,” I utter, my insides warming at the idea of an empty house.
He moves toward me, putting his hands on my hips. “I’m sorry.”
I swallow. “For what? I’m the one who should be sorry.”
“I want to share things with you. I want to tell you the history.”
I nod, my heart swelling.
He pulls me closer to him. “But right now, I just want to be with you in my bed. You can call the shots like you did last time. Okay?”
I nod, the pressure swelling behind my eyes.
He smiles and wipes a tear away with his thumb. “Don’t cry.”
I shake my head. “I’m sorry.”
He brings me into his chest, one arm around my back, the other on top of my head, as he strokes my hair. His body pressed against mine is like a seventy-degree day after a snowstorm. He pulls away from me and takes my hand, leading me to his bedroom.
He closes the door behind him and comes over to me. With a single finger, he moves a stray hair out of my face. “I don’t want to fight with you again.”
I grab two handfuls of his shirt and say, “Me either.” I’m afraid to look him in the eye for fear my whole body will melt like a lit candle.
He lifts my chin with his knuckle, and I’m forced to meet his gaze. He stares at me with those eyes that bring my body to life, and it’s more than my libido can take.
“I want this,” I say, my center so hot I could melt ice. “I want you.”
“Are you sure?”
I nod. “I’m positive.”
He kisses me, and I can barely stand up straight, my body having lost its ability to balance. I steady myself and pull away, focusing on undoing the buttons on his shirt. I smooth my hands over his shoulders as I slide the shirt down his arms. His tanned skin is so tempting I want to taste it. I trail kisses along his shoulder and his collarbone, my hands roaming down his strong back. When I come up for air, he slides his hands over my skirt and then grips my ass as he pulls me to him.
He walks us to the bed and rids me of my shirt before I collapse onto the mattress. He’s still standing, and I’m right there, so I undo his shorts and loop my thumbs through the waistband of his boxers. The way he looks down at me makes my whole body fizzy. I have to glance away, or I’m going to combust right here on his bed.
I slide his boxers and pants down to the floor and he steps out of them. I reach around and cup his ass cheeks. I’ve been wanting to do that for weeks now. He’s got such an amazing, round ass.
I take him into my mouth and he gives a quiet intake of breath that makes me feel really confident in what I’m doing. But I don’t want this to be over too soon, so I let go of him and scoot back on the bed. He hovers over me, stopping for a moment to kiss me on the mouth, and then straddles me, as he undoes the front clasp of my bra. As I gaze at his chest, it’s nearly impossible for me to believe that I have him right now. This gorgeous, confident man who so many girls would love to have one night with is on top of me. I can’t help a smile.
He furrows his brow, smiling back. “What?” he asks, hand on my bare breast.
“Nothing,” I say.
He shuts me up with a kiss on my mouth as he holds himself just above me and then releases his weight down on me, our bare bodies melded together.
I’m not laughing anymore as I run my hands through his hair and lift my hips to feel him against me. We move together, our bodies in rhythm, even though my underwear is still a barrier between us.
He moves down my body, stopping to take my nipple into his mouth, which has me arching my back. He continues on, kissing the insides of my thighs, making me wiggle with want. He slides his finger inside my underwear and I gasp as he touches me.
He looks up at me. “I love how wet you get for me.” Heat seeps up my neck and into my cheeks as my secret of just how into him I am is revealed.
He slides my underwear down my legs, and I’m completely vulnerable to him. He kisses his way back up my inner thigh and then spreads my legs apart. I grip the sheets as his tongue touches me. My body ignites with
sensation, and it’s all I can do to stay still for him.
I close my eyes, my whole body tensed, sensations flowing like white-water rapids. When he finally sets me free, I let go with a wail that can definitely be heard next door, and I’m embarrassed about how loud I was. I cover my eyes as he climbs on top of me.
“What?” he says with a chuckle.
“Oh, my God. I was so loud.”
He moves my hand from my face. “I love it. You can be as loud as you want.”
I point at the wall. “These walls are thin, and there’s somebody on the other side of that.”
“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, Kylie.” The way he says my name with that Southern drawl of his makes everything okay.
He hovers over me, and his very hard cock rests on my belly. “Do you have condoms?” I ask.
He responds by rolling off of me and opening his nightstand drawer. He returns, suited up and ready to go. He kisses me, then pulls back and gazes at me like he has something to say, but the words won’t come out.
“Are you good?” I ask.
He gives me a lazy smile. “Yeah. I’m good.”
He reaches down between us, and with a push, he’s inside me. He goes slow, letting me get used to the pressure, and it doesn’t take long until it eases. His weight on top of me, our skin on skin makes me feel so close with him, not just physically but emotionally. It’s a higher level of intimacy that I never understood before, even when things were good with Joshua.
I’m enjoying the closeness so much that I barely notice Brett’s eyes are closed and his expression is almost pained. “Do you think you’ll go again?” he asks.
“No. You can let go.” He does, collapsing on me, breathing heavily. I rub his back and kiss his neck as his breathing slows.
He lifts up off me. “I hope I didn’t leave you behind.”
I smile at him. “I’m all good.”
He lies on his side, sliding his arm under his pillow.
I match his pose, and he puts his hand on my hip, possessively. “I didn’t like being away from you this week,” he says.
Down for Her Page 15
