by Marie James
“Not a date,” I answer.
“You’ve made plans to spend time with him. That’s a date, babe.”
“If anything it’s a playdate.”
“Uh huh,” she says not believing a word I say. “Are you telling me he hasn’t hit on you? Because if his reputation is true, he hits on anything with big tits… oh, sorry,” she says with a chuckle.
“Ha ha,” I say into the phone.
It’s a fact; I have tiny little breasts. I don’t have body image problems. I’m not one of those girls. I like to run, so my small breasts benefit me in that department. I’ve spent way too much time and money on therapy to have self-esteem problems.
For some reason, though, I feel the need to defend my sex appeal to Jillian.
“He’s a relentless flirt.” It’s all I can really attest to, because when he had the opportunity earlier to kiss me, he backed off. So much for not having self-esteem problems.
Suddenly, I’m second guessing my call to Jillian to gossip about Kegan.
I know what her advice will be because it’s always the same. “Hit that.”
“You know what you need to do?” she says. “You know you gotta hit that.”
I laugh at her predictability.
“Not gonna happen.”
“No reason not to,” she says.
“I can lose my job,” I try to explain.
“Pish posh,” she says dismissively. “Do you plan to marry him?”
“Don’t be dumb,” I tell her.
“Then what’s the big deal. Hit it, get it out of your system, move on. Who would even know?”
She has a valid point, but still it’s a huge risk to take.
Hold on.
Why am I even considering it?
“I’m really not that interested.”
“If you weren’t interested, we wouldn’t be discussing it.”
Good point.
“Hey, I’ve got to go. If I stay on the phone any longer, I may miss my chance. He’s getting on a motorcycle!” she squeals before disconnecting the call.
Tomorrow is going to be… interesting.
“So what are you thinking?” I ask after telling the girls hello and clicking my seatbelt into place.
I almost embarrass myself trying to climb into this truck, but I have to admit, I feel pretty badass sitting up this high.
“I think a movie would be the plan,” Kegan says as he lowers the volume on the radio, almost silencing a popular teen song.
I smile at him.
“Don’t,” he begs.
“I didn’t really see you as a Belieber,” I say referencing Justin Bieber fans. “But taking a longer look at you, I can totally see it.”
He frowns. “This is what the girls like. So long as this station is playing, they don’t try to kill each other in the back seat.”
I look over my shoulder and see both of them with their hands folded delicately in their laps as they look at the window. They can feign indifference to the situation, but I’m well aware that they, along with every other child their age, are nothing but tiny little sponges that soak up information every second of their waking day.
“The girls, of course.” I nod in agreement. “So the movies?”
“Yep,” he says backing out of my driveway.
“They just got finished with church?”
“Yep,” he repeats.
“No movie,” I say. “Not yet at least.”
“No?” he says confused.
“They’ve been sitting in a pew for over an hour. If you expect them to behave during a movie, they need to run off some energy.”
“God, I’m glad you’re here,” he says turning right at the end of my driveway.
Fifteen minutes later, we’re pulling into a small community park. The girls squeal in excitement as they bound out of the backseat of the truck and run toward the slide and swings.
“See,” I tell him pointing at the girls. “They never would’ve kept that under control in a dark theater.”
He points to a bench and guides me toward it with a hand on my lower back. I discovered something new today. Walking and clenching my thighs are almost impossible to do at the same time.
“Why are you fighting this?” he asks with his eyes still on the frolicking girls.
“Fighting what?” I ask even though I kind of know what he’s talking about.
“Us,” he says softly.
“Oh, I didn’t realize there was an us.” I pull my hand to my throat and bat my eyelashes like a damsel in distress, sarcastically of course.
His eyes widen when he realizes he just sounded like he wanted some sort of relationship. “You know what I mean. There’s chemistry. Things between us would be explosive.”
I have no doubt about that, but coming together in fiery passion and my heart exploding when he leaves really isn’t something I’m interested in.
Kegan Cole satisfies an incredibly long list of traits I find damn near irresistible in men.
He’s funny, insanely sexy, just the right amount of cocky, and has some of the biggest hands I’ve ever seen. I know what you’re thinking, and the size of his hands doesn’t have anything to do with me wondering about the size of his… you know. It does, however, have everything to do with how I love nothing more than huge hands spreading the expanse of my back, my stomach, thick fingers in my… damn is the sun suddenly closer to the earth?
I pull my t-shirt away from my chest and fluff it in and out to cool my warm skin.
His lip twitches up. Apparently, he’s an expert on social cues as well.
“I imagine things between us would be explosive,” I say quietly.
His grin widens as if he’s already sealed the deal.
“I’m sure when my job found out I hooked up with a relative of one of my students, my life would be blown to smithereens.” His smile falters. “Explosive,” I say with hand motions of my life imploding.
“It’s just sex,” he says.
“Just sex isn’t worth the risk,” I mumble getting up from my seat to go push Lennox on the swing.
Chapter 9
Kegan
“Such a beautiful family,” an elder lady says as she pats my back and continues on her way.
I cringe and look over at Lexi. Thankfully, she didn’t hear what that obviously senile woman said. A wife and kids? Fuck that. Not even like ‘consider it down the road.’ Not gonna happen. Kadin is the family man, always has been. Me? I’m the one who is repulsed by women sleeping over after the kinky shit is done.
I watch Lexi’s ass as she walks with the girls toward the soda machine at the movie theater. Tight blue jeans decorated with tons of studs and rhinestones on the pockets makes me imagine it like a present, and God do I want to unwrap that gift.
I pay the clerk at the counter after he finally pulls my attention away from the miracle that is Lexi Carter.
“Nice ass,” he says brazenly when my attention is pulled back to her immediately after handing my credit card over.
I snap my eyes back to find him staring in the same direction.
“Boy, you couldn’t handle an ass like that,” I sneer with a lowered voice.
He chuckles softly. “From the way you’re staring, it seems you can’t handle it either.”
Cocky motherfucker. I find myself almost resorting to high school and college age with this teenager. He’s pretty much challenged me, and I never turn down a challenge.
I snap my jaw shut. I don’t have a damn thing to prove to this punk, who, if I’m being honest, reminds me of myself at that age.
I slide my card back into my wallet and snatch the bucket of popcorn off the counter so fast it leaves a pile behind on the counter. Maybe while he’s cleaning up the damn mess, he’ll think about running his mouth.
Each of the girls carries their own snack pack containing a drink, popcorn, and a package of candy, while Lexi has both her drink and mine. Her drink, of course, is a large water.
“Water?” I
asked when she placed her order. I seriously would’ve pegged her for a cherry Icee type of girl.
She just shrugged. “Saving calories for the wine I’ll drink later.”
My kind of girl. Sacrificing in some areas so she can splurge later.
I have the tickets and a huge tub of popcorn. With the tickets sticking out between the fingers of the same hand carrying the popcorn, I use my free hand and place it on the small of Lexi’s back. The contact, although seemingly innocuous, is actually a pretty sexual gesture.
I almost groan when the tips of my fingers find the bare skin between her jeans and tank top. Feeling like this, aroused to the point of nearing an erection, is insanely inappropriate as I walk amongst a huge group of children.
Lexi must sense the electricity between us because she does exactly what I expect her to after the conversation in the park; she twists her body until my hand falls away.
Predictable. Most women are, and predictable women fall easily into my bed.
I smile wickedly. She may have gotten away from me now, but we will be spending the next hour and a half in a dark movie theater, surrounded by little kids enthralled with what’s on the big screen. I let my mind run through seduction techniques that would be considered rated G, and I can’t think of a damn one other than a light stroke of my fingers on her arm. It’s not even a fraction of one percent of what I want to do to her, but considering our present company, it’s the best I can do.
Crazy thing about it? I seriously can’t wait for even that tiny touch.
I may have jumped the gun marking her as predictable only seconds ago.
I predicted that even though she pulled away from me in the hallway, she would most definitely give in and sit beside me in the theater.
Didn’t happen. As I settled into my seat, she sandwiched both girls between us and turned her face toward the screen, ignoring me completely. What do I do in a situation like this? First, I remind her that she won’t be able to reach the popcorn and motion for her to sit beside me.
She declines, waving her hand in front of her. “No thanks,” her velvety voice says before she opens Anastyn’s candy for her and begins watching the previews.
After my subtle attempt to get her beside me fails, I do what every man in this position would do. I question whether or not she’s batting for the other team. I mean come on; I’m Kegan Cole, a hell of a catch. Well, a hell of a lay since I won’t allow a woman to catch me.
If I’m being honest, the parts I watched were actually pretty decent for an animated kid flick. I do, however, feel like I need to go watch a Bruce Willis movie to continue feeling like a true man; especially after this movie made me laugh more than once.
I spent most of the movie watching the smile on Lexi’s face, and I felt her gaze on mine when Anastyn climbed out of her seat and settled on my lap. I thought she was in a super loving mood and just wanted to snuggle with me. She made sure I knew that she was only there for my popcorn, since her tiny scoop was gone. She may want others to think that, but she kissed me on the cheek once. She can’t deny she loves her Uncle Kegan anymore than I can deny I love my nieces when they’re acting sweet like this.
The switch flipped by the time we made it to my parents’ house. They were bouncing in the booster seats before I could even turn off the truck’s engine. Seconds later, they were barreling out and heading to the front door.
I look over at Lexi with wide eyes.
Her giggle at my reaction to them makes me smile as well.
“Imagine if we didn’t take them to the park first. The movie would’ve been a disaster.”
I nod in agreement, grateful I asked her to come along.
Without thinking, I tell her, “Come on in. You can meet my mom and dad.”
She climbs out of the truck and meets me around the front. I keep my distance this time. It isn’t until my mother comes out on the porch holding Lennox’s hand that I’ve realized my mistake.
I watch as a smile spreads clear across her face before she hides it with her hands. I’ll never hear the end of this. I’ve just given my mother enough ammunition for a year’s worth of family dinners.
“Oh, Kegan,” my mother gasps as Lexi and I walk up the front stairs of the porch. “She’s beautiful. You haven’t brought a girl home since…”
“Mom!” I chastise cutting her off.
I feel like a teenager again, bringing home my first girlfriend to meet my parents. Granted, Lexi is the only girl besides the one in high school that has trekked up these stairs. Now, just like then, I want to crawl under the porch in embarrassment.
More because Summer is the last person I want to think about than my mom getting excited at Lexi being here. We dated for a few months my senior year in high school, went to different colleges, and mutually called things off. To hear my mother tell it, I broke her heart and any chances she’d have at having grandchildren.
Kadin was already married by then, and Savannah was very vocal about her desire never to have children.
“Honey!” my mother screams over her shoulder through the screen door. “Come out here and meet Kegan’s girlfriend!”
My father makes his way out of the den faster than any man in his sixties should be able to move. A smile is on his face the second he crosses the threshold. He nods softly in approval at the sight of Lexi.
“Lexi Carter,” I say in introduction to my parents.
“Friend,” Lexi corrects holding her hand out to shake theirs. “Not girlfriend.”
Friend. I can work with friend. At least she didn’t identify herself as only the girls’ school teacher.
My mom wraps her arms around Lexi in a huge hug, disregarding her proffered hand. If this is awkward for me, I can’t imagine how uncomfortable she is.
My dad winks at me, a true lady’s man in his own day. Lexi catches it and scoffs at our interaction.
My mom finally releases her and takes a step back. “Would you like to come in for a drink and a snack?” she offers.
“No, thank you,” Lexi says quickly, and I can finally take a relaxing breath.
Any other woman in this situation would jump at the offer, and I’m grateful she declined. If Lexi stepped foot in that house, my mother would begin planning the wedding. She’d have the china pattern picked out before her homemade cookies hit the table.
Both girls make their way out onto the porch carrying a pack of fruit snacks, as if they didn’t just eat their weight in candy and popcorn at the movies.
Lennox tugs on my dad’s shirt until he leans down so she can whisper into his ear. “That’s my teacher,” she informs her grandfather loud enough for everyone to hear.
“The one who shot Uncle Kegan down when he asked her out last week,” Anastyn adds even louder.
My mother’s cheeks turn red, not in embarrassment for me, but rather because she’s trying to bite back her laugh.
My dad doesn’t even bother as he tilts his face up and laughs.
If it weren’t for the slight smile tilting Lexi’s perfect lips up, I’d wish this interaction never happened, but seeing her amused at my expense brings a certain peace to me.
“Must not happen often,” Lexi says cutting her eyes to the side at me, but she’s talking to my parents.
My dad sobers almost immediately. “Never, honey. He’s a Cole.” Nothing but seriousness marks his face.
Damn straight, dad. Cole men don’t get turned down. That part goes unsaid of course.
My cheeks flame as my dad slaps my mom on the ass and makes her giggle. The girls follow suit, laughing at their grandfather’s ridiculousness. They see it all the time between their own parents and mine. I was brought up in a very loving home, with parents who weren’t afraid to show their affection. Kadin and London are the same way.
I’m in the fucking Twilight Zone.
It’s Lexi’s turn to roll her lips inward to keep from laughing. I’m glad she finds this shit amusing because after today and how my parents are acting, they can sure
as hell guarantee I’ll never let another woman step foot on this property again. Today was a slip of the mind.
“We should go,” I tell Lexi.
“It was nice to meet you,” she says politely to my parents.
I, on the other hand, sneer at them, letting them know I’m not happy about any of this.
“Come back soon,” my mom says with slight disappointment in her voice as we turn back to the truck to leave.
It isn’t until we’re pulling away that I realize I didn’t actually introduce her to my parents. My mom had me so flustered, formal introductions were never made.
Chapter 10
Lexi
The laid back flirtatious man I’ve spent most of the afternoon with is not the same man that just left his parents’ house. Something has shifted his mood dramatically. I thought his mom and dad were endearing and funny. Clearly, he doesn’t feel the same way.
I can’t help but stare at his sandy-blond hair and strong jawline as we ride back to my house in silence. Seeing his father is like staring at exactly what he will look like in thirty years. Kegan, his brother, and his father all have the same handsome features. They definitely have great genes.
I’m not certain, but I think he was very uncomfortable with me meeting his family, which is seriously wrong because he’s the one who told me to get out and meet them.
Judging by his mother’s response to me, he doesn’t make a habit of showing up at their house with women, a true testament to his playboy ways. At least he’s respectful, hopefully keeping his extracurricular activities to himself and not flaunting his manwhore ways in front of his mother.
His dad? Totally different story. I caught that little wink Mr. Cole threw at his son. I bet he was a heartbreaker back in his day.
I sigh and pull my eyes reluctantly from Kegan. If I were in college, I probably would’ve already found myself climbing out of his bed. I’m wickedly attracted to him. The way he carries himself tells me he’d be a beast in the sack, but he’s grown on me enough to know that he’d break my damn heart before I even realized I’d handed it over to him.
“Thank you for helping with the girls,” Kegan says as we begin to cross from the cityscape to a more residential area of town.
