by Jennifer Ann
Hunter shakes his head, grinning. “You really think she would’ve realized that she needed help if she had been down here on her own with that cokehead? Give yourself a little more credit, man.”
The fact that she’s pregnant and told me “she’d take care of it” weighs heavily on my tongue. As cool as Hunter’s being about me messing with his sister, I doubt he’d be as understanding if he knew the whole story. Besides, I’m not going to tell her brother she doesn’t know whether or not I’m the father.
The night she told me the news, I wasn’t in the right state of mind. I should’ve told her before she left that I would help her raise the baby, even if it turned out to be Theo’s. It’d be hard raising another man’s child, but it’d be worth doing to keep Angie in my life. There are a lot worse things I’d do if it meant making her mine.
I hate Theo for being man enough to ask her the question I should’ve.
When a man’s alone with his thoughts for days on end, some of them disguised as paranoia and one’s worst fears, it’s enough to drive a person insane. There are times I’ll sit in Angie’s living room, seeking a connection to her and what we had that I may have lost forever. Her betrayal hurt more than I’m willing to admit to myself. I knew from the start her idea of going away with Theo was a fuckin’ train wreck waiting to happen.
One morning, while I’m getting ready to meet a new fighter buddy at the gym, I realize I’m holding onto something that wasn’t totally mine to begin with, and might never be. When Angie returns, she should be free to make her decision based on what she wants, not what’s convenient. If I stay on as her bodyguard, she may feel forced into a relationship.
Returning home doesn’t feel right either. If Angie kept the baby, and it turns out to be mine, I’m not going to abandon my kid just because of his mom’s mistakes. And who knows, maybe I’ll eventually be able to forgive her even if it’s not.
After sending Charlie my resignation in an email, I start looking for apartments in less expensive neighborhoods.
13
Hunter
Christmas has officially become my least favorite time of year. It wasn’t so bad when Asher was around. Now that he’s living in Miami and flew his parents down to him, it completely sucks ass.
Worse yet, I always think of Mom since she loved everything about Christmas. It would’ve broken her heart to know our family isn’t meeting up for the holidays. Nothing made her happier than seeing us all gathered. Last year was an exception when Braden and Katie’s twins came, and everyone flew out to California. Wish things could always be that way, but everyone’s so busy with either being famous or raising kids. I can’t afford to keep flying all over the damn place, and I don’t like taking handouts from my siblings even though most of them have become filthy rich. I hate that our Christmas traditions may have died along with our parents.
This year I planned ahead and convinced Levi to take a trip up North to hit the snowmobile trails. We got a great deal at one of the better resorts, and I’m relieved I won’t be sitting in the empty farmhouse, stewing in my single status, solidifying the fact that I’ll likely die alone. I haven’t had the heart to buy a new dog since Dad’s Lab, Cash, died. That one was especially hard to handle because he was the only “normal” thing that reminded me of life before Dad’s murder.
It’s late by the time we drive into the resort. Levi and I grab a 12-pack and head for the hot tub, ready to unwind from the long drive. A few high schoolers fill the large pool along with a handful of adults, all of them drinking beer. My kind of crowd.
As I’m kicking off my sandals and throwing my t-shirt onto a chair, Levi elbows me. “Check it out. Looks like we had perfect timing.”
I glance over to the hot tub, finding two women in bikinis with blond hair piled on top of their heads, backs to us. Sure there are a few other people in there with them, but the only guys among them are either too old or don’t seem to have anything to do with the blondes. Maybe this won’t be such a bad Christmas after all.
“Looks like Santa is being good to us,” I tell Levi, slinging the cloth cooler over my bare shoulder. “Let’s go check it out.”
We make our way over to the square tub, setting the beer on the edge before climbing down the steps. When Levi calls out a general greeting, the two blondes turn their heads and my heart slams against my ribs.
“Hunter Kendall?” one of them squeaks. “What the hell?”
By some ironic twist of fate, Asher’s childhood friend comes rushing at me, gifting me with the kind of hug I’d dream about in one of my wildest fantasies. Gorgeous, wet girl, great tits spilling from a bikini pushed into my chest. In any other situation I’d lift her off her feet, but Harlow made it clear the first time we met that she isn’t like other girls. She likes men to be straightforward and honest, without unnecessary flirting.
I’ve been keeping up with Harlow on Facebook since we spent last Christmas together at Asher’s house. She’s a junior at the U, studying criminology with a psychology major. She’s posted a few casual pictures of her with guys throughout the past year, none that made me think she isn’t single. They weren’t too series or intimate looking, and there weren’t any declarations of a relationship made.
My favorite posts were of her hunting, 4-wheeling, and snowmobiling. She’s a real outdoorsy kind of girl. Most importantly, she just turned twenty-one.
She’s officially as perfect as they come.
Her breath's warm against my face, tempting and teasing. “What are you doing here?”
I squeeze her, tilting my hips back so I don’t reveal just how tempting she feels. “Just decided to get away for a few days.”
“Where’s my hug?” Levi teases.
Harlow backs away with a giggle to sling her arms around his neck. It’s nothing like the enthusiastic greeting she gave me, but then again, she didn’t add him as a virtual friend. I’ve commented on her posts enough that we’ve kept in touch without making myself appear too desperate. At least I hope.
My eyes just about burst from my head when I glance at the other blonde, finding a more sexed-up version of Harlow. I’ve seen pictures of her twin and know they’re identical in appearances, but different in every other way. Harper always curls her hair and uses a lot of makeup, preferring to wear little dresses and skirts. More often than not, Harlow’s in jeans with the exception of special occasions, and doesn’t seem to put anything on her face except mascara.
Even in the hot tub, Harlow’s sister wears heavy eye makeup that makes them appear bigger than her twin’s. And her swimming suit reveals twice as much skin.
“You must be Harper,” I say, offering her my hand.
She takes it, giggling. “Oh my god! You’re the Naked Farmer!”
“Guilty.” A chuckle sticks in my throat when I catch Harlow’s big eyes on me. Dancing around my tractor to the country tune seemed humorous at the time. It’s the kind of stupid shit Levi and I like to do to break things up when harvest gets to be long. Even though my junk wasn’t visible, it’s the first time I regret allowing Levi to upload it. “There may have been alcohol involved in the making of that video.”
Levi shakes Harper’s hand next. “I’m his cousin, Levi. Don’t let him bs you. This guy would be naked twenty-four seven if laws allowed. I just happened to be there to record him in his element.” Harper giggles, throwing me a flirtatious grin. Under any other circumstances, I’d be acting on it. But I’m way more interested in earning her sister’s trust.
I take a seat on the bench across from them, grateful when the hot water and bubbles hide my waning reaction to Harlow’s hug. “What are you ladies doing here?”
“Celebrating our birthday a little late,” Harlow answers, sinking back into the spot by her sister. “Our parents went to Turks and Caicos for the holidays. Originally we were supposed to go with them, but I took on a class that starts on the fifth, and Harper couldn’t get that much time off from her new job.”
“So here we are, celebr
ating Christmas all alone,” Harper says with a dramatic sigh. “At least until you guys showed up.”
I twist around to unzip our cooler, pulling a beer out. “Congrats on finally being legal. Want one?”
Harper reaches behind her to show me a cup with LEGAL AF written on the side. “Thanks, but I’m a vodka girl.”
Harlow extends her hand. “I’ll take one.”
Once Levi and I have beers in hand, we toast to their birthday. The old couple and the random other guy get out, leaving us alone with the twins.
“Guess they weren’t in the mood to party.” Levi smirks in Harper’s direction, stoking the instant attraction brewing between them. Makes me a little jealous that I don’t have that with Harlow, although she threw me a lot of cute grins the first time we met.
Harper’s pupils seem to dilate as she holds Levi’s stare. “How long are you guys here?”
“Until New Year’s. You?”
“We leave on Monday.”
Levi moves in closer to continue with a conversation too quiet to be heard over the jets. I slide in next to Harlow, the temptation to flirt intensifying once I’m within reach of her magnificent body.
“So…where are we meeting next Christmas?”
She giggles with her lips curled around the rim of her beer. “It is starting to feel like we have a standing appointment.”
“You graduate next year, right?”
“I’ll get my bachelor’s degree in the fall. Hopefully can find a job in my field right away so within a few years I can complete the FBI application process.”
Mid-mouthful of beer, I choke out, “FBI?”
“Eventually I want to become a behavioral analysts, but you need several years of investigative experience before applying.” Her eyebrows shoot upward. “You have a problem with a woman serving in the FBI, Mr. Kendall?”
I would if that woman was my girlfriend.
Twisting her lips and tapping her fingers on the aluminum can, she waits for my response. Whatever I say could either make or break any chance of dating her in the future.
“No,” I finally say. “It’s just…that shit seems dangerous for anyone.”
“It is. But I’d go through a lot of training in the academy. I’m working on getting a black belt before then. Plus, you know, they give you a gun.”
It’s admirable of her to want to go after such a complicated career, but I can’t stand the idea of her being in the line of danger.
I lift a lone eyebrow. “So…what do you two have going on the next few days?”
Her lips split with a big smile as she motions to the tub and lifts her beer. “You’re lookin’ at it.”
“If your plan is to sit here and get shit-faced, allow us to offer something a little more exciting.” I meet her smile with an excited surge in my gut. Maybe I don’t hate Christmas as much as I thought.
The next morning, we head out on snowmobiles as soon as the girls have grabbed warmer gear from the resort’s store. Turns out Harper isn’t a fan of the outdoors unless she’s offered a ride behind a guy she likes, and basically needed to buy everything. Both of the sisters are cute inside the extra helmets we rented, matching braids sticking out in back. Thankfully they’re wearing different coats so I’m able to keep track of them when we’re not riding. At this point I’m even more into Harlow than before, and hopeful something will happen between us on this trip.
Three bars in, Harlow becomes tipsy and clings to me a little more on the ride back, encouraging me to drive faster. It’s total hell on my control to have her body pressed against mine, even though there are so many layers between us that I can’t actually feel any of her curves, just her warmth.
I stuck to my one beer per stop rule, which was easy enough when hanging with Harlow. She has the kind of outgoing personality that everyone’s drawn to, earning us a crowd of new friends everywhere we go. The fact that her and Harper are both hot blondes probably didn’t hurt either.
And I swear Harlow was actually flirting with me at the last bar. She’d giggle a little harder at my jokes, and touch my arm the way women typically do when they’re into me.
We return to the resort just before dark, showering and changing for dinner. Not sure how I’m supposed to pretend Harlow isn’t drop-dead gorgeous when she shows up outside my door wearing tight jeans and a chunky gray sweater, hair in messy curls.
She barges into my room, snorting. The scent of something feminine and flowery thickens in the air, making my need for self-control ten times worse. “My sister isn’t ready yet. Could be another hour.” She stops in the center of the room and turns with her arms out. “Where’s Levi?”
“We got separate rooms. That ass snores like a chainsaw when he’s been drinking.”
With a wicked little grin, chin dipped down, she starts sauntering toward me. “You mean the two of us are all alone?” She stops a foot away, resting the palms of her hands on my chest. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re crazy handsome?” Her eyes drink me in as she becomes breathy. “It’s so hot when a guy like you can rock longer hair and a two-day shadow.”
God help me. Although the sudden flattery is unexpected, it’s the kind of moment I’ve fantasized about a time or two in the past year. I’m steely hard the moment she reaches out to stroke my jaw.
Gulping, I pull her arm down. “Harlow, you’re so fucking gorgeous I can hardly stand it. But you’ve had a lot to drink today.”
“So what?” She giggles. “Haven’t you heard? Alcohol gives you courage…and I’ve been workin’ up enough of it to kiss you since you walked up to us yesterday.” Her smile fades as she leans in, pressing her breasts into me. The promise of a hot night shines bright in her dark gaze. “Plenty of people hook up while drinking.”
Growling under my breath, I shake my head. “I don’t want to ‘hook up’ with you.”
Hurt reflects in her eyes. “You don’t?”
“No. I’d much rather take you out on a legit date. When you aren’t shit-faced.”
“You would?” Pretty little smile popping over her lips, her eyebrows quirk in surprise. For the life of me, I can’t understand why she’d be shocked a guy wants to take her out.
“Yeah, I most definitely would. Maybe before you leave, you can do the one beer per bar thing with me when we ride, and I’ll take you somewhere nice when we get back.”
“Oh my god, I’d love that.” With a little huff, she presses her face against my chest and sinks into me, wrapping her arms around my waist. “But I don’t know why you’re making me wait to kiss you. It’s not like I’m drunk. I’m just…feelin’ good. Really good now that I’m here with you.”
I wrap her in my arms and inhale her feminine scent, briefly wondering the same damn thing. “Because you’re the kind of amazing girl a guy like me can’t afford to screw things up with. And if I get a taste of your lips right now, I don’t know how I’ll stop myself from wanting more.”
“Wow…” She breaths in deeply, tightening her hold on me. “You somehow just got even hotter.”
With a chuckle, I squeeze her back before releasing her. “Now let’s go wait for the others in the lobby before I do something I’ll hate myself for later.”
The last night of their stay, I take Harlow to a new hibachi place one town over as Levi and Harper get it on in his room. During our day trip, the two of them couldn’t keep their hands off each other. I could sense it was making Harlow uncomfortable. Hard to say if it was because she regretted hitting on me the other night, or that she didn’t like the idea of her sister hooking up with my cousin. Either way, I kept her involved in the conversations with the new friends to keep her mind off them.
Over dinner, Harlow’s in a carefree and fun mood, telling me the kinds of shenanigans her and Harper would do as kids to mess with people. I share similar stories of the things James and I did, surprised by how much we have in common. Two hours later, we return to buy ice cream cones from the resort’s little candy shop, and eat them by the massive
brick fireplace in the lobby.
Once Harlow has finished her double scoop of mint, she wipes her face and grins shyly. “Thanks for dinner…and the ice cream.”
“Any time. I had a blast with you tonight.”
“Me too.” She scoots over closer, wrapping her fingers with mine. “Is this the part where you take me back to your room and give me that kiss you promised? I’ve been thinking about it all night.”
The need to claim her lips burns through my chest, making what I’m about to say suck ass even more. “I’m not taking you up to my room. The temptation to take it further would all but kill me. I’m seriously attracted to you, Harlow, but I don’t want this to be a cheap fling like what your sister and my cousin have going.”
Her eyebrows draw down. “Who said it would be a fling?”
“I’m looking at where you and I could possibly go in the long run, and it’s headed nowhere. I make a living farming land that’s over four hours from where you live. It’s part of my dad’s legacy. That’s not something I can just sell and move on to something else. And with your plans to become an FBI agent, there wouldn’t be anything for you in Blue River. That means whatever happens between us could never be anything more than a fling, and I don’t want to do that to you. You’re a good, sweet girl, and you deserve better.”
Wincing, she removes her hand from mine, averting her gaze to the crackling fire. “Wow. I can’t believe I put myself out there to a guy for once, and I’m being turned down.”
“I’d rather take the easier route and drag your beautiful ass upstairs.” My blunt fingernails dig into the palms of my hands. Of all the times I had to grow a conscience, why does this have to be the one? “You’re every guy’s dream girl, Harlow. The right one for you is out there somewhere. I’m not going to waste your time when I already know going into this I can’t be him.”
