It Started with a Kiss (McKenzie Cousins Book 12)

by Lexi Buchanan

  I desperately wanted to stay in bed for the rest of the day. Unfortunately, I’d arranged to meet Levi out at the restaurant he wants me to be part of. I’ve already decided I want in, but there is fun in watching him become impatient for my answer. Emelia’s is well known, so I know without even checking, that if Levi wants to build a restaurant here, then it will be just as successful.

  “Tell me about your aunt and uncle.”

  “Who?” I’m confused.

  “Levi’s parents?”

  “Oh!” I laugh. “Dante and Emelia are cousins to my dad. It’s just easier calling Levi a cousin.” I glance at her and notice I have her full attention, so I add, “Dante was a priest and Emelia, his stepsister.”

  “What?” She laughs. “That’s crazy.”

  “Yes! Love in purgatory.” I grin. “You’ll have to ask Levi his parents’ story. He’ll tell you.”

  “I can’t get my head around it.” She settles with her head on the seat, but her eyes are all over me. “Does your family have any other crazy stories?”

  “Hmm, you mean like my kissing cousins?”

  She sits up straighter and then laughs. “You’re talking about Alexander and Rachel, right?”

  “I forgot, you know, Alexander.”

  “Not really. My sister is friends with him, that’s how I ended up being there that New Year. I hadn’t wanted to go, but my sister bribed me. I’m glad I ended up where I did.”

  “Me too.” I squeeze her hand. “What did your sister bribe you with?”

  Glancing over to her, I catch a soft smile on her lips. “Handmade macaroons—passionfruit. She makes the best. Whenever I tried, they’d look like burnt blobs. Rina has so much patience when cooking, whereas I want the food ready in minutes.”

  “My sister, Sofia, is a baker. It’s all she’s wanted since she was old enough to walk.” I smile. “Her husband Shane reaps the benefits, although he spends time in their home gym so he can keep on doing so.”

  “I remember Sofia.”

  “I think Levi wants her to have some input into the dessert menu. Maybe come in and make them up on the weekends.” I shrug. “He runs Emelia’s with his sister in Essex over in Vermont. It’s been around more than twenty-five years.”

  “How amazing is that?”

  “I know, right?” Turning the truck along the dust track leading to the old barn and land that Levi has already purchased, I turn the engine off and sit staring at the site. “Until Levi turned up asking me to go in with him, I’d never given thought to a venture outside of Kenza.”

  “Would you be able to manage it with Kenza?”

  “That’s something we’d need to discuss, although I have a feeling Levi is really talking about me being a silent partner.” Jumping down from the truck, I run around and open the door.

  “My lady.” Reaching into the cab, I grasp her hips and haul her into my arms. “Let me show you around and you can give me your thoughts.”

  “Really?” she asks, surprised.

  “I need advice as to the feasibility of going in with my cousin.” I kiss the tip of her nose and taking her hand, tug her toward the barn. “I’m sold on the venture. The idea excites me. Your opinion matters to me. So yes, I want to hear your true thoughts.”

  Perking up and grinning, she says, “Then lead the way,” running off in front of me.

  My eyes stray to her silky legs in a pair of my shorts that hang loosely on her. A safety pin holds them up and knowing she’s naked beneath my clothing is driving me crazy. As she bounces in excitement, her magnificent tits jiggle under the thin white t-shirt she has knotted at the waist. Just the thought of one jiggling tit, in particular, has me hard as a rock. The silver piercing is so fucking hot that I can’t get enough. Who knew I’d be such a goner for a pierced nipple?

  “Your eyes are burning a hole in my chest,” Gretchen whispers, casting her eyes around us before she smirks.

  I narrow my eyes, wondering what the hell she’s up to…seconds later, I bite my tongue at the sight of her hands cupping her breasts. Her fingers and thumbs work the hard buds of her nipples until I notice her thighs rubbing together.

  It’s painful to walk with my cock trapped in my jeans, but the need to have my hands on her drives me forward.

  She reaches for me as I reach for her. “What the fuck have you done to me?” I groan, shoving us through into the barn. “All I want is you naked in my arms.”

  Chuckling, Gretchen runs her hands through my hair. “All you want is to play with my nipple ring.”

  “You know me already.” I shove the t-shirt up and clamp my mouth around the arousing flesh. “Never seen anything as sexy.” Cupping the breast in my hand, I hold it to my mouth while I play with the other.

  She hooks a leg over my hip and starts rubbing her sweet pussy on my dick, driving me nuts. It’s the strong urge to come that finally slows me down. I gentle the suction on her tit while I slip a hand behind her back and caress along her spine. Kissing the tight nipple, I press butterfly kisses over her chest and up along her neck to her waiting lips. “You are so beautiful,” I whisper, brushing my lips over hers. “And, as much as I want to fuck you in here, I’m not going to. However, when we’re back at the apartment, I am going to make love to you.”

  “You make my legs weak.” She grins. “Other parts of my body react to you as well.”

  Chuckling, I admit, “You make one particular part of my body ache.”

  “Tell me more,” the minx teases.

  I pinch her bottom and quickly move out of reach. “I’ll show you a lot more when we get back to Kenza.”

  Her smile suddenly slips as she meets my gaze.

  “What just happened?” I ask.

  She swallows hard. “What are we doing, Ryan?”

  My legs eat up the distance between us and reaching out, I draw her closer and gently cup her face. I take a moment to think because her question surprised me. What are we doing? What do I want to happen between us is what she really wants to know? Searching her gaze, I smile and leaning forward, press a soft kiss to her lips. “We are doing what we’ve both wanted for years—each other.” I laugh realizing how my words sound as Gretchen’s eyes fill with amusement.

  “Well, we’re certainly doing each other,” she mumbles.

  Coughing to hide a laugh, I say, “Honestly Gretchen, I’m taking this thing—whatever it is—between us, one day at a time. One thing I do know is that I want you to be my girlfriend.” I grin like a loon. “I’ve never had a girlfriend before, but I want that with you more than anything. Just you, Gretchen.”

  Tears appear on her lids, which she blinks away. “Good.” Throwing herself into my arms, I hold her tight and then hear her giggle. “Now that’s sorted,” she backs away. “Tell me what plans there are for this barn.”

  Nine

  Gretchen

  I could listen to Ryan talking all day. His voice is strong and deep and such a turn on. He is well aware that I’m hanging on to every word he speaks. The cocky smirk on his lips tells me he knows exactly what his voice is doing to me, and he’s enjoying it. His phone chooses this moment to ring and with a glance at the screen, he says, “I need to take this.” He blows me a kiss and heads outside.

  He brought to life for me how the barn will look once it’s been converted into a restaurant. I imagine the entrance side of the barn all in dark glass, fairy lights sparkling in the night to lead guests inside where they’ll receive a warm welcome. Tables in dark wood with burgundy and white tablecloths. A small vase with fresh flowers on the center of the table. Soft music playing throughout the evening, a small dance floor to one side.

  Swaying to imaginary music, I smile and let out a contented sigh when Ryan pulls me into his arms and carries me along to the music in my head. I smile in delight.

  “My brother, Jaxon, is getting married this weekend. Will you be my date?”

  Butterflies flutter in my belly. “Really? You want me to be your date at a family wedding?”


  “Yes.” He kisses my forehead. “I want you with me.”

  “Then, yes, I’ll be your date.” Grinning, I add, “It gives me an excuse to go shopping.”

  “I’ll come with you.”

  Raising a brow, I laugh. “You like to shop.”

  He winces. “No. I hate it. But if you’re going to be trying on clothes, then I’m sure the store assistant won’t mind if I help you. It’ll be fun.”

  “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

  He burst out laughing. “Hey, I’ve never done it in a store before.”

  And just like that, I want him again. I rub my thighs together and enjoy him watching me. “I can still feel you inside of me from last night. You’re really big.”

  He cups himself and groans. “I’m more than willing to spend the day playing with you,” he raises a brow and licks his lips as his eyes linger on my chest.

  I back away and tease, “I never thought my piercing would turn you on so much.”

  “It’s attached to you and your perfect set of tits, so how else do you think I’m going to react?”

  Heat blooms on my cheeks as the wicked man stalks me like his prey. I guess that’s what he’s been to me these past few days of wanting him to make a move toward me in Kenza—prey.

  “Have I told you how delicious you look in my clothes?”

  “A few times.”

  He reaches out and grabs my wrist, hauling me in close to his warm body. I wrap my arms around his neck as he holds me close. “You are so unexpected,” he breathes the words against my lips. “But I want to keep you.”

  I’m sure my smile lights up my whole face. “I don’t mind you keeping me.”

  “Good. I want to show you the view from the back, and then we’ll swing by your hotel and get you packed up.” He caresses along my jaw with the tips of his fingers before rubbing them over my lips. “I’ve never wanted anyone to call my own, until I saw you.”

  Sliding my fingers into his short hair, I massage his scalp as I pull myself closer to capture his lips. The kiss is supposed to be short and sweet. It ends up hot and erotic. He kisses me until I get dizzy with the need for air, and even then, I have time for a quick inhale, and then he’s on me again. My breasts swell and tingle, there is an ache inside of me, throbbing for more. His erection presses against my belly, every solid inch of him. He doesn’t let me up for air until the sound of a car door slamming penetrates the fog.

  “We have company,” he pants, his hands trembling as he puts me away from him. “Give me a minute.” He lets out a shuddering breath and makes sure his t-shirt covers his groin.

  I smirk. “You’re good to go.”

  “I may be, but your nipples are beacons.” He chuckles as I glance down.

  He isn’t joking either. You can even make out the piercing.

  “I should have given you something else to wear.” Frowning, he continues to stare and only moves his eyes up to my face when the door behind me opens. “It’s Levi.”

  Ryan wraps an arm around my shoulders. “Levi, meet my girlfriend, Gretchen. Gretchen, my cousin, Levi.” He squeezes my shoulders before taking my hand. “I’m going to show Gretchen the view from the back.”

  “Is that what you’re calling it now, huh?” Levi laughs. “I forgot to take pictures and Emma is bugging the shit out of me to send her some.” He winces. “Emma’s my sister,” he adds for my benefit, lifting his phone and snapping a picture of Ryan and me. “She’ll want one of you two as well.”

  Ryan shakes his head and leads me outside, where I find myself mesmerized with the view. Fields and fields of sunflowers go on for miles in front of my eyes. Rolling hills are just full of yellow flowers. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful before.

  “I bet you didn’t know these were out here, huh?” Ryan slips behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist, drops his chin onto my shoulder. “This, right here, is what made my decision to go in with Levi a no brainer.” He sighs. “I was most of the way there once I heard his idea, but seeing this, my decision was made. This side of the barn is the one to be opened up. Imagine dining during the day or early evening with that view, and once it’s dark, the moonlight will be overhead.”

  “It sounds amazing, Ryan.”

  “We’ll have to have some sort of glass over the outside dining area to keep the bugs out. However, it’s going to look good…and I’m going to have you on my arm when we open.” He kisses my cheek.

  I turn my face toward Ryan and reaching for his face, I cup his whiskered cheek as I lift my lips to his. “I’d like that a lot.”

  “Hmm, me too.” He moves his lips in sync with mine, tightening his grip on me as our kiss grows hotter.

  “I hate to interrupt,” Levi drawls.

  We slowly break from the kiss and Ryan kisses the tip of my nose before replying, “Don’t you have anything better to do.” He laughs.

  “No. What are cousins for but busting your balls?” Ryan winces. “At least stop with the touching and everything.” He waves his hands around. “It’s damn frustrating.”

  “Hang out at Kenza a bit longer and I’m sure you’ll get hooked up.”

  “Maybe, I will.” Levi glances between us. “I’m heading back into town.”

  “Join us for lunch first,” Ryan invites. “I promise we’ll keep our body parts covered.”

  “Jeez, thanks!” He shakes his head. “I’ll meet you at the Italian down the road.”

  “We can do what I promised, right?” Ryan whispers, his lips trailing down my neck.

  “I’m not dressed for a restaurant.”

  “There’s a small boutique next to the restaurant. We’ll get you a dress.” He kisses along my jawline. “And a pair of shoes that fit you.”

  “The red shoes I wore last night fit me.”

  “Those shoes are ‘fuck me’ shoes, and no way are you strutting around in them today. I’m having a hard enough time not taking you back to my apartment and spending all day between those beautiful legs of yours.”

  Clearing my throat, I move out of his arms and take his hand. “As much as I’d love that, I’m not sure my little pussy could take your penis over and over again in one day.”

  My words have the desired effect, and his mouth falls open before snapping closed. I grin as he walks me back to his truck. Every step he takes is one of frustration. He even limps once or twice. It feels good and fills me with excitement, knowing he reacts to me in this way.

  At the truck, he lifts me inside and gives me a pointed look.

  I smirk in return.

  “You know,” he grabs his erection and after some wrangling gets the large bulge to lie against his groin, “I think I was in high school the last time I had blue balls.”

  Giggling, I add, “It will be good for you to wait.”

  “Easy for you to say,” he grouches.

  I kick the too-big chucks from my feet and curl into the seat, spreading my knees in a way to tease.

  Ryan’s eyes go straight between my legs as a curse leaves his mouth.

  “Drive, Ryan.” I love teasing this man, and the way he reacts to me is all the confidence I need to sit in this way.

  “Close your legs,” he hisses, forcing his eyes to the road as he turns the truck and points it in the direction of the restaurant.

  “Why?”

  He doesn’t answer until he comes to a stop at the lights, and then he slowly turns his face toward mine. His eyes narrow and drift downwards. “Because”—he inhales and slowly exhales—“my dick is hard as fuck with you sitting there, showing me your wet pussy.” He licks his lips and continues, “Your little pink clit is swollen. All I want to do is pull over to the side of the road and shove my face between your legs.”

  “Oh!” I finally do as he asks and close my legs, but only because I need to ease the ache that is building. I rub them together and give a little moan, which has Ryan cursing.

  “You win,” he hisses.

  He slides a hand u
p the leg of the shorts. I whimper and slide further down in the seat to give him better access.

  Ten

  Ryan

  “Another one bites the dust,” Rob laughs, making up a couple of cocktails while I pull a glass of beer.

  I give him a sidelong glance and feel myself smiling when I focus on Gretchen. She’s sitting at the bar with Levi for company, while I’m helping Rob, and the two other servers this evening. I couldn’t be happier. Her smile alone is enough to set me up for the day, in more ways than one.

  Coughing to hide another laugh, he says, “I’m curious, though.” He pauses, composing himself, “If you’re wearing multiple condoms at the same time, do you feel anything?”

  I go still and watch him trying not to bust a gut laughing. “Haha, very funny.”

  “I thought so.”

  I roll my eyes. “You’re still okay for Jaxon’s bachelor party tomorrow night, right?”

  “Before you closed Kenza to the public, I was on shift, so it’s all good. Besides, I’m curious as to what your uncle Sebastian has planned.”

  “God, don’t remind me.”

  Rob laughs. “You haven’t said what the girls are getting up to.”

  “They’re not. Poppy is asleep by seven each evening, so they’re going to do something once she’s had the baby.”

  “Ah, okay.” Rob moves along, serving drinks.

  Thinking back to the condom remark, I cringe because those words had left my mouth. I mean, when you have a sister and cousins popping out babies, it’s scary shit, especially when at the time of the remark I was still a carefree bachelor.

  Rapidly blinking, I find a stacked blonde leaning on the bar toward me. “You’ve been staring at me.”

  I frown.

  Have I?

  “Sorry to burst your bubble, but I was thinking about something else.” I smile. “What can I get you?”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to play?” She pushes her boobs together and I’m happy to know the move does nothing for me.