It Started with a Kiss (McKenzie Cousins Book 12)

by Lexi Buchanan

  “I need your help in the shower,” I suggest while kicking my shoes off. I struggle with coordination, so Gretchen knocks my hands away from my zipper.

  “If you’re meaning what I think you are, then I’ll be very surprised if you get hard with how much alcohol you’ve consumed.”

  Naked as the day I was born, I allow Gretchen to shove me into the shower. I cup my balls and dick, and smirk as she watches me stroking myself. “If I prove you wrong and get hard, you have to get on your knees and suck me off.”

  She narrows her gaze. “Okay.” Tossing her clothing off, she stands and watches my flaccid cock swell with arousal while I jerk off watching her play with the pierced nipple. I wince, knowing there is no way in hell I’m going to admit I’ve told Rob about it. What the fuck possessed me to blurt that out?

  All thoughts fly out of mind when Gretchen knocks my hand away. “I can take it from here,” she mumbles, pressing her lips to the head of my erection. Her hands slide over my thighs to land on my ass, which she caresses before holding me still.

  My eyes roll and I hiss as she takes every fucking inch of me into her mouth and down the back of her throat. The sight of her on her knees with my flesh disappearing into the heat of her mouth is fucking hot. I cup her face in my hands and hold her gaze when she locks eyes with me. “I’m going to come, Gretchen.”

  She slowly releases me. “That’s the intention, Ryan.” Her mouth encloses me again, only this time, she swallows.

  Oh! Fucking hell!

  My vision blurs as my release is sucked out of my body. It’s fast and dirty and the more I watch Gretchen’s mouth work, the more I squirt inside her. She doesn’t give a shit either because once I’ve stopped coming, she very slowly licks me, and pulling back, lets me slip from between her swollen lips. She pinches my ass, moving away, but as I start to slide down the wall, she grabs me. “Oh, no you don’t. I need you to help me get you to bed. I can’t do it if you pass out on the shower floor.”

  “I want you to sit on my face.”

  Her eyes heat. “I’m not taking advantage of you while you’re drunk.” She hiccups a laugh. “Actually, I think I just did take advantage of you.”

  “Honey, you can take advantage of me any time you want.” I smirk. “Besides, I’m fairly sure I only managed to get hard while laced with liquor because you said my junk wasn’t working. I had to prove you wrong.” I grin like the sated fool I am. “I also think having you standing naked in front of me helped.”

  “Duh, of course, it did.” Wrapping us both in towels, she says, “I hope you remember this in the morning, otherwise, I’ll have to do a repeat so you can remember it.” She smacks me on the ass as I follow her toward the bed.

  She gets under the covers and before I fall asleep with her wrapped in my arms, I whisper, “I think I have amnesia.”

  Thirteen

  Gretchen

  Ryan’s brother, Jaxon, is getting married in an hour, that is if he doesn’t pass out. Jaxon has been trying to hold it together. However, having his brother and male cousins ribbing him about being tied down isn’t helping the poor guy.

  “It’s a family tradition to get to the groom,” Sofia, Ryan’s sister says. “They’ll have a bet going as to who will make him crack first.” She rolls her eyes. “I dread to think what would happen if the teasing worked on getting the groom to run…Idiots!”

  “I’m not from a large family, so I like watching how close everyone is.”

  “We are close. Would you believe everyone here is immediate family? Poppy only has a brother present and he is walking her down the aisle. So, this is all the McKenzie’s.” She grins. “Well, technically, I’m a Fletcher now, but you get what I mean, right?”

  “I do.”

  Nerves flutter in my belly as I look around at the gathering at the home of Ryan’s aunt and uncle, Lily and Michael. They have a horse training center on their property, which is managed by someone else now that Lily and Michael are enjoying their retirement. From what Ryan told me though, it sounds like his uncle Michael is still heavily involved.

  “I’ve hidden for long enough.” Sofia winces. “Elias, the son of my cousin, Sirena, is the page boy and he is the devil.” She picks up her dress, which looks fantastic on her. “Excuse me, Gretchen. We’ll talk later because I want all the details about you and my brother.” She pauses. “You can leave the naked bits out.” Laughing at herself, she moves through her family on the large patio and disappears from view.

  Overwhelmed being the odd one out in such a large family gathering, I let out a massive sigh of relief when Levi joins me.

  “How’s Ryan this morning?”

  I feel a blush rush into my cheeks and Levi chuckles. “I take it he’s fine?”

  “Very.”

  “That’s enough of that.” He shudders. “I promised Ryan I’d keep you company, so no need to look like a scared kitten.”

  “I’m so out of my depth here.”

  “Me too.”

  Startled, my eyes jump to his. “How? I thought they’re your family.”

  “My mum and dad are cousins to Ruben and his brothers, right?”

  I nod.

  “We haven’t hung out for maybe ten years. The only person I have spent time with over the years is Ryan. I’m still family and in town, so I got an invite.” He shrugs. “It’s nice seeing everyone, but it makes me anxious to be around them.” He drains the glass of champagne, helping himself to another as the waiter passes. “As we’re the two strangers here, how about we sit together as Ryan has other things to do?”

  “I’d love that.”

  He busts out laughing. “Don’t let Ryan know you’re relieved to have me for company.” Holding his arm out, I slide mine through and let him lead us to seats on the back row. “Oh,” he mumbles as I sit, “I should have asked if you wanted to sit back here or up there.”

  “I’m fine here.” I pat the seat beside me. “You can tell me who everyone is as they take their seats, and, maybe, I’ll remember.”

  “Yeah, good luck with that.”

  I nudge into his shoulder. “You have nothing better to do, so humor me, please.”

  “I love a girl who begs.” He wiggles his brows suggestively.

  Rolling my eyes, I remind, “Who’s who?”

  “If you’re not willing to play, then I guess I can do that.” He glances around. “So, who do you know?”

  “Lily and Michael. Alexander, of course, and his wife, Rachel. Her sister, Paige, and her husband, Seth. Jaxon and Poppy. I was doing my masters while they were at college together. I’ve met Ryan’s mom and dad today, along with Sofia and her husband, Shane. Some of the others I do recognize, but it’s been a long time.”

  “Okay, then! At your two o’clock is Ramon and his husband, Noah; adoptive fathers to Paige and Rachel. Then we have near the oak tree, Lily and Michael’s offspring. Michael Jnr, his wife, Brooke. Michael’s twin, Charlotte and her husband, Tanner. Their sister, Sirena, who is married to Garrett…I hope you’re following?”

  “I think so.”

  “Talking to Lily is the youngest, Joshua and his wife, Mallory. Just arrived is Lucian and his wife, Sabrina. Of course, you know their son, Alexander—” Levi waves his hand in the air. “And then their daughter, Olivia, and her husband, Geary.” He pauses. “I’m going to need a refill when I’ve finished.”

  “I’ll get you one.”

  “Last of all, we have Sebastian and his wife, Carla. Their son, Dylan, who went to Ireland for Christmas and came back with a girlfriend, Jenna. Madison is a few years older and is married to Derek, father of Tanner and best friend of Garrett. Confusing as fuck, but they’re family.”

  I laugh, wanting to know their story because both Garrett and Derek are much older than their wives. There are probably a lot of stories to be told and I can’t wait for Ryan to tell me. I’m not going to remember their names either—too many of them for that.

  “Levi,” a male voice rumbles behind him, “nic
e seeing you here.”

  “Uncle Eric.” Levi jumps up and hugs the man. “I’m coming around for you, Aunt Sylvia.” He slips in front of me and takes his aunt off her feet.

  “Put my wife down,” Eric says.

  Laughing, Levi stares at the man behind the couple. “Well, fuck! Ryker, what the hell are you doing on this side of the Atlantic?”

  “On my way home for Valentina’s graduation. I can’t believe my little sister is old enough to be going to college.”

  “Hell, I forgot about that. Don’t tell her I said so. I’ll be there.”

  Ryker’s eyes drift over me, which Levi notices. He takes me by the hand and tugs me into his side. “My uncle Eric and aunt Sylvia.” He points to Ryker, “My cousin, Ryker, son of Eric’s brother, Aiden and his wife, Sarah. This is Ryan’s girl, Gretchen.”

  “Hmm.” His uncle Eric gives him a look before shaking my hand.

  “Trust me, Ryan is my boyfriend. Levi had his tongue down a girls’ mouth last night.” I cringe as the stupid words tumble from my mouth.

  Ryker bursts out laughing as his eyes fill with amusement.

  Levi slams a hand over my mouth. “My sensitive Aunt doesn’t need to hear that.”

  “Your sensitive Aunt has heard a lot worse than that,” Sylvia says with a teasing smirk on her face as she eyes her husband.

  “I bet,” Levi hisses under his breath. “Join us.”

  They take their seats beside us, and Levi asks, not so politely, “I know why Ryker is here, but why are you?”

  I choke on a sip of champagne and laugh. “Sorry,” I chuckle.

  “We’re used to him,” Eric says. “Sylvia held McKenzie Holdings together once upon a time.”

  “A long time ago,” Sylvia sighs, whimsically. “That’s how I met Eric.”

  “The best thing that ever happened to me,” Eric adds.

  “You didn’t think so at the time,” Sylvia counters.

  “I didn’t know what the hell to do with you.”

  “You sure figured that out quickly.”

  “Oh, God! Please stop.” Levi shudders.

  “I forgot how good it is to be around family.” Ryker grins.

  Eric gives him a long look. “You need to come home more often.”

  “You sound like my mom, although Valentina is the worse. I can’t talk to her without her asking when I’m coming home.” Ryker looks pained as though he wants to be home but can’t for some reason.

  Sylvia changes the subject. “So, Levi, you’re opening a business with Ryan, huh?”

  “We used to talk about it as kids.” Levi shrugs. “And now it’s going to become a reality. I can’t wait.”

  “From what we’ve heard, Emma is excited to be involved and can’t wait for a trip to Lexington.”

  Sylvia is quite lovely and delicate. However, I have a feeling nothing gets past her. Her husband positively adores her as he keeps his arm around her shoulders with her pressed into his side.

  “I’ve sent her a ton of photographs, but somehow I get the feeling I haven’t sent enough.” Levi shakes his head. “She’s not going to settle until I get back to Essex so she can come up here and see for herself.”

  Distracted, Levi stares off over my left shoulder. “Ryan’s grandma and grandpa have just arrived.” He drops his mouth to my ear. “Pippa and Elias are in their nineties and live in an assisted living facility a few miles from here.”

  I watch as Lucien and Sebastian, push their parents’ wheelchairs to the front, so they get the best view. Watching them, and how their family greets them with so much love on their faces, is beautiful, making my eyes water.

  “Married seventy-three years,” Sylvia whispers.

  Levi adds. “Ryan will introduce you later. He’ll kill me if I do it.”

  “That’s fine.” I sniffle and offer Sylvia a watery smile when she passes me a tissue.

  “I never attend weddings or family events without tissues.” Sylvia dabs at her eyes. “I’ve discovered from day one that brothers never grow up.” She chuckles. “They’re fine apart, but together, well, they get downright entertaining.”

  “That’s true,” Levi says. “My mom is worse. When she’s with her twin brother, Diego, they’re so funny. Mom tends to get embarrassing because she knows Diego will cringe. It’s gotten worse as we’ve gotten older and understand more about what she’s actually talking about.” He shudders, straightening in his seat. “She’s my mother, so it’s not right.”

  I bust out laughing. “You mean she talks about sex?”

  I catch Ryker cringe as Levi shudders and says, “The wedding is about to start.” He nods toward the front.

  I’ve been distracted and find Ryan standing at the front beside his brother, glaring at Levi. I chance a glance at Levi and he’s grinning like an idiot.

  Rolling my eyes, I wait until I have Ryan’s gaze and blow him a kiss, following it with a very slow lick of my lips. His eyes don’t move from my tongue until I watch him straighten his jacket.

  I hear Levi chuckling beside me, but I ignore him because if I don’t, I’ll be blushing like crazy. At least I got Ryan’s mind off of his cousin, though.

  However, I’m then distracted as Poppy slowly makes her way up the flower-lined aisle, accompanied by who I presume is her brother. She is glowing as her eyes stay on the groom, anxiously waiting for her.

  Poppy’s dress of white silk shimmers over her pregnant belly. She looks stunning and so happy. Jaxon takes one of her hands into his, and the other he places on her stomach. Even from where I’m sitting, I can feel the heat between the two of them.

  The rest of the wedding ceremony is a blur and seems to go fast, and before too long, they are pronounced, man and wife. Cheers go up as we all get to our feet. Ryan sneaks a kiss as he walks past, holding the page boy’s hand—must be his nephew, Elias. He must have been bribed with something because he appears to be on his best behavior. Nothing like the little devil, Sofia had mentioned.

  Not long after, I find myself hiding inside the balcony doorway because I don’t want to be in the way of the family photographs, but I want to watch. It’s also nice being out of the sun, which I find uncomfortable for any length of time.

  “Who’s the chick?” I overhear in a male voice. “She looks familiar.”

  “Gretchen, she’s friends with Alexander,” replies Ryan.

  I hear the confusion in the other man’s voice, as he asks, “Why would Alex bring someone else to the wedding?”

  “You’re an idiot, Dylan. She’s with me.”

  Dylan laughs. “You brought a date to your brother’s wedding? I mean, she is a date, right? Not just a fuck buddy?”

  A frown appears across my brow as the tone of the conversation changes and I’m not sure I like the way it’s going nor do I think I want to hear whatever else is said.

  “Get off my back,” Ryan hisses.

  “You really like her, huh? That’s new.”

  “Yes.”

  “She knows you don’t want kids or to get married, right? Have you told her that? Or, have you changed your mind?” Why is Dylan saying these things?

  “I haven’t changed my mind,” Ryan replies. “It’s nothing serious. We’re just having some mutually satisfying fun. So, shut the fuck up.”

  I don’t hear what follows because blood is rushing through my ears at the overwhelming sadness, I feel at hearing those words leave Ryan’s mouth. Nothing serious. Mutual satisfying fun.

  After everything we have done and said, I expected so much more from Ryan. I never expected to hear him refer to me in those words. Never. I’ve given him my heart while he was having fun.

  Wanting to run away and hide, I turn quickly and smack into a hard, male body. I look up through watery eyes and find Ryker. He glances behind me to the goings on outside before he turns his gaze on me.

  “I heard them too, Gretchen,” he says softly.

  My heart sinks at the humiliation running through me.

  “I’ve
seen the way Ryan looks at you. He was probably being defensive at the questions from his cousin.”

  “Maybe.” I swallow around the lump in my throat. “If you’ll excuse me.” I dash out of the room.

  Fourteen

  Ryan

  There is something wrong with Gretchen. She says she is fine when I know she isn’t. A woman answering ‘fine’ means there is something wrong and she’s either upset or pissed. I’m not sure which. With it being my brother getting married, I have things to do, which has meant me leaving her alone or with Levi. I’ve wanted her by my side, but that hasn’t worked out too well.

  She has said all the right things, but her eyes look dull. I’m used to seeing them alight with happiness and pleasure.

  I watch her now across the room. She’s sitting next to Levi and my cousin’s. Dylan and his girlfriend, Jenna. Alexander and Rachel. Paige and Seth. They take up the eight seats around the table. The conversation includes Gretchen and she appears to be actively involved, but something about her has my belly in knots. Once or twice, I catch Levi giving her an odd look, as though he too realizes something is wrong.

  Being the best man means I have to sit with the wedding party, and as much as I want to go over and check on Gretchen, I do nothing. Today is about my brother and Poppy. It’s annoying that I’m now distracted with her instead of concentrating on the family.

  Lost in thought, my sister, Sofia, leans her head on my shoulder. “I never thought I’d see the day when you lost it over a girl.”

  I snort. “Who says I’ve lost it?”

  “You haven’t taken your eyes from her since we sat down.” She takes a sip of her lemon water. “She looks just as miserable as you do.”

  I perk up in my seat. I wonder if that’s why she looks upset. “You really think so?”

  Turning to look at Sofia, she frowns on meeting my gaze. “Okay, tell me you haven’t blown it? That girl is in love with you. What did you do?”

  “I. What? I haven’t done anything. You know I’ve been busy with Jaxon before the wedding, and I only had five minutes with Gretchen before the photographs. There hasn’t been time for me to screw up.”