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She stepped onto the sidewalk and noticed the tree in the backyard still had her and Joslyn’s swing. The rope had been changed and the seat was not the same, but she couldn’t help but smile, seeing it was still there. She hoped another kid had many wonderful memories of swinging on that tree.
The slight breeze brushed across her as Porter stepped in behind her, wrapping his arms around her. “That swing is special to you?”
She leaned against him, embracing his strong hold. “Many good memories happened there.”
His arms dropped and he immediately began approaching the front of the house. Taking a step forward to stop him, she called, “What are you doing?”
“Important things,” Porter replied, dodging her.
A second later, he reached the door and knocked. The door opened to an elderly woman wearing a flowered dress and apron. Kenzie saw them exchange words, but she couldn’t hear what was said. All she could do was stand there and frown at Porter, wondering what he was up to. Then she noticed the woman looked at Kenzie and smiled, giving a nod.
The door closed and then Porter returned to Kenzie, offering his hand. “Come.”
Her hand shook as she accepted his, but her trembling settled a bit as he led her into the backyard. The moment they reached the swing her heart fluttered. Porter grabbed the swing and said, “On you go, kitten.”
Unable to stop herself, she laughed, sitting down on the seat and gripping the rope. Porter gave her a giant push and the hot Vegas air brushed across her face, fluttering her hair. For a long time he stayed silent, and Kenzie’s soul warmed, feeling like that little girl she’d once been when Joslyn had pushed her.
When he finally broke the silence, his voice was soft. “I see why you like this. It’s oddly relaxing.”
Her stomach dipped as he pushed harder, sending her higher, then she looked back to him. Surprisingly, her thoughts went straight to having children and how incredible a father Porter would be. Images of him doing just this with his little girl flooded her mind. “Thanks for bringing me here.”
His smile stopped the world from moving. “I’m happy to experience it with you.”
She scanned over the backyard, remembering all the times they had picnics out here. Mom never had a lot of money, but Porter was right, she did her absolute best with the situation she’d been given. Kenzie wondered now if maybe Mom had met someone like Porter, things might have been different for them all.
Her mother had no one for a very long time. Not that Kenzie thought a woman needed a man, but somehow sharing one’s life with someone did make things easier. Definitely a lot less lonely. Mom must have felt so alone.
Emotion welled in her chest as Kenzie dragged her feet against the grass, coming to a stop. Tears formed in her eyes as Porter came in front of her, grabbing the swing and placing his legs around hers. She glanced around the backyard, suddenly struck with the realization that things weren’t really all that bad anymore. She had thought if she came back to the house that created so many haunting memories, she’d be destroyed, but that wasn’t the case…Only happiness existed now.
She angled her head back, regarding Porter’s eyes, which held a soul so kind and giving. So full of life. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re kind of perfect?”
His head dipped, his potent eyes reaching right down into the depths of her soul. “Someone just did.” He pressed his lips so gently against hers, then whispered across her mouth, “And you are the only someone that matters.”
For Kennedy Layne, Shayla Black, Carrie Ann Ryan, Lexi Blake, Carly Phillips, Jenna Jacobs, Mari Carr, and Angela Payne. Thanks for being the best writing buddies a girl could ever ask for!
Acknowledgments
To my readers, thank you for your continuing support of the Club Sin series. It means the world to me.
Sue Grimshaw, it’s hard to believe we’re nearing the end of the Club Sin series. Can’t wait to see what our next adventure together brings.
My agent, Jessica Alvarez, thanks for being your fabulous self.
Lea Griffith, who always takes time out of her busy schedule to critique me, thank you.
Gina Gordon, who’s always there for me whenever I need her to be, I love you, girl.
To everyone at Random House, thanks for all that you do.
BY STACEY KENNEDY
Club Sin
Claimed
Bared
Desired
