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“I’m yours.” God those words feelgood. “I’m all yours, Rowan.”
“You’re damn right you are.” He drops his lips to mine, smearing what remains of my red lipstick. I know thatthisis where I’m meant to be. In Rowan’s bed. In Rowan’s life. The wine has started to make me tired, which is why I promise myself that tomorrow I’ll tell him everything—that I’m staying. That I am hopelessly in love with him. “Sleep, Kin,” he murmurs, pulling me into the curve of his body. “I’ll keep you safe.”
CHAPTER16
Rowan
“These apple fritters are amazing.” Kinley bites into one, moaning in delight. The sound alone tempts me to take the truck down a deserted road so I can find other ways to draw that sexy sound from her sweet throat. I should be sated from all the sex we’ve had since late last night, but with Kinley Gray, I don’t think it’ll ever be enough.
“You keep eating them, we won’t have any left for everyone else.”
“It’s the last one, I swear.” Her tongue darts out, licking icing off the corner of her mouth. I damn near crash the truck into a ditch.
When Grandma Dottie called earlier this morning and insisted I come to a family dinner at Dad’s place tonight, I balked hard. The last place I want to spend a day off is around my dad and brother when all anyone in town can talk about is how excited they are that Cassius is finally home. Then Kinley came up behind me, wrapped her arms around my waist, and pressed a kiss into my back. I felt all the tension fade.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been out here,” Kinley says as we pull into the winding driveway. Halfway up the hill, I stop to enter the gate code and wait for the iron bars to part. A grand log cabin stands proudly on a hill, almost as though it’s looking down at us.
“Same.”
“Really?”
“I try to avoid my dad as much as possible.” Like working from a trailer instead of from the headquarters building. It’s harder for his criticism to chip away at me if he’s not around. The sting isn’t quite as harsh via email as it would be in person. “I never really liked this house much.”
Kinley reaches for my hand and squeezes, not having to ask why. She’s my best friend. She knows that the obnoxiously large log cabin was built after my mother passed. After dad remarried a woman hardly two years older than me. There’s nothing in this huge monstrosity that pays tribute to Mom, aside from a single guest room. Not a damn thing becauseReenawon’t allow it.
When I park the truck, Kinley unclips her seatbelt and leans over the center console, pressing her lips to my neck. “We’ll get through this together,” she promises. I cup her cheek, dragging her mouth to mine. Stealing a few more kisses than we really have time for. We’re already running late.
Kinley drops back into her seat and reaches for her purse. My cock twitches as I watch her apply bright red lipstick. “When we get home,” she says, puckering into the visor mirror, “I’ll mess up my lipstick.” She puts the visor up and looks at me as she pushes her door open. “On your cock.”
I’m left panting as she’s halfway to the front door, a container of apple fritters in her arms. If it weren’t for Grandma Dottie and Sophia, I’d say these delectable desserts are about to be wasted on people who won’t even appreciate them. I catch up to Kinley as the front door bursts open.
“You’re here!” Grandma Dottie throws her arms around me in a tight hug. If she’s struggling to be in a house that has no trace of her only daughter, she isn’t showing it. “Come, come. Appetizers are just about to be served.” She catches sight of the container in Kinley’s grasp. “Are those apple fritters?”
“Rowan made them last night,” Kinley answers, flashing me a flirty smile as Grandma Dottie loops an arm through hers and leads us down the main corridor. I pretend not to notice the new bear skin rug or mounted bull moose head on the opposite wall. Reminders that Dad and Cas never invited me to be part of their private hunting club. “He’s been holding out on me, Dottie. That man knows his way around more than a diner kitchen.”
“Judging by the lipstick smudge on his neck, I’d say you’re right.”
“Dottie!” Kinley gasps as I cringe and accept the tissue Kin quickly gives me. Having Grandma Dottie call out my sex life is moderately humiliating but I’m grateful for the heads up. Last thing I want is to endure my older brother’s smugness.
“Don’t look so scandalized. I was your age once.” Grandma Dottie leads us into the most extravagant kitchen in all of Caribou Creek where the rest of my family is waiting. Everyone except Reena, I note. Dad and Cas stand by the window overlooking the mountain range, sipping on what I suspect is expensive bourbon. Sophia glances up from the veggie tray she’s arranging and beams a big smile. “You actually made it. And you brought a plus one.”
Dad and Cas turn at that announcement.
“You remember Kinley,” I say, mostly to Sophia.
“Of course I do! I’ve been meaning to get down to the diner, but I’m always Bear-sitting now that Rowan is helping out. Where is that lovable goofball, anyway?” I don’t have to answer the question with more than a glance at Dad. Bear will be happier napping at home than navigating this tense dinner anyway. Sophia blushes just a bit, clearing her throat. “Oh, right.”
Sophia and Kinley easily slip into a life catch-up conversation, and I go in search of a beer.
“Too good for fifty-year-old scotch?” Cas offers me a glass before I can get my hand around aCaribou Creek Stout.
“Thanks.”
“When you coming back to work?” Cas asks after a sip.
I stare at the gold liquor, wondering if it’s a peace offering. Maybe my brother realizes he’s in over his head after a three-year-long absence. Is it too much to hope that we can move forward as equals in the company?
“Depends when Rose gets back from her world cruise.”
