AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You really going to make her answer that while we’re still in the room?”
Kell’s quip has me vacillating between a grin and a glare. I’m grateful for how her sarcasm has brought a small giggle to Kara’s face, but that same action has me craving to kiss my woman again. So much deeper than before. Twice as hard.
Until we’re both thinking of doing other things.
Thinkingthat needs to becomedoing—about ten minutes ago.
I clear my throat, trying not to think of the last time I had to summon self-control this intense, but it does finally kick in.
“Maybe it’s time I offer to walk the three of you out.”
Jesse doesn’t waste a second to join his smirk to those of the Valari siblings. Still, the wicked gleam in his eyes doesn’t measure up to theirs. Thanks to their extrasensory perceptions, the siblings know things he never will. No doubt Jaden’s aware of how my heartbeat has tripled, and Kell is scenting much more on her sister than the baby’s talc and strawberries. Doesn’t mean that the guy isn’t observing it across their faces or even extrapolating a bunch of meanings from mine.
“Yes. Damn fine idea, pal,” he says, popping a small wheelie in order to spin around and lead the way to the door.
As Kell and Jaden follow him, I’m given a few seconds to seize a fast opportunity. Without hesitation, I grab Kara by one hand and tug her the opposite way. Once we’re clear by a few feet, I lower my mouth to fit against her ear.
“I’ll only be a minute, beautiful,” I whisper. “And when I get back, I want your body between my sheets and your fingers between your legs. We clear?”
“As the skies in your eyes,” she sighs out, stroking along my eyebrows. Her sweet mouth beckons me lower until our lips are tenderly melded.
“Now Ireallyneed to get out of here,” Kell grouses. “Come on, J. Get me home so I can rest this earthquake casualty again.” She indicates at her knee with an efficient chin jog.
Jaden chuffs. “Anything you want, diva, as long as it’s not another rant about the pissing match with Arden Prieto that led up to everything.”
Before they’re finished, or I can thoroughly access the recall about said pissing match, Kara’s jerking away from me. “Home,” she practically stutters. “Uh, yeah. I guess…that has to happen.”
“Perhaps sooner than later?” comes Jaden’s quick comeback—along with a pointed look to make me notice what’s going on withJesse. More specifically, how much effort he’s driving into his focus on Kell.Desperately, I hope I’m wrong about the new leaps of his brows and the eager lean of his torso.
“Hey…uhhh…if you guys don’t want to wait on a ride, I can drive you up the hill.”
Nope. I’m not wrong at all. And I almost swear aloud because of it. Especially when Kell pivots with a sparkling smile, expanding the play time on my friend’s worshipful gawk.
“Seriously?” she says. “You’d really do that?”
I step over behind her, trying to snag the guy’s gaze for myself.No, no, no!
Jesse spreads a wider grin. It conveys only one answering word.Oh, yes, yes, yes.
For Kell, he has another reply. “Well, now I’m going to insist.”
“Well, I think we’ve got to let you.” Jaden leans over, smacking a palm to one of Jesse’s. “With a shitload of gratitude.”
“Happy to help. Really.” Though as Jesse’s words flow to Jaden, his gaze tracks over the guy’s shoulder—to the one target I’m still dreading.
A desperate glance back to Kara leaves me stranded. She doesn’t notice a second of the silent—and increasingly dangerous—exchange here, taken to new levels by Kell’s lopsided smile and consuming blush. My poor woman is wrapped in a mire of her own, which she keeps struggling to push through.
Finally, the shroud gives way enough for words. “Home,” she repeats, hopping an unblinking stare between her siblings. “That means…Mother.”
Thankfully, that tugs Kell’s attention back over. “What about her?”
Kara steps forward, twisting her fingertips. “You guys aren’t going to tell her everything, right? I mean, youcan’ttell her—”
“Of course we won’t,” Jaden assures. “It’s your news to share, in your own time and way. Our lips are sealed, Kara. We promise.”
“Mark this moment in history. I actually agree with the brat.” Kell shoulder-bumps her brother, reveling in the chuckle it evokes from Jesse. “But not without doling some advice too, sister of mine.Your own time and waymight be wiser on thesooner than laterscale.” She taps a finger toward Kara’s middle. “That little twiglet is a custom DNA delicacy. You could be showing by tomorrow morning—”
“Oh, my God,” Kara stammers.
