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“It’s getting late, so I suppose I should head back, too. I guess I’ll see you two at breakfast,” I say, and I take my leave.
As I head down the hill, I can see that the cottage appears dark except for a light left on in the kitchen. When I walk inside, the place appears empty. I’m wondering if Kennedy’s in bed already.
I’m disappointed because I wanted to talk to her about this college boyfriend.
I make my way to the liquor cabinet in the corner of the lounge. It’s small, but well stocked—I wouldn’t expect any less from Will. I pull out a bottle of Kentucky bourbon, curious to give it a try.
“Why don’t you make that two,” Kennedy says from behind me as I’m pouring.
I glance back, surprised to see her, as I didn’t hear her come out of her bedroom. She’s in her pajamas—red plaid flannel shorts and a white tank top. My pulse kicks up instantly.
I hand Kennedy the glass I poured, then pour another for myself. “It’s been quite a weekend, hasn’t it?”
She smiles. “You could say that.” She knocks her drink back and immediately starts coughing.
“So, what’s this I’m just now hearing about a university boyfriend?”
Her eyes widen. “How did you hear about that?”
“Will mentioned it. He assumed I already knew.” I narrow my eyes on her. “I should have, don’t you think?”
She winces. “I don’t like to talk about it.”
“Well, it’s too late for that. Start talking.”
“There’s nothing much to say.” She shrugs. “When his parents found out I was Asian, they pressured him into breaking up with me.”
“And he let them? What a wanker.”
Kennedy chuckles. “I can laugh about it now, but not back then. I was devastated.”
“His loss was my gain, as they say.”
“Let’s not talk about him,” she says as she holds out her empty glass for a refill.
“Another?” I ask, surprised. She’s usually not much of a drinker. I take her glass. “I thought you didn’t care for hard liquor.”
“I could use some liquid courage.” She swallows the shot in one go and makes a face as her eyes water. She can barely speak for coughing. “Because there’s something I need to say to you.”
Now it’s my turn to down my shot. I might need some courage, too. I lean against the bar counter, trying to look relaxed, and probably failing miserably. “I’m listening.”
Kennedy sets her empty glass on the bar and starts pacing, finally coming to stop in front of me, clearly nervous. She swallows hard before taking a deep breath. “I love you, Connor. I—”
The moment those words leave her lips, the pieces of my broken heart slip back into place, and the air leaves my lungs in a rush. These are the words I’ve been praying to hear. “I love you, too.” I set my glass down and pull her into my arms and kiss her. She reciprocates without hesitation.
Our kiss is heated and hungry, as if we’re trying to make up for lost time. We’ve been apart for so long, being together feels surreal.
I run my hands up and down her torso, tracing the contours of her body, relishing the feeling of having her in my arms once more. When I brush the edge of her soft breast, she gasps.
I don’t know where this is going tonight, but I do know one thing—I’m going to hold on to her for dear life and never let go.
Chapter 16
Kennedy Takahashi
The realization that he’s just as affected by our kiss as I am gives me comfort. It’s also scary. At least if I’m going to make a big mistake, I won’t be doing it alone.
Without warning, Connor sweeps me up in his arms and carries me to his bedroom. He shoulders the door open and walks inside. My head is spinning as he sets me on my feet at the foot of his bed.
