Page 94

“So are you guys dating?”

My hand squeezed Kiara’s underneath the table when Jake looked between us, my jaw clenching. When Kiara received a call from him yesterday, she decided that it would be a good idea to talk it out with him. Kiara wanted me beside her and I couldn’t refuse.

“Why would it matter to you?” I said, my voice cold and clipped.

His blue eyes softened. “You’re right, it shouldn’t. I . . . I wanted to apologize for acting like a jerk that day, Kiara. For not telling you about Ben or Stacy.”

The waiter interrupted us yet again for the umpteenth time asking if we needed any more water or wine. I should’ve known meeting him at a restaurant for lunch was a bad idea. I was sure the waiter wanted nothing more but the latest gossip.Looks like all three of us are going to be in tomorrow’s celebrity headlines.

When the waiter left, Kiara replied, “I wish you had told me earlier. But it doesn’t matter now. I hope you are mending things with her and especially Ben. He thinks of you as a superhero.”

Jake looked away when I noted a hint of sadness and hurt flashing in his eyes. He must be overcome with guilt for not knowing about his son until it was too late. I wondered how it would have been for me and Kiara if she had the baby and told me about it after a year. I would be mad for missing out on helping her during her pregnancy, miss the labor, miss the first time he or she spoke or walked.

“Jake,” Kiara whispered, “Take care of your family, okay? You, as well.”

He smiled at her, “I will, Kiara. How have you been?”

Her golden flecked brown eyes glanced at me, a warm smile tugging at her lips. “I am happy.”

Her reply made me smile and after our lunch and making small talk, we finally said our goodbyes. Jake patted my shoulder and said, “Take care of her. She really likes you.”

* * *

I sighed, running a hand through my hair, “Yes, Mom! I am not twelve. Yes, I am fine.”

Kiara snickered, dimples poking her cheeks as she raised her eyebrows and came toward me. My eyes followed the soft curves of her lithe body. Her messy long hair, her nipples poking against my t-shirt she was wearing and her long, tanned legs. I was hard just looking at her. Especially when she held my arm and sat on my lap, her hand massaging my shoulders. I bit my lip from sighing and tensing when she leaned down, kissing the base of my throat.

“You don’t talk to your mother like that, Son.”

I closed my eyes, my hand tightening around Kiara’s round ass, stopping her from grinding on my hard-on while I was talking to my mother. I narrowed my eyes at her as her brown eyes were sparkling with mischief. She unbuttoned my shirt, her hands splaying over my chest. She kissed me, making all the dirty sounds from her mouth. I felt like the luckiest man on this planet.

Ignoring the tension building in my abdomen, I replied, “I am sorry, Ma, I am a bit busy and Kiara is—” I stared at her hair, she was trailing her kisses down my body, removing the belt. “She is eating food. I mean, cleaning the dishes of the food we ate.Yes, mmhmm.”

I was confused, angry, and aroused.

I heard my mom mutter something to her wife and said, “Don’t forget to arrive early, Ethan. Eveline misses you, and she will be surprised because we told her you have work to do.”

Kiara stopped, leaned over me and stroked my hardened length through my pants. I almost choked, my eyes going wide. Holding her wrist, I stopped her. I ignored her pout and replied, “I won’t forget, Mother.Ahh, look, I have to go. The faucet is leaking.”

“I didn’t hear it breaking—”

“Ma. How about I call you later? It is flooding the kitchen and Kiara is freaking out.”

She was laughing, hiding her face in my neck while her hair tickled my skin.

“Don’t forget to bring your girlfriend when you come here, or you won’t get to eat the cake.” She hung up the phone, and I put it on the coffee table, rolling Kiara underneath me on the couch.

“You think this is funny?” I pinned her hands above her head when she kept laughing. Her eyes were closed, and soft bubbly laughter poured from her throat. I loved hearing that sound.

Kiara said, in between her chuckles, “Your faucet . . . leaking.Ah—Ethan!”

I tickled her, her infectious laughter echoing in the room. As I stared down at her petite frame thrashing in my arms, a light flared in her brown eyes. I felt content. I wanted nothing else but that.

Kiara laughing in my arms. Every day and night for the rest of my life.

Stopping, I spread her legs to wedge myself between them. Her breathing grew erratic. I loved how responsive she was to my touch. She stared up at me as if she felt the same way.

My blood pounded in my ear when she cupped my cheek lovingly and whispered, “Come here.”