Page 67 of Easy Reunion

Kelsey’s the point on the circle where the beginning and end of the same line intersects. She represents all my mistakes, but she’s also everything I’ve ever dreamed of. And in realizing that, “I’ll never be able to escape what you make me feel,” I tell her honestly.

Sliding her arms up and around my neck, she asks, “Are you looking to?”

“Knowing I have this chance with you is making me crazy with fear, but it’s because it’s making me forget everything but one.”

“What’s that?”

I breathe into her mouth, “You,” before I capture her lips in a kiss so much more potent than the ones we shared before. Our eyes are open as we let our mouths whisper secrets our minds aren’t ready to speak yet.

But oh, the beauty of them.

Sliding an arm around her waist, I pull her closer to deepen the embrace. I’m just about to boost her on the kitchen counter when I hear a key in the lock.

Ah, crap.

Lisa’s texting on her phone when she strolls in. At my enraged growl, she hazards a glance up. “Well, this is a first and we’ve lived together for years.”

“I sure could have done without it. I thought you were going to be out all night,” I bark.

“Um, hate to break it to you big brother, but I was.” The dreamy smile on her face makes me thrilled and want to punch my best friend in the face all at the same time. “It’s after nine. I’ve got class in a few hours. I’m not sure what you have planned for today. Morning, Kelsey.” Lisa waves as she passes through the kitchen toward the stairs that lead to where her room is.

I go to pull Kelsey back in my arms, but she slaps a hand against my chest. “Ry, didn’t you hear your sister?” she demands.

“I get that she’s a cockblocking…” Then both Lisa and Kelsey’s words penetrate. “Holy shit, baby! It’s nine? I’m an hour late for work.” I dash off for the bedroom, expecting Kelsey to race behind me.

The only thing that follows me is her laughter. “Why don’t you get ready, and I’ll clean up in here? I can shower when I get home. Remember? I don’t have set hours,” she calls out.

There’s a definite smirk in her voice. I swear I’m going to have to spank her luscious ass later. But as I’m running through a thoroughly destroyed master suite, I can’t prevent the wicked smile that crosses my face. I might be facing a wrath of epic proportions at the office, but I can’t say it wasn’t worth it.

Every second of it was.

But still, I set the world’s record for showering and dressing, leaving Kelsey, at her insistence, to finish straightening up though I’m man enough to admit my balls draw up in fear at the idea of my woman and my sister being in the same house alone for any length of time.

God only knows what kind of war stories they’re about to swap that I want to know nothing about.

Pulling into my parking spot at Bayou Enterprises, I scurry into the executive elevator, my head buried into my phone, trying to catch up with everything that’s happened this morning.

Stepping out, I rapidly make my way to my office. Vince calls out, “Ry, wait a sec!” But I blow past him.

And immediately wish I hadn’t.

Because an extremely pissed-off Eli Boudreaux is sitting behind my desk.

“Want to tell me what was so important that you missed the briefing you scheduled with me, Van, and Beau for the government proposal?”

Shit. I’m completely screwed.

Quietly, I close the door behind me to accept the royal ass-chewing I rightfully deserve.