Page 43

ALANA

“It’s about time I got a moment with you alone.

” Keller walks up behind me, wraps his arms around my middle, and pulls me into his chest. After we came back to Keller and Jace’s house, the two of them went outside while I got the ice cream machine set up, my eyes moving from what I was doing to looking out back, to Keller pushing Jace on his swing with his good arm.

It’s one of those saucer-like swings that he has hanging from a tree, and even I can admit that it looks like a lot of fun to spin on.

You would think after a day at the park, a full meal, and lots of talking, Jace would be worn out.

I knew better than that, though. He’s always ready for the next adventure even at school.

When it’s quiet time, Jace can hardly sit still, and the only way I can get him to relax is by reading while the other kids take the short nap we allow them through kindergarten.

“If I ever wondered where Jace got his energy from, I don’t anymore,” I tell him while spinning around, one hand going to the nape of his uninjured side while the other goes to his chest, and look up at him.

“Yeah, but now, I’m going to kiss you. That okay with you, gorgeous?” I love that he’s asking, making sure I’m ready for what he wants.

“I wish you’d hurry up.” Keller doesn’t disappoint. Our lips meet, softness surrounding mine. It’s a small kiss, and when he starts to pull away, a keening noise escaping from me stops him.

“You want more, Lana?” Keller asks a breath away from my lips.

“Yes.” This time, it’s me who moves into him, tipping my head up higher, body pressing into his.

I know this won’t go further, not just because Jace is in the house.

We’re not there yet. Not after only a week of talking and spending one day together.

I want to make sure Keller is in it for the long haul.

“Going to give that to you now.” He meets me, match for match, press for press, hands digging into my hips, searing me in all the best ways when his tongue sweeps across my lips, gaining entrances on a breathless moan.

Our tongues collide. There’s no other word for it, both of us so needy for one another, the type of make-out session you’d have when as a teenager is exactly what we’re doing right now.

I’m so caught up in the moment that when Keller pulls away, I’m lost in a lust-induced fog.

“Keller.” His name sounds rough leaving me. My fingers move to my lips, where I can still feel the tingling sensation caused by what we were just doing.

“Lana, you can’t say my name like that, not right now when I’m trying to be good, showing you just what you mean to me, while my boy is in the other room, a boy who’s not known for taking naps.

Which makes me think Jace is faking it and was helping us out, so we gotta stop before I have to explain to him another situation I’m entirely not ready for.

” My eyes move from his dark hair, which is longer than he normally wears it, to his green eyes full of confidence, down his face full of stubble that has left more than my lips tingling to the tight cotton shirt molded to his chest and athletic shorts that are showing off what kissing me did to him.

“Oh, yeah, that probably wouldn’t be a good thing.

But the ice cream is almost done, so maybe while you’re, um, taking care of that situation, I can go get Jace?

” I point to his hard cock while trying not to get down on my knees and beg for it.

God, being strong is not always easy, not when all I want to do is be wrapped up in Keller any way I can have him.

“Good idea. Anything I need to do?” Jace’s arms is in a sling, injured shoulder and all, but it’s not stopping him from doing anything he can. Especially standing there. If anything, he looks even hotter in a smoldering way, full of temptation.

“Nope, the machine is off, sitting in ice and ready for us to eat.” Jace couldn’t make up his mind which flavor he wanted, so we made two different ones with him helping me, standing on a stool, pouring the ingredients in, his little tongue out while deep in concentration.

“Doesn’t mean I don’t want another kiss, though.” I don’t respond. Instead, I make like I’m passing him while walking away. His arm swoops out, pulling me close to him. My arms band around his waist, head going to his chest for a moment, soaking it in, if only for a moment.

“You okay?” Keller’s lips skim over the top of my head in a kiss. I let out a sigh. It’s that down-to-your-bones good sigh, a relief almost.

“Never better.” My head pops up. Keller leans down, grazes my lips, once, twice, a third time, then pulls away before it gets hot and heavy.

I know myself enough to put the brakes on this.

If not, I’ll give in to all types of temptation, possibly putting us back in that same position we were in before, and I definitely don’t want that.

“Alright, temptress, go get our boy.” He swats my ass playfully, not even realizing that he said ‘our’ and the effect it has on my heart.

“I’m going, I’m going, demanding man,” I tease. Meanwhile, I’m excited to get Jace and have an impromptu ice cream party for three.