Page 6 of Pink Cheeks (DKAG Summer Shorts #2)

DOUG

Turned out Kip was Kaley's little brother.

When he came out of the bathroom in a pair of boxer briefs and nothing else, I was a little afraid of my ability to control myself. “What’s for lunch?”

“You mentioned liking chicken tenders.” I lifted the lid to one of the plates. “And fries and a cobb salad, and I got a club sandwich for myself, but we can share it if you like tomatoes.”

He made a face and shuddered. “No, thanks. Fries and nuggies are good for me.”

I raised an eyebrow. “And some salad, right?”

He smirked. “You really are a Daddy, right? Not just me joking about it.”

“I guess it’s in my nature.” I grabbed a handful of fries off his plate and made room for a scoop of salad. “Just like being a brat seems to be in yours.”

Kip plucked a fry off his plate and grinned, his lips glistening with salt. “Fair enough.”

I took a bite of my sandwich, and we ate in silence for about five seconds before Kip had to fill it.

“I don’t think Jake’s mentioned you before.”

“Yeah, we’ve mostly kept in touch online since college. Wasn’t sure I’d make it out for the wedding but…I’m glad I did.”

“Me too.” Kip grinned, then made a show of evaluating me with his head tilted. “My bottom would be baked to a crisp without you.”

“Your bottom is too cute to be crispy.” I popped one of his fries in my mouth. “And I like pink cheeks as much as the next guy, but I am worried about yours.”

He shrugged. “You can take a look later. Maybe after the wedding…”

“Probably a good idea.” I tried to keep my voice from trembling, but fuck, my cock was getting harder by the second, and I really needed a few minutes of private time to take care of it.

“So, do you, like…carry band-aids in your wallet?” Kip’s mouth quirked up. “Always ready to help a boy in need?”

“Only if the band-aids are flavored.”

His laugh was light and sweet and made me feel something in my chest I’d never felt before.

I’d dated plenty of attractive guys who were too flirty for their own good, but something about Kip made me want to keep him laughing and smiling.

Keep him safe and happy. Even at my own expense.

“That might be the cheesiest thing I’ve ever heard…

and also, I really want a cherry band-aid for my thumb, so when I suck it, it’s like a lollipop. ”

I bit into my sandwich and watched him chew over what I’d said, jaw ticking as he weighed the possible flavors.

He looked good in daylight, better than he had on the beach, even with his face still pink from the sun and his hair wild from the bath.

In just the boxer briefs, his bare legs looked more tan than they did outside. This boy was gorgeous.

Kip finished his tenders and leaned back. “So how come you and Jake drifted?”

“We didn’t really. Work and life just got in the way.” I shrugged. “It happens.”

Kip made a little pouty face. “All work and no play makes Doug a dull Daddy.”

I almost choked on my club sandwich. “Is that what you call me in your head?”

“Daddy or dull Daddy?”

I was starting to understand how people got sucked into his orbit. He had a way of making me want to talk. “I’ll cop to wanting to be someone’s Daddy.’” I cocked my head and tried for a stern look. “Dull is a bit harsh.”

Kip’s eyes glinted. “True. You’re not dull at all.” He licked his lips and let his gaze trail down to my crotch. “In fact, I bet you know a few tricks to keep me in line.”

“Maybe. I’d like to think I’m immune to brats…but you might be the exception.”

His smile was lazy and hungry. “You say that, but your eyes get darker every time I sass.”

Fuck, there was no hiding from this kid.

We finished lunch, and I excused myself to get changed for the wedding.

We arrived at the ceremony with time to spare. Jake looked like he’d been holding his breath the entire day, so I went to give him a little pep talk while Kip went to sit with his family at the front.

The ceremony happened in a blur. Hawaiian officiant, heartfelt vows, and the sun so bright it looked like the photos would come out artistically washed in pink and gold. Kaylee cried when she said I do and so did half the guests.

My attention was mostly on Kip. I watched him more than I should have, taking in the way he laughed at every joke, dabbed his tears with the back of his hand, and leaned forward as if to absorb every moment.

He was alive in a way I hadn’t felt in years, or maybe he just made me finally feel alive again too.

After the vows, there was a break for champagne and sunset cocktails. The photographers herded the family in one direction for pictures, and the rest of us milled around the pool, sipping mai tais and sweating through our shirts while appetizers were passed.

I caught Kip’s eye across the patio. He raised his glass and then slipped away from the group to join me near the edge of the lawn. “Free at last!” He clinked his glass against mine.

“Did you survive the torture?”

“My cheeks hurt from smiling so much. Pretty sure my mom’s gonna frame that family photo and hang it in the entryway.” He shook his head. “She loves to make the world think we’re a happy little nuclear family.”

“You’re not?” I had a mental image of Kip glaring at the photo every time he visited home, and it made me laugh. “They all seem nice.”

“ Seem and are are very different words.” We’re fine when we’re together…

but I try not to spend much time with my parents.

Kaley and I are close, but she’s busy with her life and I’m…

well, not busy, but we talk regularly. My parents care more about appearances, so they’d be very happy to hear you say they’ve nailed the fake family vibe. ”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” I didn’t want to bring him down by getting into his family drama…but that would be a future conversation.

He sipped his drink, then leaned in. “What’s your deal, anyway?”

“My deal?” I laughed and took a sip of my drink. “Please elaborate.”

“You have the whole ‘hot Daddy’ thing going on, and you’re clearly into me, but you haven’t made a move yet.”

I was so caught off guard by his directness that I actually took a step back. “You want me to make a move?”

He shrugged as he nodded. “I wouldn’t hate it.”

“We’re at your sister’s wedding.” I wasn’t steeped in traditions, but I felt like some things should be sacred.

“So?”

I slid my hand around his waist and let my fingers graze just under the edge of his shirt.

Kip went perfectly still, like he was waiting for the next thing. I leaned in so my lips were close to his ear. “If I kissed you right now, would you be okay with that?”

“Yes, please,” he whispered.

I pulled him into a small alcove off the patio that was shielded by potted palms and pressed him against the wall. With one hand on his hip and the other wrapped around his neck, I kissed him.

Hard.

Finally.

I’d been imagining this moment all day, and it was even better than I’d hoped.

He tasted like champagne and salt, and he nipped playfully at my bottom lip, a warning and a promise.

When I broke the kiss, I just stared at him and waited for his next move.

“Took you long enough.” Kip licked his lips and came at me again.

I grinned against his lips and then kissed up to his ear. “Brats get what’s coming to them.”

The reception dinner was on the patio under strings of lights to set the mood. I couldn’t sit with Kip because he was with the family, but every time I looked over, he was watching me and smiling like we had a secret.

After the first dance and the cake, when everyone was a little drunk and the sun had gone down, he found me again. “Walk me to my room?”

“I thought you were here for the open bar.”

He grabbed my hand and tugged me toward the path, not caring who saw. “I need help with something.”

“What’s that?”

He slowed and looked at me over his shoulder, his eyes desperate with need. “My ass is sunburned and I need help lubing it up.”

I bit my tongue so hard I nearly tasted blood.

The elevator ride was silent except for the sound of Kip’s quick and shallow breaths. When the doors finally opened on his floor, he beelined it to his room like he couldn’t get there fast enough.

I gave him a head start before slowly following.

There was no rush. Some things were worth savoring.