Page 17 of Slashed By You (Chicago Steel #5)

Chapter 17

Josh

T his season has drug on painfully slow. Now that Kenzie is in my life, I don’t want to be away so often. Before now, I never understood why those guys in relationships were eager to get home. Honestly, when Kayla was around, I was in no rush. But maybe that’s because I wasn’t fully committed to her. Seeing Kayla in Kenzie’s shop a month ago really solidified things for me. I never felt for Kayla the way I feel about Kenzie. I’m totally falling for her.

Every time she’s near, my heart pounds in my chest. She’s gotten under my skin. I crave her when we’re apart; it feels like a part of me is missing. Until her, I didn’t know being in a relationship could be so amazing. But what I truly miss are the little things. The sweet sigh she makes when she’s in my arms. Her shy smile that is both flirty and mischievous. The flutter of my pulse when she looks at me and licks her lips. The love notes she hides in my wallet that I find when I’m away. My favorite thing about her is the way she hugs me. Just like her bakery items, she fills them with love. Kenzie is one in a million, and I’m so lucky she’s mine. She’s everything to me.

“Hey, Josh, what are you doing for Kenzie for Valentine’s Day?” Lucas asks while we sit on the tarmac waiting for our return flight to Chicago.

“I don’t really know. It’s the first one I’ve really wanted to celebrate. I want to make it special, but I’m not coming up with any good ideas. What are you doing for Samantha?”

Smugly, he grins. “I’ve got it all planned. Since we’re gone on the actual day, pampering will take place over several days. I’m flying my mom in so the day before we get back, Samantha can go to the spa and have a massage, manicure, and pedicure. Then the next night, I’m taking her on a romantic date night.”

“Damn, brother. Put the rest of us to shame,” Mika hollers from across the aisle.

Lucas grins. “What are you doing for Shiloh?”

Mika sits taller. “She’s getting her gift early. I’m giving her a weekend away.”

“Y-you’re sending her away?” I clear my throat. “Aren’t you supposed to be together to celebrate romantic holidays, eating lavish food and having kinky sex?”

Mika’s eyes go wide. “Dude. I don’t need to know about your sex life.” He laughs, then adds, “I don’t need a holiday to do that stuff. But to answer your question, yes, I’m sending her away. She and Monica are going on a girls’ weekend.”

“Oh, that’s smart. I wish I could do something like a couple’s getaway, but with the bakery, that is impossible.”

Just as the plane taxis, Lucas leans over to me and asks, “So, what are you going to do?”

“I don’t know, man, but I need to figure it out,” I tell him before I pull my noise canceling headphones over my ears. Chris Young’s “She’s Got a Way” comes on, and when his soulful voice delivers the lyrics, they register deep and I swallow hard. Am I in love with her?

Leaning back with my eyes closed, I consider that. I’ve never said those words to anyone other than my family, and at times I’m not even sure I meant it. No woman has ever made me feel that way. Until now. Every moment we’re apart, I can’t wait to see her. She invades all my thoughts and dreams. I want her next to me, experiencing everything with me. I want to make her happy, help her dreams come true. Learn with her, laugh with her. Realization strikes me like a hit against the boards, fast and jarring. My eyes fly open. I love Kenzie. Overwhelmed by the truth of that, I need to get home to let her know just how I feel.

Lucas pats my arm from the next seat. I remove my headphones. “You okay, man?” he asks.

I nod. “Yeah. I’m good. Just realized there’s something I need to do.”

He tilts his head at me suspiciously and asks, “Now?”

I laugh. “No, when we get back to Chicago.”

“Okay,” he says before he returns to the magazine he’d been reading.

The flight home takes forever. Okay, I might not be the most patient person. But as soon as I feel the wheels touch down, my legs bounce. Apparently, it’s my attempt to free myself from the extra nervous energy coursing through my body. Looking at my watch, I see it’s four in the afternoon.

The team bus hauls us back to the arena to retrieve our vehicles from the player parking. I wave at my teammates as I power walk to my white Tesla. Kenzie should be home by the time I get there. I stop by a florist on my way and grab her a bouquet of pink sunflowers. They catch my eye as soon as I enter the shop. They’re unique and special, just like Kenzie and, just like their yellow cousin, they’re happy, just like my girl.

Pulling up to her apartment building, my heart skips a beat. I see Kenzie walking down the sidewalk. She’s bundled up in her bright pink winter jacket, matching stocking cap, and fuzzy mittens. She looks absolutely adorable. Here we go. Climbing from my car, I lock eyes with the woman of my dreams. “Kenzie,” I call out.

A radiant smile breaks out on her gorgeous face. “You’re home,” she squeals before running over to me and jumping in my arms. Hugging her tight, I realize there is no other place I’d rather be.

Nuzzled into her neck, I place soft kisses on her heated skin. “I missed you so much,” I rasp, suddenly overcome with emotion.

With concern in her voice, Kenzie asks, “Are you okay?”

I just nod and squeeze her tighter.

“Want to go inside? It’s cold here today.”

Setting her back on the sidewalk, I see the tip of her nose is red, and I bop it.

“These are for you,” I say, handing her the flowers. She grins up at me and grabs my hand, leading me to her building. When we finally get inside her apartment, we eagerly rid ourselves of our winter gear and head to her couch. “Eep,” she says as I pull her down onto my lap.

Holding her close, I look into her blue eyes and say, “Hi.”

“Hi,” she parrots back before snuggling into me. Having her this close is the best thing in the world. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. “I missed you,” she confesses against my chest. Resting my chin on her head, I echo her words. I’m noticing each time I’m away from her, it gets harder and harder for me.

Her stomach growls. I poke it and laugh. “How about we get dinner delivered from Mateo’s and spend the evening snuggled up together?” I suggest.

“That sounds perfect.”

Pulling out my phone, we browse the menu before I order. I always get their lasagna, and Kenzie can’t decide between that and the spinach manicotti. I offer to share, then I order breadsticks, salad, and tiramisu to share as well. After we gorge ourselves on the best Italian food in the city, we snuggle back on the couch while watching a random Netflix show.

Kenzie is a creature of habit. At eight every night, she begins her nightly routine by stretching. Of course, I sit back and watch because I love to stare at her luscious curves as they twist and lengthen in front of me. My fingers itch to touch her, to run the tips up and down her heavenly lines. But I remain still, nervous about what I need to do. Once she’s done, she stands and snags my hand, pulling me to my feet.

“Ready for bed?” I ask.

She sighs. “Yes, I don’t sleep so well when you aren’t next to me.”

We head to her bedroom after we make sure everything is off or put away for the evening. While she’s in the bathroom, I undress, leaving me in just my black boxer briefs. When she emerges from the bathroom, her face is freshly clean and glowing, making her look ethereal. I give her a quick peck on the lips and she tastes minty. “Be right back,” I say on my way to brush my teeth. I don’t have much here except my toothbrush and a few changes of gym clothes in case I have an early practice. Usually when I sleep over, I go back to my place after she heads to the bakery. Yes, I’m wearing the same clothes as the day before, but there is no shame in my game. Instead of it being the walk of shame, I call it a strut.

I turn the light off before I crawl into bed, then I pull Kenzie to me and wrap my arms around her. With her near, my body responds like it has all evening. My erection’s hard and I poke her in the back. She circles her hips and nudges my cock with her butt. A tingle shoots through me, lighting me up and making my whole body buzz. I pull her in tighter, thrusting my hips forward, rubbing my cock against her. She arches her head back and whimpers. “Josh, please. I’ve missed you so much.” I pull back and she lies flat. In seconds, I’m hovering over her. Her expressive eyes beg me for more. I lower down, fitting myself in the cradle of her thighs, and position my cock against her hot center, the material of our underwear the only barrier between us. The desire to thrust is intense, but I force myself to focus on Kenzie.

“You are so beautiful,” I tell her before I devour her lips. When my tongue enters her mouth to tangle with hers, she nips it, making me groan. What is this woman doing to me? Anything she wants.

When we finally part, we’re both panting, but I drop my head to leave a line of kisses down her sexy as fuck neck. I trace the slope with my tongue and inhale the scent that can only be named chef’s kiss. Why, you ask? Because it’s a perfect mix of sugar and spice. I want to eat her. Baring my teeth, I nibble across one collarbone and then the other. Her sighs keep me focused and moving forward on my exploration of her body, feathering kisses down her sternum. I need to see her.

Pulling her tank top over her head, her perfect breasts before me. My mouth waters and I lick my lips. Taking one in my hand, I give it a rough squeeze. She moans and I flick her dusky-pink nipple. Kenzie pushes her chest toward me, and I understand exactly what she wants. More . I suck one nipple into my mouth while I continue to squeeze the other. While it’s in my mouth, I bite it and she moans my name. She’s so responsive.

Letting go of her breast, I trail my fingertips down to her waist and under her thin cotton panties. Have mercy. Releasing a throaty growl against her breast causes her to shiver. Eager to know how wet she is, I trace my fingers through her small patch of hair and to her silky lower lips. Gliding through them with ease gives me the answer I want. She’s hot, wet, and ready for me. But I don’t want to be selfish. My rule is she always comes first. I plunge my first finger into her needy center and she lets out a contented sigh. It’s like I’ve scratched an itch she hasn’t been able to reach, making her desperate for relief. Inserting another finger makes her hips flex. Her muscles squeeze around my digits, alerting me to her impending orgasm. Thrusting back and forward only makes her wetter.

“Josh, I’m so close,” she pants. I release the suction on the nipple I’d been savoring, and pinch it. Her muscles tighten and her body rolls. “Yes!” she screams. I continue to play with her nipple, pinching and twisting it until I’m confident she’s coming down from the pleasure her body just succumbed to. Removing my fingers, I bring them to my lips. When her eyes are on me, I lick off the evidence of her pleasure.

“You taste like sin… and I need more.”

Kenzie gives me a shy smile, nodding her head while I remove her panties. She reaches forward and palms my cock through my briefs. “Fuck.” That feels good. I’m so close to coming. I know I have to stop her when she squeezes me. “Damn, baby. That feels incredible, but you have to stop, or I’ll come before I want to.” She teases me with another squeeze and then releases me.

I lick my lips at the sight of the wetness between her thighs. Scooting down, I get into position. Opening her, I see silky pink skin waiting for me. Lowering my lips, I swipe my tongue through her folds once, then again. Then I pull her clit into my mouth and suck on it, varying my pressure to see what she responds to best. While doing that, I trace her entrance with my finger. She circles her hips as if she’s chasing it. I insert my finger and curl it in a come-hither motion, rubbing up against a soft, spongy section. I know I’ve found the spot that drives her wild.

Thrusting another finger into her tight channel earns me the noise I crave. Kenzie lets a hum from her lips that turns me into a desperate fool. I will do anything to make her happy and keep her pleased and sated. Swiping my fingertips against her G-spot, I feel the exact moment when her orgasm crashes into her. Her body tightens and her internal muscles squeeze. Her hips rock and she fists my hair. I resume licking and nipping at her pussy until her body slumps back against the bed. Her eyes are closed and her breathing is labored. Slipping my fingers from her, I remove my underwear and move back above her.

Kenzie’s eyes flick open when my cock nuzzles up against her. Pulling back a little, I ask, “Are you sensitive?”

She nods, but then says, “In a good way, though.” Returning her smile, I stare at her. Reaching over, I push back some stray hairs that have worked their way across her face.

“Kenzie… there’s something I need to tell you.” Her body goes rigid beneath me and her eyes are wild with fear. Shit. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that to come across so gruff.” She somewhat relaxes below me. It’s now or never. Don’t blow this. “What I wanted to say is… I love you!” Shock spreads across her face. Fuck. I didn’t know what to expect, but it wasn’t that. Rambling, I try to backpedal. “I’m sorry. I’m doing this all wrong. I’ve never told a woman that before, and I screwed it up.” Pushing up, I’m embarrassed, and I question whether I should leave. What if she doesn’t feel the same? Did I just ruin things? I’ve never been in love before. Maybe I’m wrong.

Kenzie places a hand on my forearm, pulling me out of the chaos in my head. “Josh, you didn’t screw it up. You just caught me off guard.” She smiles at me hopefully. I force one in return, but she knows it is fake. “Hey. Talk to me.”

I’m quiet for a moment. I’ve always been able to talk to Kenzie about everything, so why am I struggling right now? Because you think she doesn’t love you. The thought of that sits in my gut like a fifty-pound boulder. What am I going to do if it’s true?

“Josh, please,” she begs.

What have I got to lose? Everything. Feeling unsettled, I divert my gaze and mumble my response. “I just confessed my feelings, and I think I scared you because you don’t feel the same.” I chance a glance at her and see a soft expression on her face. Kenzie runs her finger down my jawline, forcing my chin up and my eyes to her. Focusing, I notice they’re not only brilliant, but they sparkle with happiness. Her pink lips curve up, gifting me the smile that’s just for me. It’s chock-full of love.

“It’s true you surprised me. But I love you too. I’ve been scared to say it because I didn’t know if it was too soon.” At her words, euphoria floods my brain. She loves me too. I lower myself to her and kiss her passionately. She loves me too. My heart thumps wildly in my chest, making me feel somewhat lightheaded. My cock reminds me he’s still in play. Reaching for it, I run it through her moist folds, circling her entrance. “Don’t tease me,” she warns.

“Never,” I say with a smirk. I push into her, her body accepting mine, like we’ve both come home. It feels different this time. More intense. More pleasurable. Just more. Is that what love does? This time is special, and it’s a moment in time I’ll never forget.