Page 96 of The Friends and Rivals Collection

I flash back over the early afternoon kiss at the waffle truck.

The shake-the-earth, rock-me-to-my-core, turn-me-inside-out-with-pleasure kiss.

The can-it-please-be-Thursday-so-I-can-sneak-off-and-do-it-again kiss.

A fresh wave of sensation curls through my body, warming me up.

I try to shuck it off, since I do not need to get retroactively aroused at the dinner table.

But damn, that man can kiss like a rock star.

And I bet that man can do everything in bed like a rock star too.

“And you have a kissing partner,” Arden says, suggestively.

“She totally found someone to enter with,” Vanessa seconds.

Shaw laughs as he takes another bite of his burger, chuckling at me. “This I’m dying to know. I thought you were basically undatable, sis.”

I give him a sneer and a kick under the table. In the shin. He cringes, but quickly rearranges his features into his best stoic face.

Dad tsks. “Perri, do you really have to do that?”

I shrug, like the innocent I am. “Do what?”

“I know you kicked your brother under the table.”

“Can you blame me? Would you actually prosecute that, considering the mitigating circumstances—those being that Shaw is acting just like Shaw?”

Dad laughs. “Son, behave. Can you do that for me?”

Shaw sighs heavily, like it takes a ton of effort. “I don’t know that I ever have. Should I really start now?”

“You know what they say, Mr. Keating,” Gabe chimes in. “Can’t teach an old dog new tricks, and Shaw is most definitely an old dog.”

Shaw barks, then he turns to me. “Anyway, you haven’t dated anybody in the longest time. Do you have a secret lover? A brand-new beau? A hot new piece of man meat on the side?”

My mother heaves the most dramatic sigh in the universe.

Shaw holds up his hands in surrender. “Sorry, Mom.”

I stare at my brother. “Seriously, how have you ever had a girlfriend? How is that even possible?”

Vanessa coughs then stares purposefully at her plate. I shoot her a quizzical look but return my focus to my brother. “Seriously, Shaw. Man meat?”

“So, who is the man meat, and do I need to beat him up?”

I laugh, because even though he’s a complete pain in the ass, I do love his crazy-protective side.

“No, you don’t need to beat him up. He’s .

. .” My voice trails off, and I’m not entirely sure what I want to tell them.

I go with the simplest of details. “He’s focused and determined, and he has these sunburst tattoos all the way up his arm. ”

“Ooh,” Mom says, squeezing Dad’s arm. “I’ve always loved the inked ones.”

Dad eyes his unmarked arm. “Does that mean you want me to go out and get a tattoo, Gail?”

Her eyes darken. “No, dear, I don’t think it would suit you.”

“You don’t?”

“I’m kidding. Could you get one across your chest? Make sure to put my name in it.”

“Count on it,” he says then drops a kiss on her cheek.

“You two are so in love it’s kind of gross, except it’s totally awesome,” I say.

Gabe and Arden raise their glasses, and Arden adds, “It’s thoroughly awesome.”

Mom looks to me. “Tell us more about your kissing partner. What’s he like?”

He’s a filthy, fantastic, hot-as-sin lover. He likes to flirt and kiss and tease, and drive me out of my mind with pleasure. He’s cocky, confident, and knows what he wants. He wants me .

But none of that is for public consumption. I spear a bite of tomato in the salad, hold it up, and give them a PG version. “His name is Derek, and he kisses like the only person I could ever imagine kissing in a kissing contest.”

Shaw makes a sound like a laugh met a cough, sputtering in amusement. “Seriously?”

I stare at him curiously. “Yes, what’s so weird about that?”

“Nothing,” he says, his expression instantly turning serious. “That’s just epic.”

Vanessa laughs. “Why is that epic?”

“That is the best thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Why?” I press.

Shaw smiles sweetly, reminding me there’s a good guy underneath his constant desire to needle me. We might drive each other crazy, but we love each other like mad and look out for each other as only family can. “I’m just excited you’ve found somebody you can picture kissing for that long.”

“Thank you, Shaw. I never thought I’d hear you say such a nice thing. But yes, I do think more practice will indeed help.”

“Practice makes perfect,” he adds.

“See? Isn’t it nicer when the two of you get along?” Mom asks.

Shaw nods. “I’ll have you know I’m a very nice brother. If memory serves, I’m helping you rent the room above your garage.”

I soften more. “I don’t know what I’d do without you. You’re incredibly helpful. And I love to give you a hard time, but you’re actually the best brother a girl could ask for. You’re a Neanderthal sometimes, but other times you’re quite civilized and sweet.”

Shaw grins. “And Perri, you’re a pain in the ass?—”

“Language,” Mom chides.

“But you’re super awesome too,” he adds.

I smile at him. “Super awesome and civilized. See how great we get along?”

Shaw grins. “In fact, I think you’re going to be amazed at how civilized I am.”