Page 138 of The Maxwell Brothers

“A mishap with the shower. I’ll dry myself off, and then I’ll try to dry the clothes with a hairdryer or something.” It would probably take forever, but I didn’t have a better plan.

“Tyler, we have to go, then. Miss Kendra needs privacy.”

I gave a nervous laugh. Tyler cleared his throat.

“Rupert’s right,” I said.

Tyler stepped back, looking straight at me. His gaze was so smoking hot that I was surprised my clothes didn’t instantaneously dry up.

“Are you sure?”

“Oh yeah. Very sure.”

“Okay. Then let’s you and I be gentlemen, Rupert, and leave Miss Kendra alone.”

Holy smokes.Even after I was alone, my skin was still simmering.

I went to the women’s changing room and took off my clothes, putting the towels around me. Tyler’s friend had graciously kept the pool private for us for a few hours, but I didn’t have too much time until it would be open to all guests again. I found the hairdryers quickly and held one in each hand over my dress.

Today had been so unexpected that I didn’t even know what to make of it.

And that kiss. My God, that kiss.

I committed every detail to memory, knowing I probably wasn’t going to see Tyler again. I only had to be present when a volunteer started or when a new activity was added. My heart gave a sad sigh. Maybe it was better, though. After all, what could this crazy attraction possibly lead to?

More smoking-hot kisses, a wicked voice said at the back of my mind.

I usually didn’t act on impulse. I’d learned to be careful about everything growing up. I learned to be thrifty and to stay healthy because we couldn’t afford to be sick. I thought twice about every decision, just in case it could backfire in the future because there was no safety net.

But boy, oh boy, guess who had a smile the size of Texas right now? Yep, this girl. Because that kiss had been amazing. What was a red-blooded woman to do but swoon just remembering it?

CHAPTER 6

TYLER

Friday startedwith a call from Gran while I was drinking my morning coffee. I instantly went on alert because she liked to meet up, but she only called in emergencies.

“Gran, what’s wrong? I can be at your place in fifteen minutes.” Technically twenty, but I was known for driving over the speed limit when the situation required it.

“I’m fine, young man. I was calling to double-check that you’re still going to watch the game tonight.”

I laughed, pressing two fingers to the bridge of my nose. I wasn’t used to having everyone worry about me constantlyat the same time.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Oh, don’t call me that. You know I don’t like it, and it makes me feel old.”

“Yes, Gran.”

“Hmmm… well, if you change your mind, you can always take this bag of bones out for dinner instead.”

“Gran! Are you guilting me into taking you to dinner? Last time I asked, you said only people who still have all their teeth should go to a restaurant,” I said, stunned. In August each year, around the anniversary of Grandad’s death, she was alwaysdown. I thought going to a restaurant would cheer her up, but instead, I got scolded.

“No, no. We can do something else.”

“Gran, I appreciate your concern, but?—”

“It’s a grandmother’s prerogative to worry about her grandchildren.”