"Looks like mother decided to redecorate," he replied as he took in the bedroom as well. "I bet my junk is in the bas.e.m.e.nt."

"When is the last time you visited?" I asked, pulling the curtains aside to view a well-manicured backyard.

"Not since I graduated college," he replied, stunning me. Though we lived in separate states, I at least saw my family two times a year regardless. That had to be at least ten years given the fact I knew he was approaching thirty-five.

I heard him come up behind me, his hands sliding around my waist and pulling me against his body, immediately surrounding me in warmth. "You know there is a hot tub down there," he said softly, nibbling on my earlobe. "And I plan to enjoy it at some point this weekend, with you."

"I think your mother would object," I replied softly, gasping as his tongue traced the outer sh.e.l.l of my ear.

"I don't give a d.a.m.n," he growled. His hands pulled my shirt out of my skirt, his fingers touching my bare skin, caressing my stomach before inching upward, brushing my already taunt nipples as his hands covered my b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

"Kyle," I breathed as molten lava coursed through my veins at his touch, the way he was trailing hot kisses down my neck.

"I want you," he breathed into my ear. "So f.u.c.king bad." He pushed himself against me, his arousal evident as I arched against him. I was wet, my body alive with painful need. Kyle growled low in his throat as he removed his hands, wrenching my skirt up around my hips and forcing me to step out of my panties. "Grab the windowsill."

Shaking, I grabbed the thin piece of wood at the bottom of the window as I heard the telltale sound of his belt unbuckling, his zipper sliding down before he entered me from behind in one full thrust. "Dear G.o.d," I moaned as he stretched and filled me, forcing me to grip the windowsill as my legs buckled.

"Yes," he echoed as he pulled back and thrust again, shattering my very core. The o.r.g.a.s.m was overwhelming as Kyle picked up the tempo, me rocking back to match his thrusts. "That's it, Jess," Kyle coached, his voice strained. "Beautiful."

I moaned again as the o.r.g.a.s.ms started to build, one right after the other in waves. I squelched a scream as an explosion of light flashed before my eyes, followed by Kyle's convulsion inside me as we collapsed in a heap on the floor. I breathed in the fresh scent of clean carpet under my nose, my breath coming in short gasps as Kyle's weight shifted off of me. He flopped down on the floor next to me.

"d.a.m.n."

I couldn't find my voice to agree with his wording as I pushed myself up off the floor, my legs still wobbly from the aftershocks. Kyle reached out and gripped my ankle, his large hands sliding up my calf deliciously. "Where do you think you are going?"

Chapter 8.

An hour later I straightened my skirt and slid on my flats, walking across the room where Kyle was b.u.t.toning up his shirt over that gorgeous chest of his. "Let me," I said softly, pushing his hands away. "I was beginning to think we weren't going to make dinner."

"If I knew we could get away with it, I would be taking that skirt off," he replied as I pushed the b.u.t.tons through the holes, a shiver slicing through me as he cupped my cheek.

"Come on, bad boy," I smiled, removing his hand to place it in mine. "It's showtime." I turned toward the door and Kyle pulled me back against him, taking my hands in his.

"Listen, Jess," he began, his eyes growing soft as he searched mine. "I just wanted to thank you for doing this with me. I can't think of anyone else that could handle it as well as you are nor would I want anyone else by my side."

"Don't worry," I said, giving him a soft kiss on the lips. "I won't embarra.s.s you. I've been dealing with you for years. Your family won't be that difficult." Kyle let out a strangled laugh and released me, pulling me toward the door.

I rolled my eyes as I allowed him to drag me down the stairs, my heart giddy in my chest. He had given me slow, sweet torture on the floor, the bed, and in the shower since we had arrived in his bedroom a few hours ago, so much that I knew I would ache in the morning from all of this extracurricular activity. There had been no words yet I could feel through his touch, knowing I was losing every inch of my heart with each one. We had explored each other lazily during that time and I felt comfortable under his intense gaze, no secrets left between us. I knew him more intimately than anyone else and even so, I knew he wouldn't be mine in the long run.

Kyle guided us to the dining room, where a long table laden with delicate china was already set up. Everyone was already seated when we entered, rising as Kyle drew up short.

"Son," a large, bulky man with salt and pepper hair acknowledged Kyle from the head of the table.

"Father," Kyle said evenly, pulling me into the enclosure of his arms. I could feel the tension in his grasp and tried to put on the bravest smile I could muster. "This is Jessica. Jessica, this is my father Brent, my sister Nicole, and her fiance Reese."

I smiled at the dark-haired woman who resembled Kyle with her features, sitting next to a man who could be described as an all American football type jock with slick blond hair and a warm expression that immediately made me feel at least like I had an ally in the room. Kyle's sister nodded in my direction, a small smile on her face as she looked me over in the circle of her brother's arms.

"And you remember Danielle, Kyle." His mother smiled, nodding to the redhead at the end of the table.

Kyle's arms dropped immediately as I felt him stiffen, then my own body react jealousy as I recognized her as being the same woman I had seen him with a few days prior. It was like a cold dunking when you least expected it.

"Kyle," she purred, her cultured voice matching the perfection of her makeup and clothing. "So good to see you again."

"Danielle," Kyle said flatly.

"Danielle is staying with us for the wedding," Julia replied, looking at the woman warmly. "She is between a.s.signments right now."

"I am a flight attendant," Danielle explained, apparently to just me since everyone else in the room must be aware of her job. "My next turn is in Europe next week."

Kyle said nothing as he motioned for us to sit, me beside his sister and he beside Danielle. I tried my best to keep my smile as I noted the seating arrangement and the exchange pa.s.sed between Kyle's parents as they viewed their son and Danielle together. It was obvious she was their choice for their son. h.e.l.l, I wasn't who I would have chosen for their son. The question was still up in the air on why they had been together just a few days ago, given his reaction to her.

Thankfully, the food came out just as we sat down, which limited conversation. "So what do you do, Jessica?" Nicole asked as we delved into our salads.

"I, uh, work in Kyle's office," I choked out, receiving an arched eyebrow from Julia in the process.

"Interdepartmental relationship, huh," Brent barked out, his fork hovering near his mouth. "I am surprised you allow that, son."

"Kyle is a wonderful lawyer," I interrupted, feeling the need to stick up for him. "I am very blessed to be working for such a talented person."

"Thank you," Nicole said softly enough for my ears only. Surprised, I looked up to find her gazing at her brother adoringly, seeing her in a new light. It appeared not everyone in the family thought the same.

"You can't stop true love," Kyle finally answered, his warm gaze on me. "Jess is a valuable a.s.set not only in my office, but in my life as well. I don't know what I would do without her."

I blushed at his comments, knowing that I shouldn't let them affect me too deeply. After all, we were putting on an act, regardless of what we were doing on the side.

"Bravo," Danielle remarked, giving two soft claps as she held up her winegla.s.s. "Here's to true love and wedded bliss. May I be lucky enough to find it one day." I held up my gla.s.s and tipped it, careful to only take a small sip of the sweet wine, remembering my embarra.s.sment with Kyle over too much wine. I had no desire to have a repeat performance of that night.

The rest of the dinner was surprisingly quiet and before long, we were retiring to the backyard, where Julia was showing off the area where her daughter would wed.

"You know this isn't my preferred place to do this," Nicole remarked as we stood on the patio, watching from above. "I wanted to do the beach, but mother wouldn't hear of it."

"It's your wedding," I replied, my thoughts straying to crazy ideas of Kyle and me barefooted on the beach. "Why not do what you want to do?"

"You can't do that with mother," Nicole sighed, clasping her hands in front of her. "I'm sure Kyle has told you. Mother likes it her way and her way only. That is why he hasn't been back to this house in so long. He was able to escape, I wasn't." She then turned toward me, taking my hands in hers. "I really, really hope you love my brother," she said softly, her eyes reminiscent of the ones I now adored. "I hope you can provide what he hasn't gotten from our family. He seems happy, happier than I have ever seen him."

I gave her a small smile, my heart in torment over what this girl was thinking and what was truly going on between her brother and me. I knew what I was feeling and what I had felt over the last few chaotic days. I was falling hard for the man that had turned my life upside down, the man that I wanted to stick up for, the man I wanted to selfishly keep as my own. It wasn't possible. No, there would be one-sided feelings on this.

Sighing, I watched as he carried on a conversation with Reese, a little more relaxed as they shared a laugh. "Get him away from this place," Nicole added, dropping my hands. "You already protect him, I can't ask for much more."

"Well, that wasn't too bad," Kyle remarked as he closed the door to the bedroom. "Mother was well, she was herself."

"Kyle," I began with a deep breath. "Who is Danielle?"

"Danielle?" he asked, shrugging out of his shirt. "She's a family friend. We went to school together."

"Were you ever involved?" I squeaked out, my mouth going dry at the sight of his bare chest.

Kyle sighed and crossed the room, gathering me into his arms. "Don't worry about her," he said softly, his hand going into my hair. "She's not even on that level with me anymore."

"I'm not worried," I said shakily, pulling out of his embrace. "We are pretending to be together, right?"

Kyle's lower jaw ticked as his expression became hard and he thrust his hand through his hair, causing me to swallow in return. "Right," he finally ground out, throwing on his shirt as he opened the door. "I'm going out."

I jumped as he slammed the door shut, the paintings on the wall rattling in return, wondering what had just happened. I had only spoken the truth yet he acted like it was something else, something that I was feeling as well. Could it be possible? Did I even dare hope?

Hours pa.s.sed without his return as I took a hot shower and climbed into bed, staring at the clock as it ticked slowly by. Finally, as I was starting to drift off to sleep, Kyle stumbled in the door, easing it shut. I froze as I heard his shoes. .h.i.t the floor, then his pants before he climbed into bed, reaching over to touch my bare arm with his fingers. I could smell the alcohol on his breath but didn't move as those long fingers drifted over my shoulder then to touch the tresses on my pillow. I closed my eyes tightly against the soft touch, wanting desperately to turn over and take him into my arms.

"G.o.d, I wish you knew," he said softly, startling me out of my thoughts. He then sighed heavily, pressing a soft kiss on my shoulder before rolling over. I lay there frozen as his snores filled the air, wondering what the h.e.l.l he was talking about.

Chapter 9.

The next morning came all too soon. I awoke to an empty bed, the sound of the shower running in the bathroom alerting me that I was indeed not in a dream, but tortuous reality. Throwing back the covers, I padded to the bathroom, shedding my clothes in the process. Kyle was standing away from the curtain, his arm braced against the wall, his face lifted upward to the water as I climbed in, my hands brushing the muscles of his back softly before I wrapped my arms around his lean waist.

"I'm sorry," I said softly, pressing a kiss to his back. "I know this is difficult for you and I shouldn't be adding to it."

He shuddered and turned in my arms, kissing me hard on the lips. "I'm sorry I roped you into this."

"You didn't force me," I replied with a small smile, touching his chest with my hands. "Just like anything else, you aren't forcing me."

He then gave a small groan as I took his flat nipple into my mouth, swirling my tongue around it. "Jesus," he whispered, his hands in my hair.

"Relax," I said, pulling back, desire swirling in my veins. Holy hotness, he was perfect and I wanted to have him trembling under my touch for once. "Let me take care of you." Kneeling before him, I touched him, already hard and ready for me. "It's beautiful," I said honestly, taking him fully into my palm, feeling its length before touching the tip of it with my lips in a soft kiss.

"Jess," he said in a strangled voice, his hands clenching in my hair. "You don't... d.a.m.n."

"Shh," I whispered, the water dripping all around me as I took him fully into my mouth. I worked it slow, ramping up my speed until he was groaning and attempting to pull away from my mouth. Grabbing his a.s.s, I pulled him back and before long he stiffened, his harsh cry echoing in the shower as I finished him off. I leaned back and wiped my lips, pulling myself back against the length of him, seeing the drained look on his handsome face.

"Good G.o.d, Jess," he said softly, his s.e.xy grin sliding back into place. "That is an awesome way to start a morning."

"Good morning," I replied with a smile as he took my face in his hands, his eyes tender as he searched mine.

"A d.a.m.n good morning," he echoed, rubbing his nose with mine.

I sighed as I enjoyed the tender touch, kissing his thumb as it drifted over my swollen lips. I was sunk, big time. Nicole had hit the nail on the head. I loved this man.

We stayed in the shower until the water grew cold, running us out and forcing us to start another trying day. Kyle's grip was tight on my hand as we descended the stairs, pausing as we saw the crowd gathered at the bottom.

"Golf and shopping," Nicole announced, seeing us on the stairs. "You can guess which one you are going to do."

"Great," Kyle muttered under his breath as he pulled me to him. "Don't let them get you fl.u.s.tered," he whispered in my ear, his fingers briefly touching my cheek.

"Don't forget to hide their bodies if you decide to take them out," I added with a smile, earning a chuckle from him. My heart fluttered as he kissed me gently in front of everyone, lingering for a moment.

"Here," he said, pulling out his wallet to hand me his credit card.

"Oh no," I protested, handing it back to him. "I've got my own money."

"I know," he said, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear, his grin sinful. "Buy something racy. It will be money well spent." He then kissed me again, tucking the card into my front pocket before joining the men, who were on their way out.

"Wow. That was so not the brother I am used to seeing," Nicole remarked as I all but floated down to her side. "Whatever you are doing to him, Jessica, keep it up."

"Yeah, well, I'll try," I responded, my cheeks flushing. "Where are we going?"

"Geez," I whistled, dropping the price tag as if it had burned me. "Did you see how much that underwear is?"

"Get them," Nicole laughed. "It's not like my brother can't afford them."

"Dear lord," I muttered, moving well away from the rack. We were in a ritzy mall in the neighboring town, the car ride definitely strained with little to say. I was lost in my own thoughts of Kyle and what was transpiring between us, the soft feelings that were starting to compound at least on my end. Julia and Danielle were sticking together, apparently having more in common than with the two of us anyway. "Are you excited about your wedding?"

"I am," Nicole smiled, two bright spots appearing on her cheeks. "I can't wait to be Mrs. Barnten. Reese and I have been together ten years now and it's past time that we make it official." She then turned to me, her eyes glittering like blue sapphires. "I don't care about getting married in the backyard. I don't care that my dress weighs thirty pounds or that I wanted chicken wings instead of the grilled chicken my mom insisted on. What matters is that I am marrying my best friend, the man that I love more than life itself."

"I envy you then," I said, a lump in my throat. "And I am glad that you are not your mother or Danielle. Kyle had me super worried."

"I am far from my mother," she laughed. "As for Danielle, she believes that she is to be Kyle's wife. I don't want to scare you off in any way, but her parents and my parents have planned their union since birth. Danielle and Kyle have been forced together more times than you realize and each time he has shied away." She then sighed, concern etched on her face. "I think that is why he left as soon as he could, moved away to be rid of my parents' overbearing demeanor. He doesn't want to marry her any more than he wants to move back home."

I smiled through gritted teeth, knowing that there had to be more than what Kyle had expressed the night before when I had brought up Danielle. Great, a tall model redhead was my compet.i.tion now at least. Once we got home, it would be any woman in a twenty-mile radius. My chances of being able to hold onto him were dimming by the moment.

"Come on," Nicole interrupted, linking arms with me. "Let's go find the evil twins. I'm sure they are plotting another wedding at this moment."

We found the two in one of the restaurants that flanked the mall, sipping on their wine and tapping their manicured nails against the table as we slid into the booth.

"Well, well, don't you both look as if you have made friends," Danielle remarked, her green eyes a.s.sessing me.

"I hope Nicole didn't tell too many secrets about the family," Julia remarked, looking at her daughter. "Tell me, Jessica. What do you think about my son?"

"Kyle is wonderful," I replied, meeting her eye. "He's the best thing that has ever happened to me." And that wasn't a lie; he was truly the best thing in a long time. "And he's very successful in his practice. I am sure you are so proud of what he has accomplished."