Chapter 33
Preston
“Uncle P.” Kyndall grinned before she threw herself at me.
Hazel followed, her grin just as wide. After a brief hug, I dropped them back to the grass.
Hazel reached for my wrist, checking the numbers on my digital watch. Her hands moved. Livy? News?
Just as I went to answer, Wesley stepped up next to me. “It’s not quite six, Hazel.” He moved his eyes to Trinity. “Sorry about that.”
“You have some beautiful girls,” she praised.
“Thank you.” He peered down at them with pride. “Beautiful but demanding.”
Hazel asked again. Time for news?
I could tell Trinity had no idea what she was asking. “She wants to know if it’s time for the news.”
Wesley bent down and scooped her up in his arms. “She watches the news every evening at six sharp to see Liv.”
“Oh, right.” Trinity grinned. “She’s an interpreter, right?”
Wesley lifted a brow at me, silently asking why she knew details about my family. I shot him a look right back that clearly said it’s the news, asshole. Worldwide broadcast, anyone would know her role.
“Yeah. Hazel can hear just fine, but since she communicates through sign language, she’s mesmerized by Liv.” Wesley tickled her sides. “She says her aunt Liv is famous.”
“Well, she is.” Trinity tapped Kyndall on the nose. “And this one here might be one day too. I’m thinking the Olympics.”
“Yes!” Kyndall fist-pumped before spinning in a circle. “She gets it, Dad.”
“Let’s worry about making it through first grade before we start Olympic training.” Wesley placed a squirming Hazel back on the ground.
Trinity bent down to whisper in Kyndall’s ear, “Dream big, sis.”
“You aren’t helping, Maxwell,” Wes grumbled.
She laughed before she flickered those glorious green eyes at me. “Maxwell, Huh? I feel like one of the guys now.”
“Verdict is still out,” Wes called over his shoulder as Hazel grabbed his hand, leading him to the bounce house across the yard.
“Hey, sweetheart.” Rodney appeared behind Trinity, his smile forced.
He looked tired. Worn out, and I hated that I was keeping his current condition from her.
“Hey, Dad.” She let him wrap her in a side hug. “You all right?”
“I’m good. Just a little tired. After the game last night and the festivities of today, I’m whooped,” he lied.
Our eyes caught, and I could see the silent plea for more time.
“Do you need help with anything?” Trinity asked.
“I was just headed to the garage to get some more ice from the deep freeze.” He released her.
“I’ll grab it.” She waved a hand. “You go sit down and relax.”
“Thanks, Trin.” He pressed a quick kiss to her temple.
“I’ll help.” I was following her before she could dismiss me.
We rounded the four-car garage that was at the front of the estate. It was far enough from the party that I could relax. Far enough away that I could let my eyes trail over her retreating form, appreciating those long legs that ended with a pair of black sandals.
She entered the side door, pushing it far enough back that I could walk in behind her. She still hadn’t looked at me, but I could feel the tension coiling tighter the longer we walked.
The door shut behind me, enclosing us in the darkened garage. I took two large strides, wrapped an arm around her waist, and spun her until she faced me. Her breath hitched as I backed her against the wall. I stared down at her perfect face, a smile splitting across mine. “Hi.”
She smiled back, a flush working up her neck. “Hi.”
I lifted my hand, stroking her cheek with my thumb. “Do you know how hard it’s been to watch you out there and not be able to touch you?”
Her eyes fluttered closed before opening. “I have a good guess.” She pushed up on her toes, snaking an arm around my neck. “Are you going to make me ask for a kiss again?”
My free hand tugged her closer by the waist before I dropped my mouth to hers. The pressure of her lips on mine was like a breath of fresh air. Like I hadn’t been breathing right for the last thirty years until I found her.
Our bodies pressed closer, indulging in the stolen moment without caution.
It had only been one night since our first kiss and I was already addicted.
Already couldn’t wait to have my hands on every part of her marvelous body.
She was so small in my arms but fierce all the same.
Her lips fought against mine, her need for me matching the same desire I’d been suppressing for weeks.
My hands dropped, palming her ass as she lifted her leg.
I caught it with ease, angling her so she could grind against me.
I needed to slow this down before I did something reckless like fuck her against the wall in her father’s garage.
I grazed my teeth along her lip before dropping a kiss on the end of her nose. She sighed, then rested her forehead on my chest.
My hands ran down her shoulders before I brought them back up to squeeze the tight junction where I could tell she carried her stress.
“I needed that,” she whispered.
“You never have to ask,” I said.
She craned her neck to look up at me.
I tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “As long as you want me to, I will never pass up an opportunity to kiss this mouth.”
She blushed again. “The way you talk sometimes.” She laughed quietly. “No one has ever talked to me that way.”
“And you like it?” I lifted a brow.
“Very much,” she admitted shyly.
Which was adorable because Trinity Maxwell was anything but shy.
“What do you say we sneak out?” I slipped a piece of her soft hair through my fingertips.
“I would love that.” She leaned back against the wall. “But…I’m here to work on the relationship.” She sighed. “He’s trying. So is Jodie.” She picked at the collar of my shirt. “I need to as well.”
“Have you talked to your mom?” I asked.
“No.” She frowned. “I’m not ready.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that.” My hands found their way back to her face.
Fuck, I could not stop touching her.
“Let me taste you one more time before we go back to reality.”
Her eyes widened, surprise mingling with a touch of heat that had my dick twitching.
“Relax,” I whispered. “I meant here.” I ran my thumb over her bottom lip.
“Don’t get me wrong, Angel. I would love nothing more than to lay you out across the hood of that Navigator and taste you here.
” My free hand smoothed up the inseam of her jean shorts.
“But I want to be uninterrupted when I’m there.
” I bent down to press my lips to her ear.
“And I don’t want anyone else hearing my girl come. ”
Her gasp was audible in the quiet room, and I grinned before sliding my lips across her cheek to press a chaste kiss to her parted mouth.
“Now.” I stepped back, taking note of her pointed nipples through her shirt that had pride swelling in my chest. And my jeans.
“Ice.”