Chapter 12
JOSIE
I was minding my own business and making shortbread cookies when a shirtless Killian walked into the kitchen the next morning, reminding me of the day I’d arrived in town.
“Do you mind?”
“Nope.”
I turned to ask him to put on a shirt and realized he'd need a hell of a lot more than that.
He was completely naked. And he was a show-er.
“Jesus fucking Christ, Killian!”
“What?” He smirked then looked down. "Oh, this? Sorry, is it your first time seeing a dick?"
"No!"
“Then why so red, Josie?” Killian leaned against the counter next to me. His naked hip, and more, were within inches of where I was moving cookies from a sheet tray to a container.
“Because you’re standing naked right next to me.”
“Yeah, well, it is my place.”
“Are you trying to make me move out?”
No, of course not. You pay half the rent and make amazing cookies." He reached in front of me, bringing his body dangerously closer to me, and grabbed one of the cookies.
I swatted at him but missed his hand. "These are not for you."
“Which ones are?”
“None. It's not like you eat my food anyway.”
“I do.” He quipped but didn’t elaborate. “Also, you're no fun.”
“Will you put on clothes if I leave some for you?”
“I don’t know. I kind of like seeing you this flustered." He leaned back against the counter and crossed his arms.
Was he flirting?
I took off my apron and went to sling it over his neck to cover him up, but as I did so, he reached out and grabbed my wrist.
“What, can’t handle it?”
“What?” I was more than flustered.
“Can't handle seeing a real dick?”
“Are you drunk?”
This wasn’t the normal Killian. Something was off.
He shrugged.
“Please, go get dressed.” I stood in the middle of the kitchen with my arms crossed and the spatula in my hand.
“Not until you admit that I've got you hot and bothered right now.”
“Bothered? Yes. Hot? Not even.” I denied it, but there was something sexy about him.
“I knew it.” He pushed off the counter before pressing me backward, against the opposite counter.
My eyes went wide, and I started to ask him what the hell he was doing when I heard a girl's high-pitched scream.
"Jesus Christ!" I blurted and plugged my ear before turning towards the source.
Killian didn’t seem to be bothered by the sound or the girl standing in the kitchen doorway.
"Um, is she yours?" I hissed at Killian.
"Play along and I'll get dressed."
I darted my eyes back and forth, and Killian seemed to take my silence as me playing along.
“Who the hell is she, Killian? Is she your mom?"
Mom? I thought to myself. I was younger than him.
He laughed. "Good one. She’s younger than you, by the way. And she looks a hell of a lot better, too. She’s gorgeous and you’re desperate."
"What the hell does that mean? Have you been cheating on me?"
"We fucked a handful of times, alright. Now Josie and I are back together. She's moving in, too." He pulled me against him, gripping my hip tightly.
I carefully pat his chest, making sure it was where the apron covered.
"Um, you and I had sex last night."
"Yeah, another drunken mistake of mine.”
“Mistake? Were you two already back together?”
“We got back together this morning."
"While I was asleep?"
"Yep. I told you there was nothing between you and me. I told you that I wanted Josie. You just didn’t want to listen.”
"You're fucking with me. Prove it."
Without giving any notice, Killian turned and pulled me to face him just before planting a kiss on my lips. But it wasn't a quick peck or anything. No, his tongue pressed my lips open before darting into my mouth. He even went as far as to grip my neck with his hand, deepening the kiss.
I was acutely aware of the girl screeching and then the door slamming.
I tried to pull back, but I was weak and in shock.
Finally, he pulled back. "Damn. I thought she'd never leave."
"What the hell was that?"
He shrugged. "Thanks. I owe you one."
He turned and started to walk away, bare ass and all.
"Hey! My apron!" I called out, like that was what was important in the moment.
He slipped it off and tossed it on the back of the couch as he kept walking.
“What the hell was that?” I asked the empty air.
My lips were still swollen from the kiss as I attempted to go back to packaging shortbread cookies for people staying at the inn.
What did he mean when he said that he’d told her he wanted me?