68. Lorelei
68
LORELEI
H is kiss makes everything disappear.
I forget about my anger, my frustration, my confusion.
The only thing I feel is relief, and it’s stronger than I ever could have expected.
My body trembles as his hand skims up my side before wrapping around my throat, holding me in place as he licks deep into my mouth.
The weight of his body presses me into the dry sand beneath me. His hips grind between my legs and in only seconds, I’m burning red hot for him.
We make out on the beach for the longest time, sealing our promises from only a few minutes ago with a kiss to rival all kisses.
He’s rock-hard. It’s impossible not to feel him against me.
My body aches for him. To feel him touch my bare skin, to feel him push inside me.
It would be so easy to throw caution to the wind and take what we both need right here.
But as hot as it would be…if we’re going to do this, then I want to do it right. And a tumble in the sand isn’t it.
I suck in a deep, greedy breath when he drags his lips from mine, kissing across my jaw and down my throat.
“Shit, Temptress,” he groans, pressing his forehead against my shoulder, fighting to catch his own breath.
“I know,” I whisper.
Kissing him. Being with him. It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.
It’s scary and exhilarating.
It’s everything I’ve ever wanted, just…not the kind of man I ever expected.
“I should get you home before we do something we might regret,” he says roughly.
“You’d regret taking me on the beach?” I ask, quirking a brow.
“I’d regret not treating you the way you deserve. And,” he says, pushing up so he can look down at me, “have you ever had sand burn? Puts you out of action for days, and…” His eyes drop to my lips and he sucks his bottom one into his mouth. “That can’t happen.”
Heat rolls through me.
“I want to take my time with you, Lorelei. Worship every single inch of this body,” he explains, sliding his hand back down my side, brushing over my breast before hooking my thigh higher around him, grinding into me in a way that makes me gasp.
I want to tell him that we can do that later, that we can have both, but before I can find the words, he lifts me to my feet. Thankfully, he doesn’t leave me to stand on unsteady legs. Instead, he wraps his arm around my waist and pins me to his side.
Silently, he leads me back to his rental car and opens the passenger door for me.
Reluctantly, I allow him to deposit me into the seat before he closes the door and takes a step back.
He doesn’t immediately join me. Instead, he looks up to the sky, almost as if he’s praying.
I’m struck with a bolt of anxiety. Surely, he’s not already regretting this.
But then his gaze drops. His eyes find mine before lowering to my lips as his hand moves to his crotch.
My attention follows, and I find him hard and ready against the tight fabric.
My mouth runs dry and desire rushes through my veins.
I need him.
With a wicked smirk playing on his lips, he finally walks around the front of the car and joins me.
“Problem?” I taunt.
“Temptress,” he groans. “You have no idea how hard it’s been.”
I can’t help it—I bark out a laugh as he backs out of the space and sets the GPS to our address.
I cringe all over again, remembering that he’s now witnessed the part of my life I try to keep as far away as possible from my new one.
Sensing that I’m freaking out, he reaches over and takes my hand.
“I don’t care, Lorelei. Stop worrying,” he says, lifting my hand to his mouth and kissing my knuckles. “This place, it doesn’t change you. If anything, it only proves how strong you really are.”
“I hate it,” I confess. “My brothers are the only good thing about it.”
“And they’ll be done soon. All of you can put it behind you, if that’s what you want.”
“It’s what I want,” I say without missing a beat. “I’ve saved every single cent I can to make sure it happens for them. Wilder will hopefully get a scholarship, but Hendrix…”
Kian squeezes my hand. “We’ll make it happen.”
“No, Kian. They’re not your responsibility. You don’t?—”
“Lorelei, they’re your brothers. Of course I’m going to help.”
Emotion burns my throat. I’m grateful, of course I am, but his offer goes against everything I’ve ever known.
“We don’t take charity, Kian.”
He chuckles. “Good thing I’m not offering anything.”
“Kian,” I warn.
He lifts my knuckles for another kiss.
“We’re doing this, right?” he says, quickly glancing over at me. “Me and you? Us?” His question makes my heart beat faster.
‘U-um…”
“Lorelei,” he growls.
“Y-yeah, we are,” I agree hesitantly. It’s not because I don’t want it. I do. Everything he’s said, everything he said he wants, I want it too.
It’s just…a lot to process on top of everything else.
“You don’t sound very sure.”
“I am. It’s just…” I trail off, unable to find the right words.
“I know. I get it,” he agrees, giving me an out. “You’re mine, Lorelei, and together, we’ll give your brothers the future they deserve.”
“And Noelle?” I blurt. There’s no way I can leave her behind after everything she’s done for them. For us.
“Of course,” he agrees without question.
My heart swells with something terrifying.
He told me out on the beach that he loves falling in love with me. And…I can’t help but agree.
I thought I’d fallen before, but I’m pretty sure they were all just warm-ups for the real thing, because it’s never felt this huge before.
The excitement, the exhilaration, the fear.
They’re all-consuming, just like the man who’s causing them.
All too soon, we’re pulling into the trailer park. My heart sinks lower with every pothole we bounce into.
“There are only two motels in town, so you’ll probably be better driving over to the next one. But a questionable four-star hotel is all you’re going to find,” I say quietly as he pulls to a stop outside my childhood home.
He kills the engine and looks over.
I love the expression on his face, a little bit of confusion, some awe, and a lot of understanding.
“Were you planning on coming with me?” he asks.
“N-no, I need to be here for Wilder.” It’s not true. He’s fine now and should be going to school as usual tomorrow. Even if he weren’t ready for it, something tells me that he’d be there anyway, just to soak up all the attention.
“Then that’s where I’ll be too,” Kian says firmly before pushing the door open and climbing out.
“Kian,” I breathe when he opens my door and tugs me out by my hand. He pulls me into his body and cuts off my argument with his lips.
The second we connect, there’s an eruption of noise from the trailer beside us.
“Oh my god,” I mutter into his kiss before turning around to look at the window.
Both of my brothers are standing there watching us with wide smiles as they bang against the window.
“It’s not too late to change your mind about the motel. They only have a minor case of cockroaches.”
Kian’s chest vibrates with laughter. “I think I’ll take my chances here,” he says before pushing me forward.
“So, Lorelei,” Wilder teases the second we’re inside. “Would you like to reintroduce us to your friend?”
I clear my throat, suddenly nervous about letting them into a part of my life I’ve always kept separate.
“Wilder, Hendrix, Noelle” I say, formally introducing them all. “This is Kian, my—” I swallow thickly, stumbling over the word.
“Boyfriend,” Kian finishes for me.
The way he says it makes my knees go a little weak.
I, Lorelei Tempest, am Kian Callahan’s girlfriend.
Not just his girlfriend. His first girlfriend.
Maybe his last, too…
I shut that thought down before it can take flight, because this is already big enough.
“If it’s okay with both of you, I’m going to stay the night before taking Lorelei back home,” Kian explains.
“You…you want to stay here?” Hendrix asks like it’s the most insane thing he’s ever heard.
“Of course, it’s your home and?—”
“It’s a shithole,” Wilder interrupts. “Your family owns some of the world’s most luxurious hotels and you want us to believe that you’re happy to stay here?”
My eyebrows shoot north. I didn’t give either of them details about my new job.
“What?” Hendrix asks. “You think we don’t keep tabs on you, big sister?” He rolls his eyes, and I can’t help but laugh.
“I’ll stay wherever Lorelei is,” Kian confirms. “Nothing else matters.”
A ripple of silence goes through the air as my brothers take in Kian’s words.
“Okay, but I should warn you,” I start, my eyes shifting to the couch. Kian’s gaze follows mine. “That’s my bedroom.”
“It’s cool. I’ve never slept on a pull-out before.”
Wilder laughs. “This place really is going to be an education for you, huh?”
Kian shrugs, taking everything in his stride.
I study him closely, trying to figure out if it’s an act or if he really is happy to embrace all of this. But I can’t find any hint of a lie. I think he’s genuinely happy to jump into our lives with two feet. For one night, at least.
“We should warn you, though, this trailer rocks.”
Kian frowns.
“And it’s not soundproof,” Hendrix adds.
“Fucking hell,” I mutter. Since when did my brothers get old enough to be warning me about this?
“We know, Wilder. Trust us. We know,” I half laugh, half cringe.
“Hey, you don’t have to share a room with him.”
“You didn’t that night. You topped and tailed with me,” I point out, laughing as I think about the night in question last summer.
“He still refuses to tell me if they used my bed.”
Kian claps Hendrix on the shoulder. “Take it from someone with two brothers to contend with…he definitely used your bed.”
“Motherfucker.”
“Hey, now, just because I’m not scared to have fun, doesn’t mean that your bed feels the same,” Wilder counters.
“I’m not scared,” Hendrix starts. “I just?—”
“Don’t worry,” Kian interrupts, saving Hendrix from himself. “I’ll respect your home. And your sister.”
“What?” I balk, still reeling from putting the brakes on things at the beach.
“Lorelei,” Wilder and Hendrix gasp at the same time.
“Oh shush. I’m a fully grown adult with needs.”
“Stop talking. Stoptalking. Stoptalking,” Wilder teases, pressing his hands to his ears.
“Such an asshole,” Hendrix says loudly before taking off toward the kitchen.
“Hey, I heard that,” Wilder barks.
“You were meant to,” Hendrix counters.
Leaving them to bicker, I slip behind Kian and walk toward what will be our bed for the night.
I throw the cushions off and bend down to pull the bed out. Kian’s attention burns my skin as I do so.
“What do you think?” I ask once the thin mattress we’re going to have to sleep on has been revealed in all its glory.
“I think that I’m going to have you right beside me, and nothing in the world could be better than that.”
To my surprise, no one teases his sappy comment, and when I look back, I find that Wilder and Hendrix have made themselves scarce.
I stare up at Kian with my heart thumping steadily in my chest and butterflies fluttering wildly in my stomach.
“Are we really doing this?”
“Yeah,” he whispers, taking a step closer and cupping my face in his hands. “We’re really doing this.”
His kiss is sweet, gentle, and the perfect tease for what I really want.
“The bathroom is down the hall on the right,” I say when we part.
“Trying to get rid of me already?”
“Trust me, you won’t want to spend any longer in there than necessary.”
“If you’re not coming with me then no, I won’t be hanging around.”
I chuckle. “The fact you think we could both fit just proves how disappointed you’re about to be.”
“I’ve nothing to be disappointed about because you’ll be out here waiting for me.”
“Smooth talker,” I tease.
“Just telling the truth, Temptress.”