Chapter 29 #2
She let out a scandalized grumble and gave me a playful shove.
Except…she forgot about that leg of hers slung over me.
The force of her shove dragged her thigh higher, sliding up dangerously close to where I was already fighting a losing battle.
I caught her leg with my hand, cupping my palm around her knee and holding it still…
but the sharp inhale that left my mouth gave me away.
Her entire body froze as her gaze flicked up to mine.
“Careful there, princess,” I murmured, letting a slow grin tip the corner of my mouth as I gave her knee a gentle squeeze. “Or you’re gonna find out real quick just how much your drool and morning breath don’t bother me at all.”
She studied me for a beat, holding my gaze like she wasn’t quite sure if I was bluffing. But then her gaze dropped, following the line of my arm down to where my hand still anchored her leg. Realization washed over her face right about the same time a blush bloomed across her cheeks.
“Oh.” The word was barely a whisper. Soft. Shy. Undeniably sexy.
Her bottom lip slid between her teeth, holding it hostage there like she was biting down on whatever wild thought just crossed her mind—the kind of thought that mirrored my own, I wondered.
My fingers flexed into the flesh at her knee as I stroked my thumb against her smooth thigh—dragging in a rough breath and trying like hell to steady myself, because if she leaned in now I wasn’t sure I’d be able to stop.
“Zane…” My name flowed off of her lips in a sensual plea that had all of my control teetering on the edge.
Three soft raps sounded from the other side of the door—soft, yes, but jarring still.
We both jolted, and Andi’s leg slipped from my grip.
“Who would that be?” she whispered, her wide eyes locking with mine for a split second before twisting her body to glance at the door.
Cursing under my breath, I dragged a hand down my face and sighed heavily. “Fuckin’ Luke,” I muttered, positive it was him because he couldn’t stomach the taste of responsibility for ten damn minutes without coming to find me.
Another knock sounded, this one louder.
“Go away!” I barked, sharper and louder than I meant but, damn, he was relentless.
“Zane Michael McKade, is that any way to talk to your momma?”
“Shit,” I whispered, bolting upright and taking Andi with me.
“You know, son,” Mom said from the other side of the door, calm but loaded with suspicion. “I thought it was a little odd that Luke was the only one out working this morning…especially seein’ as your truck’s been parked outside since before dawn.”
We sat frozen for a beat—the silence thick with what we almost did and everything my mother now suspected—before I replied with, “Yes, ma’am, that is odd,” and caught Andi’s amused expression as she curiously mouthed yes, ma’am at me.
I grinned back and held a finger to my lips, silently shushing her as we both stifled quiet chuckles.
“Your brother could use some help,” Mom added in that tone that meant this wasn’t up for discussion.
And I could use some dang privacy. “Yes, ma’am,” I said again, and shushed Andi once more as another fit of silent laughter consumed her.
“And let’s keep the sleepovers to your own house, please.
” Mom’s voice carried that sweet lilt that always meant she was about to deliver the killing blow.
“There are some things I don’t need to picture before church service is even cold in my mind.
” Moments later, her voice drifted down the hall as she muttered something about “crazy kids.”
Andi let out a strangled noise that might’ve been a laugh if it wasn’t muffled against my shoulder. My ears burned hotter than branding irons, and for once in my life, I had nothing to say.
“Yes, ma’am,” Andi mocked in a deep drawl I suppose was meant to sound like me. “Such a southern gentleman.” She laughed again, softly, and the sound of it did something to my chest.
“Well, excuse me, ma’am, if I was brought up with manners.”
Her lips pursed in amusement as she held my gaze.
“You know, for someone who apparently owns his own house…” Andi said with a teasing edge to her voice as her body eased back down onto her side, “...you sure do spend a lot of time sleeping over at your momma’s place.
” She propped herself up on one elbow with her cheek resting in her hand, giving me the perfect view of that smile I sought out daily.
I let out a low laugh, mirroring her relaxed form and letting my gaze roam over her in a way that was equal parts mischievous and hungry. “Maybe I like it here.”
Her eyes darkened then, just slightly, as her lips curled upward—slow and sultry. “Maybe I like you here.”
I hummed my approval and reached for her, sliding my arm around her waist and pulling her closer. “Maybe…” I murmured as her body molded to mine, instantly making me hard again, “...I’d like you at my house, too.”
She mimicked my hum, but before she could respond with words, the bedroom door flung open—hard enough to bounce against the wall with a loud bang. Luke’s smug face appeared in the doorway, his grin wide and completely infuriating.
“Mornin’, lovebirds,” he said cheerfully, like he hadn’t just scared the hell out of both of us.
“What the—what the fuck, Luke?” I tucked Andi into me, shielding her instinctively.
He leaned lazily against the doorframe, clearly reveling in my panic, and shrugged.
“Mom knocks, I don’t. Y’all look real cozy, but the horses are out and I need a hand.
” Before I could stop him, he snatched my jeans from the floor and tossed them at me.
“Get dressed, bro, you’re slacking.” Then, with a final smirk, he swaggered away.
I yanked on my jeans fast—ready to wring Luke’s damn neck but also knowing he wouldn’t be lying about the horses.
With yesterday’s shirt slung over my shoulder and my boots in hand, I made it halfway to the door before stopping dead and crossing the room back to Andi in three long strides.
We’d already had one ruined kiss thanks to a horse breaking loose, and I’d be damned if I’d let anything steal this one, too.
My free hand pressed into the mattress as I bent down and caught her mouth with mine—deep and desperate, like I’d been starving for the taste of her all damn night… and all morning.
Andi sighed into my kiss, her fingers curling into my bare shoulders as if she had no intention of letting go and then laughing against my mouth when I didn’t—or couldn’t.
Eventually I did though, kissing her slower—sweet where I’d been hungry—and pressed my forehead to hers for a beat as I pulled away, reluctant to leave.
“Guess I’d better go wrangle some horses before Luke comes back and really throws a fit. ”
Her quiet laugh brushed warm against my skin as she cupped my face in her hands, stroking her thumbs against my jaw like she knew exactly what she was doing to me. “Get going, cowboy. I’ll see you when you’re done.”
Something that felt a lot like unbridled happiness had the corners of my mouth curving upward as I forced myself to straighten before stalking backwards from the room.
Her eyes never left me as she sat there in that bed we’d shared, wrapped up in the tangled mess of sheets and stealing the last bit of my composure.
And I knew right then, in the quiet aftermath of chaos and almosts, that I didn’t need time for this feeling to simmer.
I was completely and irreversibly gone for her.