She glanced up at me like she was asking me for the answer, then turned back to them. “Okay.”
Almost awkwardly, I introduced her to Ash, Lyrik, and Zee, fighting a grin as I introduced her the same way as she’d introduced herself to me all those weeks ago. “Guys, this is Kallie Marie Bentley.”
Ash and Lyrik were giving me looks that shouted, What the hell have you gotten yourself into and oh dude you are most definitely screwed. They were the same damn questions and thoughts that’d been swirling through me for weeks. Didn’t really know the answer except for that I’d gotten myself into something good. Something pure and right.
Of course Zee was always filled with all that care, and he dropped down onto a knee and shook her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you Kallie Marie.”
Little shoulders lifted to her ears, and she swayed, all bashful and timid. “Nice to meet you, too.”
“And Kallie, this is my baby brother, Austin.”
I gestured to Austin who was standing a little stiffly off to the side, eyes darting between Shea, Kallie, and me, a sly smile hinting at the corner of his mouth, but all kinds of questions in his eyes.
Kallie giggled. “He’s not a baby.”
Austin actually laughed. Couldn’t remember the last time he had. “Ah, yeah.” He hooked a thumb toward me. “But this big guy here sure thinks I am.”
“No way…he’s not a baby, Baz. He’s way, way, way big, just like you.”
And I realized I was standing there holding this kid’s hand like it belonged there while Shea hovered off to the side, taking it in.
When I met that penetrating gaze, I stood up straighter, unable to take my eyes off her as I spoke. “Austin, come meet my girl.”
And fuck if everyone’s heads didn’t about explode just for the fact I said it aloud.
Shea moved forward, watching him with quiet curiosity and uncontained affection. “It’s so good to finally meet you,” she said.
“Yeah, it’s really good to meet you, too,” he said, shaking her hand as his gaze slid my direction, like he was assessing if this was what I really wanted, if I’d lost my mind, or if I was just playing around, messing with a girl I shouldn’t be messing with.
But this wasn’t a game.
And if it was, Shea had me beat.
Everyone headed outside and onto the huge wooden deck that backed the house and overlooked the sea. The entire thing was painted white—railings, floor, and steps. There were a handful of loungers facing the water and a couple round tables with big red umbrellas. A built-in barbecue and bar sat at the very end, and right off to the side were five steps leading to a long boardwalk that hovered just over the thick sand dunes and brush that dumped you right onto the beach.
Today, the blue sky seemed to stretch on forever, the day bright and shimmering, just a few streaks of clouds pulled by the breeze giving it form and depth.
Kallie seemed to warm right up to the guys, and she was busy filling Austin and Zee in on that bounty of information she had about butterflies after one flitted by. Without thought, she grabbed Zee’s hand. Jarred by her forwardness, Zee glanced back, clearly asking for guidance. Shea just smiled and he gave a shrug and let Kallie lead him down the walk, nodding away as she skipped along beside him.
So maybe Kallie being here wasn’t so weird after all.
Shea leaned that warm body into my side and peeked up at me. “This is perfect, Baz. Thank you for inviting us.”
Turning, I framed her face in my hands, whispered close to her mouth. “Don’t want you anywhere else, baby.”
Okay, so maybe there was one other place I wanted her.
In my bed.
Naked.
Under me.
I skimmed my mouth over hers. Once. Twice. By the third time hunger was pulsing through me, and I was wanting more. Just a brush and this girl lit me up.
“Oh, God, seriously, spare me. Don’t tell me we’re going to be subject to this mushy bullshit all the time?” Ash shot us both a mocking smirk.