“No. But he can try to help you make the best decisions. That’s his job. If I had a little sister, I’d do that for her. And I can’t say that I wouldn’t try to protect her from guys like me.”
Ironically, Luc knew he was just the type of guy he would want to protect a girl from. But he wasn’t that same guy with Kassie; she was different. She made him want to be different, too.
“You would?” Kassie’s brow wrinkled, then a small, meek smile crossed her beautiful lips. “That’s sweet.”
“Of course, I would! I mean, I have no experience since I have no siblings, but I think I would. The only problem here is that you not only have an older brother who wants to kick my ass—as all older brothers should—but he also plays on the same team as I do.”
Kassie sighed quietly. “Luc?” Her shoulders were now low, and her appearance reminded him of a scared animal. Maybe it was the effects of the Kahlua, maybe it was because she was hurt by her brother’s reaction tonight. Maybe it was both.
All he wanted to do was comfort her, pull her into his arms, hold her and make it okay. But he wasn’t sure he would be able to stop there. His jeans were already tight. He finished off his beer and set it on the table next to her empty glass.
“Funny thing.” Kassie focused her stunning brown eyes on him. “I don’t see anything I need protection from.”
Kassie’s words made him even more eager to kiss her again. His body was on fire with need. Unable to resist touching her, he cupped her soft cheek in his hand. Her lips were pursed and slightly opened. Her sweet scent teased at his sanity, and he could see and feel only her. Maybe if she wasn’t Kaden’s sister, he would’ve made his move days ago. Or maybe it had nothing to do with whose sister she was, and everything to do with the girl she was. He wanted to taste those lips and explore her in ways he’d imagined a thousand times.
In his gut, he was torn. He needed some distance, to breathe and gather his control. But at the same time, he wanted to be as close as he could with her. Luc desperately tried to subdue the fire that raged in his pants.
He cradled her face in his hand and kissed her forehead. He wanted to make this all better for her. She shouldn’t be in the middle between him and her brother. He was the one who had broken the code, so he should be the one to pay for it. “Look, I’ll handle things with your brother. It’s me he needs to be angry at, not you. Don’t worry about him.”
There was no worry left in her eyes. They sparkled with what looked like the same need that he felt. He didn’t want to think about Kaden anymore tonight, and he didn’t want to keep second guessing whether to hold back with Kassie. Thinking was overrated. He slowly brushed his lips against hers. He outlined her jaw with his finger until he lightly took her chin between his thumb and forefinger.
Tipping her chin up towards him, Luc ran his tongue over her bottom lip. Kassie tangled her fingers in his hair, causing chills to run through him. With ninja-like movement, Kassie adjusted herself so she was kneeling on the couch next to Luc. The skirt of her dress inched up her thighs, but she didn’t seem to care.
Needing to be closer, Luc wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up just enough to lay her on her back against a pile of pillows that sat on the couch. He moved over her, and opening his mouth just a little, he kissed her and slowly parted her lips with his tongue, deepening their kiss. A small moan formed in her throat, and her body reacted by arching against his.
Kassie’s dress was a mess, her skirt now tempting him by riding farther up her thighs. There was no way to hide the bulge in his jeans as he settled between her legs. Her mouth was warm and soft. Running his hands though her thick, dark hair, he fully explored her mouth.
Kassie kissed him back with the same force, holding him close and encouraging more. She smelled of apple and tasted like cotton candy. It was a magical mash-up of fragrance for his senses.
Sliding his lips down to her jaw and then along her neck, he dropped little kisses as he went.
But Kassie twisted out from under him and stood up from the couch. She held out her hand to him. Her lips were puffy and red, and her dress was wrinkled. “Luc, I don’t want to go to bed alone tonight.”
Her taste lingered on his lips, teasing him, making the decision easy for him. This was what he lay awake nights thinking about. Every inch of his body wanted her. He had since the first day he laid eyes on her.
“Luc?” Her hand was still out to him, waiting.
Taking hold of her hand, he let her lead him back to her bedroom. The apartment wasn’t that big, but it seemed like forever watching her hips swing side to side in front of him.
Finally, at the doorway to her bedroom, Kassie turned to face him. Her eyes moved to his waist and so did her fingers. Chills ran through him as she unbuttoned his jeans and slid her hands around his waist, her nails tickling his sides.
Luc grabbed her arms to stop her, and he covered her mouth with his, tasting her sweetness again. He couldn’t get enough of her and wanted more.
Slowly, Kassie backed towards her bed and sat down. She slid backwards, pulling him with her. Luc’s lips found hers again, while she worked on unzipping his blue jeans.
He sat up to pull his t-shirt over his head, and that’s when he noticed it. Her eyes were glassy and her reactions slightly sloppy. All the alcohol she had drunk tonight, in combination with the drama that occurred, had finally come to a head. This wasn’t how their first time was going to go down. He didn’t want her to regret this. Regret them.
“Sweets, you’ve had a lot to drink tonight. I think it’s best if you get some rest.” The words made his erection ache. It was not the plot twist he was expecting, but she wasn’t the kind of girl you did this to. He was still kneeling over her. “We can do this another time.”
He stood up to leave. This was a bad idea. Luc knew what would happen if they continued, and he refused to do that while she was impaired. He was more of a gentleman than that.
“Wait.” She tugged at his jeans, winding a finger through his belt loop, keeping him in front of her.
He would’ve enjoyed her hands so close to his belt if he didn’t feel like she was being driven by the alcohol and anger.
“Luc, please don’t go.” Her slender fingers tangled in his belt loops, tugging at his already opened jeans.
It was obvious that she didn’t want to be alone, and he didn’t want her to be. Sliding his hand in hers, he lay down on the bed beside her. The yawn that escaped her lips told him he was making the right decision.
He cuddled up next to her, slipped his arm around her waist, and buried his face in her neck. His voice dropped to a whisper as he added, “Get some rest, baby. I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”