Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 93942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
He reminded me of Peyton in that way—impulsive, never taking anything too seriously. But Kai was a world-class skier. Peyton couldn’t even figure out what she wanted to do with her life. And I knew that if I didn’t spend every moment studying, learning, preparing for my future, I wouldn’t amount to anything either. I’d end up like my sister—drifting from one thing to the next, never committing, never building anything real.
But was Kai really as uncomplicated as he seemed? Or was that just the version of himself he showed the world? I didn’t know if I’d ever understand someone like him, but that didn’t mean I didn’t like being around him.
Later, after I’d tracked down Landon and confirmed the maintenance reports were up to date, we went down to get a late dinner together. It was nice, having him at my side. But I couldn’t help but watch the way Kai joked and laughed with everyone around him, completely in his element. And then I let myself think about the gym.
I wished I hadn’t pushed him away so soon. What he’d done, the way his hands had moved along my body—I’d never felt anything like that. I didn’t know a kiss could feel that good.
Maybe it wouldn’t have with anyone but him. But I had a strong suspicion that Landon and Asher could make it feel just as well if they wanted it to.
Later that night, we gathered in the hideaway. Kai appeared with a bottle of champagne, and the cork flew out with a loud pop. Landon caught it mid-air without even looking.
“What’s the occasion?” I asked.
“If you drink enough of it, you get drunk,” Kai said. “That’s a good enough occasion for me.”
Landon shook his head. “Asher usually has to skip Christmas and New Year’s Eve, because he’s working in the restaurant. So we like to celebrate when we can. I imagine you’ll miss them too.”
“Me?”
Kai poured champagne into four glasses. “Yes. Because you spend the entire day running all over the place, especially walking back and forth across the lobby, your high heels clicking on the floor. It drives me insane.”
That was a little insulting. “Because of the sound?”
“Because of the way it makes your legs look.” He winked.
Heat crept up my neck as I took the glass he offered.
We settled onto the sofa—Kai and Landon on either side of me, their legs pressed against mine. Kai draped his arm across my shoulders like it was the most natural thing in the world. Thanks to the body heat from the twins, I rarely bothered with a blanket anymore.
Asher was in his usual armchair, feet propped on the coffee table, looking more relaxed than I’d seen him in days.
Landon put on music from his phone—instrumental versions of Christmas carols, soft and unobtrusive.
I sipped the champagne, enjoying the way the bubbles tickled my nose. But I enjoyed even more the muscled, masculine presence on either side of me, the weight of Kai’s arm, the firm press of Landon’s thigh against mine.
Landon had his hand resting on his lap, his fingers loose against his faded black jeans. On impulse, I reached over and took it, squeezing gently like I had in the solarium.
“You okay?” I asked him.
“Never better,” he said, but it sounded automatic.
I wondered if he really used to be as animated and cheerful as Kai. I couldn’t quite picture it, but someday I hoped I’d find out.
“So,” Kai said, his fingers playing with a strand of my hair that had escaped my bun. “Truth or dare?”
“We already did fuck, marry, kill,” Asher pointed out. “A middle-school game’s a bit tame after that.”
“We could play twenty questions, and I’ll try to guess what you’re thinking,” I suggested.
“Everyone knows what he’s thinking,” Asher said, and my face flushed because he likely had a point.
“What can I say? I’m an uncomplicated guy with simple pleasures.” Kai turned to me. “But maybe we have more in common than you think. What’s your favorite position?”
I nearly choked on my champagne.
“For sleeping,” Kai added innocently. “Why, what did you think I meant?”
Landon snorted. “You’re full of shit.”
“I’m just making conversation.” Kai’s hand slid from my hair to my shoulder, his thumb tracing small circles. “Keeping things interesting.”
The champagne was making me warm and loose, and sitting between them like this—their masculine energy, their heat, their hard bodies—it was doing things to me. Everything felt charged. Electric.
It all just bubbled up inside me. I was twenty-two years old, and I didn’t have a favorite position for sex. I didn’t even know that many besides the basic ones. How could I go out in the real world with my knowledge completely lacking in such an important aspect of adulthood?
“I need lessons,” I blurted out.
It came out louder than I’d expected, and they all stopped talking and looked at me.