“Who’s Vanessa?” Lila asked.
Thank you, Lila.
“My old boss, who’s married to the plumbers’ brother. Man, you want to talk about a dragon. Vanessa could work me under the table, and I’m a pretty hardworking guy.”
Daniel announced moments later from the top of the stairs, “It was Rafi, and he’s coming over. Oh, and the shower’s still cold.”
“You have to wait to let the tank heat up,” Evan reminded him. “Give it a little time. And speaking of time, I’m sorry, but I have to go. I’ve got a client I have to handle before I go back to work tomorrow. Old job, then new job.”
Kenzie understood, but Lila looked confused.
“Walk me out?” Evan asked, glancing at Kenzie.
Daniel started to follow, so Lila latched onto him. “Bye, Evan. See you soon!”
“Why can’t I go too?” Kenzie heard Daniel asking.
“Because I saw a spider near my table and I am not going near it, that’s why.”
“Lila, you’re such a girl.”
“Thank you, Captain Obvious.”
Kenzie preceded Evan up the stairs, but he stopped her in the kitchen. She looked up at him. “What’s wrong?”
“I just need to know. The mint chocolate. Where did that come from?”
“Huh?”
He slid his thumb over her lower lip, and her heart rate shot into overdrive. “When we nearly kissed downstairs, I tasted chocolate and mint on your breath.”
“You want some?” she asked, frazzled. Had she finished off the candy bar in her car? Did she have another in her secret candy drawer? And did any of that matter with Evan’s face drawing closer?
“Yeah. I want a taste.”
“O-kay,” she breathed, meaning okay to anything he wanted. And hallelujah, he wanted the same thing she did.
He kissed her, the pressure soft then firmer as he seduced her with a simple press of his lips. He gently drew her closer, but he didn’t have to pull. She shot forward and hugged him tight, like a heat-seeking missile savoring the warmth of her target.
The man was hot, built, and aroused. She could tell by the generous swelling against her belly. He gave a small groan, and she forgot everything but Evan. The urge to feel him even closer surged, and she drew him by the neck to seal them tighter then penetrated his mouth with her tongue.
He froze for a moment before pushing her back against the wall. Before she knew it, he had his hands on her ass, holding her up with little effort, while she automatically wrapped her legs around his back.
The kiss turned ravenous, the hunger inside her growing.
He pulled his mouth away on a swear, his erection riding between her legsjust right.
“Christ. I want you.” He kissed her again, and she ran her hands through his hair, taken with such softness. The scent of man and cologne made her dizzy. Or maybe that was a lack of air.
He tried to pull back twice, but she wouldn’t let him go.
“Kenzie,” he moaned. “Sweetheart, if you don’t let me go, I’m going to fuck you right now.”
That should have been a bad thing, but feeling such strength holding her close, she couldn’t for the life of her understand why. She blinked up at him, enraptured by the desire on his face. “God, you’re handsome.”
He kissed her, this time his lips softer, the connection less intense. “And you’re gorgeous. And sweet.” He pulled back and nuzzled her neck, kissing her there. “And your brother’s downstairs.”
That served to bank the embers smothering her remaining brain cells. Kenzie groaned. “I’m sorry.”
