“Baby, I’ll kiss you whenever, wherever you want,” Jesse told her, flicking his gaze to Knox.“We both will.But can I take these off first?”
She glanced down the flannel, the tank underneath.“Oh.”
“It’s okay if the answer is no,” Knox told her gently, his hand resting on her back.Her skin had popped out in goosebumps, and she wasn’t nearly as relaxed as she’d been a moment ago.
“It’s just…” Her gaze flicked between them, her plump lower lip caught between her teeth.“Can you take your shirts off, too?”
Surprised, Knox nodded.“If that’s what you want.”
“I’ll feel less weird if I’m not the only one who’s half naked,” she explained, then jerked back, startled, when Jesse started wrestling his way out of his Henley.
“Christ, Jess,” Knox began, wincing when Jesse cracked an elbow against the coffee table.“Slow down.You’re going to hurt yourself.”
“Why won’t this come off— Ow!”Jesse exclaimed from inside the shirt.“What the fuck is my hair caught on?”
Since Chloe had collapsed into giggles, Knox got up to assist.“It’s wrapped around one of the buttons.Hold still.”
“Why does this thing have buttons, anyway?”Jesse asked, his voice muffled by the cotton.“Ow!Dammit, Knox!”
“I told you to hold still,” Knox said without sympathy and worked the hair free of the button.“There.”
Jesse tossed the shirt away, his eyes wild, his hair wilder.He raised a hand to rub at his scalp.“Shit, that hurt.”
“Poor baby,” Chloe crooned through her giggles.
Jesse grinned, then pinned a pout on his pretty face.“A kiss would make it feel better.”
Knox rolled his eyes, but he was smiling when Chloe leaned forward to press her lips to Jesse’s scalp.“There.All better.”
“Thanks, sweetheart.”He aimed a smug look at Knox.“And that’s how it’s done.”
Knox’s chuckle mixed with Chloe’s laugh.“You’re shameless.”
“Who needs shame?”Jesse jerked his chin at Knox.“Go on, get that sweater off so Chloe feels more comfortable.”
Smiling, and enjoying the way Chloe went from cheerful giggles to wide-eyed stillness at the order, Knox reached for the hem of his sweater.
Oh, my.
Chloe swallowed as Knox peeled the sweater over his head.She’d been distracted by the humor of the moment when Jesse had taken off his shirt, so the impact of his smooth, muscled chest and thick abs had been mitigated somewhat.But there was no lessening the impact of Knox.
He was swimmer lean, with hair fanning over his pectoral muscles.It was thick, a mix of silver and the dark brown that she assumed was his natural, pre-gray color.It trailed down to bisect his abs, fanning out again around his belly button before disappearing into the waist of his jeans.
Happy trail, she thought, her dry mouth beginning to water, and was jolted out of her fascinated stare when she felt a tug at her flannel.
Jesse was looking at her expectantly, one hand on the sleeve.“Your turn.”
It was a question still, giving her a chance to back out or slow down, and gave her the courage to peel the shirt off.
Knox murmured in approval as her shoulders were bared.The shirt off and away, she grasped the hem of the tank and lifted it over her head, dropping it into Jesse’s waiting hands.The room was warm, but still she shivered—not from cold, but awareness.They were looking at her, as she’d looked at them, only the thin spandex of her bralette shielding her now.
“What do you call this thing?”Jesse wondered.
She looked at him, kneeling in front of her.“A bralette.”
He stroked one blunt fingertip down the thin strap over her shoulder.“It’s pretty.”
She’d had no idea she’d end up half naked tonight, so pretty was just the luck of the draw.The soft pink color complimented her skin, and the lace trim lent a little romance to the utilitarian garment.
