Three separate heartbeats, the aftermath of each echoing like a gong in my body.
“What do we do now?”she asked.
I fell completely silent for a few beats, dumbstruck at the reality facing me.
“What doyouwant to do now?”I finally managed.
I idly stroked my thumb along the inside of her wrist.When I saw the worry flickering in her eyes, I wanted to pull her into my arms and hold her close and promise her everything would be okay.Because it had to be.
To me, Kendall was as important as family.Shewasfamily in my heart.Except for the fact that I wanted her naked and gasping underneath me.
“I’m not sure.I mean, I want—” She sighed.
“Kiss me,” she suddenly said, her words loud and with a force to them.She lifted her chin, her eyes burning into mine.
With Kendall asking me to kiss her, there was only one option.I took a step closer, savoring the soft give of her curves against me.The air around us felt electrified as if sparks were shimmering in it.
She smelled like hay.Maybe a hint of horses.I was distantly distracted for a moment by the sound of Travis and his distinct three-legged gait as he ran out of the barn.
I slid one arm around her waist, releasing her hand to lift mine and palm her cheek, curling my hand into a loose fist as I trailed my knuckles along her skin.“Are you sure you want me to kiss you?”
She cleared her throat before nodding.And then, fuck me, her lips parted and her tongue darted out to glide over her bottom lip.Sweet fucking hell.The sight of that was deeply arousing and sent lightning sizzling through me.
I held her gaze as I slowly dipped my head and brought my mouth to hers.Our kiss started with one brushing touch after another.My hand slid down, unfurling as my thumb coasted over the wild beat of her pulse.She let out this soft sigh.I felt the sound like a vibration through my entire body, all the way to my bones.
I fit my mouth over hers and gave in, just let that need wash over me and through me.Her lips were plump and welcoming.I laid claim to her mouth.Our kiss became open and messy.
I couldn’t get enough of her.I breathed her in, savoring every moment.The way she let out these little sounds in her throat.The way she arched up into me.The way her tongue was bold and teasing.She carried hints of shyness, as if she wasn’t sure it was okay to be this bold.
I let out a growl as my grip around her waist tightened.I slid my hand down over her bottom.And, oh, what a sweet curve it was, plump and round.I let myself nudge toward her.My arousal was thick and hard.I had years of bottled-up need and emotion for her.
I’d been downright pining for her.I was so accustomed to ignoring the feeling that giving in to it was like opening the floodgates.All of it poured out into this one kiss.
By the time we broke apart to breathe, my hand was tangled in her hair, and I was clinging to her.Her lips were kiss-swollen, her mouth parted, and her eyes wide as she stared up at me.
“Jude,” she breathed.
I couldn’t even speak.I was so overcome by this moment.
Travis, who’d disappeared for most of this, came barreling back into the barn, letting out yips and breaking through the moment, which was probably for the best, because I couldn’t even think.My knees were weak, and I wanted to lift her into my arms and take her right here and now against the barn wall, for fuck’s sake.
I eased my hold on her and slowly stepped back, unlacing my fingers from her curls and reluctantly letting go of her bottom.
Kendall looked bereft.Considering that’s how I felt, it was a relief to know I wasn’t alone.
“Jude,” she repeated, her voice clear this time.
“What is it, sweetheart?”
She blinked.
“Can you do me a favor?”
“Anything,” I said without thinking, because I would doanythingfor her.
“Can we—” She blushed again, clearing her throat.She hesitated, uncertainty flickering in her eyes.
“Can we what?”I pressed.
