I don’t know if he’s thinking what I am, but the thought of the rough scruff on his jaw running along the inside of my thighs has my hands shaking.
“Eat. We’ll head out in a couple of hours. I got some stuff to take care of before then, but come find me in the office,” he says, his voice sounding deeper than before.
I nod, not able to say anything. I have a feeling that any words that might come out of my mouth right now would be incoherent anyways.
He looks at me again then stands, shaking his head. I watch him as he walks to the bedroom door, stops at the threshold to look at me over his shoulder before tapping the doorjamb twice, and then leaves the room. I let out a long breath, wondering what the hell I’m going to do. I’m drawn to him. He scares the shit out of me. I’m never like this and don’t know what to do with the jumbled mess my emotions are in.
*
“You okay?” Kentonasks, and I look from the house in front of us over to him and nod before I start to open the door to his car. “Wait here while I come around,” he says, unfolding his large body from behind the driver’s seat.
I watch him walk around to the passenger’s side of the car. Watching him move is fascinating to me. He reminds me of a lion or a bear, his movements fluid, even with his large mass.
He opens my door and I get out, running my sweaty palms down the front of my shorts as I stand. As soon as I clear the door of the car, his hand goes to the small of my back and he leads me up the front porch. He doesn’t even knock or ring the bell; he just opens the screen door and walks us into the house.
My feet stop inside the front door. I didn’t tell Viv that Kenton was going to be bringing me, and I don’t want her to think that I’m rude, even if they are family.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, his eyebrows coming together.
“I feel bad. I should have called and told Viv what was going on. I don’t like springing this on her,” I tell him, fidgeting with the ends of my sweater.
“I called her this morning and told her I was coming,” he assures me.
“Oh.”
“It’s all good. Come on.” He grabs my hand, pulling me along with him.
When we clear the front hall, we walk into the large living room, where more than a dozen people turn to look at us.
“Crap,” I whisper and then glare at Kenton when he starts to laugh.
“Autumn, you’re here! And look! You brought the ass,” Viv says, walking towards us.
I feel my eyes go wide at the word ‘ass’ and start shaking my head at her.
“Oh, honey, trust me. I know this one’s an ass.” She pats Kenton’s cheek, smiling up at him.
“Thanks, Aunt Viv.” He laughs, kissing her cheek.
When she comes to me, her hands go to my face, her eyes look me over, and she smiles, shaking her head. I have the urge to bite my lip. I know what she’s thinking, and she is oh-so wrong.
“Is Mom here?” Kenton asks her, and I look over at him, feeling suddenly like I might be sick.
“Yep. She’s outside with your uncle.”
“I’m gonna go get my mom, baby. I’ll be right back,” he tells me and starts to move away.
“No! I mean…don’t do that. I…um, I need to go back to the house,” I say quickly, trying to plan my escape. “You guys have a nice dinner and I’ll just reschedule.”
“Oh, nonsense,” Viv says, waving her hand around.
No way do I want to meet Kenton’s mom, and there is nothing anyone can say that will convince me differently,I think, feeling the panic rise.
“Honey, I’m so glad you’re here,” a woman says, walking into theroom.
I take her in. Her dark hair is shorter than Kenton’s. She’s petite; I would guess close to five one. She’s wearing a long, flowing dress and a blue jean vest with a wide belt wrapped around her waist. My eyes close and my head falls forward. Now I have no way to get out of this without looking like an ass.
“I thought Aunt Viv filled you in on what was goin’ on,” Kenton says as he picks the woman up off the floor, giving her a hug.
