I shake my head, my hair bouncing against my temples. “Not unless they were paid to.”
The forlorn expression overtaking Kenzie’s gorgeous face makes a yawning pit open in my stomach. I hadn’t meant to upset her. I was just trying to—
“That’s really sad, Trevor.”
“No,” I argue. “Don’t feel sorry for me. I had more than most people growing up. I was just trying to say thank you. This is really special, and I appreciate it.”
Kenzie nods, but her jaw tightens. “I have a question—something I’ve wondered about for a long time.”
“Ask me anything.”
“Who are the guest rooms for? You haven’t had a visitor in the year I’ve lived here.” She tilts her head, considering. “Exceptfor when Tenny spent the night after too much eggnog at the Christmas party.”
My eyes press closed with a slow exhale. I don’t feel like opening this chasm now…or ever. If I’d been smart, I’d have remodeled those rooms years ago when it became evident that my family was never going to get on a plane and visit me. They always had good reasons—work, spousal commitments, more work. My sisters have decided not to have children, but since our parents didn’t exactly model an affectionate upbringing, I can’t blame them.
“They’re for your family, aren’t they?” Kenzie asks in the space I left open.
Her words feel like getting hit in the neck with a foul ball.
“Yeah.”
Violins tangle with soulful voices as I think of something to say. Don’t cry for the rich boy who had every training opportunity—private coaches and facility access that would bankrupt a normal family. No, my parents never came to a game, but they funded the sport I loved without question. That’s its own form of affection, isn’t it?
“It sounds worse than it is,” I say, suddenly defensive. “They’re just—”
“Busy,” Kenzie finishes for me.
My hand rubs the back of my head before it flops back to its previous spot on the countertop. “The food is getting cold. We should eat.”
“We should.” Kenzie pushes forward as she says this, close but not touching, her chin tilting up.
Everything shifts in an instant as a different kind of tension rakes down my spine. I float forward, helpless not to when Kenzie is looking at me like that, like I’m everything she needs. When our noses brush, we both pull in a sharp breath.
“Tell me to stop.” I grit out the words. “We’re supposed to be going slow, and I’m— Tell me to stop.”
I can’t describe the slightly wicked grin lacing Kenzie’s lips, but it’s the only thing I’ll see when I close my eyes later tonight. Electricity cracks through my bones as I struggle to breathe.
Then Kenzie focuses on my lips with a sincerity I’ve never seen before. “Don’t stop.”
Chapter 20
Kenzie
The second the words are out of my mouth, I’m weightless. Trevor uses one broad hand to pick me up while his other rearranges chips and salsa bowls before setting me on the counter. A surprised puff escapes my lips before Trevor devours them like a starving man. The kiss is so intense that fragmented sparks shoot behind my closed eyes—a spectral kaleidoscope. I thought our first kiss had been life altering, but wow—
This is another level.
“I can’t stop thinking about you, about this.”
He all but growls the words like he’s…mad? Can someone be angry while also delivering a kiss so mind-blowing that my knees would’ve buckled had I not been placed on the kitchen island? I have no idea. All I know is the press of Trevor’s lips against mine, his strong body between my knees, is enough to render me temporarily amnesic. I couldn’t do simple arithmetic right now.
When Trevor’s lips work their way to the sensitive spot beneath my ear, an involuntary sound escapes me as I soften. I’m basically the consistency of the flan I have cooling in the fridge. My neck tilts to the side to give him more access, and his approving hum does weird things to my pulse.
Then, all of a sudden, he’s gone. Not exactly gone, but his forehead slumps against my shoulder as he pulls his body away. Only his hands remain on my legs, heavy and twitching, like he’s the one about to collapse.
“We need to slow down,” he tells me, out of breath.
“Or…” I say, leaning forward to continue our kiss.
