When our feet land on the lower level, I lean into his side, pressing my mouth to his ear. “Your arms are the stuff dreams are made of. I could get off just staring at them.”
He slams me up against the wall, smashing his lips down on mine and devouring me likeI’mbreakfast. He nips at my earlobe. “Damn, babe. You can’t say shit like that and not expect me to strip you bare and fuck you into next week.”
“Ahem.” A throat clearing has us breaking apart.
“Morning.” Keanu grins, holding a mug in one hand as his other arm is wrapped around his wife. Selena is tall and willowy with long blonde hair that falls halfway down her back. She’s tucked into Keanu’s side, smiling at Kent.
“Morning,” I reply, taking a step toward Selena. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Presley.”
“Nice to meet you too.” Her expression and her voice are soft, confirming her gentle manner. “Keanu was telling me all about you.”
“Great,” Kent grumbles. “And I suppose you’ve been all over the family group chat.”
“Suck it up, bro.” Keanu thumps Kent in the upper arm. “Presley is the first woman to hold your attention. That’s big news.” His eyes twinkle as he fixes them on me. “Everyone is dying to meet you.”
Kent pulls me in front of him, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Everyone can fuck off. I’m not sharing her.”
Selena beams, and she looks truly happy for us. I already know I like her. I wasn’t sure what to expect because she’s a famous model and her tragic backstory is well known, but she seems sweet and shy and down-to-earth. I know she’s had it rough and she’s been through the wringer dealing with PTSD and other stuff as a result of being a victim of sex trafficking. She clearly has tons of inner strength to have survived such an ordeal and to fight for the life she wants. I admire her even though I don’t know her yet.
“Let’s make breakfast, and leave the girls to talk,” Keanu suggests, pecking his wife on the lips before walking toward us.
Kent squeezes my hand before releasing me from his arms. “Is there anything you don’t eat?” he asks, and I shake my head.
“I’ll eat pretty much anything.”
Keanu returns with two mugs. “Peppermint tea,” he explains, setting them down on the coffee table.
The guys walk into the kitchen while we take seats beside one another on the couch. “He’s so thoughtful,” I supply, glancing in Keanu’s direction as I grab one of the mugs.
“He really is,” Selena says. “He takes such good care of me. He’s an amazing husband.”
“I can already see that.”
“How long have you and Kent known each other?” she asks, sipping her tea.
“Only a couple weeks though it feels longer.”
She nods as if she understands. “Keanu says you manage a bar?”
We chat for a few minutes about my job, my art class, and my hopes of becoming a tattoo artist, and she tells me about her past modeling career and talks animatedly about Moonlight, the support center she is building for victims of sex abuse. I’ve read all about it and Kent has mentioned it, but hearing her talk passionately about all her plans really brings it to life for me.
“I think what you are doing is incredible,” I admit. “And you are so brave to have told your story. I am in awe of you.”
Her cheeks redden, and she shrugs casually, like it’s no biggie.
“My parents died when I was nine, and I went into the foster care system after that,” I tell her. “I saw abuse growing up, and the kind of facility you are building is really needed. I know there are supports currently available, but it’s not enough. If I can do anything to help, volunteer or something, I would be happy to do it.”
She clasps my hand in hers. “That would be wonderful, and thank you for sharing that with me.”
“Breakfast is ready,” Kent says, and I jerk my chin up, startled to see him right in front of me. I hadn’t heard him approaching. He eyes me with a slight frown, and I wonder where his head is at.
We enjoy a relaxed breakfast with Kent’s brother and sister-in-law, and the guys definitely know how to take care of their ladies, cooking up a feast of bacon, eggs, mushrooms, and potatoes.
Kent and I clean up since Keanu and Selena need to get moving. They are supposed to drop by her mother’s house before heading back to Wellesley.
We walk them down to their car, and I hang back with Selena. We stop a few feet away from Keanu’s SUV, and I’m surprised when Selena pulls me in for a hug. She doesn’t seem like a hugger to me.
“I’m so glad to meet you, Presley. I hope I’m not speaking out of turn when I say I really hope I see you again. Kent is different with you,gooddifferent, and I hope you guys make a go of it.”
