“Lips?” Kyle’s brows shot to the roof. “Lips? That’s just… Dude, come on, that’s justcreepy.”
“What? You said nothing cliché like eyesorbody.”
“I know, but I also said to compliment her shoes or watch. Something she won’t takeoffenseto.”
“And I would have – had she been wearing a watch or shoes,” Luke said, sounding exasperated by the interrogation. “She was wearing a bikini! There was no safe thing to compliment. Ipanicked.”
“Okay. Maybe I was being too ambitious with you. Clearly we need to take baby steps here. Start small… and with fully dressedfemales.”
“Like you’re such a closer, Kyle,” Kenzie jumped in to the conversation. “I fell for you the first day we met. I followed you around with these honkin’ lovesick eyes of mine, and you hadnoclue.”
“Right, but in my defense, you smelledprettybad.”
Kenzie laughed, poking Kyle in the side. “You’re suchadick.”
“I guess that just leaves us with Jake,” I said. “Do you have any swagger you’d like to share with mybrother?”
“Yes, Jake,” Luke leaned in, interested in his answer. “Please teach me how to objectifywomen.”
“The only time in my entire life that I’ve ever pursued a woman was your sister. Would you like to hear how Iobjectifiedher?”
“No,” Luke threw his hand up to stop Jake. “I’d rather die alone. But thank youanyway.”
* * *
“Who wantsto go for ice cream?” Lukecalledout.
His two intended targets, Sydney and Riley, shot up and ran for the door, screaming, “I do!Ido!”
“Anyone?” he joked. Again the kids shrieked. “If only there was more enthusiasm. Hey, do you two wanttocome?”
“No, thanks,” I answered, eyeing Jake with interest. He’d better say no. We hadn’t been alone in nearly a month, and Luke had just opened up a window ofopportunity.
Catching my vibe, Jake scanned me with a knowing smile before answering, “No,I’mgood.”
Luke glanced between us, no doubt sensing the smoldering tension, before his face dropped in disgust. “Ew. I’ll be sure to get a doublescoop.”
Once the three had left, I snuck up to the door and peeked out thepeephole.
“Are they gone?” Jake asked, his voice fullofhope.
I turned around and, using the same high-pitched voice Luke had employed to entice the kids for ice cream, I asked, “Who wants to objectifyhiswife?”
Jake shot up and ran for the door. “Ido!”
Tuckedagainst Jake’s sturdy frame, his arms tight around me, I smiled at the memory of our quick and feverish lovemakingsession.
Before he’d even finished his sentence, I was in his arms, legs wrapped around his waist, and was pressing impassioned kisses onto his lips. Together we toured the room in a tangle of arms and legs before Jake dropped on top of me on the bed, and we were off. There was no foreplay or sexy banter, just the quick, frenzied sex that came from having no extended alone time together. And then it was over, and here I was, panting in his arms. I giggled at the absurdity ofitall.
“What?” he asked, and I could feel his smile against mycheek.
“Nothing. I was just thinking that this is how sex will be once we have ourownkids.”
“You mean fast? Yeah, sorry.Mybad.”
“No,” I said, turning around to face him. “Not fast.Frantic.”
“Shit, I know. That was like a quickie on crack. I keep thinking the kids are going to walk inonus.”
