“The reckless one.”
And before she could fire back with that quick wit of hers, I leaned in. Slow. Intentional. Giving her all the time in the world to stop me if she wanted to. But she didn’t. Her lips parted—justthe slightest bit on the sweetest inhale—and, damn, if I didn’t take that as ayes.
But just as I was about to close that last breath of space between us, she jerked back fast and slapped a hand over her mouth like a reflex.
“What are you doing?” she blurted, her voice muffled against her palm as her eyes went wide with a skepticism that had my own curiosity piquing. “You can’t kiss me right now. I havemorning breath.”
That got me, and I barked out a laugh—loud and sharp. “Darlin’, you drooled all over me last night. I think it’s safe to say that I’m not gonna be scared off by a little morning breath.”
Andi’s eyes flew wide then as she sucked in a horrified gasp. “I didnotdrool.”
“Oh, but you did,” I teased, pointing at my chest where she in fact did not drool, but I was having too much fun egging her on to bother with the truth. Plus, I liked seeing that fire in her eyes. “Right here.”
She let out a scandalized grumble and gave me a playful shove. Except…she forgot about that leg of hers slung over me. The force of her shove dragged her thigh higher, sliding up dangerously close to where I was already fighting a losing battle. I caught her leg with my hand, cupping my palm around her knee and holding it still…but the sharp inhale that left my mouth gave me away.
Her entire body froze as her gaze flicked up to mine.
“Careful there, princess,” I murmured, letting a slow grin tip the corner of my mouth as I gave her knee a gentle squeeze. “Or you’re gonna find out real quick just how much your drool and morning breath don’t bother me at all.”
She studied me for a beat, holding my gaze like she wasn’t quite sure if I was bluffing. But then her gaze dropped, following the line of my arm down to where my hand still anchored herleg. Realization washed over her face right about the same time a blush bloomed across her cheeks.
“Oh.” The word was barely a whisper. Soft. Shy.Undeniably sexy.
Her bottom lip slid between her teeth, holding it hostage there like she was biting down on whatever wild thought just crossed her mind—the kind of thought that mirrored my own, I wondered. My fingers flexed into the flesh at her knee as I stroked my thumb against her smooth thigh—dragging in a rough breath and trying like hell to steady myself, because if she leaned in now I wasn’t sure I’d be able to stop.
“Zane…” My name flowed off of her lips in a sensual plea that had all of my control teetering on the edge.
Three soft raps sounded from the other side of the door—soft, yes, but jarring still.
We both jolted, and Andi’s leg slipped from my grip.
“Who would that be?” she whispered, her wide eyes locking with mine for a split second before twisting her body to glance at the door.
Cursing under my breath, I dragged a hand down my face and sighed heavily. “Fuckin’ Luke,” I muttered, positive it was him because he couldn’t stomach the taste of responsibility for ten damn minutes without coming to find me.
Another knock sounded, this one louder.
“Go away!” I barked, sharper and louder than I meant but, damn, he was relentless.
“Zane Michael McKade, is that any way to talk to your momma?”
“Shit,” I whispered, bolting upright and taking Andi with me.
“You know, son,” Mom said from the other side of the door, calm but loaded with suspicion. “I thought it was a little odd that Luke was the only one out working this morning…especially seein’ as your truck’s been parked outside since before dawn.”
We sat frozen for a beat—the silence thick with what we almost did and everything my mother now suspected—before I replied with, “Yes, ma’am, that is odd,” and caught Andi’s amused expression as she curiously mouthedyes, ma’amat me. I grinned back and held a finger to my lips, silently shushing her as we both stifled quiet chuckles.
“Your brother could use some help,” Mom added in that tone that meant this wasn’t up for discussion.
And I could use some dang privacy. “Yes, ma’am,” I said again, and shushed Andi once more as another fit of silent laughter consumed her.
“And let’s keep the sleepovers to your own house, please.” Mom’s voice carried that sweet lilt that always meant she was about to deliver the killing blow. “There are some things I don’t need to picture before church service is even cold in my mind.” Moments later, her voice drifted down the hall as she muttered something about “crazy kids.”
Andi let out a strangled noise that might’ve been a laugh if it wasn’t muffled against my shoulder. My ears burned hotter than branding irons, and for once in my life, I had nothing to say.
“Yes, ma’am,” Andi mocked in a deep drawl I suppose was meant to sound like me. “Such a southern gentleman.” She laughed again, softly, and the sound of it did something to my chest.
“Well, excuse me,ma’am, if I was brought up with manners.”
