Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 116231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
He puts on his sneakers and then grabs a baseball hat, putting it on backward before going to the bathroom, and then coming back out to smile at me. “I’m good to go.”
He slips his hand in mine as we walk out of the house and get back into my SUV. We arrive at Lexi and Kirby’s, and he puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me to his side as we walk up the steps and he rings the doorbell. “I would make out with you, but your brother has cameras.”
I laugh, getting up on my tippy toes. “So if I asked you to kiss me, you would say no?”
He turns toward me, lifting one hand and putting it over the doorbell camera before bending to kiss me. His tongue slides into my mouth as I melt into him. The sound of the door opening doesn’t even register until Lexi clears her throat. “Should I come back?” she asks and I let go of him.
“Sorry,” I say, letting go of him and smiling at Lexi, who just smiles at me as I walk in, and she gives me a side hug. “Hi.” I pretend that she didn’t catch me making out.
“Hi,” she replies then looks at Knox. “You look good.”
“Thanks,” he says, “a little headache, but it’s better than it was this morning.”
I turn to him, the worry all over my face. “You,” I put my hand on his chest, “you need to rest.”
He puts his hand on mine. “I’m fine.”
“Hey,” Kirby greets, coming to stand next to Lexi. He looks at me then at Knox, unsure of how to act or what to say. “You guys are here.” His eyes go to my hand on Knox’s chest.
“Knox,” Lexi says to him, “how about you help me in the kitchen and let the brother and sister talk?”
He looks at me, waiting to see what I’m going to say. “Are you going to be okay?”
“Is she going to be okay?” Kirby snaps. “Are you kidding me right now? She’s my sister,” he huffs, “of course, she is going to be okay.”
He bends to kiss my lips before he walks with Lexi into the house and I watch him. “Okay,” I turn back to Kirby, “where do you want to do this?” I ask him, getting nervous all of a sudden. He walks toward the living room that is off the front door and sits down on one of the couches and I follow him to sit on the other one, facing him. I put my purse on the table. “I know what you are going to say,” I tell him, and he raises his eyebrows at me.
“Do you now?” He leans back into the couch. “I don’t think you do.” I put my hands on my knees. “Are you sure about this?” he asks me softly.
“I am.” I nod my head.
“You’ve never dated anyone,” he points out the obvious to me, “in your whole life.”
“I’ve dated.” I roll my eyes. “I just never got involved with anyone before,” I confess to him, “but with him it’s different.” I look at him. “He’s different.” I blink rapidly to make the tears go away. “I don’t know how it happened. I don’t know when it happened. I…” I take a deep breath in. “I didn’t even want it to happen, and I don’t know what I’m doing, but I know I don’t want to be without him. I know he makes me happy. I know he makes me smile and for the first time in my whole life,” I swallow the lump, “he makes me feel safe.”
“I don’t want him to get hurt,” Kirby says when he scoots to the edge of the couch. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I don’t want that either,” I admit to him. “I’m so scared, Kirby,” I say softly. “I don’t know what love even is.” His face turns white. “I never had anyone besides you who cared about me before. No one who loved me and treated me the way I should have been.” I shake my head. “Then this thing sort of started and…” I shrug. “I just—”
“You are one of the best people I know. He’s also one of the best people I know.” He stands up. “But if he hurts you…” I smile at him. “Or if you hurt him,” he comes to stand next to me and holds out his hand for me, “it’s not going to be good for anyone.”
I put my hand in his and get up as he takes me in his arms and hugs me. “I love you, Kylie.” he states, putting his cheek on the top of my head, “and if anyone deserves to be happy,” I close my eyes and the lone tear escapes, “it’s you.”