Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 149641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 748(@200wpm)___ 599(@250wpm)___ 499(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 748(@200wpm)___ 599(@250wpm)___ 499(@300wpm)
He winked and Kenzie knew she was in for a wild night.
Deep in the night Kenzie was sleeping, having a lovely dream, when she awakened to the sound of a gun being primed.
“What the hell?” Ben was on his feet.
“Dude, do not kill us,” a familiar voice said. “I told you this was a bad idea. He’s not TJ.”
She was groggy, but she knew Cooper’s voice.
“Well, what am I supposed to do?” Her sister was here. “She’s not sleeping with TJ, which would be weird. She’s made her choice and I have to deal with it. At least that’s what Vivi said.”
Then she felt the bed next to her sink as someone crawled on.
Kenzie yawned but didn’t move. “What did Vivi say?”
“She said I’m being a meanie and kind of a bitch, but not in those words. She used very scholarly words, and there was some stuff about being emotionally dependent, but I don’t care about that. Babe, I’m going to need a blanket because little sis is almost surely naked and while I love her, that’s weird,” Kala said and Kenzie felt an arm go around her waist as her twin spooned against her, their bodies separated by the thick blanket since she was in fact naked. A shudder went through Kala’s body and she whispered. “I can’t sleep.”
Tears pierced her eyes, and she squeezed her sister’s hand. This was something they’d done in childhood. They’d shared a room almost all of their lives, their twin beds on opposite sides. When one was scared, the other would climb in. When Tash joined them they sometimes made a big pallet and slept like puppies in a pile, the sweetness of sleep bonding them as sisters.
Later, Kala would turn to Lou for this comfort.
She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed this until now. “Did Lou lock you out?”
“Seriously, dude, you can’t shoot me,” Cooper was saying. “I know you’re the new guy, but this is something you should get used to.”
“I don’t see why I can’t shoot you. You literally broke into my room,” Ben pointed out. “What is this?”
“Lou isn’t the one I hurt,” Kala whispered. “I love her but she’s not my twin. Kenz, I’m not completely sure what I did. I can be arrogant and selfish and say things that feel like truth to me but it’s hurtful to others, but I love you so much. I want to make it right.”
“Be nice to Ben,” Kenzie replied and held her sister’s hand. “That’s all I ask.”
She didn’t want her sister to change. She loved Kala the way she was but she wanted Ben to have a shot at blending in with her family and friends. She wanted to feel like everyone welcomed him like they had Dare. She didn’t need them to love him like they did Cooper. Coop had been part of their family for a long time, but Dare was doing well. Dare and her dad got along great.
She was almost certain part of the reason Dare had been willing to forgive Tasha had been her family. He’d wanted so much to not be on his own, to have people he could count on. She didn’t know a single human being who could use a nosy, helpful family more than Ben Parker.
She had to prove to him that he was worth more than his guilt, was more important than any vengeance.
Kala groaned. “Fine. I’ll be nice. Scoot over. Coop doesn’t have any room.”
“I’m sorry. What the hell is happening?” Ben asked. “Cooper doesn’t need any room. Cooper is supposed to have his own room.”
“He’s got a nice package,” Kala said with a chuckle. “Very well made, and he keeps a nice grooming routine. I can see where that would be appealing. There. I said a nice thing. About your boyfriend’s dick. It’s handling the cold quite well.”
“Could you put on a robe or something?” Cooper asked. “Also, where’s the… Ah, found the blanket. Scoot over.”
Kenzie yawned and propped herself up on one elbow. There was a thin shaft of moonlight coming from the window and it illuminated her boyfriend’s hot bod and the gun he held. “Babe, this is something we do from time to time when one of us needs comfort.”
“Uhm, she has a husband,” Ben pointed out.
“Yes, that’s why I’m here. Look, man, have you ever dated a twin? Because it gets weird and I’ve learned to go with it.” Cooper settled in. “They didn’t talk earlier and Kala gave up her play session for what I think amounted to a therapy session with Vivi and Sophy. She can’t sleep unless she knows Kenzie is okay. We don’t have to talk about it now, but she needs the connection. Kenzie is half her freaking soul and we will never understand their bond, but we can honor it. Also, is there an extra pillow?”