Don't Need You - Lilian Monroe Page 0,26

nice.

He listened.

As I curl up underneath the covers, staring at the ceiling, I wonder if my standards have really sunk that low. All it takes to make me melt is a guy to ask me a couple of questions about my job. Is that really so incredible?

I turn onto my side, tucking my knees into my stomach and taking a deep breath. If I’m really quiet, I can hear him moving around on the sofa. I can just about hear his breath. I can feel his presence like a bonfire in the next room, keeping me warm and safe and protected.

9

Kit

Serena has her hair tied back in a massive messy bun. She’s wearing black leggings that leave nothing to the imagination, and it takes all my self-control not to stare at her ass.

Even that baggy hoodie she has on does something for me. Maybe it’s the thought of how easy it would be to tear it off.

The three of us take the short flight up to Bradley International Airport, where it’s time for us to part ways. Serena will have to go through with the passengers, while Robbie and I have a few things to do before we head to the plane. We’ll be flying back to Woodvale, and I’ve got a week off before a long, six-week stint of weekly rotations flying back and forth on this route until Christmas.

I watch Serena give Robbie a kiss as she heads toward the airport security gates, and then turns to me and gives me a tight hug.

It has exactly the same effect as her first hug had on me—meaning my cock is suddenly rock-hard and trying its best to break free from the confines of my pants. The teeth of my zipper strain to hold me in, and I pray to anyone who will listen that Serena doesn’t feel it.

I pull away, clearing my throat. “See you on the other side.”

I can’t quite resist watching her walk away, until I tear my eyes away from her figure and give Robbie a nod. “Let’s go.”

The flight is smooth and uneventful, but it feels like it lasts twice as long as usual. When we land, Robbie gives me a smile.

“Thanks for this, Kit.”

“It’s nothing,” I answer. “You’d do the same for my sister.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t warn you about it earlier.”

“It’s cool, Robbie. Don’t worry about it.”

Robbie nods, letting out a long breath. Now that we’ve landed on the other side of the country, I can tell he’s relieved.

It makes me wonder what exactly happened between Angelo and Serena, and why the rest of their family doesn’t know about it—or care.

As we exit the plane, I shake Robbie’s hand. “See you in a week.”

“Take care of her.” His face is serious. I nod.

I remember saying the exact same thing to Finn when I left town. I remember the gravity of the request, and how important to me it was to know he’d be there for her.

I also remember the betrayal of knowing he’d broken that trust and pursued my sister behind my back.

I won’t do that to Robbie.

I wheel my small bag to the baggage claim and find Serena standing next to one of the carousels. Her hip is cocked to the side, and she’s scratching her scalp under her mess of dark hair.

“Hey,” I say, coming to a stop beside her.

She smiles at me, and I almost fall back. “Hi.”

Does she have any idea how gorgeous she is? Even in shitty, artificial light after a cross-country flight, she looks as gorgeous as if she were walking a red carpet. Her lips are slick and shiny, and I wonder if she stopped off to put makeup on after the flight.

“How are you feeling?”

“Amazing,” she answers, hooking her arm around mine and leaning her head against my shoulder. “Like I can take on the world.”

My heart hammers. I like having her beside me like this. I love feeling the warmth of her body next to mine.

But what would Robbie think?

I’m grateful when Serena pulls away and heads for the carousel to grab her bags. Two big, black wheelie suitcases come off the carousel and she flashes another brilliant smile at me.

“Take me home, Kit.”

My heart. God, it swells when she says the word home. My pulse skates across the distance between us, begging for her to hear it. Asking her to reach into my chest and grab my heart with both hands.

Those words definitely shouldn’t have such an effect on me. A lump lodges