Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,133

southern pleasure?” he goads me.

We’re sitting on the same side of the booth, which makes my next move easy enough. I grab hold of his shirt collar and bring his face mere inches from mine. “Not fucking happening,” I repeat my earlier threat. “Stay the fuck away from her.” I release his shirt with a shove, and his body jerks back.

“Hey, is this one mine?” Kinley’s sweet voice washes over me. I’m still wound tight, my eyes never leaving Mike’s.

I watch a slow smile creep across his face. “Sure is, darlin’. Don’t forget you promised me a dance.” He winks at her.

I clench my jaw tight to keep from making a scene.

“Yeah, I’ll have to take a rain check. I have an early shoot in the morning. This is my last one.” She raises her beer as she turns to face me. “Evan, do you think you could take me home? Aaron said he was going to stay for a while longer.” She points over her shoulder. I see Aaron and a blonde getting friendly out on the dance floor.

“I can take you home,” Mike offers.

“Uh, thanks, Mike, but Evan is going my way.” She gives him a polite smile, but it’s not her smile, the one that lights up her face—the smile I’ve come to enjoy seeing on her over the past several weeks.

Digging my wallet out of my back pocket, I throw a few bills down on the table and push on Mike’s arm. Reluctantly, he stands and allows me to slide out of the booth.

I place my hand on the small of her back. Kinley leans in to give Olivia a quick hug, then turns to smile up at me.

My smile.

“Let’s get you home,” I say, bending down next to her ear. She nods and, with my hand guiding her, we head out to my truck.

Chapter 10

McKinley

This past month has been crazy. I’ve been busy with sessions in my studio. Business is great; I couldn’t be happier. I’ve been shopping non-stop for the perfect room for baby girl Chamberlin. Evan says he doesn’t know what he’s going to name her yet. I want this little girl to have a room that dreams are made of. Even though Evan has to play mom and dad, I want to help him---we all do. I want to make sure this little girl knows she’s loved, because she is.

Evan is family, so sometimes when I think of him as something other than that, I feel guilty. I try; I really do. I try hard not to notice how amazing his body is. I try hard not to fantasize about tracing those six-pack abs with my tongue. I find myself failing in my attempts more often than not.

It’s hard to prevent it when we spend so much time together. Today is a perfect example. I’m going over to his place in a few hours to start painting. I picked up the paint and all the supplies yesterday. I’ve been giving his credit card a workout. I’ve been finding bargains to save him some money, but he needs everything!

“Morning,” Mom says as I walk into the kitchen.

“Morning. Something smells good.”

“Waffles. You just missed your dad and Aaron. They’re helping Evan with some branding today,” she tells me.

Although both my father and Aaron, as well as Evan, raise and breed thoroughbred horses, they also have cattle. Branding is time consuming. It’s an all hands on deck kind of job. Evan has a small crew who works for him, but with his grandfather unable to help, my dad and Aaron have been lending him a hand the last couple of years. He does the same for them.

“Evan mentioned that last night. He called to tell me where he was going to leave the key. I’m going over after my morning session to start painting the nursery.”

“You know I’ve been meaning to ask you. Your Dad and I want to get him something special. I know he will refuse a shower, although he shouldn’t,” Mom says.

“Yeah, that’s a pride thing, I think. Men just don’t get that a shower is all a part of having a baby. Of course, in his defense, if the baby mamma was involved, she would gladly accept a shower. He’s so out of his element.”

“He’s been a trooper though. He really wants to do right by this baby,” Mom adds.

“Yes, he does. He’s a great guy.”

“Hmm.”

“What hmm?” I ask her.

“Nothing. So, do you have any ideas of what we can get