Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,281

down beside me on the couch. “Action,” he says with laughter in his voice.

I take that as my cue to hit play. We both focus on the movie, silently snacking on popcorn. It doesn’t take long for the bowl to be empty. Kacen sets it on the table along with our empty water bottles. The rain brought in a cool front; the temperature in the house is getting cooler. Kacen must notice my shiver because he jumps from the couch and jogs down the hall. He’s back in no time with a blanket. He unfolds it and drapes it over my legs.

“Thank you,” I whisper, not sure why. It’s not like we’re in a theatre.

Kacen nods and sits next to me on the couch, closer this time. His leg is touching mine. All that separates us is the blanket. I’m wearing a cover-up on over my swimsuit; it’s mesh, so basically nothing, and Kacen still has his board shorts on. I’ve been trying not to think about it or even look at him really. His abs, the six pack, the sexy V . . . yeah, distracting.

About halfway through the movie, Kacen hits pause. He stands and holds his hand out for me. Confused, I place my hand in his and allow him to pull me up. Once I’m standing, he lets go of my hand and picks up the blanket. I watch as he sets the remote on the arm of the couch and then lies down, patting the spot in front of him.

He wants me to lay with him.

I want to. I want to feel him curled up behind me, his arms around me. I stand there, staring at him while I fight the same internal battle, my heart versus my mind.

“I’ll be good. I just want to hold you, Logan.”

How does a girl say no to that? He continues to break down my defenses. Deciding to take the leap, I lie down in front of him, my head resting in the crook of his arm. Once I’m settled, he throws the blanket over both of us. I feel his arm reach over our heads for the remote and he hits play. The movies starts and I try to focus on the screen, until his arm wraps around my waist. I feel his lips press against my temple as he releases a sigh of contentment.

This was a bad idea. His warmth and smell surrounds me. I can’t fall into this, into him. Even as that thought runs through my mind, my body relaxes against him. I’m in trouble.

The next thing I know, I wake with a jolt and see the TV is off, the house is dark, and the storm is still raging outside. I’m warm and so comfortable I don’t ever want to move.

“I could watch you sleep for days.”

Kacen!

Slowly, I turn so we’re facing each other. It’s so dark I can barely see him. How was he watching me? “It’s dark,” I reply.

He chuckles softly. “Now it is, but I could see you when you fell asleep from the glow of the TV. I turned it off so it wouldn’t wake you.”

“You should have woken me. I’m so sorry. I’m sure you have better things to do than let me sleep on you.” I say the words, but make no effort to extract myself from his embrace.

“Never. I missed this, you know.”

What? “Missed what?” I ask confused.

He traces the line of my jaw with his index finger. “This, waking up to you. I missed this in Hawaii. You were gone when I woke up.”

Did he want me to stay? As if he can read my mind, he answers, “Normally, that wouldn’t bother me. I don’t do that often, but when I have, it’s me who’s sneaking out or kicking the other person out of my bed. I didn’t want that with you.” His voice is soft. “I wanted to wake up to you, see your hair a mess from our night together. Hear your voice raspy with sleep.” He places his lips next to my ear. “I wanted to make love to you as the sun came up,” he whispers.

Holy hell!

“I wasn’t sure what to do. I assumed I was making it easier for both of us, avoiding the awkward morning after,” I confess.

“I wanted more of you. I want more of you, Logan. I want all of you. I’ll do whatever it takes for you to see that.”

Leave it to me to fall for a