Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,282

musician. A man who makes a living with lyrics. His words melt my soul.

“It’s a risk.”

He nods. “I won’t hurt you. Ever.” His words are unmistakable.

“I just—” He cuts me off, placing his finger over my lips.

“I’m here, waiting to hand over all of me. I’m just waiting for you to be ready to accept.”

“What happens when you take you back? When you want to give all of you to someone else?” I asked this earlier, but it’s still a question that weighs heavy on my mind.

His hand trails up and down my arm soothingly. “I know that you light a fire inside me like no one before you. I know that you’re the first thing on my mind when I wake up and the last before I fall asleep. That’s never faltered. Not once since our night together in Hawaii has that pattern changed. I fought what I feel for you. I can’t do it anymore. I won’t do it anymore,” he says emphatically.

“Kacen, I—”

“Shh, just close your eyes, sweetheart. I know you need to process all of this, and I’m good with that. I just want to hold you. So close your eyes and let me do that, please.”

Giving in, at least for tonight, I relax fully into him and close my eyes. Kacen gently places his hand on my back and runs his fingers back and forth until finally his touch lulls me to sleep.

Chapter 30

Logan

The early morning sun forces me awake. Opening my eyes, I take in my surroundings. I’m in Kacen’s living room. Last night comes rushing back to me. I’m still snuggled on the couch with him. My back is to his front and his face is buried in my neck. I can feel the gentle rise and fall of his chest and each breath as it hits my skin. That’s not all I feel. His groin is nestled against me. I can feel it . . . feel him.

“Morning, beautiful.” His sleepy voice startles me, causing me to jump. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”

“I thought you were still asleep.”

“It’s like my body is so in tune with yours that I knew you were awake and trying to figure out how to slip out of my arms. No way was I missing this again, waking up with you.”

He’s making it so damn difficult to fight my heart. He’s this gorgeous, tattooed, body- made-for-fantasies, rock star who uses his wordsmith ways on me. His words cause a flutter in my belly and my heart to race. Kacen is temptation at its finest, and right now, in this moment, I’m not sure how strong I am to keep him at bay.

My mind continues to tell me to fight like hell to protect myself, protect my heart. My foolish heart is ready to jump head first into the unknown with him.

“What are we doing today, love?” his sleepy voice asks.

Love? There he goes again, one word making me feel like I matter to him. “I . . . I don’t know. I thought the guys were coming back today.”

“Mmmm.” He nuzzles my neck, placing a tender kiss just below my ear. “Not until later tonight. Have you to myself the entire day.” He says this as his hand slips under my bikini cover-up and rests on my bare stomach.

“Oh,” I say, not trusting my voice not to betray me if I say anything more. I remember the last time his large calloused hands were on my bare skin. Even though it was weeks ago, I can still see the entire night in vivid color in my mind. I’ll never forget it.

“Maybe we—” He’s interrupted by the ringing of my cell phone.

Reaching out, I grab it from the table and hold it so I can see the screen, Daniel.

“Let me answer it. I need to remind him that you’re mine,” he grumbles.

Do I do that? It would help to make Daniel realize it’s over. Kacen takes the phone out of my hand and places it to his ear. I guess he’s made my mind up for me.

“Hello?” His voice is raspy and deep. It’s obvious he just woke up.

“She’s sleeping. I thought I told you to leave her alone. I’m not real thrilled that you keep harassing my girl,” he tells Daniel. “She doesn’t want or need to hear your bullshit apologies. She wants nothing to do with you.” His face breaks out in a grin as he hands the phone to me. “He hung up on