Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,286

back in the cooler and lays back down on the blanket. He pats his belly, inviting me to once again use him as my pillow. I don’t hesitate. As soon as I’m settled, he runs his fingers through my hair. This gives me cold chills.

“I had a plan. I was going to do me. Logan. I was going to push forward and never let anyone close enough to cause me that kind of pain. You know the funny thing is, when everything finally blew up, I wasn’t even really that upset. I had known for a while. I just didn’t want to deal with it. I had time to grieve the loss of what I thought we shared before I actually called it off.” I stop to collect my thoughts. “I’ve never admitted that. That I knew what he was doing.” I turn my head to look at him. “Then I met you.”

“A day I’ll never forget,” he says softly.

“You came crashing into my world and you changed me. When I left your bed that morning, I knew I would compare every man in my future to my one night with you.” I close my eyes and see it as if it just happened minutes ago. “I was okay with it. I had resolved that I would always have the memory of you. A memory so vivid it would never fade. I was taking you with me wherever this new journey took me.”

“Come here.”

I open my eyes and he motions for me to lie next to him. Without hesitation, I turn so I’m facing him and lie back on the blanket. His arm snakes around me as he pulls me close. “I’ve replayed every fucking minute of that night in my head a thousand times,” he says as his lips find mine.

I allow myself to get lost in his kiss. It’s soft and gentle. His tongue traces the seam of my lips, and I open for him. I hear him moan in the back of his throat as he takes what I’m offering. I stop fighting the pull and just enjoy kissing him.

Breaking the kiss, his ocean blue eyes are locked on mine. He props himself up on his elbow as I lie back on the blanket. Looking up at him, I ask, “How am I supposed to keep fighting this?”

His hand cups my cheek and he runs his thumb across my swollen lips. “Don’t fight it, baby. I know you’re scared, but I got you. Let me show you how it feels to be loved by a real man.”

“Kacen, I just—”

“Shh. I fell hard and I fell fast. I know what I want, Logan. It’s you. All of you.”

“I’m scared,” I admit.

“Don’t be. I will never hurt you. If I’m ever given the honor to truly call you mine, I will cherish you with every breath I take.” Leaning down, he presses his lips to mine.

That’s how we spend the rest of our afternoon. Kissing under the shade trees by the pond. Kacen never tries to take things further; he just kisses the breath out of me.

He’s in the middle of telling me about his twin cousins, Blaise and Asher, and jokes the three of them used to play on their little sister, Ember, when his cell rings.

“Hello?” He listens. “Yeah, we’re here. I brought Logan back to the pond. We didn’t realize it was getting so late. We’ll pack up and head back. Be there in twenty,” he says, ending the call.

“The guys?” I ask.

He smiles. “Yeah, I didn’t realize it was so late. They picked up pizza. I’m sure you’re starving with our meager lunch, and we skipped breakfast all together.” His jaw clenches. “I need to take better care of you.”

“I’m hungry, but I’m also a big girl. I can take care of myself.”

He mumbles something under his breath as he folds up the blankets. Throwing the mostly empty cooler over his shoulder, he places the blankets under one arm, and slides the other arm around my waist. “Let’s get you fed.” He kisses my temple and guides me back to the side by side.

Chapter 33

Kacen

I load the cooler and the blankets and walk Logan to the driver’s door. “Okay, let’s get you strapped in.”

“What?” she asks, confused.

“I told you that you could drive back.” I grin.

“No, it’s okay. The guys are waiting on us.”

“It’s just like driving a car. I promise we’ll be safe. Just take it slow.”

“Are you sure about this?” she asks, gripping