Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,43

have more than just me to think of. Life is funny like that; it has a way of changing on you when you least expect it. I need to learn how to live in this new reality. I know that’s what I need to do, but the beautiful woman who is downstairs taking care of my son, she’s suddenly front and center in my mind. I know that I have to keep myself in check, but I can’t seem to stop thinking about her all of a sudden. Figures that I would find someone who interests me at the time in my life when distractions just are not possible. I quickly finish getting dressed so I can get back to them, both of them. I may not be able to touch her, but I’m dying to get my eyes back on her.

I hear voices in the living room. When I reach the end of the hall, I see Kendall feeding Knox, looking like she’s done it a million times, and Tyler is sitting close to her on the couch—too close. His arm is resting on the back of the couch behind her as he leans over and watches my son eat. It pisses me off.

“Tyler,” I growl. What the fuck is wrong with me?

“Hey, man, he’s got a good appetite.” He motions his head toward Knox. “Of course, if I had a beautiful woman holding and feeding me I’d eat like a champ too.” He winks at Kendall.

Rage. Toward one of my best friends, I feel rage. “Ty, you want to give them some space?” I’m being a dick, but fuck if I care right now.

Tyler’s head snaps toward me and he furrows his brow. I raise mine to him. He knows what I’m trying to say. Are you going to move, fucker? I can tell by the look on his face that he’s confused. Join the club, my man. I don’t know what’s come over me, but I do know that I don’t want him that close to her, or flirting with her. Hell, let’s just go with I don’t want him near her. Period. End of.

“You getting enough rest, man?” he asks. He still hasn’t moved away from her.

“Plenty,” I snap, and then try another tactic. He’s obviously not getting the hint. “Can you help me in the kitchen?”

“Sure, man. Kendall, you need anything?”

Fuck me. She doesn’t need him to take care of her.

“I’m good, Tyler. But thank you,” she says in her sweet-as-sin voice.

I watch as he removes his arm from the back of the couch, pats her knee, then finally stands to follow me into the kitchen. I turn and stalk away from him.

“What’s up?” he says, taking a seat at the island.

“Not her,” I say flatly.

“Come again?”

“Not her. You can’t have her.”

The fucker grins. “She yours?”

Yes. “No.”

“One of the guys, then?”

“No,” I say through clenched teeth.

He shrugs. “Fair game then, brother.”

Un-fucking-believable!

“Not her, Ty.” My voice is tight as I grip the counter.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, looking down at my hands and then back up to meet my gaze.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. “What’s wrong?” I laugh humorlessly. “What’s wrong is I’m losing my motherfucking mind. That’s what’s wrong.”

“I’m going to need more than that,” he pries.

“Drop it.”

“Nope. Spill it,” he bites back, an amused smirk on his face.

“Fuck off.”

“Really? That’s how it’s going to be?”

I glare at him.

“I got nothing but time.” He leans against the back of the chair and crosses his arms.

The sound of the front door opening pulls my attention. I relax when I hear Reagan’s voice.

“Hey, you two.” Reagan kisses Tyler on the cheek and places two shopping bags on the counter. Dawn follows suit, setting two more right beside it.

“Hi, I’m Tyler.” He holds his hand out for Dawn.

“Dawn. Nice to meet you.” She grins up at him.

I take a deep breath and release my grip on the counter. Maybe he’ll leave Kendall alone now.

“Knock, knock.” Seth’s voice, although he’s attempting to be quiet, carries throughout the house.

“Well, hello, beautiful,” I hear him say.

“Motherfucker.” I stomp off to the living room. Are all four of my fucking horn-dog friends going to hit on her?

“You’ve been holding out on us,” Kent says, his eyes glued to Kendall.

“Kitchen. Now,” I demand.

Five sets of eyes—four large one small—stare back at me. I give my friends the look, the one that says ‘do that shit now.’ Once they’ve left the living room, I walk over to Kendall, sitting on the