Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,45

body even more aware of him now that I don’t have a baby to cuddle, to distract me.

I focus on the movie and try like hell to block out the feeling of his thigh against mine.

The night carries on, and we eat, watch movies, and even play Battle of the Sexes. The guys all take their turns holding Knox, and let me tell you, it’s a sight. There is nothing like the image of a man loving on a tiny baby. It makes you have all kinds of thoughts. From all the warm tingling to ‘I want to have your babies, let’s start practicing.’ From what I could tell, Dawn and Reagan were just as affected as I was. Although, Reagan seems to keep her attention on Tyler most of the time. I need to ask her about that later.

Ridge yawns, and I immediately feel guilty. He’s been through so much in the last couple of weeks, and here we are invading his space. He should be resting while Knox is.

“We should get going,” Reagan says. She must have noticed as well.

I stand. “Thank you for having us,” I say to Ridge.

He stands, as well as the others, everyone stretching from sitting through the movie. “It was nice to hang out and have adult conversation.”

That causes all of us to laugh.

“I’ll walk you guys out.” I watch as he lowers Knox into his Pack ‘n Play and follows us to the front door. “Drive safe,” he yells out to the guys, who are already loading up in what appears to be Kent’s Jeep. All of them except Tyler.

“Kendall, a pleasure,” Tyler says with a wink.

“Always.” I chuckle.

“Ladies, sorry about the change of plans. Call me this week and we can set up something,” Reagan says.

“Definitely, not that this change was a bad thing.” Dawn fans herself with her hands. She has a flare for the dramatic at times.

“Brother, see you later.” Reagan stands on her tiptoes and kisses his cheek before she and Dawn head to the car.

I step off the porch to follow them when Ridge grabs my hand. I stop and look over my shoulder at him.

“Thank you, Kendall, for tonight . . . I mean, for your help with Knox,” he rambles.

I smile. “I didn’t do anything but snuggle the little guy. It wasn’t a hardship, trust me. Thanks for letting us invade your space.”

He nods, but doesn’t let go of my hand. I turn my body to face sideways and look down where his large fingers are wrapped around my wrist. My pulse is pounding from his touch. I wonder if he can feel it racing. With a gentle squeeze, he releases me, and I don’t stick around. As soon as he lets go, I race down the steps and climb into the backseat of the car. Luckily for me, Tyler has been talking to the girls by his truck, and they didn’t even notice that I wasn’t behind them.

As I try to slow my thundering heart, I realize how wrong these feelings are. He’s mourning. I’m going to Hell for the thoughts in my head about Ridge Beckett.

The blare of my alarm clock wakes me up way too early. I haven’t slept well the last two nights, thoughts of Ridge keeping me up. One minute, I’m feeling guilty for lusting after him, considering his situation and the next, I’m imagining what those big hands would feel like running over my body.

I have to stop by my grandparents’ place before heading to work, hence the reason I’m up at the ass crack of dawn. They left yesterday for Florida, and the remodel of their house starts today. What my dad thinks I can do about anything the construction company may need is beyond me, but he thinks it’s necessary, so I’ll be there.

Yesterday, Dawn and I spent the majority of the day at my parents.’ We grilled out and just caught up. Dawn isn’t close to her family, so anytime mine invite us over, she’s always willing. I’m glad they all get along so well.

Just as I’m getting ready to walk out the door, she emerges from her room. My best friend is not a morning person.

“Have a good day, dear,” I say over my shoulder. I don’t stick around long enough for her to throw anything at my head.

It’s a warm morning for May, so I open my sunroof, put on my shades, and crank up the radio. I arrive about twenty minutes earlier than