I looked down again at Kenzie. She was curled up on her side in the fetal position next to me. I’d offered to get her a cab, but she refused, insistent that she would wait out Sophia’s high with me.

I brushed my finger against her cheek. It was so soft. It brought me back to the moments we’d had together today before. I’d finally done it. I’d done what I had been wanting to do for the last six months, since the first night I met her—I committed myself to being everything I could be for her. God, it felt good to finally be able to give in to the need, to tell her how I felt about her.

MacKenzie stirred under my touch. “Sorry I dozed off. I meant to keep you company.” She stretched and sat up, scooting in so she curled against my side.

“No, it’s okay, you need rest.” I looked into her sleepy eyes. “You have to work tomorrow.”

That was the wrong thing to say. She groaned and buried her head in my shoulder.

My stomach sank. I wasn’t the only one who was worried about how Chris would take this. I put my arms around her and kissed the top of her head, wishing there was some way we could avoid telling Chris, yet knowing I couldn’t do that to him. He was a friend.

God, and this was all my fault for pushing him at her. I practically served her to him. I was such a fucking douche-wad.

Twenty-Four

MacKenzie

I’d never been sentimental about waking up next to a guy, and yet here I was curled up in Ian’s arms, unwilling to open my eyes in case it might all be a dream.

I pressed my nose to his T-shirt, and the familiar scent of his detergent, body soap, and a hint of musk filled my senses. I traced my fingers over his chest and down his abs. Even as he slept, his breathing slow, I could still feel the definition in his muscles. My leg was draped over his groin, and he had the hint of morning wood.

My grip tightened around his chest, and I tried not to think about it. I still couldn’t believe what had happened between us at his gym. The confident way he’d pulled my panties down my legs and licked my center… I shuddered and squeezed him tighter.

His sister lay sleeping in the next room; this wasn’t the time. She’d finally dozed off at six in the morning, and we’d curled up to get in a few hours of sleep before we had to take Ian to the doctor.

My stomach growled. I was hungry, but I didn’t want to move. Ian’s breathing changed and his embrace tightened. I finally opened my eyes because I wanted to see his face.

It was perfect. His square jaw was covered in stubble, which was only a little shorter than his hair. His clear blue eyes looked down at me with so much tenderness.

“Hey, Kenzie.” We closed the distance and kissed. “You ready to face the day?”

The reality of his words hit me. This was real. It wasn’t a dream. He couldn’t still want me this morning, could he? After all, this didn’t happen to girls like me.

“Listen, what happened back at your place…we were caught up in the heat of the moment, I understand if you…” I was giving him a way out, shutting down these growing feelings I had for him before he had the chance to fracture my heart again.

His forefinger over my lips quieted me. “Don’t pussy out on me now, Kenzie. I want this with you, I’ve wanted this for a long fucking time.”

He kissed the top of my head. Something he’d only done a few times, but I loved it and hoped he would make a habit of it. God, he was so sweet.

“Oh my God. Will you guys get a fucking room?” Sophia stood over us, her hair all matted. She’d forgotten to remove her makeup, which was now smeared up and down her face.

“Morning, Sis.” Ian sat up, and I followed. “You must have slept a whole five minutes.” He slumped down and bent his head over, rubbing the back of his neck as if he’d just remembered he was supposed to be irritated with her. “This is it, Sophia. End of the road. If you can’t stay clean, I’m kidnapping you and hauling your ass to rehab. Do I make myself clear?”

“Ian, you can’t force me to go to rehab. Besides, I don’t need it. I’m fine,” she said.

“Do I make myself clear?”

She frowned and averted her eyes. “Yes.”

“And that five grand I gave you really is the last you’ll see from me. If you need more to get through the month, I’ll buy you a case of ramen noodles. There won’t be any more handouts.”

“Ian, I was mugged yesterday. I really don’t have any money left. The guy took it all.”

His eyes got wide. “Sophia, what the hell were you doing walking around that part of town with five thousand dollars cash?” He chuckled to himself. “Never mind. I think I know.” He started pulling his shoes on. “I have to go right now. I’ll stop by later with your case of ramen.”

“Ian,” she whined.

He slid his hand into mine, ignoring his sister completely, and gave me a look that could melt butter. “You ready to go?”

I nodded. Even though I was in no way ready for the day—dealing with Chris and all—I understood what Ian was doing with Sophia. It was time for some tough love, and it was time to get on with the day. In fact, it was important to get on with this day, so that it would soon be over. Then I could spend the rest of my time with this seriously sexy man.

He stood up and helped me to my feet.

“Ian, wait,” Sophia said.

He led me to the door, then turned back to her. “This is it, Sophia. You’re cut off. You can’t whine your way out of this one. I’ll be by later to check on you. Be good. You can do this.”