You're Mine (The Winters Family Series Book 3)

by Terra Kelly

  She reached her hand up to touch his rough five o’clock shadow. “Yes, they are all three healthy.” She brought her hand down and rested it on her lap. “Once we got through the “year of hell,” and dad calls it that too, we all regrouped. We tried to get our life back to normal. Well, as normal as it could be. He was still doing physical therapy and learning how to get around in a wheelchair.” She knew the next part would be the hardest and the most embarrassing- and dammit the tears surfaced. “When I look back on everything, I wouldn’t change anything. I’m happy to have my dad with us today.” She brushed a tear away. “But…”

  Joshua stood up, then sat down beside her and put her hands in his. “Kenzie, just let it out. I can guarantee there is nothing that will change my feelings for you.”

  She could feel her breath hitch and knew her sobs were on the way. She blurted it out, “I never graduated from high school, have no college degree, nothing.” Then she buried her face in her hands and cried. In between the heavy sobs with her hands still to her face, her voice was muffled, “I’m sure you’ll be embarrassed to be seen with me! I get it. I have carried this with me for a long time.” Trying to calm herself. “I know I should’ve gone back but life just kept passing by. I worked full-time to help my parents and ignored the elephant in the room.”

  Joshua pulled her onto his lap and held her so close. Pulling her hair away from her face, he looked down at her tear-streaked cheeks. He wanted to kiss the pain away, wanted to help her, wanted her more now than ever before. Kissing each eye and then her sweet lips, he said, “Let’s change all this together, you and me, and that damn elephant in the room. What do you say?”

  He opened the last of the flood gates, and now she was wrenching crying. So, he continued to hold her close and rocked her back and forth to soothe her. He rested his head on hers. “Please, baby. Please don’t cry anymore. I’m here for you.”

  She lifted her head, and asked, “But why? Why are you okay with being with me? You’re so smart. Your family is so smart. Then there’s me.”

  He lifted her chin. “Hey, look at me- you’re smart, too. Do you hear me? You’re smart.”

  “I don’t see what you see. My dad always says the same thing, yet I can’t wrap my head around it.” She untangled herself from his embrace and stood up from the couch. Turning and heading into the kitchen, she walked right to his liquor cabinet. She poured a shot of bourbon and took it in one full gulp, feeling the caramel coat her mouth. Then she poured another shot, holding it in her hand, she turned to face him. He looked so good standing there in the doorway, his tall frame almost taking up the whole space. He was wearing cotton pj pants and a white cotton tee that clung to his every muscle. God, she wanted him and was still scared to give herself over to him. She realized at that moment, she always felt scared. She was too scared to get to know this man in high school. She was too scared to contact him after they moved and apologize for her actions. She was scared when taking care of her family or to go back to school. When would she stop being scared? She noticed the look of desire in his eyes and at that moment realized she had to stop being scared. She shot back the bourbon in one gulp and walked to Joshua. It was time to let go, let them each get to know who they really were. They never had the chance in high school, but they had the chance now. So, what was she waiting for? She reached up and fisted her hands in his hair. “I’m ready to stop running from what I want. If you’ll have me, all of me, I want you, too.”

  He stayed silent and slammed his mouth over hers.

  Chapter 6

  There was a loud ringing off in the distance, then it got louder. Kenzie was coming awake and feeling confused by her surroundings. Then warm arms tightened around her and she remembered where she was, but what was that ringing? She nudged Josh. “Hey, what’s ringing?”

  Joshua nuzzled his nose into the crook of her neck and moaned. “I’m trying to ignore it.”

  Suddenly big slobbery kisses were being rained over the both of them. Elvis and Costello had slept with them and took up most of the bed. Now they both were ready to go for a potty break and enjoy breakfast soon. Laughing, Kenzie scratched Elvis’ head. “Okay, okay, we’re getting up.” She rolled over and looked at Josh. “Thanks.”

  “For what? The great sex?”

  “No silly, but it was great, wasn’t it?”

  He pulled her in closer. “We could play it out again if you want?” Then the ringing started again, he yelled, “Fine, I’m coming.” He kissed her nose and rose from the bed.

  Joshua walked into his office across the hall from his bedroom and answered the phone. He kinda sounded frustrated when he answered. “Yeah?”

  Connie cleared her throat. “Are you angry, darling?”

  “Sorry, Mom. How come you tried calling three times? Everything okay?”

  Connie laughed. “I was worried, you always answer the phone quickly. I almost called Drew to come check on you.”

  Josh sighed. “Mom, Mom, Mom.”

  Connie cut in. “Don’t ‘Mom’ me, now what had you so distracted? I haven’t talked to you in over a week.”

  Joshua hadn’t shared about Kenzie to his parents yet, not because he was ashamed, either. He knew how much his mother hated seeing him pine over her in high school. She worried about him all the time. Now he was ready to share his amazing woman with his family. “I need to tell you something. Do you remember Kenzie from high school? The woman I had a crush on and continued to have a crush on for ten long years?”

  Connie paused before answering, then in a guarded tone. “Yes, but why are we mentioning her, I thought she moved away?”

  “She moved back here and opened the new boutique in town called, Curvalicious Boutique. We have been getting to know each other again. Things are good.”

  She sighed. “Oh baby, I worry but I love how your voice sounds. When can we meet her? Wait, bring her tomorrow for the Sunday dinner?”

  He laughed. “I’ll check with her schedule. Her shop closes at 5:00 p.m.”

  “Perfect. I will set another plate at the table. Honey?”

  “Yeah, Mom?”

  “If you’re happy, I’m happy, okay?”

  “Thanks, Mom. I will talk with you tomorrow. Love you.”

  He hung-up the phone and sat back in his chair. He thought about last night and everything Kenzie had shared. He wanted to help, but he needed someone else she trusted to help as well. The person she trusted was Izzy, but would she be okay with talking to her?

  At that moment, he wanted to hold his sexy stalker. He stood and went back into his room for some much needed snuggle time. He stopped in his tracks, Elvis was lying against her front and Costello was lying against her back. Kenzie had her head under her pillow and was sound asleep. Damn, she was sexy. He went to make coffee and some breakfast for them both.

  He stood at the stove in only his boxers and was cooking up bacon. Just then he felt soft, warm arms envelope him. “Hmmmm… good morning my, sexy stalker.” He loved how she made his body hum with need.

  She leaned her head against his back. “Good morning, gorgeous.” Then she reached around and turned off the stovetop. “Follow me.” She had his hand in hers, was naked, and was walking him back toward his bedroom. “I don’t want to shower alone, that’s just no fun.” She stopped in the doorway of the bathroom. “Care to join me?”

  “How could I say no?” Then he reached out and wrapped his hands around her waist to pull her in. “You are so damn gorgeous.” Grabbing one luscious breast in his hand, he bent forward to kiss and suck on the already hard nipple. He grabbed the other breast with his other hand and pulled each one close together. Slowly he moved back and forth between each nipple, giving each one equal time, and loving the way she felt on his tongue. He admitted, “I can’t get enough of you.”

  “You’re having that problem, too?” She stood up on the balls of her feet to make them eye-to-eye and wrapped her arms around his neck. Then she leaned in to kiss the hell out of him. The kiss was dee
p and let every emotion they had for one another show in this moment. Pulling back, she started a path along his jaw and over to his ear. She sucked on his earlobe and then moved to that sweet spot behind his ear. She loved kissing him, loved the way it made her feel. Leaning back onto her heels, she asked, “Shower?”

  “Yes, and now.” He moved to go open the shower door and turned on the water. “Super-hot, or just right?”

  “Super-hot.” She moved up behind him, placed her hands with her fingers on the inside the waist band of his boxers- then she moved them down his long, gorgeous legs. Leaning back up, she moved her hand closer to his arousal, letting her fingers tangle in his curls. Then she placed her hands around his gorgeous length and moved her hand up and down. He moaned, as she moved her hands lower to cup him and squeeze lightly.

  She knew she was driving him to the edge. He grabbed her hand and pulled her into the shower with him, bringing her flush with his erection. “Are you trying to make me crazy?”

  She smiled. “Maybe?” Then she reached for the bottle of body gel and placed a copious amount in her hand. She lathered his chest, then inch by inch she washed every part of his body, leaving the best for last. On her knees, she lathered his many curls, then moved over his length- and moved back and forth, increasing the speed. She could hear his breath hitch, and he had his hands tangled in her hair. Moving to the side to let the water rinse him of the many soap bubbles, she replaced her hand with her mouth. She moved her mouth back and forth at a steady pace, knowing he was close. She felt him shudder and release, she stayed and continued to enjoy every ounce of him. Then she splayed her hands over his abdomen, moved them up his body, and carefully stood. “Hmmmm…This is so much better than a shower alone, right?”

  “Always.” He realized at that moment, even though he had come, he wanted her again, and now. Turning her to face the shower wall, he had her bend over, then he moved to enter her inch-by-inch. She felt so good, like they were made to be together. He moved back and forth and then increased his movements.

  Kenzie couldn’t get enough; she was on sensory overload. Everything about Joshua had her body screaming for more. As he moved back and forth, she felt her body react, and then every nerve ending was giving off an electrical shock. When she could catch her breath, she was leaning against the shower wall. She leaned up and realized Josh was still inside her and moaned with pleasure. When he pulled out, she whimpered at the loss of contact.

  “Trust me, I would rather stay inside you all day, but you have a boutique to run.” Then he slapped her ass and pulled her back toward him for a deep hug. “I think we should always take a shower together?”

  She turned in his embrace, and agreed, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Then she leaned in and kissed those delicious lips. “Should we finish the breakfast you started? You made me hungry.”

  They were sitting at the kitchen table; Joshua was holding her hand as he ate his breakfast. He took a drink of water and looked up into those delicious chocolate-colored eyes. “So, we don’t have to talk about it now–that damn elephant–but maybe think about talking to Izzy? Okay?”

  She tensed at the word elephant and looked down at her plate. “Um, okay, I guess.”

  He squeezed her hand and tugged to have her look back up at him. “She won’t tell anyone. I trust her and you can, too.”

  She gave a half smile, still feeling uncomfortable. “I know. I hate talking about it. I will work on telling her, just give me some time.”

  He pushed his plate away, and moved his chair back, then he pulled her onto his lap. “You take all the time you need, I’m not going anywhere.”

  She rested her head on his shoulder, breathing in his delicious scent. “Me either.” Then she leaned up and kissed his him, enjoying the taste of bacon still lingering.

  “There she is, our sexy stalker.” Isabel was walking into the boutique, carrying a couple shopping bags.

  Kenzie was at the cash register ringing someone up. She chuckled. “Happy Saturday to you, too.”

  Isabel walked around the counter and sat down on a short stool behind Kenzie. She sat her bags beside her and let out a heavy sigh. Kenzie thanked the customer as they headed for the door to leave. She turned and leaned against the counter. “So, you shop till you drop, today?”

  “Oh my god, this wedding planning is wearing my ass out! Hey, do you carry Spanx or maybe a special bra and some underwear for my wedding dress?” She looked down at her stomach, grabbing it with both hands. “You know, to hold it all in.”

  Kenzie pushed herself off the counter. “Yes, I do. I got the Spanx in last week. You want the full-body one?”

  Isabel leaped up. “Yes, bless you.” She left her bags and purse behind the counter and headed for a fitting room. Kenzie brought her two different sizes for her to try on and then went to greet a customer.

  After about fifteen minutes, there were loud giggles coming from the dressing room. Kenzie knocked on the little door, and asked, “So... Um… You okay in there?”

  Isabel peeked her head out, looking a little flushed and beads of sweat on her forehead. “Okay, this is way too funny. How do you get one of these on by yourself?” She let the door open a wee bit more and dropped her hands to her sides. The Spanx was just sitting over her butt. “Help.”

  “Oh Izzy, you are adorable. Come here, sweetie.”

  They worked to get the undergarment all the way up and over her full breasts, and then she slid her arms through. Izzy let out a heavy sigh. “Oh sweet Jesus, this thing is ridiculous.” Then she looked in the mirror and gasped. “Wow, that’s amazing though. Okay, I will take one in every color. No, I’m kidding, but this is crazy how they make you look.” She did a full turn in the full-length mirror. “Will you help me get into it on my wedding day? Please?”

  “Of course, I will help you with anything you need on your special day.”

  The little bell on the front door rang, then they heard a male voice yell. “Hello.” Kenzie looked at Izzy, she had surprise written all over her face. “Oh my god, I know that voice.” Then she ran out of the dressing room and stopped dead in her tracks.

  Her brother Gage was standing by the front counter with a duffel bag in his hand. “There she is, hey sis!” He dropped his duffel bag and opened his arms for her. “You look so surprised. You know I can’t stand being away from you too long.”

  She squealed and jumped into his arms. “Oh my god, I missed you so much.”

  As much as Gage had tested her family over the years, she still loved him to pieces. He was her younger brother, her confidant, and he pushed her to go to North Carolina. For the last five years, he had turned his life around and tried to make things right. He was drug free and even stopped smoking three years ago. He did enjoy an occasional drink still.

  “Dad wanted me to check up on you.”

  She leaned back in his embrace. “Check up on me? I’m fine.” Then she moved away from him and twirled in place. “What do you think of my new place?”

  “I think it is what you’ve always wanted.”

  Just then Izzy walked out of the dressing room, looking defeated. “Okay, that sucked. I may decide against those evil things.” She stopped by Kenzie. “Hi there, you have to be her brother? Wow, you both look so much alike.” Then she leaned forward to shake his hand. “I’m Isabel, everybody calls me Izzy.”

  Gage laughed. “Yeah, I guess we could never deny that we’re siblings.” He leaned forward to shake her hand. “I’m Gage, nice to meet you.”

  They all stood there talking, then Izzy went to grab her shopping bags. “I need to get out of here, there is a hot guy waiting at home for me. It was wonderful to meet you, Gage.”

  “It was nice meeting you, too, Izzy.”

  Kenzie leaned forward and gave Izzy a big hug. “Don’t give up on the special undergarment. I promise, you will fall in love with them in no time.”

  Izzy laughed. “I wouldn’t be too sure about that.” Then she turned and waved to them
over her shoulder as she headed toward the door.

  Kenzie turned toward Gage. “Okay, fess up, why are you here?”

  Gage looked offended. “Can’t I come spend time with my big sis?”

  “Sure you can, but you would’ve called first. So, spill it.” It was five minutes before closing, so she walked and turned the sign on the door to closing. Then she walked back to the register to count the till.

  He walked behind the counter and sat down on the little stool. “I think mom and dad will drive me nuts. I decided to stay here for awhile, okay?”

  She turned around to face him. “Sure.” Then she paused, not sure how to tell him. “Um… You can stay at my place, if you want.” Then she looked down, trying to hide the grin that was making the whole room shine. “I kinda don’t stay there much…” Her voice trailed off, and she whispered, “I found him and I can’t get enough of him.”

  “Dad mentioned you found him, but I didn’t realize how well everything was going for you both.” He stood and walked toward her, grabbing her hands in his. “You happy?”

  “More than you’ll ever know.”

  Kenzie had called Joshua and asked him to join her for a drink at The Clam Bake. She couldn’t believe her brother had just showed up unannounced. Well, yes she could. Gage was that type of guy, always spur-of-the-moment. If she was being honest with herself, she loved having a family member close by. As much as she loved being back in Wilmington, and loved spending time with Joshua, she missed her family.

  Her and Gage walked into the bright, open space, where people were dancing, laughing, and enjoying every drink imaginable. Gage glanced around. “This place is awesome. From the outside, you would never imagine it looked this nice inside. How’s the food?” He placed his hands over his stomach. “I’m starving.”

  She laughed, wrapped her arm around his waist, and tugged him forward. “Everything rocks!”