Thanks to You

by Kelsey Cheyenne

  “I don’t think that’s the best idea.” There’s a smile to her tone but her voice is breathy.

  I place my hands on her doorframe, effectively caging her in. I lean in slowly. Her eyelids flutter closed. I hear her increase in breath and watch as she licks her pouty pink lips, preparing for a kiss that isn’t coming. “Goodnight, Squirt.”

  I push off her door and head the couple of steps down the hall to my bedroom. I faintly hear her sigh of frustration and the door clicking behind her.

  Chapter 10

  Mackenzie

  I’m in my room for approximately 0.2 seconds when a strong rap of knuckles taps fervently on my door. My face breaks into a wide grin. I knew Hunter couldn’t just walk away without kissing me.

  I try not to be too eager as I throw open the door. “Hi,” I say before looking up. I want to appear and sound like a wanton seductress.

  “Okay, ew. I know I’ve seen you go on dates before, but it’s totally different and … creepy to think you’re using your moves on my brother.” My eyes snap up to Hailey’s, and a blush creeps up my neck to my cheeks.

  Lord, strike me dead. This is awkward. Hailey shoves past me, phone in one hand and a bottle of red wine in the other, and makes herself comfortable on my bed. She sits Indian-style facing me, looking expectantly in my direction.

  “So, how was it? It was a date, right? Was he nice to you? I’ll kick his ass if he wasn’t. I want all the details — well, leave out the gory ones, please.” She’s rambling, the upper half of her body bobbing excitedly like a kid on Christmas morning.

  I fling myself face down on my bed. I want to confide in my best friend, but she’s right — it’s her brother. It’s awkward. Plus, it’s not my place to divulge his secrets, but at the same time, I hate keeping things from her. This is already harder than I expected it to be, and nothing even happened yet.

  “Kenz, come on! Spill!” She’s getting whiny, and I almost want to wait it out and see if she’ll beg. But I’m a good friend, so I cave.

  I groan and sit up. I open the wine and take a large gulp right out of the bottle before speaking. “Okay, sheesh. First of all, there are no gory details to tell. Not even a kiss, so you don’t need to worry. So even though he did call it a date, I don’t know if I believe him. We went to The Café for dinner — and pie, of course. Then he took me to his house to show me around. It’s gorgeous, of course, but … there is one thing.”

  I bite my lip, and Hailey studies me. I want to tell her everything but can’t, and it’s killing me. I’ll have to throw her a tiny bone and bury the lead. “It’s Alison. She kept calling him. I acted like it didn’t bother me, but of course it does. They have all this history …”

  I let the sentence hang and shrug my shoulders because I don’t know what else to say. I take another swig from the wine bottle and pass it back to Hailey so she can take a drink herself. She swishes it in her mouth before swallowing, and I see her mind working. She’s considering what she wants to say.

  “Ugh, that whore. I don’t know what happened between the two of them, but I never liked her. They were together for years, but I only met her once, did you know that? But that one time was enough. She kept my brother from me.” She throws her hands into the air with exaggerated frustration to make her point. “They always had to go to her family events. He was my best friend, ya know? And she came blowing in like a destructive tornado, ruining everything while acting like a stuck-up princess.”

  If she was really that awful, what did Hunter ever see in her? He spoke so highly of her, and with everything that happened does he still want to be with her? He said it himself — those feelings don’t just go away. That was traumatic for him. I don’t know what to believe.

  I’m lost in my own head, the dark thoughts swirling around and sucking me down. “Kenz, your face is as red as the wine in this bottle. What is it?”

  I bite my nail, wanting an excuse to not look her in the eye. “Has Hunter, uh, said anything to you … about me?”

  “Honestly, not really. It seems all very sudden. I don’t know what changed or what snapped in him, but that night he saw you with Spencer at the bar he couldn’t stop watching you.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me, and I half laugh, half grimace. Ugh, Spencer.

  I never got to fill her in on my breakfast with him either. As I’m recounting the horrible story, she and I may have gotten a bit drunk in the midst of gossip. When I retrieve my phone out of my purse where I left it after my date with Hunter, I see I have four missed texts — three from Hunter and one from Spencer. Speak of the devil.

  I ignore Spencer’s message for now. My heart flutters seeing Hunter’s name on the screen. I don’t know if he and I ever texted each other without Hailey in the group.

  Hunter: I forgot to ask if you wanted to go out again

  Hunter: I’ll take your silence as a no

  Hunter: I hear you and Hailey laughing. Was our date really that bad?

  I quickly text him back, a smile on my face so wide it’s hurting my cheeks. Luckily, Hailey is completely engrossed in her own phone, so she doesn’t notice the reaction I’m having.

  Mackenzie: sorry I didn’t have my phone. I’d love to go out with you again

  It’s after one a.m. so I don’t expect him to respond. I hesitantly open Spencer’s text. I really wish I changed my number all those years ago — or, at the very least, I wish he would’ve lost mine. I surely expected him to. Plus, I thought I blocked his number at some point? Ugh.

  Spencer: sorry for what I said. Let’s go to dinner and talk more. Tomorrow at 7?

  I show Hailey his text, and we both burst out laughing. He’s so delusional. Besides, we’re helping Hunter move tomorrow. I’d rather do hard, manual labor than see Spencer’s pretty face ever again.

  Chapter 11

  Mackenzie

  All day Sunday, Hailey, her parents, and I help Hunter move into his new house. A part of me is sad I won’t have any more naked run-ins with him in the hallway. But I am glad to get rid of Cujo for the remainder of the week.

  We order pizza for dinner, and when we’re all done for the day we say our goodbyes and head for the cars.

  “All right, sweetie, we’ll get out of your hair.” Mrs. Blake hugs her son, squeezing him tight. She loosens the hug, holding him at arm’s length. “I’m so happy to have you home.” She kisses him on his cheek and moves away, allowing Mr. Blake to give him a hug and a solid slap on the back.

  The two of them are beaming to have their son home. Maybe they didn’t like this Alison character very much either.

  I wave goodbye, following Hailey to her car. We all drove over separately, hoping to fit as much of Hunter’s crap in our three cars as possible.

  “Hey, Kenz, hold on a sec.” Hunter half-jogs over to where I’m standing with my hand on the passenger side door.

  “What’s up?” I try to force myself to sound bored, but the high-pitched squeak of my voice pretty much shoots my plan to shit.

  He grins and my panties go damp. He takes his hand and rubs it along his jaw, and I recognize his nervous tell immediately. “Do you want to stay and hang out with me for a while?” He has a twinkle in his eye that tells me I should definitely say no, but even as the excuses form on my lips my resolve immediately starts to falter.

  “Oh, um, I actually still have to feed Mittens …” My voice sounds weak even to my own ears.

  “I’ll take care of the cat!” Hailey yells from the driver seat. She must’ve rolled the window down when I wasn’t paying attention in order to eavesdrop.

  I glare at her out of the corner of my eye. “Well, I don’t have a car to get home later.” My voice rises at the end, the inflection making it sound like a question instead of a statement.

  “I can drive you home later,” Hunter offers proudly, his smile growing wider by the second.

  “O-okay I guess I’m staying.” I look back at Hailey and shrug, stepping away from the door so she doesn’t run my foot over when she drives
away.

  “Have fun! Use protection!” Hailey yells out the window as she speeds away.

  My jaw drops from her audacity. My face feels like one million degrees. Thank God, it’s dark out so Hunter can’t see that my face looks like a ripe tomato.

  As I slowly spin to face him, I notice his head is tilted to the right and his right hand is scratching the back of his head. “Wanna come inside?”

  “No, I want to stand out here all night and freeze to death, but you feel free to go on in.” I’m mocking him, but at least my sarcasm broke the tension.

  He barks out a laugh. “Okay, smartass.” He bends over and lifts me, hoisting me over his shoulder with my ass in the air. I shriek at his impulsivity and laugh at the ridiculousness.

  “Hunter! Put me down!” He carries me inside like I weigh nothing. There’s a loud slap and then I feel the sting on my ass where he just smacked me before tossing me down onto his brand new couch.

  “That’s for talking back.” His words say one thing, but the playful gleam in his bright blue eyes says another. They’re tempting me to talk back some more.

  Relationships in this day and age are so weird. We haven’t even kissed yet, but he’s slapped my ass and I’ve seen him naked.

  I make myself comfortable on his couch, curling my feet up under me. “So what’s the plan tonight?” His cable and internet aren’t set up yet. I look a mess from helping him move all day, so I know we won’t be going out, and we already ate dinner. “Did you sneak a pool table in here somewhere? Double or nothing?”

  “You wish.” He shakes his head as he chuckles at my wiggling, suggestive eyebrows. I have my Blu-ray player hooked up so we can watch a movie.” He points to an open box that hasn’t yet been unpacked. It’s chock-full of DVDs, and I must admit he has an impressive collection.

  We pop in the latest Fast and the Furious movie, but I can’t concentrate on it at all. I’m too busy focusing on the silent yet undeniable sizzle of our chemistry stretching across this room ready to snap. I peek at Hunter out of the corner of my eye, wondering if he feels it too, and I catch him already staring at me.

  “Not enjoying the movie?” I ask him before realizing he now knows I was looking at him too.

  I turn to fully face him. His eyes are hungry and vibrant, seemingly lighting up the dim room. I’m trapped in his gaze and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. My lips part on a heady exhale before I pull my bottom lip between my teeth, nibbling on it.

  That sole action is his undoing. He closes the distance between us, gripping my face between his hands and devouring my mouth in a kiss. Finally.

  Kissing Hunter is better than anything I’d ever imagined — and I imagined this moment frequently. There’s an eager hunger under his gentle touch. Fireworks are exploding in my vision; the spark is explosive where our mouths connect. It’s like an orgasm in my mouth.

  I didn’t think it could get better than this, but then a ravenous groan escapes from deep in his throat. And I’m instantly wet. I’ve never been so aroused in my life. I want to take the next step because if this is the only chance I get with him, I’m gonna take whatever he offers.

  I reach my hand between us, placing it on his upper thigh. He pushes my hand away and ends the kiss. “Mackenzie …” he starts. It’s like a bucket of ice water was thrown on my face. And I’m mortified. Fuck me.

  Chapter 12

  Hunter

  One look at Kenzie’s face and I see what a complete idiot I am. Her eyes are brimming with unshed tears, and I notice it makes them a beautiful emerald color. I’m lost in her eyes, I just wish she wasn’t fighting back tears. I place my hand on the side of her face. “Kenz.” She pulls away, turning her head and diverting her gaze.

  “Maybe I should go.” Her voice cracks on the last word, and my heart cracks right with it.

  “No, no, please, let me explain. I want you. Badly. But I don’t want to rush this — us.” I try to reassure her as best I can. I want her to feel how turned on I am because of her.

  I pull her face back to mine, kissing her once more. I kiss her slowly. I savor her taste. I move her so she’s straddling my lap, and I push my hips up so she feels my rock-hard cock pressed up against her.

  I’m rewarded with a moan — a sound so sweet it almost causes me to cum in my pants. I feel her wet heat through her leggings, and it takes all my willpower to not rip her clothes off her and completely devour her.

  I pull away and look her in the eye. Her eyes which were strikingly green moments ago are now nearly black with desire. “Do you feel this? This is how badly I want you. But I won’t pressure you into it or push you. I don’t want to screw this up.”

  She rolls her eyes at me and I don’t expect anything less. My smirk is a reflex to her exasperation. “You’re not rushing anything. I want this too, Hunter. Please.”

  I didn’t take her to be a beggar, and now I really can’t wait to see how she reacts in bed. But I’m hesitant. Yes, I want her. I want to mark her, be inside her, and ruin her for other men. But she’s Kenzie, and she’s so young.

  I allow my hands to wander over her ass. I smack it once before rubbing the spot I hit. “You’re killing me here.” My voice is half-groan, half-whisper. My resolve is dwindling by the second. If she keeps pushing me I’ll give in.

  “Fine.” She gets off my lap and storms away, a determined look in her eye.

  I instantly miss her heat. “Where are you going?” She ignores me and goes into the bathroom. The click of the lock echoes behind her.

  A few minutes pass, and I start to get worried. I walk to the bathroom door, pressing my ear against it. Hushed whispers seep through the door as she appears to be talking to herself. “You can do this, Kenz. Just open the door.”

  My knuckles rap three times in quick succession. “Everything okay in there?”

  Her initial response is quiet and not meant for me to hear it. “Great, now he’s gonna think I’m in here pooping or something.” I try not to laugh as she continues to chide herself under her breath. “All good! I’ll be right out!”

  I return to my spot on the couch and pull out my phone. I have no idea what Kenzie is up to, but evidently I have some time to kill. Unfortunately, I see Alison has messaged me a bunch of times. I still haven’t spoken to her since Friday night when I stupidly drunk texted her.

  Alison: baby call me. we need to talk. You txt me first. I know you miss me. I want to work this out

  Mackenzie clears her throat beside me. I was so distracted by Alison’s messages I didn’t even hear her padding out of the bathroom.

  I look up and drop my phone. “Hi.” She’s shy because she’s naked. I’ve died and gone to heaven. Her skin flushes a gorgeous rosy pink color, and I shamelessly ogle her from head to toe. Her hair, which was thrown up in a bun, is now down and hanging loosely around her shoulders. Her nipples, which are eye-level to where I’m sitting, are begging for attention.

  My cock, which had settled over the last several minutes with Alison’s unwanted texts, is now once again straining against my jeans painfully. I’m speechless, and I think drool is dribbling out of my mouth which is still hanging agape.

  “I, um, figured since I saw you naked it was only fair to even the score.” My brain finally kicks back on, and I figure out how to use my legs again. I get up, and the moment I do I’m already in her space, crowding her.

  Her eyes are unsure, her forehead creases and she bites her lip, which is unfair since I want to be the one biting it. Her hands won’t stop moving, like she’s trying to cover herself up under my obvious stare. It makes me want to pin them behind her so she stops blocking the view.

  I reach my hands out to her perfect ass. I glide my hands over the perfect mounds, caressing and kneading the flesh. I grab it roughly, enjoying the feel of it in my palms.

  Her hands have moved to my shoulders, her soft fingers restless with nerves as she tickles the hair at the base of my neck. With every movement, her gorgeous, plump breasts brush ag
ainst my chest, her nipples peaked from the contact.

  I lift her up, hoisting her legs around my waist as I carry her to the bedroom. I’m dying to get inside her, but she deserves to be savored, and I’ll be damned if I give her less than she deserves.

  She hides her head in the crook of my neck and teases me with fluttering kisses along the sensitive stretch of skin. I kick the door closed with my foot once I enter my bedroom and practically jog over to the bed. I sit her down on the bed. I’m standing in front of her and rip off my damn t-shirt. Her eager fingers tug on my belt and rip it through the loops before popping the button and lowering the zipper on my jeans. Her bubblegum pink nail polish is a stark contrast to the depravity of the moment.

  I’m left standing before her in my navy blue boxer briefs. Slowly, I push them over my hips. I’m watching Mackenzie’s reaction the entire time.

  Her eyes widen as my cock springs free. She reaches out and strokes it once, deliberately, from root to tip. I hiss through my clenched teeth and allow my head to fall back. Blissful ecstasy ensues simply from her hand wrapped around me.

  Fuck. I’m in trouble.

  My eyes remain pinned shut as she strokes me slowly. Delicately. “Fuck.” I almost lose control completely when I feel a hot, wet heat wrap around the head of my dick. Looking down, I see an image of pure sin.

  Liquid green eyes full of desire pierce mine as she stares up at me from under her lashes. Her mouth is formed in a perfect ‘o’ suctioned tight around my cock. Her hands rest on my hips while her head bobs over me. Every movement causes her tits to jiggle, so I reach down, cupping her perfect C-cups.

  I’m not exactly being gentle, but how can she expect me to be? She offered herself to me, stark naked, and now she’s twirling her tongue over my cock, making me lose control. I’m a caged animal let loose. There is no restraint left. I can’t take it anymore.