by MJ Carnal
“Kevin, no need to thank me. Seeing you pull through was all I needed.” He turned from Kevin to Andi. “I will see you back on rotation next week, Ms. Allen.”
“I need to go home sometime.” Steve stuffed his face with pizza. “I have spent three nights in my new apartment. I’m wasting rent money.”
Lily laughed. “Then I will come with you.”
“Not sure that Nickie would like having you living with me in a one bedroom apartment.”
“You finally asked her out?” Lily clapped her hands. “When? Where are you going?”
“Tomorrow night and I’m not sure yet.” Steve shook his head. “She also doesn’t know I sleep here every night. We probably need to change that.”
Steve and Lily had become best friends. Kevin’s heart attack had rocked Lily to the core. She had turned to Steve and never looked back. They were inseparable. You needed to find Lily, you called Steve. You were looking for Steve, try Lily. They met every day after school for coffee. An hour at the gym and dinner on the go and Steve was sacked out and ready for his four AM wake up call. She was up with him every morning, making breakfast and laughing in the kitchen. She hadn’t felt alive in years and his friendship brought her back.
“What if you upgrade? Get a two bedroom apartment. I need to move out of Moretti’s anyway. I could pay half the rent. Come on. You already know I’m easy to live with.” Lily fluttered her eyelashes at him and poked out her lip.
“Oh yes, Low maintenance Lily.” Steve laughed when she punched him in the arm. “Ms. Hour shower and another hour doing god knows what in there. Then I spend my ten minutes we have left picking hair out of the drain and moving the Mac cosmetic counter off the vanity. The fact I even know what MAC cosmetics are make me want to shoot myself. It would be a blast.”
“Come on Stevie. It would be.” She pushed the pizza box aside and crawled into his lap. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she smiled at him. “Besides, you couldn’t live without me.”
That now familiar excitement stirred in his gut but he pushed it aside. Friends. That’s all. “Fine. I’ll call the office in the morning.”
She squealed and kissed him on the mouth. His heart hammered in his chest as she crawled off his lap and jumped up and down. They would have to lay down some ground rules. Beginning with the most obvious. No walking around in a tank top and panties. He’d been hard for the last month. If he stayed that way, it would fall off. Oh yes. There would be rules.
Kevin stood outside Caleb’s house. His hands shook. This conversation would change his life. Taking a deep breath, he knocked and waited. And waited. And waited.
Yanking the door open, Caleb fastened his jeans. “Do I need to start hanging a tie on the door? Shit. I can’t get a minute alone with Jena.”
Kevin laughed as he pushed him aside. He couldn’t wait. His stomach churned and he felt like he would throw up. “You’re lucky it’s me. Your dad is on his way over. You can thank me any time now.”
“Why the hell is my…” Caleb stopped mid sentence when he locked eyes with his dad.
“I was invited. Put a shirt on. Where’s my beautiful, Jena?” Charles Allen, Caleb and Andi’s father, hugged his son. When he pulled away, he pulled Kevin into an embrace. “Kevin, it is so wonderful to see you looking so healthy. You had everyone worried.”
“Thank you, sir. I feel great.” Kevin hugged him back. The Allen family had accepted him as part of their family the instant they had met him at Sunday dinner almost a year ago. His parents had been gone for years and the Allen’s were everything he would have imagined his parents would have been. “I need to speak with you both. Can we sit in the living room?”
Sweat broke out across his brow. He felt like a teenager picking up his first date. He could picture Charles Allen cocking a shot gun while he reminded him about Andi’s curfew. He fumbled with the small box in his pocket. He had carried it around all day.
Caleb and his father sat next to each other on the couch. Their mannerisms were identical. They both leaned forward, resting their elbows on their knees and stared. Caleb smirked but Charles Allen looked completely confused. Kevin wasn’t sure which look he liked better.
Kevin cleared his throat. “I love Andi more than I could ever tell you. I don’t deserve her and I have no idea how I got so lucky. She anchors me. She takes care of me. She’s a pain in my ass and I can’t imagine one second of my life without her. I have never cared about anyone like I do her. When I had my heart attack, she was the last thought I had. It wasn’t peaceful like everyone says it is. It was agony knowing that I wouldn’t see her again. I got a second chance and I don’t want to waste a second of it.” Kevin focused on Andi’s dad. “Sir, I would like to ask for your permission to marry your daughter.”
Mr. Allen’s eyes filled with tears. His smile stretched across his face and he stood up. Pulling Kevin into an embrace, he laughed. “I couldn’t ask for anyone better for my baby. I would be honored to have you as my son.”
Kevin looked at Caleb and waited. Nothing. “Caleb, you’ve been like a brother to me for a long time now. I want to know you are ok with this, too. I’d like permission to marry your sister.”
Caleb looked down at his hands. Kevin’s heart raced as he tried to figure out what was running through his mind. After several minutes of silence, Caleb’s crooked smile flashed across his face. “You’re the only one that has ever challenged her. There hasn’t ever been a better match.” He shook his hand. “When are you asking her?”
“Tonight. I want to marry her right away. Tomorrow isn’t promised and I don’t want to spend another day without her as my wife.” Kevin jogged toward the door. “Thank you both.”
Chapter 26
Kevin walked into the house with purpose. Andi’s car was in the guest spot and it was time. Grabbing the helmets from the closet, he set out to find the love of his life. She stood in the kitchen in a light yellow halter dress. Seeing him, she smiled. It almost brought him to his knees.
“I need to ride. Come with me?” Kevin held out her helmet.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea yet.” Andi tilted her head and looked at him. “Are you alright?”
“I need this, Andi. Please come with me.” He pleaded.
She stepped forward and touched his cheek. “Ok. Let me get my jacket.” She pressed her lips to his, kissing him lightly before walking away. He smiled and checked his pocket one last time.
As he accelerated the bike, Kevin felt free. Andi’s arms wrapped around his waist, her head resting between his shoulder blades. Every so often, she would say she loved him and his whole body would respond. His mind would wander back to the most amazing night of his life. It had been two months since their midnight ride on the bike to the Hollywood Hills. It had been, hands down, the greatest night of Kevin’s life. Hearing Andi say she loved him for the first time had sealed their future. The sex that night had been the hottest of his life. He would never look at his bike the same way again.
Turning off the main road, they started their climb into the hills. Andi giggled as she realized where they were going. She rubbed her hands inside his jacket. He would never be used to her touch. His body flared to life. Reaching back, Kevin squeezed her leg. “Don’t get cocky back there, doll. Maybe I’m not in the mood.”
“That will be the day.” Andi chuckled.
“You wound me, Andi. I can’t just be your toy. You can’t just play with me anytime you want. I have feelings.”
Andi ran her hands over his jeans. His erection jumped at her touch. She purred. “I have feelings too. I have a feeling that this will be in my mouth in the next five minutes.”
Attempting not to swerve, he took a few deep breaths. This couldn’t be about sex. He was about to ask the most important and terrifying question he had ever asked and he had to keep it in his pants long enough to concentrate. Her hand continued its caress. He bit his lip. Stopping her went against everything he ever knew. “Andi.” He used his hand to still her
s. “Keep that up, I’ll blow. It will be like I’m a teenager all over again.”
“I seem to remember a time in Ryan’s kitchen…”
“Best afternoon of my life. Ironic too. They were Caleb’s swim trunks.” Kevin belly laughed as Andi cringed.
As they pulled into the wooded lot that held so many memories, Andi gasped. “Oh no.” She looked at the concrete foundation that had been poured on the now almost cleared lot. “Someone bought it. Wow. It’s huge.”
“Thanks. I’m pretty proud of it.” Kevin laughed.
Andi swatted his back and smiled. “That too. I think we should go. This is someone’s house now.”
Kevin eased off the bike, helping Andi down. “It’s late. No one is here. Let’s check it out.” He held her hand and led her around to the back of the property. The lights of the city twinkled below. It was breathtaking.
Kevin looked at Andi. Her hair was pulled back and messy from the helmet. Her dress rumpled from the wind, she stood holding his hand like it was her life line. She took his breath away. Her olive skin was like a magnet drawing him in. Her wide, brown eyes sparkled as she took in the city below. The ache in his chest was different this time. It was an ache to be closer, to be one, to be with her for the rest of his life. She was everything.
Kevin patted the ring box in his pocket one last time. One deep breath and a leap of faith and he was ready. He knelt. Andi took a step forward and turned at the loss of his touch. She gasped when she saw him on one knee. Taking in the scene behind her, the tears started. Her dad and Caleb stood in what would one day be the living room. Candles were lit all around them. She looked back at Kevin and covered her mouth with both hands.
“I think I’ve loved you from the first second I saw you. You’ve changed me. You challenge me and everything I have ever believed in. You drive me insane. You’re a smart ass and you call me out on all my bullshit. You make me laugh and you scare me a little. You are the woman I never knew I wanted, the woman I can’t live without another second. I want to spend the rest of my life fighting with you, fighting for us.” With shaking hands, Kevin lifted the lid on the blue Tiffany’s box. Her breath hitched when she saw the ring. “I don’t deserve you. No one will ever be good enough for you. But if you give me the chance, I will spend the rest of my life convincing you that taking a chance on us was the best gamble you ever made. I love you so much that it hurts. I need you. Forever. Andrea Allen, will you marry me?”
Andi nodded her head as her sobbing continued. “Yes. Yes. I would have married you the first time I met you.” She fell into his arms, kissing him, crying, laughing.
“You hated me the first time you met me.” Kevin slipped the ring on her trembling finger.
“There’s a fine line between love and hate. You crossed it the second you walked into Caleb’s house and looked at me.” Andi stared at the ring. It was so beautiful, she couldn’t stop. “Thank you for choosing me.”
Kevin smiled at Caleb and Charles Allen. There were tears in their eyes. Caleb nodded at him before wiping his cheek. Looking back at Andi, he brushed a few loose strands of hair behind her ear. “Welcome home, doll.”
Andi’s eyes widened. “What?”
“It’s been my property for a year. I just didn’t need to build on it until you. Until us.” Kevin pulled her closer. “This place is going to hold some pretty amazing moments for us.”
“It already does.” She kissed him before standing up to hug her dad and her brother. “Thank you for this. The whole thing. My three favorite men in the world here with me. I’m a little overwhelmed.” Another sob broke free.
“I love you with all my heart.” Caleb kissed Andi on the cheek. “He’s the right guy. I’m so happy for you both. He’s getting one of the most precious things in the world to me. I don’t doubt he deserves it. He loves you, kiddo. Hold on tight. It’s going to be one hell of a ride.”
Andi sipped her glass of Champagne. She couldn’t help but smile at the two carats of fire that were now on her finger. Kevin had walked her dad and Caleb back to their car so she had taken that time to stare at the intricate band. She giggled. If this was a dream, she didn’t want to wake up. Andrea Merck. It had a nice ring to it.
Kevin sat down next to her on the blanket and pulled in close. “Thank you for saying yes. I love you.” She smiled at him. He wouldn’t have survived without her. Her love kept him breathing.
“You are my dream come true. I can’t wait to be your wife.” Andi shivered under his intense stare.
His lips met hers, his tongue begging for entrance, licking at her teeth. She sighed and took him into her mouth. His tongue was like fire setting flame to her body. Heat rushed to her core. There was nothing as amazing as his mouth and now it would be hers forever. He pulled her hair back, deepening the kiss. “I need to be inside you. I need to make you come.”
She moaned as he laid her back on the blanket. Her dress was shoved up to her waist, her panties ripped away. She didn’t stand a chance as he dove between her thighs. His tongue teased her hardened nub. She whispered his name like a prayer. His fingers bent, rubbing against the spot that no one had found before. He sucked her clit into his mouth. Hard. She shattered, her pleasure drenching his tongue and fingers.
She clawed at his pants as he shoved them down his legs. One hard thrust and he was buried deep. His erection was harder than steel. The things this woman did to him. He pulled out slowly, leaving only the tip inside her. She whimpered and he slammed back into her. “Fuck, Andi.” He gritted his teeth as he lost himself, pounding into her as if his life depended on it. “I can’t get enough of you. I’ll never get enough of you. The sounds you make. Your body. So sexy. God this feels so good.”
Familiar intensity began to build low in her belly. Each stroke hit her just where she needed it. His pubic bone rubbed against her clit and the pleasure was magnified by his words. She tightened her legs as her orgasm ripped through her, squeezing him, demanding his release. He panted as he held on for a few more strokes. Her pleasure soaked them both, pulling him over the edge. He emptied himself into her, shouting her name as her pleasure continued to surge from her body.
Kevin collapsed next to her, breathing hard and satisfied. His gray eyes pierced hers and a growl escaped his lips. He pulled her on top of him. “More. I need more.” She bit her lip as she felt him stir beneath her already. “Ride me. Take everything you need. Don’t stop until you can’t handle any more pleasure. Then I’ll take over and give you a little more.”
She slid down his erection and shivered as she began to ride him. “I love you.” She chanted as her body splintered apart.
Epilogue
“I used to love game night. Then Soph found Pictionary and it’s been downhill ever since.” Mark adjusted his tie. “Please tell me why the fuck I had to dress up for this one? At my own house?”
Sophie laughed at her husband. “Stop fidgeting. You look amazing. It’s obviously something important. And Pictionary is a good game so get over it.”
“Ryan’s baby is in a tux.” Mark pointed to the baby swing that was currently occupied by a very happy Kevin West.
Steve choked on his drink. “It’s cotton pajamas.”
Mark laughed. “Well, it looks like a tuxedo so it counts.”
“Speaking of tuxedos.” Jena’s jaw dropped.
Kevin, Ryan and Caleb stood in the doorway, dressed in Armani. Their tailored black tuxedos fit them like a second skin. They smiled at the stunned reactions of their friends.
“Ladies.” Caleb winked at Jena. “If you could follow me.”
Jena followed Lily, Sophie and Layla out the front door. Her father in law, Charles Allen, held the door open to the waiting limo. Dressed like the other men, he kissed Jena on the cheek and motioned for her to get in. She instantly realized what was happening. She gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. Charles put his finger over his lips and nodded at the car.
It was a short ride to the large property that Kevin had pu
rchased not long after Mark had settled into the Hollywood hills. The foundation had been poured and walls were beginning to go up. It was going to be a beautiful home. The lot was larger than Mark’s but the view was the same. The lights of the city looked like stars. Despite the chaos of the city below, it was peaceful and quiet in the hills.
Caleb smiled as he reached for Jena’s hand. It wouldn’t be long before they took this leap and he could not wait. He mouthed ‘I love you’ and looked over at his father. He and Andi had been blessed far more than they deserved. Their parents were approaching their thirtieth anniversary and he could not ask for better role models. He reached out and took his dad’s hand. Mr. Allen smiled at his son with tears in his eyes. They nodded at each other. The mutual respect and understanding clear to everyone in the limo.
Liz greeted everyone as they stepped from the car. She led them to the backyard. Rows of white chairs were set up overlooking the city below. Hundreds of white candles lined the outskirts of the property and soft music played. Fresh flowers were everywhere. A small, white table was set up at the altar. Three framed pictures were illuminated by candles. Kevin’s mother, father and sister smiled back from the photos.
Mark took Sophie’s hand and led her to the front row. He smiled realizing they had kept this whole event a secret. Little Andi Allen. The hot little sister of his best friend. His mind flashed back to the first weekend they were home from college and she was out washing her car in her cheerleading shorts and white t-shirt. It was the first time he had seen her as a woman. And what a woman she was. He had stepped off the curb and almost sprained his ankle. She had dropped the hose when she saw him and they had made eye contact. Instead of being flustered by him as most women were, she gave him a smirk. It was that moment that he knew she would be in his life forever. They all had so much history together. He chuckled and squeezed Sophie’s hand.
The music started and the crowd stilled. Caleb walked down the aisle. He stood on the bride’s side and smiled back at Ryan. Ryan winked at him as he took his spot on the groom’s side. Kevin wiped a tear as he hugged them both and turned to wait for his gorgeous fiancé. He had never pictured his life going this way. But today, he couldn’t think of it any other way. Thank God for the unexpected.