Moonlight Moments (Steele Family Book 2)

by Emily Bowie

  “I’ll walk you in.”

  Again, my heart is grateful for his suggestion. Taking my hand, he helps me out of his truck. It doesn’t go unnoticed that neither of us makes a move to separate our fingers once we walk toward my continual flapping door.

  I can see the old wood is splintered and the lock is broken on it, making it useless until I get it fixed. My body begins to shiver on high, reminding me I’m frozen. At least I’m not tired anymore.

  Kellen holds the door open for me, the wind and rain stopping once he closes it behind us.

  “Your lips are blue,” Kellen observes, and my hand lifts to touch my lips. I look around, feeling uncertain and violated by someone coming into my home when I wasn’t here.

  “Do you mind staying tonight?” I hear the words come out of my mouth, already feeling more secure if he agrees.

  “Sure.” He places his hands in his pockets while nodding. “Why don’t you go take a hot shower to warm up, and I’ll find you something warm to drink afterward.”

  His thoughtful words make my chest ache. It’s been a long time since someone has been this kind to me and has chosen to stick around to take care of me. Why couldn’t I have met him years ago? I can feel my eyes starting to tear up as I smile at him before heading toward my bathroom, doing as he suggested.

  With each step, I can feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I’ve felt those eyes on me before. Turning around, I see Kellen has already left for my kitchen, confirming it’s not his eyes I was feeling.

  CHAPTER 20

  Once I hear the water running in the shower, I place my phone call, not wanting to frighten Sloan.

  “Kellen Steele.” Russ’s voice rings through the line. “What can I do for you this time of day?”

  I’m walking a thin line calling Russ, while not wanting Kip to know I’m interested in Sloan. I’m still not entirely sure what Sloan’s involvement is with Kip and his business. But for him to be driving past her house, and for her to be in the back warehouse tells me that she’s special to Kip.

  “Know anyone who may want to break into Sloan’s house?” The line is silent. I’ve probably shocked him by bringing up her name.

  “Now what business do you have with that girl?” His voice is rough and protective.

  “You know she’s safe with me,” I try to reassure him. If I were him, I can’t say I would. I’ve been gone for a long time. People change.

  “I’m calling Kip.”

  “No,” I growl before catching myself. “She’s safe. I’ll repair her door. Let’s wait till the morning before we wake Kip for no good reason.”

  “I would say the safety of his cousin is a very good reason,” he argues.

  “I want to be the one to call him. Can you help me out until then?” I question, hoping I didn’t make a mistake by calling.

  Russ lets out a sigh. He’s loyal and a man of his word. I hate being the one to force him to make a decision like this. Silence passes as I wait for his answer.

  “Yeah, there’s one person who comes to mind that might do something like that. Come by tomorrow and we’ll have a meeting.”

  “Thank you,” I respond genuinely as I search for towels to begin cleaning up the mess from the rain.

  Opening a few drawers, I can only find a few kitchen hand towels. Making the best of it, I go over, start soaking up the water, and wring it out into a giant bowl. I’m on my hands and knees when a light sound catches my attention and I see beautiful legs. My eyes take in her smooth, golden stems, coming up to almost the curve of her ass before an old towel gets in the way of my view. Then she’s out of my sight.

  Getting up to empty another gallon of water out of the bowl, my eyes strain in the direction of where she went, hoping for another glimpse of the girl who has stolen my breath away. The hallway is dark, my stare unable to find her.

  Placing a teapot on her stove, I turn it on.

  “Sorry I took so long.” Her soft voice is behind me. Turning, I see she’s in loose-fitting sweatpants and a tank top that is knotted at her belly button. She looks stunning. Her hair is still wet, leaving her shirt slightly damp around her shoulders.

  “I started making you some tea.” My voice is gruffer than anticipated. Ma would have us kids make her tea often.

  I watch her look around till her eyes land on the teapot on her stove. She gives me a sad smile. “That’s very sweet of you. Thank you.”

  We stare at each other for a moment, making it feel heavy in the room. My hand goes forward, lightly touching hers, before my fingers wrap around her hand. “I’m happy to help.”

  “If I make some popcorn, would you like some?” She lets go, already on her tippy toes, her shirt rising as she stretches her body up to reach a microwavable bag.

  Before long, we’re settled in her living room, sitting next to each other on the couch and facing each other. A TV sits in front of us but is never turned on. I’m starting to think she doesn’t have it connected.

  “So why Three Rivers?” I ask, wanting to know more about this woman who has captured my interest.

  She looks up toward the curtains that cover the window behind us. Her eyes become glossy, and I’m about to switch topics when she responds. “It was the only place that felt like home to me. This was my granny’s house, and she left it to me.”

  I like hearing this is her house. It means she’ll be here for a while. I feel connected to her, the feelings catching me off guard.

  “She and my cousin, Kiptyn, always made me feel like a real family, when my own mother had a hard time doing that. When my Mom would get a new boyfriend or get tired of dragging me along, she would dump me here. Sometimes for a week, other times for a month. When that happened, Granny and Kip always made me feel like I belonged and as if no time had passed between each visit.” She pauses, looking back at me.

  Already, this girl is way stronger than me. I think back to my upbringing. It was wonderful, full of sugarplums, pretty much. I had parents who loved me, siblings who would defend me at all costs, and a great friend network, all mixed with the means to do whatever I wanted. Money was never a question. I never realized how spoiled we were.

  “Then, slowly, my mom would start leaving and not bothering to drop me off here, saying it would poison my mind. I felt like I was an adult, being left to myself to do my own thing. Eventually, I moved out, only contacting my mom when I saw fit. I got into the wrong crowd. Then, before I knew it, I was tracked down to ID a Jane Doe who was found on the bank of a river.”

  I watch as she fights back her tears. My hand landing on top of hers, my thumb slowly circles her soft skin to let her know I’m here for her. “By then, it was only a few months till I turned eighteen. My granny signed me up to go to school after high school. That was the second to last time I saw her.”

  I see the regret and guilt on her face as she thinks about what could have been done differently. I wait to see if she will open up about who may have broken into her house.

  “I haven’t told that to anyone before.” She allows for a second then another to pass before clearing her voice, obviously needing to change the subject. “So, what’s your story?” she asks, looking at me expectantly.

  Thinking about her question I bring my hands together crackling my knuckle, as I have already realized that next to hers, my life has been fantastic.

  “Typical small-town privileged kid.” I hesitantly shrug, knowing how different we grew up.

  Her eyebrow shoots up in disbelief. “I have a feeling you’re sugarcoating it.”

  “I hit a rebellious stage senior year. Got kicked off the football team.” I sigh, thinking back to my attitude back then. “I started to drink, skip school, pretty much stopped giving a damn. I pushed my friends and family away.”

  She nods at me, encouraging me to go on. It’s been a long time since I said any of this out loud.

  “Then, similar to you, I got into the wrong crowd. Started to fight, street race…” My voice trails off as I go int
o my own head, thinking about it all.

  I feel jacked up. With the loud rumble of the 1985 Chevrolet Camaro, I drive through the dark back streets. I know Kip really wanted some type of Honda, an Accord or Civic. Those are easy to steal. But this, this one is one of beauty. Its tan leather seats match the two stripes down its hood. I feel empowered that I was able to pull this off. This car is one of beauty, and worth a ton. I don’t understand why he wastes his talent on Camrys or Accords. There is no rush in getting into one; they are easy. They hold no street-race value. Nearing the mansion, I cut the lights, going in dark. Looking at the time, I see it’s my new personal best with this one. Now, if only I had someone to race it against.

  Soon as I pull into the parking lot, ready to move around back, lights flash on, blinding me. A huge beast of a man steps out of his car. With the darkness against the contrast of the glaring lights, I can’t make out any details.

  The man whistles, walking around the car. “I’m impressed, Steele,” his thick, smoker’s voice remarks as he looks me over.

  Grinning, I lean back on the ride, feeling pretty fucking amazing.

  “I never expected this to be one of Kiptyn’s types of car. Maybe people do really change.”

  The way he says those words puts me on alert. He doesn’t sound friendly toward my new boss, making me rethink my decision. I did act on impulse, wanting to prove myself. Shit. What if this actually pisses off Kip and he kicks me out of the club?

  “Who are you?” I jab my chin out, trying to look tough and impassive.

  He steps out of the light just enough so I can make out his facial features. Along his neck, there is a raised red scar that looks like it’s from a deep straight knife wound. He looks to be about Kip’s age, making him about five or so years older than me.

  “Doesn’t matter at the moment. What matters is that a guy with your skill should come work for me.”

  “What the hell are you doing in town, Ace?” Kiptyn’s angry voice cuts through us. He looks at my car then to me, telling me wordlessly he’s pissed off with my choice. “Get that fucking car in the back,” I’m ordered before Kip steps forward, talking to the stranger.

  That was just the start of my journey.

  Sloan’s apple scent from her shampoo brings me back to the present. Her body snug against mine, our arms touching. Her house is silent, with us on the couch. My mind reels with how I went from stealing cars to the night when everything went down.

  The night I tried to put Brax’s crazy girlfriend in line and ended up making a scene in front of the whole town. I felt like I was drowning in the rumors that were spreading about me being the one who knocked her up. The same rumors she refused to squash. The same rumors I saw eating away at Brax. All of it false.

  “Then what happened?”

  I am at a loss for words. I want to tell her the truth. I feel like a fraud by not telling her. But then I would be endangering more than only my life, but everyone else who made sacrifices to get me here today.

  Then, with the practiced script I was forced to memorize, I try to continue, hating each second of it.

  “You don’t have to.” Her soft voice makes me realize I’ve stiffened up, my jaw ticking. Taking a deep breath, I calm my nerves.

  “I was out late one night, thinking I was tough. I had this old favorite gun I liked to shoot and horse around with. This night was no different. I was shooting at random things in the trees behind my parents’ house.”

  The image of Shay dragging Brax’s half passed out self inside the house is so vivid. Her small frame trying to keep him up as she took care of him. I should have had a heart-to-heart with my brother, but I kept everything I was dealing with inside. Then I saw Shay’s eyes when she told me that she was in love with my best friend. The friend who I couldn’t be sure would treat her the way she needed to be. Or maybe I was jealous, thinking I was losing my little sister.

  “The shot rang out of the gun, but it sounded different. No crash from it hitting a tree. When I tried to follow the shot, I found my brother’s girlfriend lying in her own blood because of my bullet.”

  That same feeling of being kicked in the stomach by a horse hits me, making me feel sick. If I could do anything over, I would have given Shay and Luke my blessing to be together. Only then, I could have maybe prevented Shay from being dragged down with me.

  Shay would have had no reason to be in the forest by herself with Brax’s crazy girlfriend. There would have been no reason for Shay to touch my favorite gun. I wasn’t the one in the forest playing with my gun, yet when the gun shot rang out and I found Cynthia’s lifeless body, I knew I had to protect my little sister. I did that by taking all of the blame, saving Shay from a future that she did not deserve.

  Instead of looking into shocked eyes as I expected, Sloan’s arms come around me, giving me a hug. She holds me tight, falling for all my lies. I let her hold me, having forgotten how good a hug feels.

  CHAPTER 21

  Kellen hugs me back tightly, squeezing most of the air out of my lungs, but then it’s over much faster than I would like. His eyes are focused on mine. We are so close together our skin brushes up against each other. His woodsy scent dances over me from his hug.

  My nerves prickle at my skin, knowing what I want. What I want is him. The fact that I am falling for a guy I was prepared to kill just hours ago confuses me. I hate him, and then I want him, the feelings warring inside me.

  I watch his head tilt before my eyes land on his lips. Why does he need to be so darn sexy with such a sweet personality? If he were an asshole, I could keep up my walls, blocking each of his attempts. Every interaction we’ve had, he’s tried to help me in some way, never expecting anything in return.

  “You keep looking at me like that and I won’t be able to control myself.” His voice is low and husky.

  My heart beats, anticipating he’s a man of his word.

  “What if I don’t want you to control yourself around me?” My heart dances around my nerves as I wait to see his response. I suck on the edge of my lip in anticipation. His eyes turn a darker, stormier color than before.

  His thumb and forefinger cup my chin before his fingers slip to the back of my neck and into my hair. His movements are painfully slow, his intense gaze never wavering.

  Then our lips brush against each other. This kiss is different from all of our other ones. This one isn’t demanding or punishing. It’s soft and feathering across my sensitive lips, igniting a blaze within my core.

  I can hear myself sigh, welcoming each delicate touch. I feel cherished in this kiss. He nips at my lip before bringing me to straddle him.

  I allow my hands to glide up his sides, feeling out his taut pecs, rounding his shoulders till my fingers find their way into his dark hair. His lips vibrate with his growl as he brings me closer to him so that my apex rests just on top of his tenting jeans.

  I know what’s underneath, causing me to grind down, feeling him out.

  Pulling back ever so slightly, I skim his five o’clock shadow before lightly using my lips to nip his jawline. I’m pretty sure I hear another small growl escape him before my lips find his earlobe.

  “Looks like you’re pretty good at keeping control,” I say. I like to rile this man up. I don’t know what it is about him. Slowly, my feet find their way to the floor, my body still bent over, so my lips are able to graze his stubble before I pull completely away. I like when Kellen loses himself in me.

  I can feel myself smirk as he gets this “oh hell no” look on his face before I turn to head for my bedroom.

  “You can sleep on the…” The last word is stripped from me as Kellen pulls my hips around so I’m facing him, pushing my back snug against the wall beside my bedroom. He presses himself against me, and I can feel how I have affected him. Both of our chests rise and fall rapidly.

  It looks like he wants to say something, but then his mouth is on mine. One hand snakes around my back, drawing me in, while his other hand finds its way up my sh
irt, pushing into my bra, squeezing and circling.

  “You have no idea what you do to me.” His words are breathless as his lips slightly part just enough to vibrate against my own.

  “I think it’s time you show me,” I respond, moving just enough to kick my door open with my heel.

  My hand cups his hard dick, rubbing along his jeans, making him thrust into my hand.

  “Fuck, Sloan, you drive me crazy with your touches.” His lips find my neck, and I stretch out for him as soon as he kisses it, his hot tongue sliding along my skin before he sucks it into his mouth.

  Then I slip out of his embrace, going deeper into my room, even though I would rather stay pinned against the wall.

  Kellen cocks an eyebrow, looking like he’s enjoying me playing with him.

  “Strip.” His voice is loud and demanding. His eyes glisten with lust as he takes in my reaction.

  My hands go to the bottom hem of my shirt as I slowly bring the material over my head, leaving me in my bra.

  I revel in his attention, feeling confident.

  “Now your bra.”

  Taking my time, I unclasp my bra from my back, allowing one shoulder strap to fall before the other, and then rid myself of it. My nipples are hard and puckered.

  He looks down to my sweatpants and nods, silently demanding me to take them off too. My fingers drag the material down over one hip before the other, leaving me in nothing but my thong.

  “Sit on your bed.”

  Walking backward, never allowing myself to lose sight of him, I go to sit on the end of my bed, far enough back so that my legs are straight.

  I watch as he loosens his belt then takes off his shirt as he walks toward me.

  All I want are his fingers and mouth on me, making me feel perfect. He bends toward me and his fingers loop around the band of my thong at my hips before he pulls them down ever so slowly. Arching, I allow the material to be slipped down my thighs until they’re off.