Compromising Kessen (Vandenbrook #1)(47)

It was the most romantic thing anyone had ever said to her in her entire life. It was easy to throw compliments at women; it was quite another thing to want her soul as well.

And then his lips were urgently pressed against hers. Here we go again, she thought, as she wrapped herself as tightly around his body as she could.

“Kessen—” he mumbled against her hair and jaw.

She felt somehow braver in the nightlight and let her tongue trail down his chin; he shuddered in response, opening her mouth to his tongue yet again. Their mouths danced as if they’d never kissed another soul but each other.

Their bodies matched a perfect rhythm of give and take until both of them were breathless.

“Ahem.” A voice penetrated their passionate haze.

Kessen, suddenly mortified, clung to Christian for support, thinking his body would hopefully shadow her own. Actually, she just wanted to throw him under the bus so she could save herself.

“What have we here?” It was Nick’s voice. She would bet her life on it. On second thought, maybe just Nick’s life.

Christian swore under his breath so only Kessen could hear. “I, uh—”

“He sleep-walks!” Kessen blurted.

Christian’s eyes widened. “Um, yes, and I tend to—”

“You tend to attack innocent women in your sleep?” Nick finished.

Kessen fake laughed and punched Christian playfully in the arm. “Ha! You know what they say.”

Nick looked at her. “Oh, this should be good.”

She didn’t have time to respond before the door burst open again. “Lies! All of it lies!” It was Duncan, and he was dressed in all black. Actually, Nick was in all black too. What were they planning on doing? Compromising them more?

“What’s a lie?” Christian asked innocently as he ground his teeth together.

“I will swear on my family inheritance, which is substantial, by the way,” Duncan winked at Kessen meaningfully, “that Christian does not, nor has he ever, sleep-walked.”

Christian swore.

Nick laughed.

Kessen gulped.

“Furthermore,” Duncan said, stepping forward, “I find it odd he would be in this young lady’s room at such a late hour. Do you really have such a hard time keeping your hands to yourself, young man?”

“Duncan, we’re the same age. We—”

“Not a peep out of you!” Nick said, pointing his finger at Christian. “And you, young lady!” Nick turned towards Kessen. “For shame! You’re just lucky your father wasn’t here.”

Both Duncan and Nick closed their eyes and shook their heads.

“It was just kissing!” Kessen said, then wished she wouldn’t have, considering they were all adults, and it was a boldfaced lie.

“He’s naked!” Nick yelled.

Duncan held up a robe in mock disdain. “Cover yourself this instant!”

Christian took the robe. “I’m wearing pants.”

Nick started clapping. “Good for you! Just keep them on, will you?”

Duncan laughed.

Christian growled, and Kessen turned redder, if it was possible.

“We were testing you two,” Nick informed them.

“And you failed,” Duncan agreed, crossing his arms.

“I’ll stand watch here,” Nick whispered to Duncan. “But you need to go to the horny high schooler’s room, so he doesn’t escape again.”

“Yes, brilliant,” Duncan agreed.

“High schooler?” Kessen asked dumbly.

“Oh, we were referring to him.” Nick threw a disapproving glance Christian’s way.

“Now we are all settled, shall we sleep?” Duncan asked.

Christian smirked and winked at Kessen just as the boys began another lively discussion on door locks. She blushed and smiled back, squeezing his hand.

“Tomorrow,” she said quietly. He nodded his head and left, but not before punching Duncan hard in the shoulder.

Nick shook his head, but it was easy to see he was in good humor. The little rat set them up on purpose. No matter, she would get her revenge on him someday. He saluted her and turned on his heel to leave the room. She heard the lock turn and laughed until she managed to fall into a deep sleep.

****

Christian however, was not sleeping. Who could sleep after a day or even a night like that? If this was what he had to look forward to for the rest of his life, he couldn’t sign up fast enough. His body was burning as if on fire, and his mind was reeling with every single possibility of what could have happened with Kessen had Nick and Duncan not shown up with guns firing, literally.

How they managed to find the paintball guns Christian himself had so dutifully put under lock and key, he would never know.

He believed he loved her, but a girl like that would panic if he said anything. She would most likely hop on the first plane back to Colorado if he confessed his love after only a few days of knowing her. But he knew—he knew he was falling hard. After all, he had dated a lot of women, and none of those times had felt anything like this.

Though he was guilty of many things, he had never been one to panic.

Naturally, there was a first time for everything.





Chapter Twenty-One


The sun woke him up rather than his alarm. Christian groaned out loud as he quickly got ready then stepped out into the hall.