Rush: The Season (Austin Arrows Book 1)(95)

I’ve missed her and I just saw her last night. For some absurd reason, every minute I’m away from her feels incredibly long. Unfortunately, I’ve got to cherish the minutes I do have with her today because the team’ll be on the road again tomorrow for Saturday’s away game. I’m already dreading not being able to see her.

But she’s here now and that’s all that matters.

Another throat clears and I slowly pull back, looking up to see Spencer standing in the doorway. He’s watching the two of us closely, but I can’t tell what he’s thinking. He doesn’t look angry, maybe a little confused. I don’t know.

“Hey,” Ellie greets her brother, leaving me so that she can give him a hug. “Happy Thanksgiving.”

Spencer hugs her back, his eyes locked on my face. I won’t apologize for what he walked in on. Not even if he doesn’t particularly care for the fact that I’m with his sister. This might’ve started off as a favor, but it has since morphed into something else entirely.

Something that I’m just now getting used to.

Something that I refuse to give up.

Not yet, anyway.





Ellie

I’ve spent Thanksgiving with Kingston and his brothers more than once in all the years I’ve known him. Before my parents died, he was always invited to their house, where we had big Thanksgiving feasts. I remember one year, we even had Kingston’s brothers and his dad over there, too. However, since my parents died, Spencer and I haven’t had any sort of holiday traditions. I think we purposely steer clear of the ones that we remember the most because it’s so hard, even now, not having them here.

So, Thanksgiving and Christmas are usually a gamble. Bianca and I even had dinner at Luby’s one year, then we went to see a movie together. That was actually fun. The only rule I have for the holiday is that we spend it with people we care about. That’s the most important.

The one noticeable difference between this Thanksgiving and all the others… Well, it’s clear that Kingston and I aren’t simply friends anymore. Or it doesn’t feel like we are to me. Maybe because he seems to want to kiss me any time we pass by one another, or because he sat beside me through dinner and even put his hand on my leg under the table while he talked to his father about who’s looking good for the Super Bowl this year. Apparently his father is as much a football fan as he is a hockey fan. Who knew?

And now, as Noelle and I work to carry all the dishes to the kitchen while Heath and Scott dutifully rinse them and put them in the dishwasher, I’m wishing I could steal a little of Kingston’s time for myself.

“You do know you look like you’re in love, right?” Noelle asks, nudging me when I pass by her on another trip to the dining room.

“I do not.” I’m pretty sure I do. But whatever.

As I step into the kitchen with another load of dirty dishes, I find Noelle standing at the bar, clearing her throat to get everyone’s attention. “I’m thinking we should go for a walk since it’s so nice out.”

“I wanna go!” Bianca announces, putting some of the condiments in the refrigerator.

“I’m down for a walk,” Scott says. “Sound good to you, Dad?”

Kingston’s father nods his head. He’s been surprisingly lucid throughout dinner, but I know from experience that could change at any second.

“You wanna come, Uncle Optimus?”

“Sure.” My brother glances over at me, then to Kingston.

“I think I’ll stay and finish cleaning up,” I announce, doing my best not to look at Kingston.

“I’m with Ellie,” Heath calls out.

“Oh, no, you’re not,” Noelle says, grabbing Kingston’s brother’s arm. “You’re with us. Kingston can stay and help her finish up. It’s his house, after all.”

Heath blushes because I think he finally realizes what Noelle is up to. “Now that you mention it, I think a walk is a great idea.”

Before I can tell them they don’t have to go, Noelle ushers everyone out of the kitchen and then out the door. It’s still light out, and the walk down to the lake doesn’t take long, so I know they’ll be fine.

Setting one of the plates in the sink, I reach to turn on the water to rinse it, but before I can, two strong hands land on my shoulders, gently urging me to turn around.

“Have I mentioned your best friend is a life saver?” Kingston’s deep voice rumbles in my ear as he leans in and pulls me toward him.

“She’s pretty good,” I acknowledge, but I’m more focused on his mouth.

Reaching up, I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him to me, too eager to wait for him to kiss me. The second his lips are on mine, I’m practically climbing his body. Although the man supplied me with one of the most incredible orgasms of all time last night, I desperately want more.

Kingston’s hands slide down to my ass, squeezing as he pulls my hips forward. I feel the hard ridge of his erection against my stomach. Oh, yes. This is the type of more that I want.

“How long do you think we have?” he asks.

“If Noelle’s in charge, I’d say twenty minutes. A half hour tops.” I kiss him again.

“And if Spencer’s in charge?” Kingston chuckles.

“Ten minutes,” I whisper. “So we better not waste a second.”