Kiss the Stars (Falling Stars #1)(45)

Bitterness bled from me on a sigh. “You don’t want me looking after her. I promise you that.”

He lifted his chin in a challenge. “You’ve got your eyes on her, anyway. You might as well.”

Wow.

Okay.

I scrubbed a hand over my face. “Already told you that I wouldn’t touch her.”

Yeah, and we saw how that went, didn’t we?

That lie a thousand pounds on my chest.

The girl perfection under my hands.

He pushed the rest of the way from the wall. “Listen, know she’s a grown woman. I mean, fuck, she has two kids. I can’t stand in the way of her making her own choices. She’s wicked smart. Strong and talented. I know I have to let her make decisions on her own. Doesn’t mean I don’t want to keep her from pain, and she’s had more than anyone should have to shoulder. Just remember that, and we won’t have a problem.”

Denial blazed through my being. “You don’t need to worry about it. Nothing is going on with us.”

He took a step my way. “Guess that’s what we all say when we’re drowning, isn’t it? So gone we have no idea that life is right there, waiting all around us. Love with a hand outstretched to rescue us.”

“Don’t believe in fairytales.”

And if I did, mine were buried six feet underground.

Lyrik crossed the room, heading to the door. Right before he opened it, he paused. “Neither did I, man, neither did I. Funny how life turns out, though, isn’t it? Now come and eat some chicken. Tamar insists.”

The fucker winked. But it was me who was completely fucked.





Fourteen





Leif





Climbing the stairs from the bottom floor, I hit the main level and quickly moved for the backdoor.

Like I thought I was all kinds of sneaky as I bypassed the kitchen that was packed with bodies preparing for a feast. Place filled with laughter and voices and clattering dishes.

It wasn’t like I was going to escape meeting them.

But if I was going to endure this thing, I was going to need some fresh air and probably about fifteen beers.

The salty air hit me as I stepped out onto the large elevated deck that lined the entire back of the house. The view of the Atlantic struck me with a swift kick of awe.

Smoke curled from the built-in grill that took up the far end of the deck, the sweet aroma of honey-glazed chicken billowing with the air and mending with the scent of the sea.

Austin and his wife, Edie, who I’d met before practice, were down at the shore, their knees tucked to their chests.

“Ah. Tastes like summer, doesn’t it?” Ash said where he manned the grill, dragging in an overexaggerated whiff.

I roughed a restless hand through my hair that whipped in the breeze. “Not exactly sure what summer tastes like, but that smells damned good.”

Ash stretched out his hulking arms, tongs in one hand and a giant metal spatula in the other. Buffoon was actually wearing an apron that said Kiss the Cook. “Knew you couldn’t resist this awesomeness. Welcome to a whole new brand of Ash-Magic. Griller extraordinaire.”

“You mean bullshitter extraordinaire.” The screen door slammed shut from behind just as the voice hit my ears. I spun around to find a tall, slender woman walking out, long, wavy dark-brown hair spilling around a face that appeared as innocent as could be.

“Darlin’. How could you wound me that way?” Ash asked, tone aghast and rippling with playful affection.

The woman tsked. “How could I what? Point out the fact that you are absolutely ridiculous?”

“Ahh, see, now I thought you liked it just fine when I got ridiculous.” There was nothing but suggestion in the words, and the woman was blushing as she walked toward him. Ash reached for her, tucking this shy girl into the curve of his side. She swatted his chest. “Like I said, ridiculous.”

With a huge grin, he planted a kiss to the top of her head. “Leif, meet my Peaches. My wife. Most beautiful girl in the world. Lover of the ridiculous.” His voice dropped to a whisper on the last, and he nipped at her cheek.

She giggled a small sound and he groaned.

“Nice to meet you, Willow.”

“We’re really grateful you came. Our sweet Liam would have been devastated if Zee couldn’t travel with him. It’s kind of you to take time out from your own life to come and help us out.”

I scratched at my temple, feeling like a total dick when I thought of the dollar signs that were currently going cha-ching as they popped into my bank account. But somehow, I had to accept it wasn’t just about the money. I’d probably be here either way.

“Uh, glad to. Not a problem at all.”

A clatter of movement burst from behind, and the door banged open again. This time, a stampede of kids came flying out.

Brendon was at the helm, the kid a complete wild child who clearly couldn’t be contained, with about seven kids on his tail.

Only one I really noticed was Penny.

Penny.

She was there, emerging last, looking around, unsure.

My heart fisted in my chest.

What the fuck was that? This feeling that was too close to awareness. Knowing that her mom had to be near. This urge that made me feel like I needed to wrap this kid up, too.

Protect her.