Hold Me (Fool's Gold #16)(85)

* * *

SATURDAY KIPLING PULLED into the driveway of Destiny’s rental. They’d agreed he would move in with her until they closed on the house they’d bought. His place wasn’t any bigger, and Starr was already settled here. It didn’t make sense to move her twice.

The process of comingling their belongings would take a few days. He was bringing over a few things today and would officially move in with his furniture next weekend.

He carried boxes into the house. “Starr, it’s me,” he called.

The teen didn’t respond.

He’d phoned her earlier to let her know he would be dropping by. Destiny was out running errands, but Starr had said she would be home all afternoon. He walked down the hall and found her bedroom door open and the room empty. Maybe she’d gone out and left him a note, he thought, retracing his steps then heading to the kitchen.

He glanced at the kitchen table and didn’t see anything. Before he could figure out what to do next, movement caught his attention. He looked out the big window over the sink and saw Starr and a boy sitting on the bench seat on the patio.

The kid was familiar, Kipling thought. Gideon’s son. Carter.

The two teens were talking intently. They looked cute, he thought indulgently as he walked toward the back door to let them know he was here. His hand settled on the doorknob. Carter and Starr leaned toward each other. He opened the door as they kissed.

Kissed?

Kipling was outside in a heartbeat. “What the hell are you two doing?” he demanded.

The teens jumped apart. Carter sprang to his feet and stood between Kipling and Starr. A protective posture that would have been admirable if Kipling weren’t so pissed off. They were fifteen. That was too young for kissing, wasn’t it? Sure, kids these days did stuff, but not on his watch.

“Starr, does your sister know Carter is here?”

“Don’t yell at her,” Carter told him.

“I’m not yelling,” Kipling growled.

Starr looked around Carter. “You kind of are.” She looked more intrigued than scared. “It was just a kiss.”

“You’re fifteen.”

“We know that,” Carter said. “We’re allowed to kiss.”

“No, you’re not.” He moved toward the boy. “What you’re allowed to do is get the hell out of this house.”

“What?” Starr demanded, coming to her feet. “You’re not the boss of him. Or me. Just because you married my sister doesn’t mean you’re in charge. Destiny wouldn’t be upset.”

“Want to bet?” Kipling asked. He pointed at the door. “You get out of here.”

Carter didn’t move. “Not until you promise you won’t hurt Starr.”

“What? Hurt her?” He swore. “Starr, go to your room until Destiny gets home. Carter, get your ass out of here. You hear me?”

Carter and Starr exchanged a look, then they both nodded. There was a whispered conversation as they walked to the back door. Kipling followed. Starr went down the hall, and Carter left the house. Kipling looked at the clock and wondered how long it would take Destiny to get home.

* * *

DESTINY GOT HOME as quickly as she could. She’d abandoned a nearly full cart at the grocery store, something she’d never done in her life. But Kipling had sounded more worried than she’d ever heard him.

He was waiting for her on the front step when she pulled up.

“They were kissing?” she asked as she got out of her car. “I can’t believe it.”

“Neither could I.”

“Starr said Carter was stopping by, but I didn’t think anything of it. They’re friends.”

“Good ones.”

Just then a truck came barreling around the corner and skidded to a stop in front of the house. Gideon got out and stalked toward them.

“What the hell were you thinking?” he demanded.

Destiny had met the other man a couple of times, in social situations. He was bigger than she remembered, and a lot more menacing. Kipling immediately stepped between her and Gideon.

Felicia scrambled out of the passenger side and hurried to her husband. “Gideon, we talked about this. Your anger may or may not be justified. I, too, want to punch in Kipling’s face, but we need to get the facts.” She paused and smiled tightly at Destiny. “Hi. We have a problem.”

There was an understatement, Destiny thought. “One we have to figure out.”

“I know what I saw,” Kipling growled and glared at Gideon. “Your son was over here, without permission, kissing Starr. She’s fifteen. If I hadn’t walked in, who knows what would have happened.”

Destiny wanted to say she had faith in her sister, but she also was a product of her wonky genetics. Destiny knew exactly how powerful sexual urges could be.

Felicia sighed. “Teenage hormones are formidable. Sexual desire can override judgment at any age, but when the parties in question are their age, it’s foolish to expect rational behavior.”

Gideon turned to her. “I love you. You’re right, and I still want to rip him apart.”

Kipling took a step toward him. “Go ahead and try.”

Destiny grabbed his arm while Felicia got in front of Gideon.

“You’re not helping,” Felicia said firmly.