Country Kisses (3:AM Kisses Book #8)(48)

I’m sitting on the porch, tossing a tennis ball to Buddy, when a familiar pair of faces walks over—Owen and his friend, Rex.

“Dude.” Rex slaps me five. “Is this your place? I’m just a few doors down.”

“No shit? Come on in.”

I lead us inside, and Buddy happily follows as both Owen and Rex give him a greeting.

“Can I get you something cold?”

“I’m good.” Rex tosses the ball to the other end of the room, and Buddy slips and slides until he’s retrieved it.

“I’m good, too.” Owen gets up and takes a seat on the couch. “So we’re all set for this Saturday around five. Marley asked if she could invite a few people to liven it up a bit, and I told her I wouldn’t mind. It’s her place, and your brother is pitching for it. I’m just picking up the cake.”

“Make sure it’s double chocolate, or she’ll have your ass in a sling.” I can’t believe I’m giving the guy that’s sleeping with my sister advice on how to stay on her good side. I guess as much as I want Piper to accept Cassidy, she wants me to accept Owen—and I finally get it. If he ever hurt Piper by way of cheating on her, my heart would be broken, too. And if he even thought of getting back together with her, he’d be a dead man. I would most definitely try to talk some sense into her.

“I’m having Roxy bake it. It’s going to be perfect.”

“Awesome.” Roxy is Cole’s girlfriend from down at the Black Bear. Apparently, the bakery she runs from her apartment is a sugared-up force to be reckoned with. “And what’s for dinner?”

“Wyatt’s having the Black Bear cater. You don’t have to bring anything.”

“If all goes well, I’ll be bringing a few girls.” I offer up my shit-eating grin. Before I can explain, there’s a knock at the door, and my stomach bottoms out. I jump up and see that familiar blonde head of hair peeking up from the peephole. This is the perfect time to start introducing her to my friends.

“Dude.” I nod over to Rex. “Would you mind putting Buddy in the first bedroom on your left? My girlfriend doesn’t really get along too well with him.”

“Not a problem.” Rex is quick to comply.

“Girlfriend, huh?” Owen stands to greet her. “I’ve heard all about this chick from Piper.”

“Don’t believe what you hear.” I swing the door open wide, and Cassidy beams back at me.

“Hey, baby!” She kicks out her hip, looking hotter than a forest fire in a tight red dress, a pair of earrings sparkling as bright as her eyes. “You want to take a little drive tonight over to that sauna in the woods? I’ve got a teeny-weeny, tiny polka dot bikini I’m just itching to take off.”

Crap.

“Yes,” I whisper a little too enthusiastically. “But I actually wanted to introduce you to a couple of friends first.” I step outside next to her, sheepishly hoping Owen and Rex will take the hint and split as the two of them come over.

Owen starts off with a smile, then freezes as his eyes grow ten times their size. Can’t blame him. Cassidy is a stunner.

Rex steps out and cocks his head a moment.

Cassidy takes in a sharp breath. “Hello, boys that I have never met before.” She swallows hard as both Owen and Rex stare blankly at her. Cassidy tips her head to the left, and for the first time I see the shit way people treat her. But I hope to God that’s not what this is about. What the hell is wrong with these knuckleheads?

“Say hello and leave,” I gruff at the two of them.

“Hello and leave,” Owen says to her, amused. “Cade here says you’re his new girlfriend. Funny, I haven’t seen the two of you around much.” He presses out a forced grin.

“We’re keeping it low-key,” she growls it out like a threat, and my stomach detonates. It’s becoming pretty clear the two of them are having their own private conversation. Even Rex looks silenced into submission.

“Have a nice night.” Owen tweaks his brows at me.

Rex nods at the two of us. “Have fun.”

They take off, dragging their momentary confusion with them.

What if she is seeing someone else? What if it’s some frat boy, and I’ve been the other guy in some unsuspecting love triangle?

Cassidy melts into my arms, and her chest gives a few wild bucks as if she’s upset.

Crap. I pull back and lift her chin gently with my finger. “You still up for taking that swim?”

Her gaze softens into mine as she leans in and relaxes for the first time tonight. “Oh, hon, you already have me soaked in all the right places.”

We share a quiet laugh as I land my lips over hers, soft like brushing air. There’s a sweetness in this moment that counterbalances all of those dark thoughts I had just a moment ago. If there is some boneheaded frat boy waiting in the wings—too bad for him, because I’m screwing the hell out of his girlfriend tonight. A dull laugh huffs from me. In that respect, that would put me on the same plane as Sammy all those years ago. Nope. There is no other guy as far as I know. Tonight, I’m simply making love to a girl I call my very own.

Here’s to hoping that title lasts indefinitely.



Cassidy and I drive up the switchbacks in contented silence. We watch in wonder as the evergreens flank the road like a fortress barricading the two of us from the rest of the world, from all the dark secrets that it may harbor.