Take (Need #2)(21)

Brayden stops just outside his bedroom door, fingers on the buttons of his black dress shirt.

He’d been midway through unbuttoning it.

My eyes slide down the length of him, pausing on the bared skin of his chest. I should look away. At the very least, be more discreet.

I can’t. His smooth skin calls to me. If it was up to me, I’d lick every part of his chest, then move lower.

“Kira.” His voice is strained. Probably because I’m eye-f*cking him shamelessly.

I swallow and look up into his eyes. “What are you doing home?”

A smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth. “What? I can’t come home early on my birthday?”

That smirk of his is too f*cking sexy. Paired with that black, half-buttoned shirt and those black dress pants, he’s one fine looking man.

Holy shit. It’s official—the little boy I met so many years ago is now legally a man.

I look away, throat tight, and jerk my shoulder in a shrug. “I figured you’d want to party all night since it’s your twenty-first.”

“Nah.”

My head jerks back in his direction. “Nah?”

He shrugs and throws me this adorable little smile.

I cross my arms and repeat my question. “Why are you here?”

“The one thing I truly wanted for my birthday wasn’t there.” He looks straight into my eyes as he says it.

I inhale sharply, trying to hide it, trying to ignore everything I feel. I can’t ask him what he really wants because I’m afraid I already know the answer to that.

He lifts his hand and runs his fingers through his hair. It’s a slow movement. Almost deliberate.

My eyes lock on the inside of his wrist.

For the last few weeks, he’s been walking around wearing that leather cuff. The one that drove me insane, made me want to rip it off so I could sink my teeth into the inside of his wrist.

There’s something on the inside of his wrist all right, and it’s not my teeth marks.

It’s ink. A tattoo.

A dark, gray adorable cat. But it’s not the cat itself that shocks the breath out of me.

I only see it for a few seconds, and I’m standing at least five feet away from him, but I still make out the cat’s eyes.

The unique color of those eyes.

A color both I and my brother share.

One last smile from Brayden. “Goodnight, Kitty.” Turning, he walks into his room and slowly closes the door.

He doesn’t lock it.

The urge to follow him into his room leaves me shaking. I don’t know how I manage to get back into my room, but when I do, I make sure I lock the door, hoping it’ll be enough to deter me.

To keep me inside.

To stop me from going to him as my body so desperately wants.





June 6th, 2015





Black squares fly through the air. Burgundy tassels twirl around.

I wish I had a camera on me to snap a picture of our caps against the brilliant blue sky. It’s beautiful, the moment electric.

Everyone is screaming, including me, jumping up and down. Excitement streams through the crowd, and down the way Jenna pushes her way toward me. Her arms wrap around me and we bounce together, giggling.

“We did it!” Her smile is blinding, and I know my own matches.

“Yes!”

I turn back to the sea of family members, searching out my own clan. I spot Mom first, camera in hand, beaming with pride. Steve is beside her, talking to someone, and Ryan is on her other side with Dana wrapped around his arm.

Next to them I know is Brayden before I even get there, because I can almost feel his stare boring into me. I’m surprised to find a relaxed smile on his face. It makes my stomach flip and confuses me more.

I didn’t want him to come, but getting Brayden Hunt to not do something is a skill I have yet to master.

“Come on, let’s go find Marilyn and Ashley.” Jenna grabs my hand and pulls us through the crowd.

Hugs find us on our way as classmates say goodbye, and I realize it may be the last time I see some of them. After a few minutes we finally break out into the walkway and right into Ashley and Marilyn.

More squealing and hugs and jumping before we make our way to our parents.

“I can’t wait for tonight!” Jenna says.

“You’re just hoping to hook up with Sam,” I say with a wag of my eyebrows.

“I hear he’s endowed.” Ashley grins, causing Jenna to fan herself.

“Kira!” Mom calls out.

I stop and take a step away. “Gotta go. I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”

“Want us to pick you up?” Marilyn asks. “Or is Brayden taking you?”

Ugh. Bringing him up makes me almost wish I’d kept quiet that there was anything between us.

“No. Austin is, right?” Ashley winks at me.

Jenna sighs. “Lucky girl.”

“Lucky?”

Marilyn rolls her eyes. “Kira, you have two of the hottest guys our school has seen chasing you.”

“Sshhh!” I hush them. The devil’s ears are perking up. I can tell by the way his stupid face is lighting up.

They giggle and make their way out while I squeeze through.

When I reach my family, Mom is almost in tears, Ryan trying to console her, while Steve shakes his head.