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“Well, we wouldn’t want me to show up for my first lesson in anything but the best,” I reply, looking down. “Is this okay?”
He comes to a stop before the stairs, taking his time to take in my simple white t-shirt and completely beat-up jeans. A tug on my hand pulls me against him and he leans down, nudging my ear with his nose, causing my butterflies to go into overdrive.
“You’re always perfect,” he says in a low voice. My knees almost give out when his lips barely touch the spot under my ear and I feel my whole body flush.
Those gorgeous blue eyes find mine and he gives me a kiss. Before I can kiss him back, or even blink, he turns around to lead me upstairs.
I want to ask what that was about, why the kiss was so short, and how he could go from Mr. Sultry to just walking up the stairs with my hand in his. Like it’s normal.
It does feel normal though. My hand in his fits so well and he seems to fit into my structured lifestyle. Now that my brain has fully caught up with the fact that I didn’t even get a chance to kiss him back, I want to truly climb him like a tree.
All the butterflies disappear as I remember I was doing just that when his brother saw us. I’ve never been the girl to show any PDA with the exception of maybe holding hands. But there I was, legs holding tight to his trim waist, anchoring myself to him. I give myself the last three stairs to feel embarrassed and when we hit the landing, I let out a breath and squeeze my free hand into a fist a few times, finding my manners so I don’t do that again.
“Do you all live upstairs?” I’ve only been on the main floor the few times I’ve been here. We turn to the left and Tommy reaches for a dark doorknob on the first door.
He tips his head farther down the hallway. “Matt’s room is at the end and a little around the corner.” He looks to the right and says, “Chuck’s down that way, close to where our dad’s room still is. Bryant lives on the main floor, and, well, you know where Jax lives.”
“Actually, I don’t.” For some reason, I feel like it’s important for Tommy to know this.
He pauses with the door partially open.
“He picked me up and dropped me off a few times and we kissed once, but…it was like kissing a cousin.”
Tommy looks away and a snort escapes him as he covers his face.
“As much as I appreciate that detail, maybe don’t tell Jax that. He’s never been happier now that he’s finally with Avery, but if he knew that his kissing skills weren’t up to par…” His voice drifts off as he starts to laugh, pushing the door open with his back.
“Come on in,” he says, his eyes twinkling as he drops my hand and closes the door. “You can put your bag on the bed. Let me grab a shirt.”
Looking around his room for the first time, I’m drawn towards his bed, but not because I’d like him to toss me on it. It’s definitely a queen and is neatly made. There aren’t any throw pillows or a dust ruffle, but I wasn’t expecting those. My fingers gently trail along the stitching on the quilt. It looks well-loved and handmade. I turn to ask about it to find him leaning against the wide dresser, arms crossed over his chest and his eyes on me.
“My grandmother made that for my dad. It’s the only thing I took from his room. We’ve all grabbed something, but everything else is still there, just as he left it.” He flashes a pained smile, but the sadness doesn’t reach his eyes.
“It’s beautiful,” I say.
With a nod, he turns to the dresser and pulls open one of the middle drawers, pulling out a blue plaid shirt. Shaking it out, he tosses it over his shoulder and closes the space between us in three steps.
“It’s only fair that you get a tour of my space.”
“Oh, I was worried,” I say with mock seriousness.
He stands behind me, putting both hands on my hips. He turns me so I’m facing the bed.
“This is where I sleep.” His voice is comically formal. He proceeds to shift me just a little for each ‘stop’ on the tour. “This is the window where I see the ranch. These are the dressers, they hold my clothes. And this is the closet where the rest of my clothes are, if you can believe it.”
“I can,” I say, unable to stop the giggle that slips out.
“Shush, this is an official tour and is very serious business.” He’s losing the battle against keeping his smile at bay. “If you could please focus, our tour is about to move.”
In an attempt to placate him and his silly antics, I pinch my lips together.
“Thank you, it’s nice to know we haven’t let any hooligans up here.”
My body shakes while trying not to laugh.
“Now, if you’ll please take three steps forward, you’ll see the door we entered through. That’s your main exit should you ever need one. However, should you need an alternate exit, or to use the lavatory, you’ll notice we have another door.”
He looks down at me, sees my expression that I’m trying desperately to hide to go along with this ridiculous bit, and he bursts out laughing.
