Page 115 of Thaw My Heart

She blushes. “No, I’m… I’m just living the single life for now.” Out of all the cowgirls here, I liked her the best, so I truly find it surprising that she’s single. She’s cute, kind, and has this spark about her. Is she avoiding dating for a reason? Surely she received many offers.

Before I can ask her more, the door swings wide open. Ryker, Blake, Hudson, Kinley, and lastly Kit enter carrying cases of beer, pizza boxes, and paper bags that they set down on the coffee table, filling the house with the scent of food.

After a wave of greeting from all five of them, Ryker announces the different kinds of food they brought. “We’ve got pizza for me and Hudson, fried chicken for Blake, pasta for Candace… and here,” he hands Kinley a salad bowl. “Kin, this pathetic thing is for you.”

“Hey,” Kinley playfully slaps his tattooed arm. “Someone needs to eat healthy tonight."

Ryker shakes his head at her in disagreement. “There’s plenty to go around. Everyone dig in while it’s hot.”

Everyone fills up their plates, cracking open cans of beer before finding their seats in the living room. Candace runs up to Kinley, embracing her before chatting up a storm. Both are wearing matching Grizzlies jerseys and beanies, with faces painted in the team colors, maroon and silver. Their giddy friendship reminds me of Averie and me.

I glance down at my attire. All I could find on such short notice was a silky red ribbon, which is now tied in my hair to match my form-fitting white T-shirt with “cowgirl” written in red. Paired with distressed flare blue jeans and my vintage blue belt. But I feel like an outsider, awkwardly watching them, not quite sure where I fit in.

“Damn.” Kit’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. He smirks, approaching me in one long stride, sweeping his gaze down my body before pulling me in to land his lips on mine with far more heat than I expected.

“Kit,” I shyly say, pulling back with blush in my cheeks. “This is all I could find,” I gesture to myself, slightly embarrassed by his very public display of affection.

And I know… me? Shy? I’m not shy, by any means, but today has been a storm of conflicting emotions, like little Emma was trying to break through.

“It’s perfect,” he smiles.

Perfect.

One word that sets me on edge, but before the rush of anxiety can consume me, his hand moves under my shirt, filling me with heat from his sensual touch.

“You look like a fucking present.” His voice is breathy, and hot against my skin.

“Kit,” I grab his wrist, stopping him. “There are a lot of people here right now.” Is he insane?

He glances at them, gathered in the open-plan living room, sitting on the couch and chairs with the TV already fired up to the correct channel. The volume of the game fills the room. “I hardly think they’ll notice if we go missing for ten minutes.”

Yes, he’s insane.

One hand moves to cup my face, bringing my face to his. “Yesterday was a pretty frustrating day. I didn’t even want to watch the game tonight, but Ryker insisted.” He shakes his head and then steps closer. “I can think of a million other things I’d rather be doing. Starting with unwrapping you from head to toe,” he tugs at the ribbon in my hair.

Heat forms in my core. “Kit…”

He pushes my hair over my shoulder, running his thumb along the side of my neck. “And if you keep saying my name like that, I’m going to have to throw you over my shoulder and do something about it.”

Yesterday was frustrating, and I couldn’t deny I needed him too... but with everyone here?

My gaze drifts to the living room. They all look preoccupied, chatting amongst themselves while they indulge in the feast they brought with them.

Maybe we could sneak away?

With that sexy look he’s giving me in his backwards ballcap, I only want to do dirty things to him. Did he wear it like that on purpose? For me? We seriously need to talk about the bubble, but damn, it’s been a stressful couple of days inside my head.

“Only ten?” I tease, wrapping my arms around him. At least twenty minutes would set me straight.

His tall frame steps into me, pushing my ass into the kitchen counter, and then his mouth is on mine. Stroking me with his tongue, kissing me with heated intentions. Warm hands roam to my hips, gripping me firmly as he pulls me against his firm length. A soft moan escapes me. I’m already wet between my thighs with just this.

“Kit! Stop distracting her!” Ryker calls out, annoyed. “Let her watch football. It’s important.”

We break apart, and my cheeks feel like they're on fire. I receive a few cheeky smiles from the crowd watching us, and I’m back to feeling insanely uncomfortable.

Ryker taps the spot next to him, smiling at me from across the room. “Come sit here, Sadie.”

“Hardly think they’ll notice,” I mock while rolling my eyes at Kit, padding to the spot Ryker wants me in.