Kane was a peaceful person.
Despite all the city chaos and all the people rushing to work, then to their gyms, then home, he was a cool flowing water. Moving through them with practiced ease. Unbothered by their bustle. Unbothered by rain or heat. Just continuing forward and calming those that crossed paths with him.
At least that was the effect he had on me.
Everything
I’d learned that from watching him over time. But it had only really set in tonight. I’d leaned against the counter, sipping a wine cooler he’d offered me and watching him move around.
The only sound in the kitchen was the sizzle of steaks in a pan and the swish of his pants as he stepped over to the cutting board.
He moved with a relaxed glide that made him seem always comfortable.
When people wanted to fight, though he was certainly up to the occasion, he chose to be silent and sit back and watch.
There was much wisdom in how he did things.
I watched what he was doing. Remarking on it. “It was full.” The clip was already loaded until he’d taken a round out only to replace it with another one that looked exactly the same to me. He nodded. “So, why do that?” “Rounds get scratched over time and could cause a misfire. Changing them every so option is just one of the ways of ensuring you have a good round ready when you need it.” I nodded. Not really having any idea what he said but willing to sit on the edge of the bed and watch him, nonetheless. There was something very sexy about the nimble way his hands moved over the firearm and the confidence he had when seating it in the holster along his leg. I doubted I could ever be that confident in anything. “What are you thinking?” He said as he pulled his dark coat out of the closet and shrugged into it. “How sexy you look when you’re getting ready to go be a badass.” I admitted. Pulling one knee up to res
I was quiet so long that he felt the need to explain further. “They will, without fail, do something to embarrass me.” “You’re worried about them being embarrassing?” I asked, a bit astonished. He gave me a quizzical look. “Of course. They’re brothers. What did you think I meant?” I shrugged. Staring out the window. Not wanting to admit that I was so self-conscious. But I was incredibly relieved. Not me. Them. He was worried about what I’d think of them. And him after they were done slandering his reputation. “Don’t believe a word they say.” I was kind of excited to hear it. Whatever they’d tell me. All of it. I felt like, despite all that was between us, and had been, that I still knew so little about him. They’ll tell me. I was hopeful. I shot him furtive looks. “What?” He asked. “I can literally feel your excitement.” “I’m ju
“This feisty little bit here,” Mike gestured to the redhead. “Is Lizzy. And the southern bell there is Nita.” “Nita? What a unique name.” I tried complimenting her. But the look on her face didn’t relent. I was getting the hint of animosity from her. The flavor of disdain entering the air. “Not that unique in Alabama.” She corrected. “Alabama? How’d you end all the way up here?” I immediately regretted asking. Wondering if she’d even bother to answer me. I shouldn’t have asked. But to my surprise, Nita answered. “Allen dragged me.” She drawled aloud. Gesturing his direction. I eyed her. Trying to figure out what she meant by that. I couldn’t tell if she truly was a snobbish witch or if this was all part of a sarcastic personality. But Lizzy and Karen already had me. “Careful.” Mike warned. “They’re a pool of pretty piranhas.” “Piranhas?” All three women were shouting after him. He left m
“Oh.” He nodded sagely. Peering cautiously over his shoulder at them, before whispering to me. “Really watch your ass, they pinch.” Lizzy clearly heard him. Reaching over to give his rear a rough tweak. He spun on her with a betrayed look. So, Karen took the opportunity to do the same as Lizzy. Jabbing his tush with pointy little fingers in a small pinch. He yelped and when Nita reached for him, but he swatted her hand away. Then Lizzy’s as she reached again. He was spinning nervously. “Angel!” he flung himself in my arms. “Save me!” I stumbled backward under his weight. Laughing so hard as his abrupt leap that I nearly fell. Teetering on my heels before balancing us. He turned his face and gave the side of my neck a quick kiss. “Thanks for getting me out of there. It was getting dangerous.” “We’re always dangerous!” Nita called. They’re hilarious! “And they have sonar hearing.” He added conspiratorially. “Like
They were hilarious. I was watching everyone with an interested eye. Each interchange was unique and amusing. Everyone always has something to say. And it was clear that they all listened to each other. Supported each other. Seeing the way Allen brought Nita her plate. Kissing her cheek before he sat beside her, told me that whatever problem had nearly divided them was long gone now. They made me feel warm and fuzzy. Kane came over with a plate that seemed to have an extra burger off to the side. I was guessing it might be for me. But there were so many children skipping before him. Twisting to talk to him and hanging off his legs, that he could barely move one step at a time. I was laughing as I watched them. Surrounding him like loveable puppies. It was probably rather predictable that I would feel some feminine pang deep in my chest. There had been a time when I’d dreamt of having a little on
I blinked at her. My confusion obviously. “He was basically telling me not to let go so easily. To fight for our relationship.” “You must have.” “I did. Tooth and nail. I borderline stalked him until he relented.” “I think, from what I’ve seen, that it was worth it.” She grinned brilliantly. Revealing a far different face then the one I’d first seen. “It was. He’s my everything.” “I think he’d say the same thing about you.” “He does.” She said proudly. “Well done.” I nodded to her. “I did learn one thing.” She sobered. “Amongst others of course, that a Porter man is worth keeping.” She gave me a pointed look. Her meaning clear. “I’m getting that impression.” “You know,” She caught my arm and pulled me into the hall next to her. And suddenly I felt as if I’d been adopted as she said conspiratorially. “In some ways, I think Kane may be the best of them.” “Then why is he not already
We were both exhausted by the time we got back home. We didn’t say much as we both readied for bed. He let me shower first then he hopped in. I was already tucked into bed and half-asleep by the time he came in. He’d been quiet much of the way back. I knew he was worried about my answer to his question. But he was scared to probe. I know that feeling. I wanted to reassure him but every time I thought about telling him my heart began thudding real hard and my mind got scrambled. I just need a little more time to sort it all out and to figure out how everything will work. He laid next to me. Pulling me back against him. But to my surprise, he didn’t pursue having sex. I was a little disappointed by that but barely had time to consider it before I was asleep. I had no idea that the night would prove to be a mess. It was still dark when I heard Kane shout. “Get down! Get out
I licked my lips. Looking around and realizing no one else was paying attention, I was incredibly tempted to goad him just a little further. I wanted him to come over the desk. The image of him tossing me over the desk and pushing up my skirt to pound into me while everyone else in the office stood frozen in shock was erotic. It was the danger of it. The lure of the forbidden. I stood. Breathing raggedly, I rubbed my thighs together a moment and adjusted my tight skirt. Visibly trying to shake off my arousal as I left the office and turned down the hall. Making a desperate flight to the bathroom to cool off. I went into the largest stall. Turning the little round knob and dropping my forehead against the opposite wall. Splaying out a bit back from it and sliding my feet apart. I glanced over my shoulder to make sure no one else was there. I lifted the front of my skirt. Edging my cloth panties down to mid-thigh, I dipped two f