Kailyn’s eyes are wide but glassy, her fingers pressed against her kiss-swollen lips as we both look toward the stairs. Her hair is mussed and her cheeks are flushed. She’s gorgeously disheveled. When Emme doesn’t appear, and no subsequent thuds or noises follow, we both exhale in relief.

“I feel a bit like a teenager,” Kailyn says on a breathy laugh.

“Maybe we should take this upstairs.” I don’t know how far she’s willing to let this go, but I don’t want it to end yet.

“What if Emme comes down and we’re not here?”

“I could tell her we’re going for a walk?”

Kailyn bites her lip, considering the lie. “We should hide our shoes, then?”

I grin. “Smart thinking.”

Kailyn tosses our shoes in the hall closet while I knock on Emme’s door. I find her stretched out on her bed with her earbuds in, writing in a journal. She pulls the buds out, a small frown pulling at the corner of her mouth. “Did Kailyn leave already?”

“No, she’s still here. We’re going for a walk.” The lie feels odd, but necessary.

Her eyes light up. “Oh, okay. I can stay here, though, right?”

“Yeah, of course. Do you need anything?”

“Nope, I’m good. Have fun!” She’s grinning as she pops the earbud back in and I close the door.

I feel a little ridiculous as I rush back down the stairs, treading heavily on the way. I hold up a finger to Kailyn, who’s sitting on the couch with her hands curled over her knees. I pass through to the hallway, open and close the door with a loud bang, and lock it.

When I come back to the living room, her shoulders shake with suppressed laughter. I nod to the stairs and hold out my hand. “Wanna hang out in my room?”

She pushes up off the couch, and slips her fingers into my outstretched palm. I guide her up the stairs, peeking around the corner to make sure the coast is clear before ushering her down the hall. At least my bedroom is at the opposite end so we don’t have to pass my sister’s room, or worry too much about noise.

We slip inside and I close the door, locking it behind us. “We made it,” I whisper.

Kailyn’s giggle fades as she looks around the room, eyeing the king-size bed. My room is neat, no clothes lying on the floor, comforter smooth, pillows mostly straight. She runs her hands over her hips, the shyness returning.

I hope the interruption hasn’t ruined the mood, or given Kailyn enough time to reconsider. “Are you okay with this?”

“It’s just . . . ” She bites her lip and takes a step closer, pressing her palms against my chest. “This is all a bit surreal.”

“How do you mean?” I sweep my thumb along her bottom lip.

She looks down and gives her head a shake. “Never mind. It’s silly and I’m going to embarrass myself.”

I understand why her cheeks are suddenly flaming. “I wish I’d asked you out in law school when I had the chance.”

“I probably would’ve fainted if you’d kissed me back then, which would’ve been so much worse than the fangirling.”

She’s still looking at my chest. I tip her chin up so I can see her eyes. “You’re not at risk of fainting now, are you?”

As expected, she rolls those gorgeous green eyes.

“I’ll take that as a no.” I press my lips to hers.

Kailyn melts into me, parting her lips when I stroke the seam with my tongue. She’s so much smaller than me, especially without her heels. I’d love to peel one of those sexy skirt suits off her curvy body, piece by piece. Hopefully we’ll have other opportunities to make that happen.

I cup her face in my palms and pull back. “Should we get more comfortable?” I incline my head toward the bed.

“Comfortable as in vertical and naked?” She tugs on the back of my neck, pulling my mouth back to hers as we sidestep across the room.

“If that’s what makes you comfortable, then definitely.” I lift her onto the mattress and she shimmies over until she reaches the pillows, me following along after her. I grin at the silly pattern on her pajama pants as I edge my way between her legs and stretch out over her.

Kailyn’s fingers dip under the hem of my shirt, nails skimming along my abs, making them jump under her light touch. “I can take this off?”

“You can take off whatever you want.”

She grins and I help pull it over my head, then discard it on the floor. Kailyn’s smile fades as she explores my chest with lazy fingertips.

Her eyes meet mine on a soft exhale. “I don’t look like this under my clothes.”

“Gotta say, I’m glad to hear that. Not sure how I’d feel about a chest hair competition.”

Kailyn tucks her chin against her shoulder and laughs, embarrassed again. “That’s not what I meant.”

I nuzzle into her neck, kissing that sweet, sensitive space just below her ear. “If it wasn’t already clear, I think you’re gorgeous exactly the way you are. The cherry-print pajama pants and this shirt just make it better.” Her vulnerability is humbling, and different than what I’m used to.

Behind that fierce exterior, Kailyn is soft curves and sweetness, and I can’t wait to get my hands and mouth on every inch of her. We make out like teenagers, her leg hooked over my hip until it stops being enough.

I fold back on my knees and pull her shirt over her head, fanning her dark hair across my pillow. Her bra is simple, pale silvery-gray satin. I slip a hand under her, free the clasp, and drag the straps over her shoulders.

Her skin pebbles under my touch, nipples tightening as I expose them, and I dip down to take one in my mouth. Kailyn arches and gasps, fingers sliding into my hair, holding me to her.

When I come back to her mouth, our kisses grow deeper and needier, hands roam and caress until she’s popping the button on my pants, fingers slipping inside my boxer briefs.

“Ah, fuck,” I groan when her warm hand encases me. I push up on my arms, hovering over her as she strokes, pressure firm, thumb brushing the head with each pass.

Her gaze stays steady on mine as I ease a hand down her side, edging under the waistband of her pajama pants. “Can I take these off, then?”

“Yes, please.”

She has to release me so I can drag them over her hips and down her thighs. I pause when her panties appear, and glance up, cocking a brow. Her grin widens and her nose wrinkles. These look new and very unlike something Kailyn would choose. They’re black cotton with a gold cheetah print and the words GO WILD! over the crotch.

“These are interesting.”

“I had help picking them out.”

“Oh? Are there more?”

“Mmm. They had a great ‘buy three, get two free’ deal going.”

“I look forward to taking each and every pair off your gorgeous, sexy body, then.”

“Well, if you want that to happen, I guess you better impress me this time around.” Her eyes glint with mischief.

I like this side of Kailyn. I expected soft and shy, but her playfulness is a pleasant surprise. I grin and drag a finger along the edge of her panties, from her hip to the juncture of her thighs. “I’ll do my very best.”

She nips at my bottom lip, but I don’t give her more kisses. Instead I sit back on my heels, tuck my thumbs into the waistband, and lower her panties over her hips. Her impishness disappears as her fingers drift to her mouth. I lower my head to place a gentle kiss below her navel.

Kailyn drags in a tremulous breath, followed by a barely audible whimper when I suck the skin. I take my time removing her panties, heightening anticipation; hers and mine.

She presses her thighs together, that shyness returning. Tucking my fingers into that warm space at the bend of her knee, I ease her legs open a few inches. “I want to see you.”

When she parts for me, I kiss the inside of her right knee, then move to the left. From one side to the other, I kiss a path up the inside of her thighs, toward the place I’m looking very forward to spending some time.

“Dax.”

I lift my eyes, pausing to suck the skin. “Can I taste you?”

Kailyn’s teeth sink into her bottom lip on a nod. A shaking hand glides down her stomach and stops just below her navel, but no words follow.

When I finally reach the apex of her thighs, I drag a single finger along her slit. Kailyn jolts, body bowing with her quiet cry of surprise.

“Is this okay?”

She nods, cheeks pink. “I didn’t expect that.”

“I’m going to touch you now, okay?” I warn with a grin. Parting her with my fingers, I brush my thumb over her clit. She exhales another unsteady breath.

“And now I’m going to kiss you.” I drop my head and lick her, eyes on her face.

She covers her mouth with her palm, as if she’s trying to hide her reaction. She bites her knuckle and turns her head to the side when I do it again. “God, you’re really good at that.”

“Would it be better if I fumbled around a bit, like we’re in college and I don’t know what I’m doing?” I tease.

She huffs a laugh, which turns into a sigh as I put my mouth on her again. Her sweet moans are quiet as I drag an orgasm out of her. Maybe because she’s cautiously aware of how not alone we are in this house.

I kiss my way back up to her mouth. Kailyn’s hands ease down my sides, and she pushes my pants and underwear over my hips. “You should be naked like me.”