Her Accidental Boyfriend(12)
“Wow. What took you so long?”
She kept her eyes on the beach. “When I was little my mom put me in swimming lessons and my teacher tossed me into the deep end the first day and scared the crap out of me. I was terrified of the water after that and refused to get near a pool for years. Then I got to that age where it was embarrassing that I didn’t know how to swim so I just avoided it.”
“I didn’t learn how to blow a bubble until a couple of years ago,” Shane admitted.
Kagan turned her head. “Seriously?” Her gaze dipped to his mouth for a second.
“Yep. I couldn’t do it. Felt so lame that I didn’t chew gum for a really long time.”
She twisted and crossed her arms, her side against the railing. “You’re messing with me.”
He shook his head. “Nope. But the good news is I mastered doing other things with my tongue.”
“I’m sure you did, and I could ask half the women in Cascade for an evaluation.”
“If you’re curious I could give you a demonstration right here.”
“No thank you.”
Her indifference hit him square in the gut. “Had to take a stab at it,” he said, chuckling, like it was no big deal. “Otherwise you might not recognize me.”
She tilted her head and wiggled her pursed lips. “Actually, I saw a whole new side to you this evening. But don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.”
“You did, huh?”
“Yeah. And…he’s not such a bad guy.” She dropped her arms. “You should be really proud of yourself. This place is amazing and you deserve the praise you’ve received.” She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. “Congratulations.”
Her lips set his body on fire. One little peck and his pants grew uncomfortable behind the zipper. “Thanks. That means a—”
“Am I interrupting?” a man said from over his shoulder.
“B-Brett,” Kagan stammered. “What are you still doing here? I thought you went back to New York.”
Shane turned. Brett stood toe-to-toe with him and something in the guy’s eyes told Shane that Kagan’s claim her ex would leave her alone now that he thought she had a boyfriend was way off the mark.
“How’d you get into this party?” Shane asked.
“Friends in high places.” He tracked back to Kagan. “Your father asked me to stay.”
Kagan’s breath hitched and Shane sensed there was more to the story than Kagan had told him. More to Brett. Her body tensed so he put an arm around her. “Your father?” Shane said.
Brett took in the points where his body met Kagan’s before lifting his gaze and making eye contact with both of them. “You haven’t told your boyfriend about your dad?” he asked, sounding pleased with the fact.
“You need to leave, Brett,” Kagan said. “From this party. From this town. I don’t care what my father asked of you.”
Brett brushed something off the sleeve of his dress coat. “He’s instructed me to bring you home and that’s what I’m going to do. You’ve made your point. Now come back to New York and talk to your father. He’ll listen.”
“We both know that’s not true. He doesn’t listen to anyone, least of all me.”
“He wants you to be happy.”
“He wants to control me. Make all my decisions. That’s what makes him happy and it makes me miserable.” Pain sounded in Kagan’s usually sweet voice and Shane’s gut clenched. “I’ve swallowed my wants over and over again to please him and avoid confrontation and I’m not doing it anymore.”
“Brett, I think—” Shane started.
“Your father needs you, Kagan. I need you. We can make this work.”
Shane tightened his grip on her. “I think Kagan’s made it pretty clear she’s staying right where she is.”
She stiffened under his hold. “Thanks, but I’ve got this.”
“I know you do. Just wanted to remind Brett I’m standing here.” He was supposed to be her boyfriend. Hell, just thinking it made his palms itch, but this guy was royally pissing him off. “And I don’t like the way he’s talking to my girl.”
Kagan jerked her head to look at him. Her eyes softened and after a moment she wrapped her arms around him.
“He’s not a good enough reason to stay, Kay,” Brett said.
She twisted to face Brett. “Go home and tell my father I’ll see him when I’m ready.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“Your father’s ordered me to stay until you agree to come home. He wants a full report on what’s keeping you here.” Brett crossed his arms over his chest and eyeballed Shane like he had no intention of giving up Kagan without a fight.