Serenity Falls(27)

The answer is simple and now I feel like a dumbass.

“Well, I’m awake now, so you can put me down.”

“Nope. When I start something, I finish it.” His tone is resolute and leaves no room for argument. “But you could open the screen door for me.” Wes nods ahead, taking the steps to the front porch. My hand reaches out for the weathered door. As I open it, the creaks and moans of the springs blend with his footsteps as they clatter along the wooden porch.

“If you drop me, I’m gonna kick your ass,” I say jokingly as he turns sideways, catching the door with his hip.

He laughs at my threat. “I would love to see that.”

“You just wait, I’ll get you when you lea—”

“So, how was the store?” Sandy asks, cutting my sentence off. At the same time, Wes’ eyes and mine fly to his mom. I feel like a kid with her hand caught in the cookie jar, but a soft smile plays on her face when she sees that I’m in her son’s arms.

“Uh… She fell asleep in the truck,” Wes offers in a way of an explanation, his playful tone never wavering.

“Put me down,” I urge, whispering.

“Why?” he asks, dipping his face to mine. I throw a pointed look toward his mom. My eyes widen in a silent plea. With an evil smile, he gives me a slight shake of his head, insinuating that I’m not going anywhere. With a lot of effort, I push away from his chest, clamber to my feet, and break free from his hold.

“I didn’t ask you about why Kenleigh was in your arms. I asked how the store was,” Sandy replies, smirking. Rip off the Band-Aid. She turns back to whatever she was doing in the kitchen before we walked in. “Did y’all get what you needed?”

“I got what I needed, but Kenleigh didn’t. She was being picky.” A teasing grin lights up his face and causes me to throw my head back in laughter.

“Whatever. You saw those hideous things.” I beam back at him still laughing

“Before I forget, Jackie called earlier and said she’d be in this Saturday.” Sandy says. I double over in laughter when Wes’ eyes go as wide as saucers and his face pales.

Oh, how the tables have turned yet again. “What’s wrong, Wes?” I ask, cackling with revenge, revenge that I didn’t have to personally inflict on him. At my question, Sandy stops what she’s doing and turns around.

“Honey, you don’t look so well. Maybe you should go lie down,” she says, taking in his horrified expression.

Slowly, his head turns in my direction. “You think this is funny?” he asks with a raised eyebrow.

“Nope.” I shrug my shoulders and go to head upstairs. “I think it’s cute that she has a crush on you,” I call over my shoulder.

The sound of pounding feet behind me pushes me to fake right toward the stairs only to run left into the living room. I run around the end table tucked tightly next to the dark brown, leather couch, putting it between Wes and me. My chest heaves from exertion. I look at his handsome face as he smiles back at me. I brace my hands on the back of the couch to catch my breath when he says, “I. Will. Catch. You. Kenleigh.” Every single word spoken seems laced with conviction.

“I’m not sure about that Wesley.” I edge my way to the right of the couch, and he matches me step for step.

“You don’t have to be, because I’m positive.” His confidence knows no bounds. I take off in a full sprint, charging right past him. I barely escape the hand that flies out as he tries to catch me.

“Sorry, Mrs. Sandy,” I call out with a squeal when I look back over my shoulder to see Wes hot on my heels. I shove my way through the screen door, haul ass down the steps of the porch, down the pathway, and head toward the barn. I’ve barely made it up the stairs to the loft, when strong arms grab me around my waist from behind. Laughter consumes every fiber of my being. Just as quickly as my feet leave the ground, my back makes contact with a bale of hay.

As I try to catch my breath, my eyes travel slowly up the man who now barely hovers above me. The moment is no longer funny; it feels intimate. When my eyes finally reach his, I take in the beads of sweat that have formed on his forehead. Slowly, they glide down the sides of his face, caressing the contours of his finely etched cheekbones and strong jaw line. His once piercing blue eyes are now a deep cobalt. His lips that are normally stuck in a smile now look full and rich.

“See, I told you I’d catch you.” Wes’ husky timbre tells me he means more than just catching me right now.

Butterflies like I have never felt before take flight in my stomach. My breath catches as I feel the tips of his calloused fingers graze my collarbone, snaking their way to the nape of my neck. The thundering of my heartbeat drowns out everything else around us. I can’t hear, can’t see, can’t feel anything—but him. The heat from his body and his heady scent wash over me like a tidal wave. My eyes flick from the endless depths of his eyes to his delectable lips as he arches my neck. Before my eyes have a chance to make it back to his, the softest of touches faintly grazes my lips. It’s delicate but demanding, fragile yet determined. With Wes’ lips lingering on mine, I can tell he’s trying to gauge whether or not I’m going to push him away. Before either of us has the opportunity to further pursue what’s going on between us, a man’s voice breaks through our lust-filled haze.