Page 18 of Wild Reckoning

But it was more than that. Stewart’s attraction to Killian went deeper. It wasn’t just the muscles or the handsome features. It was how kind Killian had been since meeting him. The way he’d helped without expecting anything in return, as well as the way he’d taken to Ethan, the two of them becoming instant buddies.

Never judge a book by its cover.

Killian had turned out to be the exact opposite of Stewart’s initial impression of him when he’d seen the motorcycles approaching yesterday morning.

They hadn’t been a group of troublemakers. They’d been a group of kindhearted men.

Stewart traced the arch of Killian’s eyebrows with the pad of his finger, jealous of how absurdly long the man’s lashes were, and how his parted lips were so perfectly shaped. Lips he was dying to kiss.

The way Killian had held him all night—like it was instinctive—made something twist inside Stewart’s chest.

He wanted this.

Wanted it so badly it scared him.

The vulnerability of letting someone in again, of laying his trust in someone’s hands, terrified Stewart.

He snatched his hand away when Killian’s eyes slid open, blinking a few times as if to clear away the remnants of sleep. Then his gaze landed on Stewart, and for a brief moment, the world around them seemed to vanish.

“Morning,” Killian said, his voice still husky from sleep, his eyes crinkling slightly as he smiled.

“Morning,” Stewart managed to whisper, barely able to keep his voice steady. “You are the most comfortable body pillow.”

“Oh yeah?” Killian smiled roguishly, the arm around Stewart tightening a little. “I’ll add that to my social media profiles.”

After he discovered Clive had been snooping through his accounts, Stewart had deleted them all, pissed that Clive had violated their trust.

“So is this couch. I didn’t think it would be from the way it looked.”

“Right?” Killian’s chuckle was just as husky as his morning voice. “I was stunned last night when the doorbell rang. I thought for sure it didn’t work.”

“I thought the exact same thing,” Stewart confessed. He forced himself not to stare at Killian’s lips, even though he craved to kiss them. It would be so easy to give in to the feelings that seemed to become stronger with every minute he spent around the guy.

But what if Stewart did and ruined their budding friendship? What if he wasn’t ready to dive back into the dating pool, afraid of drowning again instead of finally swimming?

What if he stopped worrying so damn much?

Stewart liked that option a lot better. Before he lost his nerve, he leaned in, brushing his lips over Killian’s, only halfway closing the distance and letting Killian bring it home.

The guy didn’t disappoint. He teased Stewart’s mouth, a quick intake of breath, like he was surprised Stewart had made the first move. Killian’s lips glided over Stewart’s in a slow, deliberate kiss that seemed to melt away every ounce of fear Stewart had been holding on to.

I knew his lips would feel as soft as they looked. I just knew it.

Killian explored Stewart’s mouth hungrily, tasting like the apple cider from the night before.

“Wanted to kiss you so badly.” Killian’s voice was a rumble in his chest. His hand drifted down Stewart’s back, then Killian cupped his ass.

Panic flared, sharp and sudden. Stewart scrambled off the couch, his heart pounding way too fast as he took a few steps back. “I—I’m going to check on Ethan.”

Killian’s gaze searched Stewart’s, but he didn’t say anything. He simply nodded, giving Stewart the space he so clearly needed.

Pivoting, Stewart hurried up the stairs, his thoughts a tangled mess. Despite how drawn he was to Killian, his past still had him in a chokehold, refusing to let go.

Reaching the top of the stairs, Stewart found himself facing the baby gate—the one Killian had put up the night before. He stared at it for a moment, trying to figure out how to open the dang thing. He pushed, pulled, twisted... nothing. The latch remained stubbornly in place. He muttered a curse under his breath, feeling a spike of frustration.

“Oh, come on!” He gave it a harder tug. Still nothing. It was like the gate was mocking him, refusing to let him pass because he’d run from Killian.

With a frustrated sigh, Stewart glanced around then decided screw it. He hiked his leg over the gate, awkwardly climbing over it. Halfway through, he got stuck, his foot catching on the top bar. He wobbled for a moment before he managed to swing the rest of the way over, landing with an undignified thump on the other side.

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