Page 69 of Captivating

“You okay, princess?” His voice wraps around me like a warm, weighted blanket, calming me.

I nod and press a kiss to his lips. “Yeah. I’ll be in, in a second.”

“K.” He wraps an arm around my waist and drops a kiss on my head, and I wait until he’s back inside before holding the phone back up.

“If you want answers, you need to give me answers. I want to know every single safety protocol that’s being put in place for the remainder of the tour. Tell Iris if she wants me on that plane, she’s got work to do first.” I disconnect the call and look around the snowy backyard. It’s beautiful and peaceful and everything I wanted when we planned this house, and I don’t want to leave it. For the first time since I jumped headfirst into this career, it’s more than just being tired. It’s more than a lack of excitement over the wear and tear a tour causes.

I don’t want to leave here.

I don’t want to leave home.

And I don’t want to leave Killian.

Ugh . . .

Back inside the kitchen, Maddox, Rome, and Killian stand around the counter, shoveling grilled chicken and brown rice into their mouths like it’s their job to eat bland food, and in some way, I guess it is. The three huge men make this room feel small, and when I move in next to my sister, I can tell she’s thinking the same thing.

“Everything okay?” I whisper, and Dillan smiles.

“Just thinking I’d like to be the cream between that Beneventi sandwich.”

“Oh my God,” I cackle, and every eye in the room turns my way.

Killian pulls me to his side, and Maddox groans. “You guys plan on coming out to the family any time soon or are you gonna just keep doing a shitty job of hiding it?”

“The Kingston Foundation event is this weekend. Pretty sure the whole family is going to be there,” Killian tells him as his fingers dig into my hip, and filthy thoughts flit through my head.

“Yup. Mine too, since half of them work for the Kings,” I add. “Besides, I’m pretty sure the whole world heard about us at my birthday party. I think we were the intro for TMZ the next day.”

“Yeah.” Dillan pops a tomato in her mouth and looks between the brothers. “Well, maybe just try not dry humping each other on the dance floor this time. Grandpa is going to be there.”

“Dry humping?” Rome laughs. “Oh?—”

“Do not finish that sentence,” I warn and pick up the knife from the counter. “And stay away from my sister.”

Both brothers laugh this time as Killian holds my hand steady. “Uhh... maybe put the knife down, princess.”

I shrug and put it back down. “I was just teasing.”

“You’re fucking nuts, Tinker Bell,” Rome exclaims with a gigantic smile. “I’m here for it. You’ve been hiding a kinky vibe. If you ever get bored of that oaf, call me.”

“Get the fuck out,” Killian jokes, and Rome gives him the finger.

“Make me.”

“Ohh... this sounds like fun,” Dillan sighs, and I wonder exactly when my life went off the rails.

“Come on... I’ve been dying to go in the hot tub while it’s snowing. Don’t be a baby,” I taunt Killian later that night, once we’re alone. “And besides, it’ll be good for your sore muscles.”

His pupils are big and dark and taking over half his eyes as he stares at me in the red bikini I put on in hopes I’d get just this reaction. “Princess... it’s cold out there.”

“It is.” I trail my finger down his bare chest, then drag my tongue along the same path. “But the hot tub will be hot, and I’ll be even hotter.”

I step back and turn away slowly, so he can get the full effect of the French cut, ruffled bottoms and the way they cup my ass, then dart out the door, knowing he’s following.

“Fuck, woman.” He watches me climb into the hot tub, then follows me in. “You’re lucky I love you.”

I sink under the bubbles and untie my bikini top, then fling it at his face and stay submerged so he can’t see the goods. “I am very lucky you love me.”

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