Page 67 of Defending her Heart

“Nash is coming to Friendsgiving?” My cheeks warm and moisture pools in my underwear. Only, it’s not what I think it is.

Fucking aunt flo.

“Honey, we’re home.”

Walker comes through the door with Nash and Paisley on his heels.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

NASH

By the look on Kendall’s face when I walk in behind Walker, she wasn’t expecting me to show up at her Friendsgiving. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting an invite. I’ve never even heard of a Friendsgiving before.

It’s easier to pretend her presence doesn’t affect me when we’re in a crowded restaurant, but with only six of us in Bankes’ elegant home, it’s hard to keep my eyes off Kendall. Rowan and Riley have done a shitty job containing their giggles, and their watchdog eyes have been trained on me for the past hour while Kendall has devoted one hundred percent of her attention to my daughter.

Walker and I manage to hide out in the living room for a good hour before the women call us into the kitchen for appetizers. Paisley is in female Heaven, soaking up every ounce of being the center of attention. Kendall hasn’t left her side, and even though I’ve avoided looking for her, I can’t help hearing her laugh.

Even with all the orgasms this week, it’s still not enough. After experiencing the longest drought since it realized its full potential, my dick hasn’t stopped turning to stone every time I think about Kendall.

Which is a lot.

All the time.

Every fucking second.

The doorbell rings, and I’m thankful for more bodies to hide behind and distract me from Kendall. I inwardly scoff at myself. There isn’t a person on the planet who could distract my dick from Kendall.

Well, maybe one. Thinking of Paisley while my dick wants attention is a bad idea. Or maybe not. My dick softens, and Ihave a few minutes of relief behind my zipper before Kendall’s laugh wafts through the house again.

I wait until the new guests herd into the kitchen before joining the crowd. Paisley’s hair is pulled back in a fancy braid thing, a French braid, I think. It’s the same style she wore after Kendall babysat her last month.

“Nash. Didn’t know you’d be joining us. This is great.” Jackson greets me with a light slap on my shoulder.

Walker’s brother is a cool guy. Football isn’t his jam, but he idolizes his younger brother, and since Riley is one of his best friends, he can’t help but be swarmed by all the testosterone. Doubtful he minds, nor does Taylor, his husband. Taylor’s more into sports, and I grab his attention as we talk about the Bruins and Celtics while we make a dent in the charty board, or whatever the hell Rowan called it.

Meat, cheese, crackers, and fruit. I don’t know why someone came up with a fancy name for it that no one can spell or pronounce.

“Your husband sent me over here to give you another drink. I think he wants to get you drunk so he can take advantage of you later.” Kendall takes Taylor’s empty glass and hands him another scotch.

“You can tell him I’m game.” Taylor holds up his scotch in a mock cheer and Jackson gives him a finger wave from across the kitchen.

“Ugh. You two are as sickening as Walker and Riley.”

“We can give them something to talk about.” Buck squeezes his way between Kendall and me and drapes his arm over her shoulder.

Where the hell did he come from? I’ve had my back to the crowd in the kitchen to keep my dick at bay, and whatever life Kendall gave to it a minute ago is now gone.

“Happy Friendsgiving, babe.” He hugs Kendall to his chest and kisses the top of her head.

Babe?I’ve never been jealous over a woman before. It would mean I cared enough to be jealous. I’m not thrilled about the irritation stirring in my chest from seeing Buck and Kendall together.

“Happy Friendsgiving, Bucky.”

“It’s Buck Nekked to you, Kendall Cakes.”

“What the ever living fuck?”

Three pairs of eyes turn my way. Guess I muttered that out loud. “For the love of not only your reputation but all mankind’s, please tell me you didn’t give yourself the nickname Buck Nekked.”

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