Page 67 of Silent Partner (Pine Falls 3)

“Kinsley.” He reached out for me.

I backed away from him. “Please don’t touch me,” I begged. “You have to stop playing this game with me. I know the truth, and I can’t take it anymore.”

He swallowed hard. “What truth is that?”

I wrapped my arms around myself, trying not to cry, but a sheeny mist covered my eyes. “I know you’re in love with Dani,” I blurted before I lost my nerve.

He turned ghost white and faltered a bit before he steadied himself against the old cornflower-blue Formica countertops. “Who told you that?” he stuttered.

“It’s so obvious. I’ve known since I was sixteen years old how you feel about her. And ever since she married Brock, you’ve been different.”

He let out a huge sigh of relief. I guessed he was glad the truth was finally known.

“Kinsley, I’m not in love with your sister. I mean yes, I love her, but not in the way you think.”

I rolled my eyes. “Please, don’t insult my intelligence. It’s exactly how I think. And I need you to leave,” my voice cracked. “You promised me you would be my silent partner. So, go on ignoring me. You’re good at that,” I spat, albeit quietly, unleashing all my frustrations. I spun on my bare heels toward the living room, bent on salvaging the night with my nieces, all while trying desperately not to full on bawl. The truth hurt, but saying it out loud stung more than I’d imagined it would. My dreams were dead, and I felt this immense emptiness inside.

I had only taken a few steps when Brant grabbed my hand and spun me back around, and before I could even react, he took my face in his firm but gentle hands. I barely caught the way his eyes blazed with passion before his lips collided with mine. It was explosive—every cell in my body felt it, making me tingle from head to toe and rendering me immobilized. For a moment, I couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe. All I could feel was Brant as he consumed my mouth, drinking me in like a man who had been stranded in the desert with no water. With every prod of his tongue, he groaned deeply.

Somewhere inside my head, I knew I should pull away, but he still tasted like sunshine and hope, and I couldn’t get enough of it, of him. My hands gripped his shirt, begging him not to let go of me and crush my dreams. He took the cue and backed me up against the refrigerator, pressing his body against mine as if he had no intention of releasing me. His hands wove up through my hair, making my messy bun fall out and my hair come cascading down like a blonde waterfall. The urgency and intensity with which he kissed was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. His hands and tongue owned me, body and soul.

Then just like that, it was over. His lips glided off mine, and he leaned away just enough to capture my eyes with his own. They were still burning, and I felt the warmth of them to my very core. As in, I was on fire.

“In case you were wondering, that is how I feel about you,” he whispered, fiercely.

I had no words. Absolutely none as I tried to process what had just happened. I thought I had closed the door, but he’d kicked that door wide open. I wasn’t sure what to do about it. Invite him in, or slam it shut? Admittedly, my body was begging me to grab him and pull him in. I’d never been kissed like that before.

“Don’t give up on me yet,” he pleaded before pushing away. “I should probably go. I’m leaving town tomorrow, but I’ll call you.”

I nodded without thinking. Brant had sucked out all my brain cells with that kiss.

“And when I get back in a couple of weeks, we have a lot to talk about, including when you would like to bake cookies with me.” He grinned so dang sexily, and before I could respond, he said, “Good night, Kinsley,” and walked away.

Wait. He couldn’t just kiss me and say things like that and then leave. “Brant,” I breathed out.

He turned and smiled, waiting for me to form a thought. Believe me, it was harder than you could imagine. The man had completely and utterly stunned me.

“You can stay,” I stammered. We should really talk, as in right now.

His smile widened. “As much as I would love to, I’ll let you be the favorite aunt tonight. But when I get back, I plan to show you why you’re my favorite.” He turned and left, leaving me breathless.

I leaned against the old white refrigerator, trying to catch my breath while I listened to Brant yell out to the girls, “See you later, ladies; be good for your aunt.”

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