Page 72 of Just One Kiss

“Someone sold compromising pictures of her and posted them online,” Knox said.

“Naked ones?” Jade asked, horrified. “That poor girl.”

“What was she doing putting herself in a position for the photos to be taken in the first place?” Asher asked.

Jade glared at her oldest brother. “Oh, I don’t know. Are you saying you didn’t do stupid things when you were young?”

“He was born old,” Layla said, laughing as she walked by.

Their younger sister had friends coming over today and was lost in her teenage world as she headed to her room.

“Kid’s got a point about you.” Knox raised an eyebrow and glanced at Asher, laughing before turning to Jade. “Do you want a bottle of cold water?”

She nodded. “I’ll come with you. Asher, want anything?”

His cell rang, interrupting them before he could answer. He glanced at the screen. “It’s Derek.” He held up a finger for them to wait before answering the call. “Hey. You okay?”

Asher might be judgmental and uptight, but he worried about his family and close friends.

“Sure. Of course I’ll be there. See you soon,” Asher said.

“What’s going on?” Knox asked, slipping his hand into Jade’s.

She appreciated the warmth and security she’d found with him and promised herself that she’d never take it—or him—for granted.

Asher raised his shoulders. “I don’t know. Derek wants to talk about her going to the island until the news cycle blows over. But he wants to discuss it in person.”

“What could he want that he can’t ask over the phone?” Jade wondered aloud.

“Not a clue.”

“Well, good luck,” Jade said. “Will you come back here later?”

“I’ll try.” Asher snagged his shirt from a lounge chair and walked over to their parents to say goodbye.

Jade turned to Knox and slid her hands around his waist. “Any idea what Derek wants from him?” she asked.

Knox shook his head. “But Derek has a big closing this week. If he wants to send Nicolette to the island, he can’t go with her.”

“Maybe he’ll ask Asher to take her instead,” Jade said with a grin.

Knox rolled his eyes. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you, my little troublemaker.” He reached around to playfully pinch her ass and she squealed.

“Cut that out,” she muttered, but she didn’t mind one bit.

Lifting on her toes, she pressed her lips to his. “One month,” she reminded him.

Knox treated her to the sexy grin she loved so much. “I can’t wait for you to become Mrs. Sinclair. Actually, I can’t wait to make love to you after you’re Mrs. Sinclair.”

She shook her head. “Really? That’s caveman behavior. Next thing I know, you’ll be banging your chest and declaring that I’m your woman.” She was giving him a hard time but it was more on principle. Jade was happy to take his name, and if it turned him on for her to be Mrs. Sinclair, she knew the pleasure would be all hers.

Without warning, he swung her into his arms.

“What are you doing?” she squealed, wrapping her arms around his neck. She hung on as he walked past her entire family, who’d decided to clap as they passed. Her cheeks heated at being the center of attention.

“I’m taking you somewhere private so I can remind you of all the good reasons you want to be my woman—caveman behavior or not.”

“Don’t forget, it goes both ways.” She rested her chin on his shoulder and nipped at his ear. “But put me down. I’m not having sex in my parents’ house.”

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