Red Hot Kisses

  “It’s going to be a little weird.” Trixie grazes her teeth along her lower lip, and that action alone gets my boxers riled up. “I mean, Sunday hasn’t exactly seen us together together.”

  Trixie mentioned that she told my sister things were back on again with us last night. But I still haven’t had a chance to speak with her about it. I suppose there’s no time like the present.

  “She’ll be happy for us.” I wince because this night has been weird from the outset.

  We head into The Pelican and find the Knight clan congregating near the back at an elongated table dotted with all the faces that I love. Yes, I love each and every one of them. Lex’s brother, Marlin, is here, sporting his Jepson PD uniform. Lex mentioned he was on call when I spoke with her earlier. I wanted to make sure Trixie had a place setting before we got here. I wanted her to feel welcome and not like a party crasher.

  We wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving, and I do a quick introduction of Trixie to the few who haven’t met her, like Axel and Misty’s parents.

  Both Sunday and Seth look as if someone plopped a shoe on their plate in lieu of the bird of the hour. But they’ll have to get over it. Trixie and I are happening, and they’d just better get used to it.

  The micro conversations start up once again at the table as Trixie and I make our way to the empty seats near Sunday and Seth.

  Seth’s brows hike at the sight of our conjoined hands. “So I take it this is new?”

  “It’s actually sort of old.” Trixie wrinkles her nose, mouthing an I’m sorry to my sister.

  Sunday takes a breath, repositioning the napkin over her lap again and again. “I won’t lie. I’m a bit ticked that the two of you went behind my back. You both know how much I care about you.”

  Trixie clicks her tongue. “Girl, you know you would have put the kibosh on this thing if you even suspected it.”

  “True, but you didn’t even give me the chance.” She looks to me as her lips begin to curl up at the edges. “And I’m glad about it, too. You deserved a chance, and for sure I wouldn’t have given it to you.”

  Trixie looks to Seth. “I guess love has a way of overriding what looks good on paper and what doesn’t.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” I slip my arm around her, right here in public for the first time without the fear of having my dick put on the chopping block.

  Trixie leans against me, still looking out at Sunday and Seth. “It means sometimes love has a way of hijacking societal norms and puts people together who otherwise might think they’re off-limits.”

  “Like Rex and Scarlett?” I brush a kiss to her cheek, and Sunday freezes, alerting me to the fact it was too much too soon. I get it. I wouldn’t want to see her gnawing on anyone’s face either.

  Trixie laughs at the mention of her brother. “Exactly. Like Rex and Scarlett.”

  Dinner goes off without a hitch, peaceful, uneventful with plenty of laughter, conversations about the upcoming wedding, and love. It’s the first time in a long while that I’ve allowed myself to fully embrace it. I’ve missed it. I’ve missed this.

  Afterwards, we say goodnight to Misty’s parents as we all pile into our vehicles and caravan over to Hollow Brook Hills, to the busy intersection that now has a permanent sign above it that reads, In Loving Memory of Priscilla Knight.

  I take a hard breath as I set foot out of the truck. Once I got my license, this was not an easy intersection to avoid. But I quickly learned all the back roads, the side routes that lead in and out of this city that could bypass this area when needed.

  Nolan gathers us together in a huddle, and I wrap my arms around Trixie and Sunday at the very same time. My brother says a quick prayer, wishing my mother a happy Thanksgiving, hoping she’s watching over us from above, letting her know we’re all healthy, happy, and loved. And when I open my eyes, I find Nolan smiling over at me.

  Nolan comes over and wraps his arms around me, pulling my sister in as well.

  “I love you, guys. You know that.”

  “I love you both.” Sunday lands a kiss to each of our cheeks.

  “And I love you, too.”

  Her eyes enlarge to the size of silver dollars. “That’s right. I love you, Sunday. I love this goof, too.” I give Nolan’s shoulder a squeeze.

  Just as our tiny huddle disbands, Sunday pulls me in again. “I’m really happy for you and Trix.” She frowns a moment. “I will admit, it might gross me out just a little, but only because I’ve grown so close to her so fast. She’s practically a sister to me.”

  “Good. I like the idea of her being family. Get used to it.”

  We hug it out as we each pile into our own cars, once again with Trixie by my side.

  I reach over and pick up her hand, landing a kiss to the back of it. “Where to?”

  “I was thinking Lake Avalanche.” She winces slightly. Trixie looks up at me with those beautiful eyes I’ve seen in my sleep for the past few weeks, and I can’t deny her anything.

  “You sure you want to do this?”

  She gives a single nod. “I promise my brothers will be civil to you.”

  “I can take ’em.” I glower into the windshield a moment as we pull away from the curb. I’d take on the world for Trixie.

  * * *

  A week drifts by. The first Friday in December ushers in the last day of finals and the last day of the year on The Row before everyone clears out for winter break.

  The guys at Beta house are hosting a winter mixer that’s open to the free world, and, of course, the free world has decided to show. Grant, Eli, and I walk in together, and the first thing we see is Lawson and Lucky.

  Eli leans in. “You sure you’re good? He looks like he wants to knock your teeth in. You’ve got good teeth, just saying.”

  Grant socks me on the arm. “Dude, I’m ditching you for Ava. If you need backup, just give me a holler.”

  Lawson comes this way, and Eli politely bows out.

  Thanksgiving night at the Kent’s, aptly named Happy Squirrel Retreat, both Knox and Lawson were civil to me—cordial is perhaps a better word. But we didn’t say much. And for damn sure we didn’t put a neat little bow on anything.

  Lawson scratches at the back of his neck, wincing at me as if unsure which direction this might go. “So, you still doing your thing with Trixie?”

  “If by that thing, you mean seeing her, yes. It’s still happening. It’s going to keep happening if I can help it. So you’d better get used to it.”

  He takes a breath, nodding as if I just delivered sobering news. “You know, Lucky’s brother, Jet—the dude’s a beast—he kicked my ass pretty good when he found out we were together. We were sort of in his shop—Think Ink, the tattoo parlor down in Jepson. Anyway, things went badly for a while, and then he eased up on me. I guess what I’m trying to say is sorry if I put you through that. Dude, I know you—you’re a good guy deep down inside. It’s just”—he blows out a hard breath—“you have a reputation the size of this mountain.”

  “But it’s in the past. And if you can look ahead with me, I think you’ll appreciate what you see.”

  “It better be true.” He slaps me five, and I pull him in.

  “It will be.”

  He heads back toward Lucky, and I turn in hopes to find that face of an angel I can’t wait to hold tonight. And I do find it. Sort of.

  “Rush.” Knox expands his chest like a balloon. “You want to say anything before we split for break?” His brows hike a notch.

  I rock back on my heels, ready to take any and every blow he’s ready to offer up tonight. “I owe you a huge apology.”

  Trixie pops up behind him with her eyes set wide, slitting her throat with her finger. She’s wearing the requisite tight red dress this night requires and a fuzzy red scarf to match. “Do not apologize to this loon!” She presses down on his shoulders as she hops over to me. Her perfume is sweeter tonight, heavier, honey dipped in lavender, and as soon as she embraces me, I realize it’s her hair th
at holds the sacred scent. I could lose hours just burying my face in this ebony silk. She turns to her brother. “We’re together. Deal with it.”

  I groan at the guy because I really do feel like I owe Knox more than that. “I think I do need to apologize.”

  “For?” It comes out curt as he crosses his arms over his chest.

  “For telling you I’d keep an eye on her for you.”

  Trixie grunts at her brother, “So I guess we have you to thank for our budding relationship. Nice matchmaking, bro.”

  I close my eyes a moment before nodding to Knox. “I feel bad about it. I wasn’t trying to screw you over. It’s just—we evolved naturally. There was no malice on my part. In no way was I trying to outright defy your orders.”

  “I was.” Trixie shrugs while wrinkling her nose at her brother. “Sorry,” she mouths. “But face it, that first party right here in this very house, when you explicitly told me to stay away from Rush Knight—you practically lit a fire under me to have him. Who wants their big brother—brothers—telling them who they can and can’t see?”

  Knox tips his head back in remorse. “Shit. So, are you telling me if I told you to stay away from Seth Baker this whole nightmare wouldn’t be happening?”

  “That’s right.” Trixie winks up at me. “And in about four years, I would have been Mrs. Beatrix Baker. It has sort of a nice ring to it, right?”

  “I don’t think so.” I give her side a quick tickle. “How about Beatrix Knight?”

  “I think I’d rather go with Knight Trix.” She cocks her head to the side, and Knox groans with disgust. “Can you invert your name legally like that?”

  “All right.” Knox waves me over. “Let’s hug it out so I can find Harper.” He slaps me over the back before giving his sister’s hair a quick tug. “Do not make me kill this guy, okay? We’ve had enough Tobermans in the slammer to last a lifetime.” He sags a moment just staring at his sister. “And I’m glad you and Mom are getting back on track. It’s the best Christmas gift you could have given our family.”

  “I’m glad, too.” Her voice is low and quiet with the admission. I know Trixie and her mother still have a long way to go, but watching Trix open up to her has been healing for the both of us. In a way, it feels as if I’ve made peace with my mother, too, in this season of my life. I’m glad that was something Trixie and I could go through together. We’re still going through it together.

  Knox takes off, and Trix waves to someone at the door, making wild eyes as if dire consequences were at stake if she didn’t garner their attention. “There’s something I need to talk to Sunday about. I’ll be right back.”

  I watch as Trixie launches at my sister, and something just this side of a heated debate follows suit.

  What the hell?

  Just as I’m about to interject in their private powwow, Seth Baker himself pops up, and I scowl at him without meaning to. Hell, I meant to.

  “What’s up?” There’s a look on his face that suggests he does not know what the hell to do with me.

  “Dude—you can stop crushing on Trixie now. We’re together, and it’s just not happening for you. Get it? Got it? Good.” There. I said my peace.

  “What the hell—” His mouth opens wide as he looks from me to the door where Trix stands gesticulating something to Sunday. “Oh man, I am sorry, but that’s a little funny.” He sinks his fist over his mouth to keep from laughing. “Yeah. You’re safe. I’m not after your girl. Trix and I are just friends. Nothing more, nothing less.” He blows out an exasperated breath as he looks into the commons room. The girls are all decked out in their best tight-fitted holiday dresses. Nothing but red and green everywhere you look. “I should probably get wasted and blow off some steam myself. This semester didn’t exactly pan out how I hoped.”

  “What do you mean, how you hoped? If you’re not into Trixie, then who is it?”

  He glances back at the door where Trix looks as if she’s ready to slap my sister.

  “Never mind. It’s probably best I forget about her. Let’s just say I have a longstanding habit of chasing after the wrong girl.”

  “Dude, if she doesn’t want you—keep walking. There’s an entire line of girls just waiting to beat down your door.” I spin him toward the action where the girls sit ten deep laughing while clutching those red Solos as if they were their ticket to ride—and tonight they are exactly that. “Pick one. She’s yours. I guarantee it. That’s an order.”

  “Yes, sir.” He glances back at the door, and something in him darkens before he takes off.

  Not interested in Trixie, my ass.

  Speaking of which, she bounces right back into my arms where she belongs and crushes a kiss over my lips. “Your sister can be a far more stubborn mule than Clyde will ever be.”

  I glance over at her as she heads into the commons room, straight for the refreshment table. “She’s a good girl with a good head on her shoulders.” And she’s not a drinker, so I don’t need to worry about her getting toasted and ending up with some douche who only has one thing on his mind. Sunday Knight is one girl who is not going to get taken advantage of by some idiot anytime soon.

  Trixie looks over her shoulder toward the door once again, but Sunday is long gone. “Yeah, well, college changes people. One second you think you know them—and the next they’re determined to have a wild adventure.”

  I bark out a howl of a laugh. “The only wild adventure Sunday is going to have is between the pages of a book. Don’t worry about her. Besides, Seth is in there. I’m sure he’ll keep an eye out on her.”

  “Oh, you got that right.” She gives an overeager nod.

  “I don’t want to talk about them anymore. I want to talk about us. I have a surprise for you.”

  I take her by the hand and whisk her up that forbidden stairwell, straight into that darkened bathroom that started it all and lock the door behind us.

  “Oh my God, you are so naughty! I love it. Is this the part where we do a little Santa-inspired role play?” She scratches my nose with her fuzzy red scarf. “Dear Saint Nick, I’ve been a very naughty, naughty girl. Did you know scarves can be used as soft restraints? I learned that in one of those innocent books your sister lent me.”

  “Crap.” I knock my head back a moment. “Okay, all talk about any siblings is off-limits while we’re in our special place.”

  “This is our special place, isn’t it?” The moonlight streams in, and I catch that cat-ate-the-canary-like grin on her face. “So, what’s the surprise, big boy?” Her hands ride down my chest, hooking her fingers over the lip of my jeans.

  “It actually is in my pants.” I pull the pamphlet from my back pocket and flick on the lights a moment before handing it to her. “I was hoping we could go on a three-day getaway.”

  “Three days?” Her eyes spring wide as she quickly scans the pamphlet. “Oh my gawd!” she screams so loud the door vibrates with glee right along with her. “Graceland? As in the home of the King himself?”

  “That’s right. I thought maybe you and I could shoot on over and make sure things are still cool in the Jungle Room.”

  “Hot damn!” Trixie jumps up and wraps her arms and legs around me. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” She’s so enthused you’d think it were a proposal. And when I do propose, I already have my heart set on Graceland. I think it’s a bit more fitting than the bathroom at Beta house. In fact, heading to Graceland, I’m hoping to turn it into our special place by proxy.

  Trixie cups my face in her hands. “I love you.” She lands a slow, lingering kiss over my lips that has the power to take me back to that first night, to that first red-hot kiss we shared right in this spot. I didn’t know what to make of her then, but I sure as hell knew I liked it.

  I pull back and take in a slow, easy breath, inhaling her perfume as if it were the oxygen I needed to breathe. “I have another question for you.” I look deep into those bright violet eyes. “It’s entirely up to you, but we could fly coach and test out those line tolerant super
powers you’re working on, or we can take the Knight family jet. We bypass TSA, but the line at Starbucks remains the same for us once we arrive.”

  “I’ll take the private jet and run the risk of no coffee once we land if there are more than three people in line.” She tugs on her bottom lip in that way that drives me wild. “There were six people ahead of me at Hallowed Grounds today. And you want to hear something weird? I not only stood in it, but I had my mother with me. I met up with her for lunch. Baby steps, right?”

  “Every baby step is a huge stride in the right direction.” I land a kiss over her mouth, relieved she chose the jet, and let out a little laugh. “All right, I confess. I get claustrophobic in coach.”

  “What? You’re like Superman.” Her fingers fumble with my jeans. “You’re not afraid of anything.”

  “I never said I was afraid.” I hold my finger and thumb a centimeter apart. “But there might be some apprehension there.”

  We share a quiet laugh as she pulls my shirt off and wraps her scarf around the back of my neck, pulling me in.

  She brushes her lips over mine, soft as a whisper. “I hope you brought protection because this office party is just getting started.”

  “This office is a toilet, but you know what? It has its charms.” I spin her as I pull my wallet out of my pocket. “I’m locked and loaded, and ready to go all night.”

  “In that case, let’s start the party here”—her hands slip into my jeans, and I suck a breath in through my teeth—“and then box it up and take it to go.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” I pull her in close and get lost in those violet eyes. “I love you, Trixie Toberman.”

  “I know,” she whispers, her kisses growing feverish as she rakes them up to my ear as she flicks the lights back off again. “And I love you, Rush Knight. We were both falling—and I think we caught one another. Thank you for catching me.”

  My lips connect with hers in a searing kiss before I hold her gaze in the moonlight one last time. “Anytime. Thank you for catching me, and I will never let you fall.”