Acting Happy (Texas Desires #2) (9 page)

“I’m not at a time in my life that it’s a good idea to start anything,” she finally said quietly. His gut told him those words had a different meaning, probably more in line with what Reed had alluded too.

“Why’s that?” he asked carefully. Wanting her to tell him what she was hiding seemed unrealistically important to him.

“I don’t want to talk about that,” she said and started to remove her hand, but he held on tight.

“I respect that. I have things I don’t want to discuss, but spending time together doesn’t mean commitment or even secret sharing.”

“No, it doesn’t,” she agreed carefully.

“And I’d be a fool to not at least see what all this is going on inside me. I can’t stop thinking about you. Are you honestly not sharing any of this with me?” he asked, sliding outside of the game play of flirting, becoming more serious. If she didn’t share this, he needed to know now before this crazy infatuation got too out of hand.

She stayed silent and looked… If he had to guess, that expression conveyed a little panic, probably at giving him the confirmation he needed. On instinct and a need to test the waters, Ty drew her closer, hooking an arm around her waist as he let her hand go and reached up to touch her face. The same sensations he experienced with holding her hand happened again with her body so enticingly pressed against his. Thoughts of this woman being made for him had his breath hitching.

“Be in this with me. Even if it’s just for right now.” The honest plea poured from his lips as he clutched her tighter.

Her eyes widened as he slid his fingers across her cheek, caressing the soft skin until he cupped the back of her neck. Should he kiss her? How could he not when everything he had begged him to make this moment, this unexpected connection, complete. Ty moved her head slightly to the side as he lowered his head toward her, inching closer to those delectable lips. He registered the slamming of her heart against his chest, mainly due to his doing the same. She gave a short quick huff of breath, and her eyelids slid closed. Seconds before he made contact, her lips parted slightly, opening in invitation. She was truly captivating and didn’t seem to know her own beauty.

Suddenly, her hand lifted, one coming between their lips seconds before he touched her. Her eyes fluttered open. Fear ran across them, probably the only thing in the world that would have allowed him to move back and take a closer look. Being afraid made no sense at all. Kenzie took a step back and then another until she slipped free of his arms. The loss of her touch and the uncertainty in her eyes broke the bond he’d been experiencing and set up an ache in his chest. She’d turned skittish as hell in a matter of seconds. Something wasn’t right. Her eyes seemed wild as she scanned his face.

“Just for the here and now, right?” she asked, a little frantic.

“I guess,” he said and furrowed his brow, resisting the deep urge to take her back in his arms and kiss away the uncertainty, show her how right they were together. Protective juices began to flow even as Reed’s words needled in the back of his mind. What in the world had happened to make this incredible woman unsure of everything?

“Nothing that requires me to commit even though I know that sounds stupid because you’re you and I’m me.” The hand waving between them frantically showed her desperation, confusing him even further.

“No, it doesn’t sound stupid.” Ty stepped in closer, wanting to comfort her and not exactly sure why. There was silence again. Right as he started to reach her, she suddenly stepped forward, wrapping herself around him as she threaded her fingers together behind his neck and pulled him down. Once her lips touched his, he had no time to contemplate the surprise of her initiating the kiss, because his world shattered around him.

She started off aggressive. Her lips parted, her tongue darted out, and Ty lost his mind as fireworks exploded in his head. It didn’t take him long to catch up. Seconds later, he tugged her closer, slamming her into his body. At the same time, he backed her against the refrigerator and deepened the kiss, dominating her from the first swipe of his tongue. Of course they were fluid together. He knew they would fit well. No awkwardness, no hesitation. She opened wider, instinctively turning her head as he delved deeper, exploring the farthest reaches of her mouth.

Heaven couldn’t be this good. He could almost feel the years of loneliness slipping away in the gift he’d just been given. His hands roamed freely up and down the side of her body as hers wrapped more tightly round him, drawing him even closer if that were possible. She was sexy as hell, matching him in every swipe of the tongue and caress of the palm, until her hands tangled into the small pieces of hair. That crazy-effective move turned his hard-on into a leaking rigid rod that made him bend at the knees in order to grind against her core.

He wanted to be buried deep inside this woman like he’d never wanted anything in his entire life.

She tore from the kiss, taking big gulps of air as his lips moved to the enticing curve of her neck. A quiet moan escaped her as she tentatively rolled her hips against his dick and caused him to lose his damn mind. The growl resonating in his chest was new and had to be let free. Anchoring his elbow on the refrigerator, Ty grabbed the top of her head, moving her lips back to his. He conquered that hot little mouth as he pressed the entire length of his body against hers.

He ate her in a clash of tongue and teeth, fisting his hand in her hair while reveling in the soft swells of her breasts crushed against his chest, and her hot center cradling his needy dick. No doubt, this woman was made for him.

“Oh my.”

Even with hearing the words, it still took a second for Ty to register the voice. For Kenzie, it was a much faster process. She jerked her face away from his, leaving him sucking air while she banged her head against the refrigerator door. Kenzie clutched on to his shirt, keeping him close even as she pushed him away. The sound of a man clearing his throat had Ty finally turning his head to see Mr. and Mrs. Stanton standing right inside the back door. Even in the still night mountain air, he hadn’t heard their car pull up or the sound of the back screen door opening.

“I considered sneaking us in, but figured we’d make too much noise,” her mother said happily, taking whatever she carried in her hands to the oven before shrugging off her purse and light jacket. “Daddy, you going to turn on the television?”

“Yup,” he said, shuffling through the kitchen.

“I brought home a plate of dinner. I’m not sure it’s enough for two, but she doesn’t eat the meat no matter how hard I try to get her to. I’m glad to see you here,” she added, walking past Ty, patting him on the back until they were again left alone in the kitchen. He hadn’t moved from his position with Kenzie caged in front him. She leaned forward, burying her face in his shoulder, breathing heavily. Those short gasp of breath skated across his overheated, sensitive skin, making him a little crazier with need. Seconds passed as he gathered himself. When she still hadn’t looked at him, Ty lifted her chin until their gazes collided. The blush coloring her cheeks was sweet and endearing and touched his heart. It didn’t go unnoticed when the thought that this might be one of the best moments of his entire life skittered across his consciousness. He smiled as he leaned in to give her a simple kiss on her upturned lips then stepped slightly away.

“I should go,” he said and just stared down at her. That amazing kiss meant something. Hell, to him, it validated everything pushing him to pursue whatever was between them, and without question, he wanted more. All she had to do was ask him to stay and he’d ditch the guys to remain right here with her. But regretfully, she didn’t. Instead she nodded and looked down at her hands. His gaze followed. He saw them extended, stretched out and a little shaky. She quickly clenched them shut, scooting out from under him. Kenzie put as much distance between them as she could and still remain in the same room.

“You should take this with you. It’s a good, home-cooked meal from the church. They do it right.” It may have been his imagination, but her voice seemed as shaky as her hands.

“You eat it,” he said, reaching for her cell on the kitchen table. He opened the screen and dialed his number until his phone vibrated in his hand. Her number appeared on his screen. Finally, he got the digits, even if he’d had to force it.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Adding my number to your phone. It wouldn’t hurt you to use it,” he said, saving the contact before handing it over to her.

“You’re pushy.”

“Well, of course I am. Would you think anything different?” Back on more solid ground, he went for the back door. He could see her getting skittish again, and he’d already decided on baby steps with this woman. Technically, he shouldn’t have come here in the first place and certainly shouldn’t have been kissing her like he meant to stick around for the night. But, dammit, who would have expected all that in their first kiss?

At the kitchen door, he looked back at her. She was still holding the plate, rooted in her spot and staring at him. Good. Finally, she might be where he was—totally awestruck.

“I’ll pick you up at ten thirty tomorrow morning. It’s about an hour and a half drive to Gatlinburg, right?”

She nodded.

“I’ll see you then. Answer me when I text.” Ty left the house, letting the door swing shut behind him. He managed to wait until he got to his place and loaded the beer before he sent a simple text.

“I really enjoyed that kiss.”

Surprisingly she responded right back.

“You’re too charming.”

He grinned like a crazy man even though he wasn’t certain that was meant as a compliment.

“I’m glad you think so. I’ll see you in the morning.”

To prove he still held the reins to his willpower, he waited to check her response until he got close to the camping site. He parked, and before hauling the beer the half mile or so, he opened her text message.

“Goodnight, Ty.”

How was it possible that those simple words typed into a phone managed to caress his heart?

He typed quickly back.
“Goodnight, beautiful.”

Kenzie sat at the breakfast table, eating a banana with her legs crossed, foot bouncing, pretending to be absorbed in the weekly eight page local newspaper. About every two minutes, she looked up at the clock on the oven, checking the time, just waiting for enough time to pass before should get ready for her date. Since she’d done little more than think about Ty and their impending lunch, she was making herself a nervous wreck and had to force herself to calm down.

“You’ve already got your run in?” her mom asked, coming in from outside. She’d been so lost in thought she spooked when her mom spoke and then again as the door banged shut behind her.

“I couldn’t sleep,” Kenzie said, flipping the page, pretending to be engrossed in whatever article she could find.

That kiss came to mind—like it had ever left in the first place. That devastatingly sexy kiss. The one she’d initiated and the same one she’d gotten totally lost in. She hadn’t wanted it to end. With as turned on as she was, in another place and time, she was certain she would have been stripping off her own clothes if they’d continued much longer.

Since she’d never done anything like that before, she had to blame Ty. He was dangerous because he didn’t take things like no for an answer. Kenzie dropped her forehead to the table and knocked it against the hard wood several times.

“It’s just a date, honey. You’re working yourself up too much.” Her mother’s voice was so close it startled her again. Kenzie swiveled her head, not lifting it off the table, just laying her cheek on the cool wood.

“I swore off men. Then the first one that comes along and I cave.”

Her mom laughed a little and patted her on the back before taking the seat beside her.

“You can’t swear off men forever just because you got messed up with a bad one.”

“But he was really bad,” Kenzie said. She could hear the whine in her voice and couldn’t seem to care.

“I don’t think Ty Bateman falls anywhere close to Jason Peters,” her mom said, lifting a hand to her head, petting her much like she would an animal. It was weirdly reassuring.

“Not the point, Mom. I said no more men and look what I’m doing. I’m going out with one right now,” she explained.

“Baby, it’s a date. You can’t hide away from the world forever.”

“But I can, Mom.” Kenzie lifted her head and looked straight at her mother. “It’s why I moved home. How did he even find this place?” Kenzie watched her mother’s features soften, and she immediately started shaking her head no. “Don’t say it.”

“Honey, you can’t run from your destiny no matter how hard you keep trying.” She dropped her head to the table again. This was probably what was giving her the most anxiety. About an hour after he left last night, her mom had started in about destiny, and by the time she went to bed, she had her dreamily married off to Ty, living as a Hollywood stay-at-home wife with a pack of children just like Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. It was all too much.

“Mom, it’s just a lunch date,” Kenzie started, and her mother interrupted.

“Exactly what I just said. You’re making too much out of all this,” she said and rose from her chair then pushed it back under the table. “Now go get dressed and quit fretting. I’ve gotta get to the store.”

Kenzie couldn’t help but smile. Her mom knew exactly how to calm her down.

“Thanks, Mom.”

‘That’s what I’m here for. Now scrub your face really well, honey. You’ve got news print on your forehead.”

She lifted a hand to her forehead as she looked down to see the smudge on the paper. Great. She rose from the seat and went for her room. She had a lot of work to do to get ready for today.

~~~

“Seriously, dude, you look like Grizzly Adams,” Cole declared as Ty came into the kitchen, tugging his lightweight sweater over his head. In all the situations he’d planned for, it never occurred to him to send something nice to wear to his secluded little slice of paradise.

“No one recognizes me when I keep the beard long,” he said, going for his Rolex lying on the kitchen counter.

“No, really. You need to clean that thing up,” Cole clarified, circling his own face with his finger. Cole and Connor were late risers today. Barely up to see Bray and Reed off before Connor started their breakfast.

“He’s telling you the truth, man,” Connor said between bites of eggs and bacon.

“If you wanna move it to first base, you’ll clean that shit up,” Cole added like he was dangling a guaranteed carrot in his face.

He’d warred with this very issue while fixing his hair. He wanted to look good for her, which was a foreign concept, because he’d never really cared about things like that before. But he also didn’t want to be recognized. Being seen would ruin any chance he had at just being a normal guy going out with a normal girl.

“She didn’t seem to have a problem with it last night,” Ty said a little defensively.

“Ohh! Snap! He got some of the little backwoods hottie!” Cole yelled, reaching a knuckle bump up to Ty who completely ignored him as he went for a bottle of water in the refrigerator.

“It didn’t happen and don’t fucking talk about her like that,” he shot out, looking back over his shoulder, and right then, he realized his mistake. They’d given him hell all last night, but that hadn’t carried over into today. Even this morning when Reed had another stern talk with him about biting off more than he was willing to chew, that hadn’t initiated any further shit-giving about going into town to see Kenzie. But now Cole’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.

“You guys stay as long as you need too. Stop back by and spend the night if you need a place to stay.”

Connor seemed to take pity on Ty and tossed out a diversionary tactic. “We gotta roll if we wanna be in Kentucky before tonight,” he said, getting up from his seat at the kitchen table and heading for the sink.

“We should take him up on the offer to stay on the way back,” Cole argued.

“It’s too far out of the way.” Connor’s words set the matter to rest and the man never turned back around.

It worked. Cole rose, doing the same as Connor, washing out his coffee mug and plate.

“Take care. I’ll see you guys at Prescott’s wedding,” Ty said, digging the car keys out of his pocket and heading for the front door. If he left quick enough, he could avoid Cole’s teasing altogether.

“See ya,” Connor called out.

Ty left the house and trotted down the steps, butterflies double-timing in his stomach. Actually, butterflies said it mildly, his stomach roiled so bad he seriously wanted to throw up. He’d been brave last night, pulling her out of the chair and drawing her into that kiss. It was a bold move. Something designed to convey everything he was unable to explain in words, but when she took control and forced the kiss, an unknown primal instinct had consumed him, driving him to take whatever she willingly gave.

Everything inside him had turned dominant, and a sexual intensity he hadn’t even known he had harbored raged inside him. Who knew how long her parents stood there before he’d heard the clearing of her father’s throat? That kiss was a game-changer. Kenzie was pure and fresh and that kiss was genuine and erotic as hell. Not designed to entice, but instead to give, and he totally understood that made no sense at all, but it was still true.

For a long time now, Ty knew he needed to find real people to be in his life, not all those bottom feeders he currently dealt with. They were calculating and using him to help build their own careers. Kenzie was none of those things. As a matter of fact, she seemed to be the exact opposite. She hadn’t thrown herself at him. Instead, he’d had to chase her, stripping away any pretense in the pursuit, because he was certain only genuine good people would ever get a chance to spend time with her.

Sliding inside the Jeep, he caught sight of Cole standing on the porch. Ty sighed. He should have known the break Cole had given him in the kitchen wouldn’t last. His buddy stood on the top step, gyrating his hips with his eyes closed, his arms out like he was holding an imaginary woman, and making a terrible kissing face and awful smacking noises. Ty attempted to ignore him altogether as he started the Jeep, but succumbed to the need to respond by lifting his middle finger in Cole’s direction as he drove away.

~~~

Two hours later, Kenzie emerged from her bathroom plucked, shaved, and curled. She’d pulled out and painstakingly applied makeup she hadn’t worn in months, then removed everything and applied it again in different colors. After rolling her hair and letting the strands lie loose down her back, she brushed that out and created a smart little ponytail, only to decide she liked her hair down better and started the process over again.

The only part of this preparation that she hadn’t overly debated this morning was the clothes. No matter what her mother pulled out of the old trunk, her choices were limited since most of her things were packed away in a storage unit in Gatlinburg. She had two sundresses to choose from and a couple of pantsuits on the off chance her mother and father wanted her to attend a church social event. Outside of that, it was shorts, jeans, and some T-shirts and sweatshirts. None of those really helped in her goal to look pretty today.

After that kiss last night, she was reasonably sure whatever was happening was all about sex. All the pursuing was more than likely a game to him, but that was okay. Honestly, it had been awhile for her, and as long as she kept her head straight and knew the score, there should be no bad feelings when she never heard from him again.

At least that was what she’d decided in the shower this morning. She really had no knowledge at all. She’d only been with one man ever and married him within a few months of first having sex with him.

With a solid shake of the head, she pushed Jason away. She wasn’t thinking of him today.

Running her nervous palms down the side of her sundress, Kenzie went for her purse and sweater, sent Ty a text that she was headed to the store before walking over. If she sat in the house alone, waiting for him to show, she’d just get too nervous and, at this point, probably call the whole thing off. She walked inside the store about the same time William came around the corner. He stopped dead in his tracks.

“Well, look at you!”

“Do I look all right?”

“You look right lovely, my dear. You should dress like that more often.”

“Ah, I needed to hear that, Willie,” she said, reaching up to give him a quick hug. The front door opened, the little bell ringing like crazy as Ty walked inside the door. Their eyes met and he smiled while her jitters grew to levels she’d never quite experienced before. Even if this was about sex and even if he was slumming it for whatever reason, Kenzie was way in over her head, and no matter how much time passed, that was never going to change.

“We’re closed,” William said, that protective edge to his gravelly voice.

“He’s here for me,” she said, her voice small as Ty came around one of the shelving units, walking toward her. “We’re going to lunch.”

“Well, now that’s good to hear,” William said, his toothless grin spreading.

~~~

She’d dressed up for him. Something about seeing Kenzie in the pretty floral dress with her hair left long and the soft curls lying over her shoulder while she hugged this older man did something to Ty’s heart. Kenzie was fast becoming his lifeline. She had somehow managed to find his missing heart and touch his tarnished soul, both organs having lain dormant for more years than he could count.

Ty came through the store, keeping his eyes focused on her, never really paying attention to the man she was talking too. When he got around the last aisle, he could see her skirt was short and those long legs were left bare. She had some pretty sandals on her feet. Kenzie held his gaze, a sweet smile spreading across her full lips. He leaned in to place a simple kiss on her cheek. Instead of lingering there, he turned and extended a hand to the man.

“Ty Bateman,” he said, not hiding his real name. He wasn’t sure why he didn’t go with the fake persona he’d planned while here, but if this man was important to Kenzie, he wanted to make a good first impression.

“This is William. He works here with us at the store. He helps my parents out,” she explained as William shook his hand.

“Where’re you two headed off to today?” he asked.

“Gatlinburg. Lunch and then a trip to the health food store,” she answered, waggling her eyebrows.

“Good. You’re gettin’ too skinny. I was wonderin’ if you were gonna cave and finally eat your mama’s good home cookin’,” he said, that toothless grin spreading again.

As Ty watched, he saw William had a way of easing Kenzie. They were comfortable together. He hadn’t seen her around too many people, and this confirmed what he suspected. If he could just get her to relax, he bet they were probably very well-suited for one another.

“And eat those defenseless animals? As if.”

“You two get goin’. I gotta finish stockin’.”

“It was nice to meet you, sir,” Ty said, stepping to the side and extending a hand to the small of Kenzie’s back. He watched those goose bumps spring up as she moved in front of him.