As I make my way around the corner, I freeze mid-stride when I spot Nate carrying groceries into Mia’s house.

She’s always putting the boys to work.

Once they’ve stepped through the door, I sprint past, glancing back quickly to make sure they didn’t see me. The moment I face forward, I slam into something - or someone, rather - and I’m knocked backward.

“Whoa.” Mia catches me from behind, laughing. “Clumsy, Lolli.”

“Oh, my gosh. Kalani!” Her voice stuns me. “Honey, are you alright?”

My eyes fly forward, landing right on my Aunt Kara.

She freezes, as do I.

My body starts to shake, the voices around me are no longer clear. There’s a fog over my eyes, a lump in my throat, and I can’t feel my legs.

“Kalani!”

“Move!”

I’m spinning so fast; my lungs can’t grasp any air.

“Oh, my God!”

Why won’t she stop talking?

“Ma’am, I’m sorry, but you need to move! Now!”

Right when I start to fall into oblivion, two warm hands make their way to my face, keeping me here a moment longer.

The textured hands push past my cheeks, coming to rest right beneath my ears, in his spot. Nate’s spot.

“It’s okay, Kalani,” he whispers. “I’m here.”

He’s here.

“Nate, what are you-” Mia starts, before I cut her off.

“Shhh!” Cutting my eyes from Mia to her mom, I give her a warning with my eyes. She needs to stay the fuck back.

I quickly turn to Kalani, who is standing lifelessly in front of me, her face a blank slate and ghostly white.

“Hey.” I drop my forehead to hers, keeping my hands rested against the nape of her neck on both sides, my thumbs brushing over her jawline. “Breathe.”

Her vacant eyes squeeze shut as she takes in a strangled breath.

“Nate…” She breathes my name like a prayer and my heart starts hammering against my chest.

My right hand slides further into her hair, and I shift my body closer to hers. “It’s me.”

Her beautiful blue eyes open, focusing on me, and my breath catches in my throat.

When the corner of her lips twitch slightly, a grateful chuckle escapes me.

“Hi, Handsome,” she whispers dismally.

I smile and kiss her forehead gently. “Hi, Gorgeous.”

“Why are you here?”

“I came to see you. To get you,” I answer honestly.

She scowls at me, some fire coming back into her desolate eyes.

I nod when she challenges me with her gaze.

“But-”

“Yeah, I know,” I interrupt, knowing what she was about to say. “Don’t care.”

She eyes me for a moment before lightly shaking her head, attempting to hide a grin. When her gaze shifts left, her body tenses, but only slightly.

With my palms, I apply more pressure to her face, effectively gaining her attention again.

I’m hoping we have some kind of telepathic connection, or some weird shit, because I really need her to understand what I’m trying to convey.

We must, because she gives me a stiff nod.

Her hands come up and case over mine, gripping them tight.

As we lower them together, we both take a step back, straighten our spines, and inhale deeply.

Then, having no fucking idea how this shit’s about to go down, I let go of her left hand and step next to her.

She looks at Mia first, who has tears in her eyes and her hand on her chest. Kalani gives her nothing but a shrug, and that seems to be enough for her, because she smiles then, nodding. Guess they have telepathic shit, too.

Her eyes shift to Mrs. Edwards, her aunt, who looks back and forth between the three of us, completely unsure of what to do.

Kalani’s face tightens slightly, so I discreetly squeeze her hand, smiling on the inside when her shoulders instantly drop in a fully visible sign of relief.

Her gaze falls to our intertwined fingers before she focuses back on her aunt.

“Hi, Aunt Kara.” Her voice is steady. Strong.

Fuck, I want to fist bump right now. Or kiss her, I’m so fuckin’ proud.

Nose red, jaw trembling, Mrs. Edwards whispers, “Hi, Kalani,” hope shining through her voice.

Kalani turns to me. “I’m going to shower, then we can leave.”

She says it like a statement, but she’s asking me to take her somewhere, take her mind off things.

I was going to, whether she liked it or not.

Lifting my free hand, I tuck the loose strands of hair behind her ear, and nod.

She turns, offering a tight smile, then walks into her house.

“How the fu-” Mrs. Edwards silences her daughter with a raised palm, her gaze trained on me.

Her eyes are soft, knowing. “She told you.” Her tone is a mixture of relief and wonder. There’s a hint of mom tone in there, too. The kind you can’t decipher, that means something, but you have no fucking clue what.

“She did.” I can’t help but puff my chest out a bit.

Mia catches my attention when her eyes shoot wide open. “She what?!”

Mrs. Edward steps up to me, gently placing her hands on my shoulders. “She talked to you?”

My throat grows tight at her tender, sincere voice, so I nod.

“Oh, my God.” Her hand flies to her mouth when a whimper escapes, but she quickly recovers and rights herself.

“Remember something for me…”

I don’t think she’s looking for an answer, so I remain silent.

“If she’s let you in…” She catches the pinch in my brows instantly, the uncertainty. “Don’t doubt it. If she told you, she already did. She has let you in.” Her voice is confident, leaving no room for argument.

“Kalani is a free-spirited girl. She picks and chooses who to trust. Once you’re in, you stay there. Always. No matter what.” She drops her hand and steps back. “Remember that.”

I can’t help but heed her words as a warning, but nod in acceptance, and make my way into Kalani’s house.

The second my ass hits her mattress, she storms into her room, that body wrapped in a towel.

A little one.

“Why the hell did you show up today, Nate?” she snaps, making her way to her dresser.

She’s all wet, dripping, and half-naked, and now my jeans are getting uncomfortably tighter.

“And why the hell don’t you ever call first?”

Her hair looks longer, impossibly darker when it’s wet like that. There’s a piece sticking to her neck, in my spot.

My fingers are twitching to brush it to the side, lean in, and suck off the water left behind.

“Hello!” she shrieks.

My eyes fly to hers the second she turns around, and she smirks instantly.

I know it’s all over my face.

I want her in a bad way.

She grabs her hair in one hand, lays it across her right shoulder, and slowly runs her fingers through it.

Now my hands aren’t the only thing twitching.

She keeps her eyes on mine as she walks my way. Damn, if it don’t look like she’s putting on a show…

I lick my lips as she leans in.

She’s inches from me when she reaches out, snatching a t-shirt from behind me, and returns to her dresser, laughing her sexy little ass off.

“God, Nate. You’re such a guy.” She pulls her shirt over her head and drops the towel.

It’s not quite long enough - the ultimate tease - and I’m on my feet, taking a step closer to her.

“Careful, Handsome.”

I freeze.

She slips her feet into a tiny ass scrap of fabric - a thong.

A little pink one.

“You just might put a hole in that poor bottom lip of yours.” The tiny piece of cloth makes it up and over her soft thighs and hips.

My eyes fly to hers and she winks. “Off limits now, remember?” She smirks, looking like she’s on board for what she just said.

I’m about to call her bluff.

Moving deliberately slow, I let my gaze roam over her until her chest rises and falls quicker, more erratic. Then, I lock my eyes on hers, stepping directly in front of her.

“You okay with that, Gorgeous?” I whisper, skimming my fingers down her arms, eyebrow raised.

“It is what it is, Nate.” She licks her lips, her voice dripping with desire.

The left side of my mouth lifts. “But you want me.” I wrap her wet hair around my fist.

“Me and every other girl in a twenty-mile radius.” She looks to my mouth.

“Fifty, but who’s counting.”

She rolls her eyes and goes to step away, but her back hits the dresser.

“Guess what, Kalani?” I bring my hand holding her hair around to her back, pulling gently so she looks up at me. “I want you, too,” I whisper over her lips.

Her pupils dilate, her little tongue poking out to wet those plump ass lips of hers. “Yeah?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

Her hands slide under my shirt, and she smirks up at me. “What are you gonna do about it, Handsome?”

I grin into her neck, squeeze her ass and bring her body flush against mine, letting her feel how hard she makes me. How much I want her.

“What am I gonna do?” I whisper, running my nose up her neck to her ear. “I’m gonna feed you. Then fuck you.” When her breath hitches, I turn and walk out of her room. “Ten minutes, Kalani.”

I bite my knuckles on my way out to keep from either running back in there or laughing at the sexually frustrated grunts she’s throwing around right now.

Walking into Wicker with Kalani beside me feels different today.

By the looks we’re getting from the others around, it’s different to them, too. I’ve never brought a girl in here. I’ve left with a fair share, but never showed up with one. And the fact that it’s the same one I left the party with the night before? Well, that’s bound to stir up some shit.

She leans in to ask, “Is it just me or is the entire party here right now?”

“Tradition.” Taking advantage of her closeness, I slide my arm across her back, and grip her hip.

“Tradition,” she says flatly.

I shrug, pull her a little closer, and kiss her hair. “The night after a player’s party, everyone comes to Wicker for breakfast. Or lunch, depending on how hard they went the night before.”

“The players, as in the team, or...” she teases, a perfect brow raised.

“Funny,” I quirk, kissing her hair again.

I don’t miss the side glance she gives me after, but I also don’t acknowledge it either. She felt it, everyone saw it, mission accomplished.

“You cool to grab a seat, man?” Ryan asks, juggling dishes in each hand.

“Yeah, bro. We’re good.”

He nods in appreciation. “Hi, Lolli!” he calls out as he rushes off.

She smiles and waves.

After a quick look around, I see a table of my teammates and head in their direction. Choosing a vacant booth that’s still in the mix - and not at all because Jarrod has a damn good view of us - I usher her in first, then take the seat next to her.

She picks up her menu and looks it over while I take a few minutes to look her over.

She’s wearing a pair of tight, light blue jeans with some pink Chuck Taylors, and a long-sleeved black top that dips down a bit in the middle. She threw her hair up in a cute, messy ball on top of her head and her face is perfect; not a trace of makeup and she still looks amazing. Beautiful.

She turns, catching me looking at her, and sets her menu down.

Unashamed I’ve been caught, I smile, and grab her hand. Lacing our fingers together, I lay our hands in my lap, and relax into the booth.

She gives me a one-sided grin, and I swear to God, her cheeks turn a single shade brighter. Using my free hand, I run my knuckles over the soft pink that’s taken over. When her breath locks in her throat, my heart beats faster.

She feels it. She must.

Her lips are parted and she has a dazed look in her eyes, but it’s gone when a cup is set onto the table.

“Sorry, guys,” Ryan apologizes, setting two waters in front of us. “It’s a madhouse in here.”

“I’ll take a coffee today, Ryan,” Kalani tell him, covering her yawn with her sleeve.

He grins at her, his hands planted in fists on the sides of his black apron. “Long night, Lolli?”

I clear my throat to keep from laughing, while Kalani narrows her eyes at him playfully.

“You were in the damn truck last night, weren’t you?”

He laughs, taking a step back. “I was, but even if I wasn’t, it’s all I’ve heard about this morning.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt it. Go get my coffee.” She rolls her eyes and pulls her hand from mine.

He smiles and turns to me. “Coffee?”

I nod, then snatch her hand back in mine, earning a half-hearted eyeroll from her. She lets me run my fingers over hers a few times before pulling them back again, opening her straw as an excuse for something to do.

She smiles her thanks to the girl who sets our coffee and a bowl of creamers in front of us. We give her our order, then sit back, relax, and enjoy our warm drinks.

When she leans her body into mine, I wrap my arm around her shoulder and pull her closer.

“Thanks for earlier,” she says into her cup.

Turning my head, I run my nose over the lobe of her ear. “Thanks for last night,” I whisper.

She flicks her wrist to smack my shoulder, but I catch her hand and bring it to my lips. She shifts so her body’s facing mine and watches me run her knuckles along my lips before kissing them gently.

As I lower her hand, her head tilts and she stares at me.

“Okay.” Ryan shows up with our dishes and she quickly cuts her gaze out the window. “Two pancake platters.” He’s gone as quickly as he arrived.

I push her plate in front of her, laughing when she lets out a whimsical sigh just looking at it.

“I’m so hungry right now.” Stabbing a piece of scrambled eggs, she dips it into her syrup, then takes a slow, savoring bite.

“Mmm…” Her eyes close and her head falls against the seat. “Soo goood,” she moans.

My body comes to life watching her. Eyes closed, head still tilted, she licks her lips, moaning again when her tongue slides innocently over her now sugar-coated mouth, and all I can see is her under me - doing the exact damn thing.

“Keep moaning like that,” I whisper, “and I may just take you out to my truck right quick.”

Her wide eyes cut to me.

I wink, and take a bite off my own plate.

“Promise?” she purrs, laughing her sexy little ass off when I choke on my bacon.

“You’re such a brat,” I shake my head, leaning over to kiss her hair again, loving that she tries to hide a smile in her coffee mug.

Once Kalani’s done, she sits back and gazes at me.

“What?” I smile, letting my hand rub across her jeans.

“Tell me something, Handsome?”

I nod, not missing how her crystal blue eyes have turned a shade darker.

Never breaking eye contact, she reaches up and pulls my hat off my head. “You done?”

“Not by a long shot.”

“Good answer,” she smiles, lifting my hat to block our faces as she gently places her sweet, soft lips against mine in a kiss that leaves me desperate for more.

She pulls back, laughing, placing my hat back on my head.

“So, what are we doing today?” she asks as we stand.

“I want to show you something on my parents’ property.” I reach over and grab her hand, tossing some cash on the table.

“Okay.”

The entire drive to my house, I keep her soft little hand in mine.

Glancing at the dark-haired beauty in my passenger seat with her eyes closed, a small smile playing on her swollen lips, I know…something happened last night or today. Shit, maybe even a month ago, when she first invited me over for a movie. I guess it doesn’t really matter when it happened. All I know is, this girl next to me... I want to keep her here.

Now to convince her that’s where she wants to be.