Chapter 10

Kurt

As we drive up to El Paso in my truck, I see Grayson’s pickup ahead of me. It’s way early in the morning, like four o’clock, so there’s nobody on the roads. We promised mama that we’d be home for a late lunch, so I picked Lisa up and we were on our way. She’s asleep against the passenger window, as I drive, watching the sun come up. From the look of it, Laura’s passed out in the truck, too, but she’s leaning on Grayson’s shoulder.

Chip put up quite a fight when we left, and they considered bringing him along, too, but thought better of it. It’s such a long drive, and we want to go straight through, with as few stops as possible. We haven’t even had breakfast yet, but if it were up to me, I’d have left last night, and stopped for a couple of cat naps along the way. That’s how I do it. But I was voted off the island for that idea.

Lisa is sweet all curled up on the seat. Her hand is helping to support her chin as she slumbers against the window, using a balled-up sweater for comfort. The drive is long but relaxing. It’s one I don’t mind doing often. Grayson is letting me lead here and there, when he’s tired of it, and it isn’t until about halfway there that we make a pitstop. Reaching over, I rub Lisa’s back as she wakes. “Need to use the lady’s room?” I ask as she stretches.

“Yeah,” she yawns. “I could pee.”

I snuffle a laugh. “You’re such a girl.”

“What…you don’t pee? Let me guess, you piss…” she jokes.

“Na, in fact, I despise that word. I say ‘take a leak’.”

She rolls her eyes. “So much different.”

I slap her arm playfully. “Come on. Let’s go. I’ve got to take a leak.”

She punches me.

Grayson’s arms are stretched above his head as I exit my pickup truck. Laura is already in the washroom. Lisa scurries out of the truck, in Laura’s wake. After we all relieve ourselves, we grab a couple of snacks and head back into our vehicles. “Got what y’all need?” Grayson asks us both.

“Yep, we’re good, brother.” I answer for both of us. Lisa and Laura seem quiet. I’m not sure if they’ve made up from their fight the other day, but I stay out of it all the same.

When we arrive at the ranch, I see that Hawk is outside, cutting the grass on his riding mower. He waves, but otherwise doesn’t stop to say hello. That’s Hawk for you. Mama is on the porch, drinking tea, and she waves hello. We’re not even up the walkway when she shouts. “Y’all hungry?”

Grayson doesn’t hesitate. “We’re starving, mama. Feed us.”

She smiles. “Come on in. We’ll take care of the introductions inside.”

Mama isn’t your typical mama. She’s tall and built like she could take a hurricane. With long, blondish-white hair, tied back in a braid, there isn’t any fragility in Maggie Thomas. This woman has raised six kids practically alone, was widowed in her early fourties, and put Steely Pines Ranch on the map. She’s a woman of honor, whom I regard as the strongest person alive. Also the most loving and caring. There isn’t a selfish bone in mama’s body, either.

I hear the mower shut off, and seconds later, Hawk is behind us. He’s shirtless, with sweat beating down his chest and back. His Stetson is freshly wiped, no thanks to him, I’m sure. He raises his hand to high-five Grayson first. “Hey, bro! I didn’t expect you guys out here for at least another hour.”

“We had zero traffic, man.” Grayson comments.

Hawk sticks his head out, calling out the herd. “Mitch! Carson! Luke! Get your asses in here! Grayson and Kurt are home!”

“Quit your cursing…and swearing, boy!” Mama swats him. “Don’t you see there are ladies present?” she chides.

“Rachel not coming, mama?” Grayson asks.

“She’ll be along.” Hawk answers for mama. “In court today.” He explains.

I raise a hand to Lisa. “My sister’s a lawyer.”

“I figured.” Lisa smiles.

We make all the introductions as each of us takes a seat in the living room, while mama puts on a kettle for tea.

Mitch, Carson and Luke are inside a minute later. They each hold their hands out for the girls to shake, commenting that they don’t work here. “Y’all say that like it’s a bad thing.” Hawk suggests. “Y’all have worked here before. Ain’t no shame.”

“There’s plenty of shame.” I scoff, joking around. “That’s why I left.”

“Yeah, to work at another ranch, stupid.” Grayson says.

“Ain’t no shame in doing what makes you happy.” Mama points out, bringing the girls some tea.

Laura excuses herself to use the washroom after taking a sip of mama’s tea, and I wonder if maybe it tastes bad. “Kurt, y’all want a tea?” mama offers.

I lift my hand in thanks. “No, I’m good.”

Mama gives me a look, but I ignore it.

“So how is it out in Huttonville?” Mama asks both Grayson and I.

“Very good. Beautiful ranch.” Grayson says and I nod.

“And how is my boy doing at being a doctor again?” Mama beams, addressing Grayson.

“I’m doing fine, mama. Great, actually. I’m thinking about opening up a practice on the ranch.” Grayson says.

This is news to me. “Really? That’s pretty cool.”

“Yeah, it was Laura’s idea.” Grayson adds, as she walks out of the washroom. He takes her hand in his as she sits down next to him. Mama notices their handholding, and smiles.

“So, tell me, Laura.” Mama says. “How is it having two of my boys on the ranch?”

“Wonderful.” She says honestly. “You’ve raised two of the finest boys in Texas.”

“I like her.” Mama frowns. “She seems smart.”

That gets a giggle out of everyone in the room.

We hear the front door open, and my sister Rachel walks in.

“Oh, wow, looks like I’ve missed the introductions.” She says, setting her briefcase down. “You’ll have to catch me up.” I rise, and so does Grayson. We don’t get to see Rachel often, but today seems to be an exception. Rachel is tall, like all us boys, and she’s got a face like me and Luke, but she always looks sorely out of place being in a suit and all, since she became a lawyer.

After the second wave of introductions, Grayson and Laura sit back down again, and he gives her a kiss on the lips. They exchange a look and I know what’s coming next.

“Well, since we’re all here now.” Grayson speaks up. “I might as well tell you all something important.”

He looks at Laura, taking her hand to his lips. “I’ve asked her to marry me and she said yes.”

Mama claps her hands together and smiles. “I knew it! When’s the wedding?” Her voice is flat, like she’s already in planning mode, is on a mission.

“Woohoo!” Rachel hoots, practically dancing over to Grayson and Laura, giving them each a hug in congratulations.

“We’re all invited, right?” Hawk says, unimpressed.

“I’m guess that you already knew.” Luke says to me.

“Yeah, man. We already knew.” I chuckle, high-fiving him.

Mitch pipes up, whining. “Grayson…man, I don’t have to buy a dang suit, do I?”

“Yes, you do. And bite your tongue.” Mama admonishes, giving Grayson and Laura a hug.

“We’re going to get married on the ranch.” Laura announces. “It won’t be a fancy wedding, just a simple one.”

Mama’s smile is bright. “Darlin’, now there’s no pressure, love. Grayson’s first wife, God rest her soul, was real fancy and all, so she wasn’t interested. When Grayson’s daddy and I got married, I had the most beautiful gown given to me from my grandmother. Now, if y’all want to borrow it, it’s yours. You can take a look if you like.”

“Oh, Mrs. Thomas, I’d love to.” Laura gushes. “I have such a pendant for antiques. Just look at my ring.” She flattens her left hand so mama can get a good look at her engagement ring.

“Oh, darlin’, it’s so lovely.” And this is the first time I swear I see mama’s eyes welling up. “Come. I’ll show you the dress.”

Laura looks at Lisa. “You want come too?”

“Sure.” Lisa says, rising from next to me.

It’s just us Thomas kids sitting in the living room. “Kurt,” Mitch says. “What’s the deal with your girlfriend? You gonna ask her to marry you, too.” He’s teasing me.

“We’ve been on two dates, asshole. No.” I say.

“She’s quiet.” Rachel comments.

“No, she’s not.” Grayson snuffles knowingly. “Wait until you get to know her.”

“She’s hot, Kurt.” Luke comments. “Where’d you score a Courteney Cox lookalike like that, man.” He chuckles. “Maybe I should come out to Huttonville if the chicks look like that there.”

“They also look like Laura, my fiancé.” Grayson points out warningly. “You got something to say about her now?”

I ignore the jibe. “Lisa’s Laura’s best friend, man. That’s how I met her.”

Unscathed, Rachel sits down on the arm of the chair next to me. “It’s funny seeing you both with a partner. I’m not used to it.”

“Took some getting used to for me, too.” Grayson admits. “But Laura, you’ll love her. She’s great.”

Hawk walks over to Grayson, and leans on the wall, crossing one leg over the other. “You say she runs that ranch over there, does she?”

“That’s right.” Grayson says. “She keeps the books up, and she keeps the boys in line, too. Hell of a woman.”

I chime in. “Lisa runs her own business. Two of them.”

Rachel’s interest is piqued. “Oh yeah? What’s she do?”

“She’s a freelance photographer and an interior designer.” I answer. “She’s won awards. You should see her house.”

“I’d love to some day, if I can get the time off.” She turns to Grayson. “How soon are y’all getting married, anyway? Got a date set yet?”

“We’re just waiting on the priest. He’s set to get back to us in a couple of days.”

“Alright. Not that I’m more important, but I’ve got a couple of killer cases coming up.” Rachel explains fairly.

“I’ll give you as much notice as possible.”

“Get married this weekend and it’ll suit me fine.” She teases.

“It may just be.” Judging by his tone, Grayson isn’t kidding.

Rachel rounds on him. “You shitting me?”

“Well…maybe.” Grayson smiles. “I’d say in about a month, maybe less.” He says. “Y’all get to by my age, you don’t want to wait around.”

Mitch interjects. “Yeah, especially if you want to have any kids, man. You both look like you’re pushing it.” he scoffs.

For that, Grayson gives him a look. “I’ll remember that when you’re forty and still unmarried. At least I’ve been married once before, jerkwad.”

Pleased with himself, Mitch smiles.

We hear the girls coming back downstairs. “Well?” I say to Laura.

“It’s beautiful.”

Mama is smiling proudly. “I’m going to have it cleaned and packaged up while you’re here. You can take it home with you and have it altered. But I don’t think you’ll need much. You’re about the size I was when I got married.”

“You can get it cleaned that fast, mama?” Luke asks.

“Taylor can do it fast enough.” Mama says. Taylor runs both the drycleaning store and the bakery right next to it. “The man’s had a crush on me for years. He’ll get it done right quick.”

“Mama’s been going to that bakery almost every morning for as long as I can remember.” Luke says. “Maybe y’all should keep that wedding dress, mama. Who knows if you’ll need it or not.”

For that, he gets a cuff in the back of the head, but mama has a smile on her face. “Y’all know I’d never get married again.”

Grayson lifts his chin at her. “How come, mama?”

She waves. “Ah, I’m too old now. And when have I got the time? What, between keeping this place running, and keeping my boys out of trouble.”

“I think we keep you out of trouble, mama.” Mitch says, good-naturedly. “Grayson, that mouth of hers is getting worse by the day.”

“Sounds like someone I know.” Laura says, grinning and winking at Lisa.

Lisa reaches over and smacks her on the shoulder. “Bite your tongue, as mama here says.”

I take it that they’ve made up. No cat fights are starting after that.

“Ain’t nothing wrong with havin’ a big mouth, mind.” Mama says. “So long as you’re always right.”

That gets a laugh from everyone in the room.

After an early dinner, we all sit around the table, playing cards together. Lisa seems really laid back with my family. She’s right about fitting in with big crowds. She’s a natural.

Mitch is sitting on the opposite side of her, and he keeps tossing her the queen of spades in our game of Crazy Eights. “You son of a gun, you did it again!” she laughs, punching him in the shoulder. “Can we switch spots next round?” she asks, as she picks up six cards, feigning pain as her hand gets loaded up. “We can do like Musical Chairs or the like.”

I set my cards in my left hand and rub her back with my right. “You want me to beat him up for you?”

“Hell, I can handle that if I need to.” She scoffs, punching his arm again.

Luke, sitting across from Mitch, says. “You need a bodyguard over there, Mitch?”

“Get bent.” Mitch sneers.

I kick Luke from under the table. He chuckles.

“I see nothing’s changed around here, huh, mama.” Grayson comments. “These boys are still acting like children.”

“You got that right.” Mama answers, rearranging her cards in her hand.

Laura addresses Rachel. “How about you? You get into lots of fights with these boys?”

Rachel tips her chin up at Lisa. “Hell, I’m with her. I can beat the pants off any one of my brothers.”

“It’s the horse racing she can’t beat.” Hawk interjects. “That’s how come she became a lawyer. Got tired of arguing with us, so she moved on to paid clients.”

“Horses ain’t for everyone, Hawk. Y’all know that.” Mama says. “All you kids were told that if the ranch isn’t what y’all want to do, it’s okay. I’d never force my kids to do anything they didn’t want to do.”

Grayson leans over and kisses mama on the cheek. “And God bless you for that, mama.”

“Anyone want another tea? I’m getting one.” Rachel says, setting her cards down, and then rising.

“I’ll have another one, love.” Mama says.

After that round of cards is finished, we start talking around the table, just like old times. We don’t stop until we hear the crickets chirping through the window during brief moments of silence. “Geez, we should get off to bed.” Mama finally says. “Got an early start tomorrow.”

I look at Hawk. “Are my old quarters still vacant, or am I in my old bedroom for the night?”

“Whatever you like, man. I haven’t changed a thing since you left.” Hawk says casually. “Haven’t had the time.”

“You’re not hiring anyone to replace Kurt?” Grayson asks.

“Already hired someone local. He don’t need the living space.” Hawk explains.

“Ah,” Grayson says.

“You boys figure everything out.” Mama says. “I’m heading off. Goodnight all.”

We all say goodnight as Mama leaves the room and heads upstairs.

“I should head home, too.” Rachel says. “I’ve got to review a briefing before Monday morning. I’d like to get a head start on it in the morning.”

“Alright, sugar.” I say. “It was nice seeing you again.” I kiss her cheek.

“Nice seeing you, too.” She smiles. “And it was nice meeting you both.” She addresses both Lisa and Laura. “You be sure to let me know when the wedding is, Grayson.”

“Oh, I will.” Grayson says, rising to kiss her cheek.

When Rachel leaves, I look at Hawk. “How’s it going around here…since I’ve been gone?”

He shrugs. “Busy as usual. But the new guy, Pete, he’s working out.” He stretches his arms over his head. “I oughta head off, too. Mama wasn’t kidding about having an early start.”

“Need a hand in the morning?” I offer.

“Naw, Pete’s coming. Plus, I got these two.” He nods to Luke and Mitch.

Grayson changes the subject. “Laura and I can take my old room or the guest house.” He looks at me. “Unless you want the guest house.”

Awkward. “Whatever you like, man. I’m easy.”

“I wasn’t referring to you. I was checking with Lisa.” Grayson implies.

“I can sleep wherever. I’m not fussy.” She says. “Hell, I can bunk out on the couch.”

“You don’t have to do that.” I argue, good-naturedly. I’m not sure how she feels about sharing a bed with me. Well, actually, that’s a lie. I know very well how she feels about that. I’m just not sure that we’re ready for that. Perhaps we can pull one of them, ‘you-sleep-on-your-side-and-I’ll-sleep-on-mine’ kind of deals. I just don’t want her to feel uncomfortable, and whether that means punctuating the fact that we haven’t slept together yet, in front of my family, or hiding that fact by making like we are and it’s no big deal, I’m not sure to her which is the lesser evil.

But I’m about to find out.

Chapter 11

Lisa

How shy and nervous Kurt gets when our sleeping arrangements are brought up is adorable. He’s so afraid of putting me in a tense position. I’ve been sitting beside him all night; the last thing I am is tense. As we all dismiss ourselves from the table and disperse accordingly, I simply follow Kurt. “I’ll at least show you around, so you can decide where you prefer to sleep?”

Are we sleeping in the same bed? In the same room? I’m not even sure of that yet. He’s not nervous. He’s…unsure. “I wish I’d shown you everything when it was still light out.”

“It’s okay. It’s just for sleeping. As long as there’s a bed, I don’t really care.” And you, don’t forget that I want you in the bed with me.

The guest house is a small cottage at the back of the ranch, just like at Laura’s. Only, this one is a little smaller, with only two bedrooms, not four, and it’s older. I take a look around, and Kurt grins at me.

“What?”

“You’ve got your ‘designer’ hat on, don’t you?”

I shrug. “It’s always on. I’ve already got a list of a hundred things that can be done to both the ranch and to this house. It’s part of who I am.”

“Does this meet your standards, or would you like to see the Lead Hand quarters?”

I place my hands on his chest. “Kurt, you don’t need to fuss over me. I can sleep wherever.”

He searches my eyes. “Do you feel more comfortable in here? Where we can have separate bedrooms?”

“Are you asking me if I want to sleep with you?”

His bashfulness is adorable. His face turns pink as he bows his head. “Wow, you don’t beat around the bush at all, do you.” He states.

“I never have, no.” I tip his chin up, so he’s forced to look at me. “But anything that we’re not ready for is fine by me. There’s plenty of room here, so it’s not like we’re being forced to stay in the same room…or the same bed.”

I sense his frustration. “Aw, heck, this is stupid. We’re adults. We can handle this. Let’s say we give Laura and Grayson the guest house, and we take my old quarters. Does that work for you?”

I shake my head once. “Whatever you like.”

“We can always sleep in here with Laura and Grayson.”

Lisa gets a quirky smile. “I get the feeling that if we stay, we’re going to be privy to a whole lot more than we bargained for.”

He chuckles. “Fair enough.”

“Been down that road before.” She adds.

We walk over to the staff quarters, and Kurt’s hand is in mine. He’s just about the sweetest thing ever. The quarters are a little outdated, and not as nice as the quarters over at Laura’s, but everything is very clean. The bed is at least a double bed, versus the single one at Laura’s. Kurt has a small duffel bag hanging over his shoulder, and I brought just a little overnight bag, not much larger than my purse. We set our stuff down. “How about I go and let Laura and Grayson know that they can take the guest house. Give you a chance to get changed and ready to hit the hay?”

“Sounds good.”

I feel a tingle in my belly. Kurt’s eyes scan down my body quickly, as though he’s trying to make up his mind about something. And I can bet what that something is. “I’ll be back in ten. Holler if you need anything.” He says. And ten minutes can’t pass by fast enough…

 

***

Kurt

As I walk back to the ranch, I see Laura and Grayson standing on the front porch of the guest house. “You guys all settled?” I ask Grayson. “You can take this shack for the night. We’ll stay in the staff quarters.”

“Yeah, Hawk says that the staff aren’t in there tonight, anyway.” Grayson comments. “The new guy, like he said, is local. The other two are out visiting friends. They’ll be back in the morning, but they won’t need their quarters until later on tomorrow.”

“Sounds good.”

Laura looks beat. “I’m going to head in. I’ll see you in the morning.” She says to me, and then gives Grayson a kiss on the lips. “Don’t be too late, baby.”

“I won’t, love. I’ll be in shortly.” He says, rubbing her back.

When she’s inside, I say. “I told Lisa I’d give her ten minutes to get ready to retire. I’m just going to hang here for a while if that’s cool with you.”

Grayson has an odd expression on his face. “Well, I can’t believe it, unless I could see it here plain as day myself.”

“Just what in hell are you talking about?” I say with a snuffle, like he’s talking a line of crap, and just trying to snow me over.

“You haven’t slept with her yet, have you?” he says, like he can’t believe it.

“Not that it’s any of your business, but no.” I say, almost proudly.

“Well, I didn’t think that was possible.”

I purse my lips together into a tight smile.

We’re silent for a moment, and then Grayson breaks the silence. “You really feeling like she’s something special?”

“Yeah.” I don’t hesitate. “She’s great. I really like her.”

“You must.” Grayson states. “I do believe that she’s the only one you’ve ever brought to meet mama.” He grins. “Except for that one who made it here by accident.” He chuckles. “Remember that?”

I lower my head and laugh. “Yeah.”

“Mama sure didn’t like her after that.” Grayson scoffs.

“No, she didn’t.”

He lifts his head. “Times have sure changed since then. I think mama really likes Lisa.”

“If she didn’t, I think we all would have known. Mama doesn’t make it a habit of keeping her feelings to herself. As Mitch said.”

Grayson’s hands are clasped together as he leans on the railing. “You know something, little brother?”

“What’s that?”

“Now, I’ve never been a fan of acting hasty or anything, but now that I’m with Laura, I’ve learned that it also isn’t good to force something back if it’s meant to happen. Just…if it’s meant that you and Lisa take it slow, and you feel it in your heart to keep things at bay for now, then do it. But…don’t just hold off for the sake of it. I know Lisa’s got a track record for moving fast and moving on, but I don’t think this is like that. Just don’t make her wait forever, you know? She came all the way out here to meet the family and all. If she didn’t like you, I don’t think she would have done that, and she especially wouldn’t have mixed so well with everyone.”

“I hear ya.” I state. I punctuate my intent with a slight pause. “I know what I’m doing, Grayson.”

He lifts. “Just make sure that she knows what you’re doing, too. Good night.”

“Yeah. Goodnight.”

 

***

Lisa

The bed is turned down and I’m laying in the center of it. My bedtime wardrobe isn’t extensive, but I managed to bring a nightshirt suitable for wearing in front of family. It looks like a long plaid flannel shirt, with buttons down the front and short sleeves. It could pass for a casual summer dress, as a matter of fact. It’s benign enough that it won’t send the wrong signal to Kurt and set him off. The window in the bedroom is open, letting a soft breeze flow in from outside. The lamp on the nightstand is switched on, lending a relaxing ambience to the room.

I even brought a paperback romance, which I’m reading. Something I do every night before bed. It’s a little warm in here, so I slide my legs out from under the sheets and drape my knees and thighs over themselves as I lay sideline on the bed. The left is where I usually sleep at home, so I’m laying closest to the window. When I hear Kurt come in, I hear him toss his keys on the coffee table in the small living room. He can’t see me from here, so I shout out. “Don’t come in here, I’m naked!” but my voice is flat, to indicate that I’m joking. Of course I wouldn’t be naked. The man gave me plenty of time to get ready for bed.

“Yeah, me too.” He says back in a snuffle.

When he comes into the room, he gives me a once over. “Cute.” He says, looking at my pyjamas.

“Were you expecting a moomoo and fuzzy slippers?”

“No, not exactly.” He says in a chuckly voice. “I was hoping for pasties and a thong.”

We both laugh.

He crosses his arms over his chest. “Okay, so, here’s how it’s going to go. I’m going to sleep over the covers, and you’re going to sleep under them.”

I lift my flatted hand to my forehead. “Aye, aye, sir.”

He has the grace to smile.

I raise my hand in the air like you do in school.

“Yes?” he answers, playing along.

“What happens if you get cold?”

“I won’t.”

I raise my hand again.

“Yes?” he plays along again, pulling a small pouch out of his bag.

“Did you remember to bring your Spider Man pyjamas?”

“I do not own Spider Man pyjamas.” He lifts a white t-shirt and a pair of checkered silk boxers out of the bag. “I did bring my pyjamas though. Sorry if they’re not Spider Man.”

I watch him intently as he pulls his shoes and socks off.

“Kurt?”

“M…hmm.”

“When you’re at home, how do you sleep?”

He looks at me. “Why do you want to know.”

“Just curious.” I shrug. “By the way, there’s not much room in that bathroom. I had to change out here. You want me to turn my head so you can disrobe here?”

“Sure.” He says, and then lifts a finger. “No cheating, though.”

I roll my eyes and turn over, and I can feel his eyes on me. I can hear his belt buckle chink as he loosens it, and as his zipper pulls down, it takes everything in me not to turn over. The woman inside me is dying to see what he looks like naked. A minute later, he says that I can turn around again. When I do, he looks adorable yet sexy. His white shirt is basically form-fitting over his arms and pecks. And his boxers look soft. He lifts his arms and does a turn. “Do I pass inspection?”

I smile. “You’re so cute I could die.”

His eyes scan down my body, and his head tilts, but he says nothing, as though he’s thinking the exact same thing. He slides over the bed, resting his head on the pillow. “Now, you’re going to behave yourself, little missy.”

I give him a disappointed look, like he’s being the exact buzz kill that he is. He’s like an old grandmother who won’t let the kids play in the hay. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll just…read my novel, like I was before you got here. Be a good little Christian girl and keep my hands to myself.”

“I didn’t bring a book.”

“Well, that’s your problem, soldier. You should have thought ahead.”

He rubs my arm. “And keep your hands to yourself. Practice what you preach.” I chide teasingly.

He giggles softly. “I was going to ask if you want to read to me.”

“Well, frankly, I don’t think you can handle what’s in these here pages, mister. It’s some pretty steamy stuff.”

“You’re reading a trashy novel in bed?” he smiles. “Now that’s cliché. I figured you read magazines or something.”

“Well, I read them, too, but on weekends, I read books.”

He rests his head on the pillow. “You’re cheating.”

I lift my eyes off the page. “How am I cheating?”

His eyes are on my legs. “You’re not under the covers.”

“Well, Kurt, you’ve seen my legs before, honey. But if you want me to cover up, I will.” I say, pulling the sheets over.

In the silence, I hear him swallow. “You tired?” he asks me.

I shrug. “No, not really.”

“I don’t think that that book’s going to help you sleep, if it’s all trashy-like.”

“You can go on to sleep if you want. I can stay up and read in the other room if you like.”

He rolls over on to his back and sighs. “No, that’s okay. I’m not tired enough to sleep yet, either.”

I flip the page, essentially ignoring him. I want to make a move so badly, but I know it’ll be like a shot of Kryptonite to Superman if I do. Kurt has to make the first move if this is going to work. He’s the one who set the boundaries, and he’s got to be the one that breaks them. I don’t know about you, but this sure feels like I’m sleeping next to my brother. Tossing my head over, I flip the page. My hair is away from my face as I sit there reading. I swear I can hear Kurt’s thoughts. He’s mulling something over inside his head.

He looks over at me, and reaches his hand over, touching my arms with the back of his hand.

“You’re cheating.” I say, without looking at him.

“Lisa,” he says.

I lift my eyes off the pages. “Yeah,”

“Are you hot?”

I lift a brow and giggle. “What kind of ‘hot’ are you referring to there, sweetie?”

He has the grace to chuckle. “I mean actually hot.” He laughs. “I’m a ball of flames over here. I’ve been laying here for five minutes, and I’m already soaking through my shirt.”

“I’m glad that I have that effect on you.” I giggle. He lifts his head off the pillow and beats me over the head with it. I squeal, throwing my book over the side of the bed in the process, and pull my pillow up, beating him with it. “Why don’t you take your shirt off!” I beat him again. “I can help you with that!”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you.” He grunts, hitting me in the side with his pillow. He hits me in the right spot, and I fall over onto the floor with a soft thud. I’m giggling, but his face is washed over with concern. “Shoot, darlin’, are you okay?” he chuckles apologetically.

“I’m fine.” I’m still giggling. My pyjamas have ridden all the way up, so the tops of my thighs are exposed. Kurt gives me his hand and helps me up. My hair is all over my face. I sit on the bed in front of him and he brushes the hair out of my eyes. I allow myself a glance at his lips. His eyes travel down to mine. With our chests heaving from fooling around and laughing, I can’t stand it anymore. He’s so goddamn sexy, I can’t take it.

Leaning in slowly, painfully slowly, I allow him enough opportunity to say no. When I expect him to pull back, he surprises me, and pulls me close. Our noses are practically touching, when he tilts his head and kisses me. And it isn’t one of them sister kisses, neither, it’s full on the mouth, and it’s soooo good. With the next pass, he makes it deeper, forcing an innate groan from my throat. A second later, Kurt’s hand is sliding up my nightshirt, as his mouth makes love to me, and he guides me down to the bed.

My head is on the pillow as his hand travels straight up my shirt and caresses my breast. His touch is gentle yet needy, making me hot in an instant. I peel his shirt off him as he pulls the buttons down my shirt. With each loose button, he kisses the flesh under it, making my back arch with desire. My arms are still in my shirt, when I’m fully exposed to him. His eyes make a trail down the length of my body, and then I watch him inch down to my feet. Starting with my toes, the soles of my feet, calves, knees, thighs, and all the way up, he kisses my skin, glancing up at me intermittently with a sultry stare that disarms me.

When his lips reach my breasts, it’s all I can do not to moan aloud. My hand grasps his manhood and he lets out a thick sigh as I drag his shorts down his legs and discard them. As he lowers his weight on me, our bodies are completely naked. My hands skate down his chest as I take in his admirable body. No words are exchanged as he slides his hardness inside, and shows me, for the next few hours, how real making love can be.

For the first time in my life, Kurt shows me that sex isn’t only about the physical act of expressing love, but it’s also about having an intimate connection, and about telling a person that they are all that matters right here and now. Even with Harlan, a man who I loved more than life itself, I’ve never felt so cared for, so cherished, so important. The more I touched Kurt, the more he wanted to touch me. It wasn’t all about the quickest way to reach ecstasy, or about having brag-worthy marathon sex. It was about the journey arriving to the sweetest, most climactic sensation that two humans can feel…together.

As we hold each other tightly, after sharing our final release, our breaths so ragged and our hearts beating so fast we can’t tell one from the other, he rests his forehead on mine in such a tender gesture, that I almost feel a tear fall down my cheek. No man has ever shown me so much vulnerability before. No man has ever made me feel so loved. Not even Harlan. He rubs his forehead on mine from side to side, eyes closed, as if he feels so much for me, that he doesn’t know how else to express it.

Turning his head to the side, he swallows and takes a cleansing breath. Reaching over, he switches the lamp off, and then, as if I didn’t think Kurt could make me feel more special, he holds me close…all night long.