Twenty-Four

Beau

“Thanks for inviting me. I had such a good time.” Kenzie wraps her arms around Kelly and pulls her in for a quick hug.

“I’m glad you had a good night.” Kelly pulls back and starts talking about some shopping shit for next week.

It’s just after midnight, and I received the text from Jesse twenty minutes ago saying the girls were wrapping their night up.

“Any trouble?” I turn to Jesse, interrupting his conversation with Nix.

“Just some creeper hanging around. She said it was nothing, but she looked a bit spooked.” I turn back and watch Kadence say her goodbye. She would tell us if it was anything to do with Chad.

“You get a look at him?”

“Yeah, but didn’t ring any bells. It didn’t seem like she knew him.” I catalog the information to talk to her about it later.

“Okay. We’re out,” I say to them both, done with hanging around. I’ve been sitting around the club with the boys shooting the shit waiting for the girls to be done. Now they’re done, I’m ready to head the fuck home.

“You ready, darlin’?” I step forward, dip my head low and whisper in her ear. She nods, but doesn’t speak.

“Night, ladies.” I spin us around and head back through the clubhouse to the front door. Kenzie gives one last wave over her shoulder before turning back. “Did you have a good night?” I ask wrapping my arm around her as I steer her out to my bike.

“Yeah,” is all she says, stepping up to my bike and reaching for her helmet.

“You okay?” I place my hand under her chin and force her to look up at me.

“Just tired.” She pulls back and diverts her eyes.

The fuck?

Something about her reaction isn’t sitting well with me, but I don’t push, wanting to get us safely home.

“Then let’s take you home, darlin’.” I climb on and wait for her to slide forward. It only takes a short second for her to wrap herself around me close. I start my bike, rev the throttle a few times before taking off.

The whole ride has my mind trying to figure out what the hell is up her ass. By the time we pull up to the front of my house, my unease only grows when she slides off and heads straight toward the door.

“Kenzie, what the fuck is going on?” I call out as she steps up onto the porch. She doesn’t answer this time. Pushing her key into the lock, she steps inside, leaving me standing there.

Climbing off my bike, I take the steps two at a time. I follow her inside, down the hall and into my room.

“The fuck? What the hell is up your ass, darlin’?” I try to rack my brain trying to figure out what could have upset her in the last few hours.

Lissy?

“You have words with Lissy tonight?” I ask, watching her step out of her sexy-as-fuck heels. Her body reacts to Lissy’s name and I zone in on it.

“What the fuck happened? If she spewed her shit—”

“She just wanted to clear the air. That’s it.” She pushes past me and moves to the bathroom.

“This why you’re pissy?” I follow behind her, still not getting it. Apparently, I didn’t make it clear just how much Lissy is not on my fucking radar.

“I’m not pissy. Can you just leave me alone? I told you I’m tired. Keep pushing me and it’s only going to piss me off.” She stops at the door, preventing me from entering. I hold her stare, and honestly it’s written all over her face. This is so much bigger than Lissy.

“Don’t fucking shut down on me now, darlin’.” She recoils, her head snapping back at my voice, but she only looks blankly up at me.

“Beau, I told you nothing happened. I’m just tired.” She forces some fake bullshit smile then reaches for the door. Attempting to shut it.

Yeah, like that’s fucking happening.

“You’re not acting like nothing happened.” I place my hand on the door, stopping it from separating us. “You’re acting like you’re lost in your head, darlin’.” I rest my shoulder against the doorframe and watch her step back.

“You need to leave me alone.”

“Not until you tell me what’s happening here. I’m kind of fucking clueless right now.” Her arms come around the front of her, wrapping herself tightly.

“You’re keeping something from me.” Her body stills for a brief second before she quickly hides her reaction.

“You think you know everything.” She spins on her heel, moving to the shower and pulling the door open. I watch her sharp, angry movements. She starts the shower, steps back, and tears the zip down on her dress.

Willing myself not to get hard, she practically rips it from her body, unclasping her bra and throwing it on the floor.

“You just have to push and push.” Her panties go next. “Can’t I just be tired? Can’t I just have a moment? Fucking men just have to push. You’re just like him.” Her whole demeanor has flipped. This isn’t Mackenzie talking.

“Maybe I don’t want to talk about it. Did you think about that?” She twists back to face me, completely naked. “Did you? I don’t have to talk to you about everything, you know. You don’t get to tell me how I can feel, how to act.” She pulls the glass door open and steps under the stream of the water. She dips her head back, letting the water soak through her hair. Her tits push out as she raises her hands to her hair. I don’t know if I want to laugh or spank the fuck out of her ass right now.

“Are you done?” I ask when my cock decides he’s done with this bullshit play.

Her eyes open as I take three steps toward her. “Are you?” She narrows her gaze when I rip my shirt over my head.

“Not even fucking close to being done, darlin’.” I toe off my boots, flick the button on my jeans then pull them down.

“Beau.” She steps back when I open the glass door.

“Turn around, put your hands on the tiles, and don’t move them.” I spin her before she can argue and guide her hands over her head, firmly placing them against the wall. “Don’t you ever fucking put me in the same head space as that piece of shit.” I step in close to her, my front to her back.

“I didn’t mean it.” Her whisper is unsure as it echoes around the small shower.

“Don’t give a fuck. I’m not him. Never will be.” Her head drops forward, chin tucked into her breastbone.

“I know. I’m a bitch. I didn’t mean to say it.” I press into her closer, my cock now rock hard.

“You’re not. But you’re gonna tell me what the fuck is happening here.” I lean in closer, my mouth to her ear.

“I don’t know.”

“Don’t feed me bullshit. I’m not fucking stupid. This have something to do with Lissy?”

“No. No, it’s not her. It’s me.” She gives me something to work with. “Maybe this is moving too fast for me.”

“You freaking out?” I keep her pinned to the shower wall. Her hands still above her head. I’m confused. She’s showed no signs of pulling back in the last week. Not for one second have I thought I’ve pushed her too far.

Until tonight.

“Maybe. I don’t know.” She shakes her head. Almost like she’s as confused as I am. My head is telling me she’s full of shit, but my body steps back giving her space. “Wait.” She turns back to face me. Her eyes grow wide in panic. “Jesus, I don’t know what I’m saying.” She shakes her head again.

“Nothing’s changed here, darlin’. We go at your speed.” She bites her lip and I can practically see the wheels turning in her head.

“I’m sorry. I really am tired. The girls were on my case all night. Then the thing with Lissy. I’m just getting lost in my head.” She steps up to me this time.

“Nothing to be sorry for. You want to cool things down. I get it.” I wrap my arms around her. I still don’t understand what made her flip like this, but I don’t push. I’ve already pushed too far tonight.