To be truthful, Kailey and I haven’t even kissed, not that it’s my friends’ business. What we have been doing is something I haven’t done—ever. I’ve been finding out her little quirks and likes or dislikes. I’ve surprised myself that I’ve remained as interested as I have. I haven’t turned into a monk. I notice her fine ass and bouncy tits, but I’m enjoying this sense of intimacy we’re experiencing with each other in a way I never have before.

Tonight, I’m picking her up, then we’re meeting everyone at the restaurant for dinner. Other than the drive from the airport, she hasn’t been around the group yet. This secret friendship we’ve been having these past few nights has been nice! My friends’ are important to me, and I hope they all get along. She still appears standoffish at times, but she’s allowed me to hold her hand or wrap my arm around her shoulders when we watch movies a few times. The junior high affection we exhibit with one another is enjoyable, but I wouldn’t be opposed to a little Seven Minutes in Heaven either.

Aunt Holly and Uncle Clyde are usually sleeping nice and sound before I make my way over, but Kailey told me they know I’m there. Not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. Uncle Clyde Bunyan scares the crap out of me, and if he thought I was using his niece for her body, I can’t imagine what he could do to me. I’m pretty certain about one thing; I’d finally find out that he does indeed own an axe.

Since I arrive earlier than usual tonight, it’s not only the porch light that leads my way, but the house is lit up like a model home. Happy to trade that horrible family mobile for a fun sleek Mercedes, I carefully park Mr. Harrison’s car. Due to the feeling this is more like a date my palms are slick with moisture as if I’m getting ready for the biggest test of my life. Jesus, when was the last time I was on a date? I have no fucking clue.

I exchanged my usual casual t-shirt for a long sleeve Henley. Well, at least it’s dressier for me, since I don’t even own a button down shirt. I’m a college kid for Christ’s sake, what the hell do I need business clothes for? Unfortunately, I’m going to have to change that, since I’m graduating and it’s time to grow the fuck up.

Just thinking about my carefree time ending depresses me. I’m not naïve that I have it better than most. My parents pay my tuition, my bills, and give me spending money. I’ve never had to work for anything, unlike Grant, who has put blood, sweat, and tears into everything he’s achieved. I’m truly envious of him, though. He found something I didn’t think I wanted...until now.

The snow crunches under my Chuck Taylors as I make my way up the path to Holly and Clyde’s front door. I shrug my shoulders up and down vigorously, waiting for someone to answer the door and let me into the warmth. It’s so fucking cold once the sun goes down around here.

When Kailey opens the door, my heart stops. It literally fucking skids to a stop before it changes pace and speeds up so fast I think I might drop dead from a heart attack. She’s gorgeous in a purple sweater covering way too much skin with a pair of black leggings and completing the look with a black pair of combat boots. Her hair is styled so it swings to the side, with every strand curled exactly the same. All the nights I’ve come over, she’s never worn this much make-up, and although she appears older and more glamorous, it does nothing to make her more beautiful. She’s just as breathtaking with her skin bare.

“Hi,” she says, smirking at my obvious approval of her appearance.

“Hmmm,” I respond unable to have any further coherent thoughts.

She giggles quietly. “You look good too,” she says, wearing a wide smile.

Finally my voice begins coming back, my eyes take her in one last time before I manage to get out, “Oh, you don’t look good, Kailey, you look fucking edible.” My vision falls to her legs covered by fabric clinging to her like a second skin. All my brain can process is, I want those wrapped around my waist, right fucking now.

“Well, thank you—I guess,” she giggles again, and my cock starts throbbing at the sound. “That could be dangerous out here,” she jokes. “You know, mountain goats, rams—”

“And Trey, oh my,” I finish her sentence, and she shakes her head and rolls her eyes in clear amusement of my Wizard of Oz change-up.

“You might be the biggest danger of all,” she says, turning around to get her coat. God, her ass, no doubt I just became fully erect. There’s no way I’m leaving her tonight without at least a taste of her lips.

I step out of the foyer, not about to leave without saying hello to Holly and Clyde. “Hi, Holly, Clyde.” I make myself visible from behind the wall, waving my hand at them.

“Hi, Trey,” they both respond in unison. Clyde is relaxing in his recliner with his leg sprawled out in front of him and remote in hand. Holly sits much like Kailey always does with her legs tucked under herself, thumbing through a magazine.

“Where are you guys off to tonight?” Holly puts the magazine down and stands up to give me a quick hug.

“We’re going to Hot Tapas.” I shrug my shoulders. “It was my buddy Brady’s choice, he loves Spanish food,” I inform her.

“You’ll have to tell me how it is. I’ve wanted to go there since they opened, but this one,” she tosses her thumb in the air, pointing at Clyde, “won’t go. Not enough food, he claims.” Her joking annoyance to Clyde’s defiance on going has an underlying truth.

“You know how much they want for those small dishes with five pieces on a plate. I might as well go down to Hinkle’s for a great big rib eye with all the sides,” Clyde tosses back, never looking our way.

“Uncle Clyde, it would be a nice thing for a birthday or anniversary,” Kailey chimes in, bending over to give him a kiss on the cheek. He gives her a wink, and she giggles again, knowing full well Clyde will go there at some point. He strikes me as someone who does anything for the woman he loves.

“Relax, dear, we’ll go there—eventually,” he teases.

“Yeah, yeah, that’s what you always say,” Holly’s voice emanating with humor. “Now, you two go. I miss those swooning days,” she adds, and my palms go sweaty again with the expectation this is indeed a date.

“Come on to bed, Hol, I’ll swoon you,” Clyde remarks from across the room, and Kailey and I laugh.

“That’s not swooning, baby, that’s speed dating,” she joked, but Clyde narrows his eyes at her all the while smirking.

“You two,” he points to Kailey and me, “out. I have some proving to accomplish with my beautiful wife.” He pushes the handle, letting the leg rest fold back up into the chair and stands up. He makes a shooing motion with his hand. “Go,” he demands to us again, and we start walking out of the door.

“Clyde!” Holly yelps when he picks her up and tosses her over his shoulder.

“You asked for swooning, baby. As always, you get what you ask for.” He smacks her ass.

Shit, I’m fucking jealous of Clyde. I turn to Kailey and her face is beet red with embarrassment.

“Sorry,” she mumbles.

“Hey, it’s nice to know they haven’t let the romance die,” I say, and she smiles up at me.

“Believe me, those walls rock way too often for a niece’s ears.” She grabs my hand and a rush of excitement flows through me that she initiated the touching. “Now, let’s go get those expensive small dishes.”

We leave the house and it’s second nature to be the gentleman my dad taught me to be; I open the door for her, watching her body slide into the black leather seats and cross her legs. Slowly shutting the door, I know she’s going to be the death of me tonight. After I climb into the way-too-expensive-for-me car, I carefully back out of the driving, relishing the smell of apples filling the small space.

Once we’re on our way, I notice she’s fidgeting, so I attempt to ease her anxiety. “So, you met everyone at the airport, but I’ll give you the low down on everyone. Okay?”