Reaching our destination, I park and turn the truck off. I grasp the handle, and take one more look at Kensington before opening the door. The moonlight is filtering in through the window, casting a gentle glow. She’s so fucking beautiful it takes my breath away. I’m frozen in place, just watching her sleep. I’m going to have to buy a new fucking truck because this night, her bathed in the moonlight, sleeping soundly, will forever be engrained in my memory.

Careful not to wake her, I quietly slip out of the truck. Bright pulls up next to me, so I wait for them to join me. “She’s sound asleep. Can you unlock the door?” I ask this of Brighton. I know the girls come home by themselves all the time, but I would never forgive myself if we sent either one of them in alone and something were to happen while we were here. Bright holds his hand out for Nicole’s keys and kisses her on the cheek.

“Would you mind closing the door quietly, once I have her out of the truck? I really hate to wake her.” I sound like a pansy-ass, but I don’t really care. She needs her rest.

Nicole salutes me with a smirk, but says nothing. Once I have Kensi in my arms, I carry her into the apartment and down the hall to her room. I don’t bother turning on the light. I place her on the bed as gently as I can, trying hard not to wake her. As soon as her body hits the softness of her mattress, she curls up in a ball and sighs. The sight brings a smile to my face. Once she settles, I take a seat on the bed and slowly ease her shoes off her feet. I know she’s going to have a killer headache in the morning. Nicole confirmed this as well. Kensington doesn’t usually drink, so she’ll definitely be feeling the effects tomorrow.

I stand to go search for some Ibuprofen and a glass of water. I want to have it ready in case she wakes up in the night. The sooner she takes it and starts to hydrate, the better she will be. I feel her hand wrap around mine, which stops me from leaving.

“Thank you,” she whispers into the quiet room.

Not able to resist the pull, I sit back down on the bed. My hand automatically reaches for an errant curl that’s hanging down over her eyes and tuck it behind her ear. “You’re welcome. I’m going to get you some water and something to take for that headache.”

“I don’t have a headache,” she mumbles.

“You will. I’ll be right back.” I stand to resume my search of headache meds and water. I want to kiss her, even just on the forehead. Anywhere my lips can make contact with her skin.

I pass Nicole and Brighton in the hallway. Bright tells me he’s spending the night. Nicole asks about Kens and I assure her she will be fine, like I would let her be anything but. She directs me to the headache medicine, we say goodnight, and they disappear behind Nicole’s bedroom door. It doesn’t escape me that neither one of them asked if I was staying or heading home.

I quickly grab what I need and add the trashcan from the laundry room to the list. Just in case she gets sick. I don’t think she’s to that stage, but better safe than sorry. I find her right where I left her. Sitting the trashcan by the bed, I take a seat next to her. I rub my hand up and down her arm. “Kensi, wake up. You need to go ahead and take these.” She can’t be in too deep of a slumber; I was barely gone five minutes. Her eyes slowly flutter open. “The sooner you take this, the better you will feel in the morning.” She reaches for my hand and I pull her to a sitting position.

She takes the Ibuprofen and sucks down the water without complaint. I throw the empty bottle into the trashcan and make a mental note to grab another before I leave.

“Can’t sleep in this,” she mumbles. She then lifts the hem of her sweater and tries to pull it over her head.

I avert my gaze, trying to offer her some privacy. It takes every ounce of will power I have. I want nothing more than to let my eyes roam over every inch of her body. I reach down and adjust myself as I have a sudden situation, which seems to happen a lot in the presence of Miss Kensington.

“A little help here,” she huffs out.

Taking a deep breath, I turn to see what she needs. She has somehow gotten herself tangled up in her sweater and it’s stuck over her head. I would laugh, but her bare belly and the bottom of what appears to be a black lace bra are mocking me.

“Maxton!” she whines.

This has me jumping into action. I reach for the hem of her shirt and tug upward. In one smooth motion, it’s removed from her body. I toss it across the room into the chair in the corner. I don’t bother looking away this time. I think it might kill me to try. Her plump, round breasts are swaddled in black lace, begging for me to touch, to taste, to savor them.

She ambles to her feet and begins to unbutton her jeans. Tearing my eyes away from her breasts, I’m a spectator as she shimmies her hips from side to side, trying to rid herself of the tight material. “Help.”

Not needing to be asked twice, I fall to my knees and place my hands on her hips, stilling her little jig, which doesn’t seem to be earning her the desired results. She places her hands on my shoulders to keep from falling over. Not able to help myself, I place a kiss right above her belly button. Her body quivers beneath my lips. I want her. I thought I wanted her before, but now seeing her like this, I’ve never seen anything more beautiful. I need to sink inside of her, like I need air to breathe… just not tonight. She’s been drinking and I couldn’t do that to her. I want her lucid when she makes that decision. I push back the thought of wanting her to want me, Maxton, just as much as I want her. I refuse to try and decipher what that even means.

Resting my forehead against her belly, I concentrate on taking deep even breaths. She removes her hands from my shoulders and begins running them through my hair. This simple act from each of us feels more intimate than any sexual encounter I’ve ever experienced. With one final deep breath, I grab onto either side of her jeans and begin to pull them off her. Steadying herself on my shoulders once again, she steps out one leg at a time.

“Ca-Can you hand me a shirt?” She points to the dresser. “Bottom drawer.”

Without moving from my position, I reach out and pull open the drawer. I grab the first shirt I come to and hand it to her. Climbing to my feet, intending to give her privacy, I stop short at the sound of her next question. “Can you unhook me?” Her arms drop to her sides as if she doesn’t have the strength to continue to try on her own.

Holy shit, but this girl is testing me. I’m so fucking hard right now I could break concrete. I have to remind myself it’s the alcohol talking. No way would she be asking me to help her if she were sober. I know it’s an asshole move, but I’m going to do it. No way in hell am I going to pass up a chance to see all of her. I just need to remain in control.

My index finger finds its way to the strap on her shoulder. I work my way underneath and slowly run my finger to where the strap ends just above her breast and back up to her shoulder. Knowing I’m playing with fire, I remove my finger from under the strap and pull her to stand in front of me. Once she has her balance, I turn her to face the bed. Gathering up her soft curls, I tuck all of them over one shoulder, exposing her back. I slowly unhook her. I want this moment to last as long as possible. I have no idea how long it will be before I’m with her like this again, or if ever. I need memories to carry me through.

Once she’s unhooked, the straps slip from her shoulders. I close my eyes, fighting to gain control. I don’t open them until my name falls from her lips. “Maxton.”

My eyes pop open to see she has turned back around and is now facing me. Her hands are placed over her breasts, holding her bra in place. It takes extreme effort to not look below her face. “Kensington,” I copy her.