“Wow, what’s your business.”

I knew it. Grabbing my beer, I take a long slow drink. “A bar,” I mumble before taking another big bite, hoping he will leave it alone. It’s wishful thinking on my part.

“Seriously? That’s awesome. Can I see it?” He genuinely sounds interested.

Shrugging, I feign indifference. “Sure, if you want.” He seems satisfied with my answer and continues to eat. Turnabout is fair play and all that. I spy the messenger bag he brought in. “What’s had you so busy this week?” I inquire.

I watch as his shoulders slump; he looks defeated. “The books. Dad wasn’t a great bookkeeper and I’m not the best either. I’ve spent so much of my time worrying about the remodel that the books sort of took a back burner. I’m afraid if I let it get worse, then I will never be able to dig myself out of the hole.” He reaches up and tucks my bangs, which have fallen in my eyes, behind my ear. “I’m sorry it took me away from you this week. I wasn’t even sure you wanted to see me.” He drops his hand back to his lap. “I missed you, Kensi.”

I swallow hard. “I missed you, too.” Not sure what to say or do, I pick up my beer and finish it off. “I can help you, if you want. My degree is in Business Administration with a minor in finance.” He’s quiet so I backpedal. Maybe he doesn’t want me involved in his business. “Or not, it’s fine either way; I just thought I would offer.”

“Thank you.” He scoots closer to me. His hand comes around the back of my neck and he rests his forehead against mine. “I would really appreciate any help I can get. First, though, I want to kiss you. It’s been five days, Kensi. Five fucking days since I last tasted you.” Then his lips are over mine, demanding yet soft. All too soon, he’s pulling away.

“I’ll grab us another beer and throw this trash away.” I stand on wobbly legs and carry our trash to the kitchen, grabbing us both another beer. Max is sitting on the couch with his laptop open. I take a seat beside him and he begins to explain what we’re looking at. That’s how Bright and Nicole find us four hours later.

BEAUTIFUL AND SMART. In the last couple of hours, Kensington has taught me more about my own fucking business than I could have imagined. She knows her stuff.

“So you see, if you scan your receipts, you can attach them to the line item. This allows for you to go paperless and still have all required documentation for the IRS.” She’s explaining when Bright and Nicole walk in.

“Hey, you two, what’s up?” Nicole bops into the apartment, Bright hot on her heels.

“Maxton brought pizza. We were just going over some books for the bar,” Kensi explains.

“Kens! That’s awesome. Why didn’t we think of that sooner?” Nicole says.

I turn to look at Kensi. “What’s she talking about?”

“Her externship. She’s been looking for a local business to extern for during winter quarter and you’ve been under her nose the entire time.”

My eyes are still on Kensington. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

She waves her hand in the air, dismissing me. “I didn’t want you to feel obligated.”

I consider her words. Would I have felt obligated to her? No. Would I have jumped at the chance to spend time with her? Abso-fucking-lutely!

“So it’s settled,” I say. “You can do your extern at the bar. Just let me know what you need and it’s done.”

“Max, no, you don’t—” I place my fingers over her lips.

“It’s done. No arguments. That’s the least I can do for all that you helped me with tonight.”

“Right, well, kids, we’re off to bed. See you in the morning.” Nicole pulls Bright from the chair, and he waves goodnight.

Holding my hand in the air, I wave to them, but my eyes never leave hers. I need to make sure she understands that I want her there. The thought of her being around the bar for six weeks excites me. Hell, normally I avoid this kind of shit like the plague; this time it’s different. I’d be lying to myself if I said otherwise.

“Thank you. I won’t be in the way. I can even do more of what I was showing you tonight, help you get everything set up and make sure—”

I place my fingers to her lips. “I want you there.” The words roll of my tongue with no regret. I mean every word. I can think of nothing I would like more than to have time with her. If Dad could hear me now.

I almost leaned in to kiss her again. Not wanting to push my luck, I stand to leave. “It’s getting late. Let me help clean this up before I go.” I grab for the pizza box and make my way to the kitchen.

Kensington stops me when she says, “I could have gotten that.”

After situating the pizza in the fridge, I turn to face her. She’s leaning against the doorframe, legs and arms crossed. I want to grab her, sit her on the counter, and devour her. Yep, definitely time to go.

“You’ve been drinking.”

“I’ve only had two, and that was hours ago, I’m good,” I reassure her.

She shakes her head, letting me know she disagrees. “I don’t like the thought of you driving after drinking two beers or ten.”

My heart skips a beat as yet another protective layer tumbles to the ground? Knowing she cares enough to be concerned crumbles my resolve. In two long strides, I’m standing in front of her. I hold my arms open and she settles into her place, right against my chest. I rest my chin on the top of her head. I hold her tight and soak up the feel of her in my arms. Realizing it’s time to go, even though leaving her is the last thing I want to do, I change my plans for her. “I can call a cab, and then Bright can bring my truck home tomorrow.”

Lifting her head, she says, “I think you should stay.”

Stay? I want nothing more. However, I’m sure my version of staying over and hers is completely different. I see myself in her bed; I’m sure she sees me on the couch. Regardless, I say, “If that would make you feel better, I’ll stay.” If it makes her happy, keeps her from worrying, I’ll do it.

Her face lights up with a smile. Pulling away from me, I watch as she makes sure the front door is locked and turns out all the lights except for the lamp beside the couch. I sit down on the couch and bend over to take off my shoes. Her hand appears in my line of vision. Looking up, she’s holding it out for me. “Kensi?” My heart is racing. I hope she wants me in her bed and I get the chance to wake up next to her again.

She doesn’t say anything. Instead, she reaches for my hand, laces our fingers together, and pulls me from the couch. Leaning down, she turns off the lamp. I follow her blindly down the hallway. Once we reach her room, it’s lit from the moonlight shining through the window. When we reach the bed, she lets go of my hand. I sit on the edge because my knees are weak just knowing I get to hold her again. All. Night. Long.

It’s a good thing I’m sitting down. Kensington pulls her shirt over her head and drops it to the floor. I have to remind myself to breathe. I watch as she reaches behind her back and unclasps her bra, slowly sliding each strap down her shoulders before letting it fall to the floor. I ball my hands into fists against the quilt on her bed. I want to reach out and touch her so fucking bad it hurts. Next comes her pants, she shimmies her hips to wiggle free, kicking them to the side. She steps close in between my legs; I swallow hard, fighting against what is featured before me. Pure. Fucking. Perfection. Nothing else could ever describe her.

Even in my aroused state, it doesn’t escape me that she no longer hides her scar from me. She trusts me. It’s that trust that is keeping me from throwing her on the bed and having my wicked way with her. All good things come to those who wait and all that. At least, that is what I keep repeating in my head, trying to convince myself.

Her hands grip the hem of my shirt and lifts. Instinctively, I raise my arms in the air, letting her take control. I watch as she takes my discarded shirt and brings it close to her face and inhales. She’s fucking smelling me. My dick is so hard right now; I need to touch her. “Kensi,” I croak. My voice sounds like a pubescent boy, but holy hell, this girl affects me like no other.