“You’re bossy today, ya know.”

“Always.”

Once under the warm spray of water, I wait for him to make this experience sexual—for him to touch me. But he does nothing more than shower. I’m okay with it, yet disappointed at the same time. He takes his time washing his body while I work the shampoo through my hair. I follow with conditioner and body wash. He watches, but never touches.

“See, you lived.” He wraps me up in a fluffy blue towel large enough to fit two of me. “Not as hot as the pink towel, but it will do.”

I look down at it and wonder what the difference is. A towel is a towel to me. “Why’s the pink one better?”

“Because the second I saw you wrapped up in it, I knew I had to make you mine. And hell if I didn’t want to see what was underneath it so damn bad.” His eyes drop to my lips, before closing the remaining distance and kissing me softly—once and then again.

“How did you know? We were strangers.”

“Because you carry your emotions in your eyes, Sophie. I could tell you wanted me too.”

“I was scared of you,” I admit.

“Why?” He rubs a towel over his hair, making it stick up in a disheveled mess. He looks hot. Seriously hot. “Sophie?”

“Sorry. Um. What was I saying? “I’ve never felt something instantly just from looking at a guy. Of course I didn’t love you or anything that deep, but the way you looked at me I can’t describe. It made me feel wanted. I’ve never had that happen before.”

“I’ll always want you, beautiful. Now enough of this serious shit. If you don’t stop we’ll never get on the road.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you. When you say those things to me, it makes me want to get you naked.”

He does realize we’re in the bathroom, fresh out of the shower? “I already am.”

“We should put some clothes on.”

He leaves the bathroom in a rush and I hurry to catch up to him. I’m not done with him yet. He’s reaching inside his closet, but I put my hand on his bicep, dragging my nails down his skin. “I don’t want clothes yet, Kipton.”

He groans. “Oh yeah? What do you want?”

I free his towel and drop my own. He wants me to be more comfortable, so I’ll show him exactly what I want. “Touch me he-”

There’s a hand on my knee, shaking me slightly. “Hmm?” I murmur. I’m just getting to the good part.

“Wake up, sleepy head. We’re almost here.”

Blinking slowly, I look around. The houses are huge, all with perfectly manicured lawns. Even the bushes are fancy. “It was just getting good.”

“What was?” He asks, while keeping his eyes on the road.

“My dream.”

“Tell me about it. You were making some adorable noises.”

I cover my mouth in surprise. “No, I wasn’t!”

“You were. What was happening?”

“Well, we showered together.”

He smiles. “I like this dream already.”

“And we were just about to do things in your room.”

“What kind of things?” Interested in the details, he turns the radio off.

“Sexual.”

“I would hope. Tell me one.”

“Well, we were naked in your room and I was begging you to touch me.”

“I’d never make you beg, unless you wanted to. But where did you want me to touch you?”

“You know where.” My cheeks flush with unspoken sexual desire.

“Where, Sophie?” He inches his hand between my thighs, forcing me to part my legs ever so slightly. “Here?” He moves a few more inches. “Or maybe here?”

“Yeah, there,” I practically pant. His fingers move back and forth a few times and I clutch his wrist to hold him tightly against my body. Just as things begin to heat up, he removes his hand and places it back on the steering wheel leaving me needy and impatient.

“We should act out this dream of yours tonight. I want to make sure your fantasies come true.”

Only he would find it acceptable to get me hot and bothered before meeting his parents. “Funny.”

“What’s funny? I’m serious. It’s happening.” He pulls into a long driveway lined with tall trees. It screams southern money. The house is the most elegantly, beautiful place I’ve ever been. It’s easily three times the size of the house I grew up in. “Wow.”

“It’s just a house, Sophie.”

“A huge one.”

“It’s the people inside that matter. Not the size. Remember that okay?”

“Okay.”

I barely have two feet planted on the driveway before Cara is running toward me. “Sophie!”

She almost knocks me over with her enthusiastic welcome. “Oof. I missed you too, Cara.”

“Come inside, come.”

“One sec, Cara. Come here a minute, Sophie.”

I walk over to Kipton as he asked. “What’s wrong?”

He pulls me behind the trunk, out of view from the front of the house. “Nothing. Just don’t forget about tonight.” He runs his hand up my thigh and between my legs again. Repeating his early ministrations. He rubs back and forth over my sensitive nerve endings before cupping me in his palm.

“I won’t forget.”

He drops his hand to his side, leaving me in a daze. I glance around, making sure no one can see us. Thankfully, the closest neighbor is on the other side of the trees. Swallowing hard at his reminder, I walk back to the front door to meet Cara. I glance over my shoulder at Kipton. Hoping he’s right behind me, I’m nervous when he winks and takes his time gathering my bags. This game he’s playing is killing me.

“Mom! Sophie’s here.” Instantly, I’m wrapped in to a warm hug from a woman I assume to be Kipton’s mom.

“She’s beautiful. My goodness, you’re just adorable. Come, let’s talk. I’ve been so excited to put a face to the name.”

“I’ve been looking forward to meeting you too, Mrs.–”

She interrupts before I can give her a formal greeting. “Call me Lynn.”

“Okay. It’s nice to meet you, Lynn.” We walk down a hallway and into an office. She pats the sofa next to her and I take my place nervously. Cara closes the doors and leaves the two of us alone.

“I needed time with you right away, Sophie. Both of my children are very open and honest with me. It’s the way I’ve always wanted it. I know we’re practically strangers, but I’ll never be anything other than honest with you too.”

Where is she going with all of this?

“Kipton shared a few things with me before he ran out last night. I’d never pretend not to know. It’s not how I operate.”

I hang my head, twisting my fingers in my lap. I want to get up and run. Kipton promised she wouldn’t judge me. Standing, I take one step before Lynn’s hand reaches for mine.

“Please, Sophie. Hear me out. And don’t be angry with Kipton. He has your best interest at heart.”

I can’t sit back down, so I stand on shaky legs next to the window. Being able to see the outside makes the conversation less constrictive.

“Kipton also called me last night after you fell asleep. With the way he ran out of here last night, I was worried you were in trouble.”

“I was.” Admitting you’re in trouble is the first step, right?

“I agree with that, Sophie. That’s why you’re here with me. Both Cara and Kipton already know what I’m going to ask of you.”

“You want me to leave, don’t you? To stop wasting your son’s time. I’m well aware he deserves better.”

“No, Sophie. I want you to stay.”

Confused, I look to her for an explanation. She isn’t making sense.

“I want this to be your home. When you’re on break, over the summer, after you finish, this will be your home.”

Is she nuts? “But we don’t even know each other. You may not even like me.”

She shakes her head repeatedly. “That will never be the case because both of my children love you. I trust their judgment.”

My eyes fill with unshed tears. “What if Kipton and I break up?”

“The status of your relationship doesn’t depend on your place in this home. It’s yours for as long as you want it. You’ll have a room of your own.”

The tears fall. I sink to the floor unable to believe an entire family actually wants to take me in. “I need to let it all sink in, Lynn. I haven’t had many opportunities in my life to love someone, but I know I love your son—more than anything. And Cara’s my best friend. I’ve never known what it’s like to have a family.”