Page 156 of Fighting Chance

Emmy twirls into the room, careful not to touch the work bench in the middle. This isn’t her first time being in here, if I had to guess. I’d say she’s been given rules by the way she’s considerate of her small steps so that she doesn’t knock anything over.

Spinning in the doorway, I’m surprised to see that Kieran’s cheeks are tinted slightly pink. No, that can’t be right. Kierandoesn’t getnervous. Confidence runs through his veins; it’s practically in his blood.

“Kieran Ashford,” I whistle low. “Are you a secret nerd?”

The pink on his cheeks blossoms into a full red tint and without warning, a full belly laugh escapes me. Suddenly, warm arms wrap around me, caging my back to his front as he bends his head low to whisper in my ear. “Keep laughing at me and you’ll give me a complex.”

I can’t help it, I can’t stop.

“All this time you had a secret nerd cave!”

I squeal as his fingers find my waist and tickle.

“You’ll pay for laughing at me, sunshine.”

“No!” I cry. “Stop! Ahhh! Kieran!” My screams are tinged with laughter as I wiggle in his hold and yet he doesn’t let up, his hold on me secure.

“Take it back. It’s a man cave.”

“Okay! Okay!” I relent, gasping. “It’s a man cave. A very manly…” I chuckle. “Nerd cave.”

He growls low and deep, pausing for a moment to let me catch my breath, before starting the assault again and so thoroughly I scream as I drop to my knees, Kieran coming with me. He tackles me to the floor, pinning me down, but not with his full weight.

I’m squirming beneath him, laughing and squealing as he continues to torment me.

“Take it back,” he demands, but his voice has a note of cheerfulness in it.

“If it’s not a nerd cave then why keep it a secret?” I ask between gasps, my cheeks hurting at how hard I’m smiling.

His blush deepens. “There’s nothing wrong with Legos,” he mumbles. “Now take it back, sunshine, or I’ll make this worse.”

He hits a spot on my side and I scream with vigor, probably cracking a window somewhere in his house. “Okay, okay, okay! It’s a man cave.”

Kieran stops, panting, as he looks down at me. “A very manly cave.”

“A very manly, colorful cave.”

He rolls his eyes, chuckling. “You’re a demon.”

“Am not.”

“Are too.” He bends low. “Admit it, you didn’t relent earlier because you love my hands on you.”

My eyes flare at the mischief dancing behind his, until the little pitter-patter of feet has both Kieran and I looking to Emmy. She’s standing beside the desk, a giant grin on her face.

Her lips part but snap closed again, and she glances uncertainly at Kieran.

He nods, his smile so encouraging it makes my stomach flip. “Tell me, sweetheart.”

She chuckles softly before whispering, “Do it again.”

Kieran’s smile turns devilish and he shrugs at me. “Sorry, Layla, but what Emmy says goes.”

I scream as his hands come down upon me again, and maybe Kieran was right. Maybe I do love his hands on my body.

Far more than I should.

This entire day has been eye-opening to say the least.