CHAPTER SEVEN

Lessie gasped softly against his lips, her body trembling—not from the cold, but from the fire Kyle ignited within her. Every touch, every kiss, pulled her deeper into the dangerous allure of him. She knew she should stop, that she should push him away before she lost herself completely.

But she didn't.

Kyle's grip tightened on her waist as he deepened the kiss, his hunger evident. His tongue traced the seam of her lips, coaxing her to open for him, and when she did, he claimed her mouth like a man starved. Lessie whimpered, her fingers curling into his soaked shirt, wanting—needing—more.

"Kyle, I love you," she said just as he broke the kiss so they could catch their breath. His lips curled up into a smile. "I love you too, Lessie."

NEXT MORNING...

The morning sun streamed through the grand windows of Kyle's bedroom, casting golden hues over the rumpled sheets. Lessie stirred, her body instinctively seeking warmth, only to realize she wasn't alone.

Her eyes fluttered open, meeting the deep, intense gaze of Kyle, who was already awake, watching her. A slow smile curved his lips as he brushed a strand of hair from her face.

"Morning," he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

Lessie's heart pounded as she took in his disheveled hair, the soft shadow of stubble on his jaw, and the way his shirt clung to his frame from last night's dip in the pool.

She smiled, loving the memories from last night. "I want to be with you... forever, Kyle," her eyes dancing from one corner of his because she barely could look away.

Kyle lifted her hand, placing a soft kiss on it, chuckling. "Forever is a deal, baby." Calling her baby felt so different.

Now looking back, the first day she was brought to their mansion, he seemed very rude and grumpy.

Kyle scrunched his face, noticing her just looking at him without saying a word, just smiling. "What are you thinking about?"

Then she laughed softly. "You are really impossible. I just remembered the first day I was brought into your house by your mother. Goodness! You were so grumpy."

Kyle groaned, rolling onto his back as he covered his face with his arm. "Don't remind me," he muttered, though a teasing smile played at the corners of his lips.

Lessie propped herself up on one elbow, tilting her head as she studied him. "Oh, but I must," she said, her voice laced with amusement. "You looked at me like I was some stray cat your mom had forced you to adopt."

Kyle peeked at her from beneath his arm, his smirk widening. "In my defense, I thought you were going to be another one of those stuck-up girls my mom always brought home for me to 'consider.'" He made air quotes with his fingers.

Lessie gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest. "So you admit it! You were judging me before you even knew me."

He reached over and tugged her closer, his fingers tracing light patterns on her bare shoulder. "I was wrong," he admitted, his voice softer now. "So damn wrong."

Her teasing expression faltered for a moment, replaced by something warmer, deeper. She touched his face, her thumb grazing his cheekbone. "And now?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kyle turned his head, pressing a kiss to her palm. "Now, I can't imagine my life without you, Lessie."

Her breath hitched, and for a moment, all the teasing was gone. It was just them, tangled in the sheets, hearts exposed, a silent promise hanging between them.

Lessie swallowed, her eyes searching his. "Kyle..."

A loud knock suddenly broke through the moment, making her jump. Kyle flinched as well. His mother couldn't possibly be here, not this early—

"Kyleeeeeee!"

Seriously?

Kyle groaned, rubbing a hand over his face. "Emma," he muttered. "My cousin."

Lessie exhaled in relief. Emma. She and Kyle always got along... well, if chaotic energy counted as getting along.

Kyle buried his face in Lessie's neck. "Remind me to change the locks," he grumbled, making her laugh.

"Come on," she said, nudging him playfully. "We should go, or she'll barge in here."

Kyle sighed dramatically but sat up, pulling her into one last lingering kiss before reluctantly letting her go.

Fine," he murmured against her lips. "But I'm keeping you close all day."

Lessie smiled, her heart full. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

A second round of knocking came, louder this time.

"Kyle, open up! I know you're in there!" Emma's voice carried through the door, her usual impatience clear.

Lessie stifled a giggle as Kyle groaned again, running a hand through his already messy hair. "Unbelievable," he muttered. "She has no sense of boundaries."

"She's your cousin," Lessie teased, sliding out from under the covers and grabbing his shirt from the floor, slipping it over her head. It was oversized on her, hanging just above her thighs.

Kyle eyed her, lips quirking. "You're wearing my shirt?"

She shrugged playfully. "It's comfy."

He exhaled, shaking his head with an amused smile. "Now I don't want to leave this room at all."

The doorknob rattled.

"Alright, alright!" Kyle called, dragging himself out of bed. He ran a hand down his face, exasperated. "I swear, if she's here just to annoy me, I'm kicking her out."

Lessie crossed her arms, grinning. "You know you won't."

He shot her a look but didn't argue.

Kyle swung the door open, revealing Emma standing there with her hands on her hips. She took one glance at his disheveled state, then at Lessie standing behind him in his shirt, and her eyes widened in glee.

"Oh. My. God," she gasped, stepping past Kyle as if he wasn't even there. "Did I just walk into a post-romantic-movie moment? So everything is true??'

Kyle groaned, rubbing his temples. "Emma—"

Emma spun to face Lessie, her grin wicked. "Lessie, girl, you need to tell me what you did on this bloodyass"

Lessie smile softly" I did nothing on him actually"

Emma gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her heart as she flopped onto Kyle's bed. "Nothing? That's impossible! He looks like he just went through a life-changing experience."

Kyle shot her a deadpan look. "Emma, do you ever stop talking?"

Emma ignored him completely, turning her eager gaze back to Lessie. "Come on, spill the details! Did you use some kind of magic? Hypnotism? Or is Kyle just that smitten?"

Lessie chuckled, shaking her head. "If you must know, we just spent time together."

Emma wiggled her eyebrows. "Oh, I know what kind of time you spent together. And judging by the way Kyle is looking at you, I'd say it was very... eventful."

Kyle groaned. "Emma, for the love of—"

"Okay, okay! I'll stop," Emma said, holding up her hands in surrender, though the mischievous glint in her eyes remained. She glanced around the room, then at the two of them again. "But seriously, Lessie, welcome to the family drama. You're officially in deep now."

Lessie tilted her head. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

Emma sighed, sitting up and hugging a pillow to her chest. "Not bad, just... complicated. You do realize what it means to be with Kyle, right?"

Kyle stiffened slightly beside Lessie, his expression guarded. "Emma—"

"No, let me say this," Emma interrupted, her voice unusually serious now. "Lessie, My Aunt isn't going to just accept you easily. She has her plans for Kyle, and trust me, she doesn't like it when things don't go her way, and with what Kyle did, you are on her bad term already"

Lessie's fingers instinctively curled around Kyle's hand, feeling the tension in his grip. "I know it won't be easy," she admitted. "But I also know that I love him. And I won't let anyone, not even his mother, decide our future."

Kyle's jaw tightened at Emma's words, his grip on Lessie's hand firm yet reassuring. He knew his mother well enough to understand that Emma wasn't exaggerating.

Before he could respond, his phone buzzed sharply on the nightstand. The name flashing across the screen sent a wave of dread through him.

MOM.

Lessie noticed his hesitation and gently squeezed his hand. "Kyle?" she murmured, her voice steady despite the flicker of concern in her eyes.

Emma let out a low whistle, crossing her arms. "Well, speak of the devil."

Kyle's gaze met Lessie's, searching for something—reassurance, strength. She held his stare, her expression unwavering.

"Pick it up," she said softly, her fingers lacing through his. "Whatever happens, we'll face it together."

Kyle exhaled sharply, then, with a resigned nod, swiped to answer.

"Mother."