Chapter 5

Kyle pulled into his sister’s driveway, and Kiera admired the house in front of her. “What a beautiful home,” she said, her eyes wide with admiration as they stepped out of the car.

“I can only dream of living in a place like this.”

“Maybe you will someday,” he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. He took her hand, leading her up to the front door, and rang the bell.

The door swung open, revealing a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Kyle. “You’re on time for once,” she said, her smile warm and welcoming. She stepped aside, inviting them in.

“You must be Kiera. I’m so happy to meet you. My brother was right. You really are beautiful. Come on in and meet my husband and daughter.”

As they stepped into the living room, a little girl with dark hair sprang up and ran into Kyle’s arms.

“Uncle Kyle,” she squealed, giggling as he tickled her.

“How’s my favorite little girl?”

“I’m really good, Uncle Kyle,” she said, then turned her gaze to Kiera. “Is she your girlfriend? Mommy said you were bringing her.”

“Well, she’s a girl and my friend, so I guess you could say she’s my girlfriend. Chrissy, meet my friend Kiera,” he introduced, setting his niece down.

“Hi. You’re pretty.”

Kiera bent down to her level. “Hi. I’m happy to meet you, and I must say, you are very pretty. I love your dress.”

“Uncle Kyle bought it for me for my birthday, and a kitten. Would you like to see him?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“I would love to.”

“I’ll go get him,” she replied, and scampered off in search of her kitten.

“Hi, I’m Roy. Welcome to our home. Please have a seat. I know what Kyle likes to drink, but what can I get you, dear?”

“A glass of wine would be nice, thanks,” she said, settling down next to Kyle. “You have a beautiful home,” she complimented Judy, accepting the wine from Roy.

“Thank you. I’ll give you a tour later, if you like.”

“I’d love one. Thanks.”

Moments later, Chrissy came bounding into the room, cradling a tiny black-and-white kitten. “Here he is,” she announced, standing next to Kiera.

Kiera set her wine down to pet the kitten. “Oh, he’s so sweet. Can I hold him?”

The little girl’s smile widened as she handed him over to her.

“He’s adorable. What’s his name?”

“Mittens,” Chrissy answered, hopping from one foot to the other. “I named him that because it looks like he is wearing mittens on his feet.”

“Okay, sweetheart. Take Mittens to your room.”

“Okay, Mom. Can I play in my room?”

“Yes. We’ll call you when it’s time for dinner.”

Chrissy turned to Kiera and took the kitten from her. “Are you staying for dinner too, with Uncle Kyle?”

“Yes, I’m staying,” she said, returning her smile.

“Kiera, you have just made a friend of my daughter. Most people won’t even look at her kitten, much less touch it. You like animals?” Judy asked, taking a sip of her wine.

“Yes, I love all animals. I find them to be loving, and they won’t hurt you as some people do. Chrissy is very sweet and cute as a button.”

She looked up to see them all watching her, and she wondered if she had said something wrong.

“So how did you and my big brother meet?”

She looked at him and remembered what he told her their story was going to be. “I came to work for him in the casino as a waitress. I hadn’t been there very long when he first asked me out.

“At first I thought it wasn’t a good idea, since he was my boss, but he was so charming he wore me down, so I agreed to go out with him.”

She looked back at him and smiled before going on. “I’m really glad I met him. He’s so kind and treats me well.”

Kyle sat back, watching and listening to her lie. He thought she was way too good at it and thought maybe Joe was right.

Maybe she was acting around him, telling him lies, ones to make him think she was sweet and innocent. He might not be her first client after all. Could she be wanting to get her claws into him?

She wouldn’t be the first woman to lie to try and get him to put a ring on their finger. His suspicions were growing, filling his head with doubt about her.

“So where did you work before?” Judy asked.

“What is this, Judy? Let her relax without a ton of questions being thrown at her. And you wonder why I never bring my dates over.”

“You’re right, Kyle,” she said, then turned to Kiera. “I apologize. No more questions. Let’s just enjoy the evening.”

After talking for a while, Judy said she was going to check on dinner, and Kiera offered to help and followed her into the kitchen. There she helped with the finishing touches and setting the table.

When the women left the room, it gave the guys a chance to talk.

“Kiera is a lovely young woman. Mind if I ask how old she is?” Roy asked, pouring them another drink.

“She’s twenty-two.”

“Twenty-two. Are you sure about that?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.

“Yeah. Why?”

“I’m a good judge of character and of people’s ages. She seems younger to me, like maybe nineteen.

“Never mind me. There are some people who look much younger than their age. She must be one of the lucky ones.”

“Kiera is one of the sweetest women I’ve ever met, but sometimes I feel like she is hiding something from me.”

“Like what?” Roy asked, settling back down in his seat.

“I can’t quite put my finger on it. It’s like she’s scared of something, or someone. But we’ve only just started dating, so maybe she’s still getting comfortable around me.”

“I could do a little digging for you, if you’d like.”

Kyle turned to look at Roy, his expression serious.

“Don’t you dare. She deserves her privacy. If she ever found out, she’d never forgive me. I can’t risk losing her before our time is up.”

Roy’s eyebrows knitted together. “What do you mean, before your time is up?”

Damn. Kyle realized he’d said too much and tried to brush it off.

“You know how I am. I don’t stick with one woman for long. I’m not done with her yet, so I’d like to keep seeing her until the thrill fades. You get what I’m saying.”

“Ah, I see. You’re still a player. Fine, I’ll keep my nose out of her business—and yours. Just don’t break her heart, okay?”

The conversation shifted when Judy came in to announce that dinner was ready.

Chrissy insisted on sitting next to Kiera, who engaged the little girl, chatting with her and listening attentively.

“You’re really good with kids,” Judy said, her smile warm as she watched Chrissy behaving so well.

“It’s easy with her. She’s such a sweetheart.”

“Do you think you’d like to have kids someday?”

“Judy, enough with the questions,” Kyle interjected, a hint of irritation in his voice. He shot her a look that clearly said he wasn’t pleased.

“I’m sorry. It was just a simple question.”

Kiera didn’t want Kyle arguing with his sister, especially not in front of Chrissy.

“It’s okay. I love kids, and I do hope to have a few of my own someday. But that’s a long way off.”

After dinner and cleanup, Judy took Chrissy upstairs for her bath before bed. Kiera stayed with the men. Chrissy came bounding into the living room in her pajamas and hopped onto Kiera’s lap.

“Can you tuck me in and read me a bedtime story, please?” she asked, her hands clasped together in a pleading gesture.

Kiera glanced at Judy as she responded. “I’d love to, if it’s okay with your mom.”

Judy smiled and nodded. “It’s fine with me, but give your daddy and uncle a goodnight kiss first.”

After kissing them, Chrissy grabbed Kiera’s hand and started pulling her along. Having been shown around the house earlier, Kiera knew where Chrissy’s room was.

Once they were gone, Judy turned to Kyle.

“I like her. She’s really sweet, and Chrissy seems to have taken a shine to her. I hope you don’t end up hurting this one. Are you serious about her, or is this just about sex?”

“Judy, you know better than to pry into my personal life. Kiera and I are just having fun. It’s nothing serious. We both know what’s going on.”

“She’s not like your usual type. Even you must see that.” Judy could tell by the look on his face that he had feelings for Kiera, even if he wouldn’t admit it to himself.

Not wanting to argue, Kyle stood up. “I’m going to go check on them,” he said, leaving the room.

When he reached Chrissy’s room, he leaned against the door frame and watched.

Kiera was sitting next to Chrissy on the bed, reading Cinderella. When the story ended, she put the book down, unaware of his presence. “Time for bed now.”

“Can I ask you something?” Chrissy asked.

“Of course,” Kiera replied.

“My friend says that a cat is a dumb pet to have. She said when it gets bigger, it won’t like me and will scratch me. Will Mittens stop loving me?”

Seeing the tears welling up in the little girl’s eyes, Kiera’s heart melted. “Mittens is not a dumb pet. Cats are very loving and affectionate.

“It’s true that when they get older, they might act like they don’t care and ignore you, but that doesn’t mean they don’t love you.

“When they want attention, they’ll come to you. As long as you love him and treat him well, he’ll always love you.”

“Really?”

“I promise, sweetheart. Now, it’s time for you to sleep,” she said, kissing her on the forehead. “Sweet dreams,” she added, switching off the bedside lamp.

She waited until Chrissy’s eyes closed before getting up to leave, and was startled to see Kyle standing there. She walked over to him.

“You’re really good with her,” he whispered, his arms trapping her against the door frame.

He then leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. He pulled away when he heard Chrissy giggle.

“Uncle Kyle, I saw you kissing Kiera.”

He walked over and kissed her cheek. “You little rascal. You’re supposed to be asleep. Now close your eyes before I tell your mom.”

He laughed when she quickly shut her eyes. They left the room and headed back downstairs.

They were each handed another drink, and they settled down to chat some more.

“So, if you get lonely when Kyle goes to Italy for a couple of weeks, you’re always welcome to come over here,” Judy offered, then noticed the look on their faces.

“What?” she asked.

Kyle took Kiera’s hand in his. “She won’t be lonely. She’s coming to Italy with me.”

“Oh, is she now?”

“Is there a problem with that, Judy?”

Her face flushed slightly.

“Isn’t there a chance that your other employees might get jealous, since Kiera’s not only working for you but also dating you? What if they start to resent her?”

“If anyone has an issue, they know where the exit is. I won’t stand for anyone disrespecting Kiera.”

“But isn’t it a bit early for you two to be jetting off on a vacation together? Especially to the most romantic place on earth?”

Roy had been listening in and decided it was time to intervene before the siblings got into a heated debate.

“Judy, they’re both grown-ups who can make their own choices. Let them go and enjoy themselves.”

“Thanks, Roy, but I think it’s time we headed home,” Kyle said, standing up and helping Kiera to her feet.

“Hold on, don’t leave just yet. It’s still early, and I made your favorite—apple crumble pie with homemade ice cream.

“Roy’s right, and I apologize. You both deserve to have fun. Will you stay a bit longer?” she asked, turning to her brother.

“Well, you know I can’t resist your apple pie. So yeah, we’ll stick around.”

So they stayed, enjoying coffee and pie. The evening wrapped up on a positive note, with promises to visit again soon.

He drove them home. On the way, he made a quick stop at the store and came back with a small bag. Grinning, he pulled out a box of condoms.

“I’m counting down the days until I can make love to you, so I want to be ready.”

She shook her head, but couldn’t help smiling. She was counting the days too. What could she say? He was incredible in bed, and she was already yearning for him.