“Anna drove.”

  Leaning forward, I look at Anna next to her in the booth. She’s in no shape to drive. A quick survey of the other two and neither are they. No way is she leaving here with them. “I’ll get you home, all of you.” Leaning in, I place my lips next to her ear. “You have fun. I’ll be at the bar if you need me.” Unable to resist, I kiss her just below her ear. “Ladies,” I say, standing to my full height.

  “Where you going, handsome?” Lacey asks.

  “I’ll be at the bar. None of you leave without me. Got it?” I clarify, making sure I have their attention.

  “Yes, sir.” Mara salutes me with a laugh.

  I place my hand on the back of Kinsley’s neck and lean in close. “I mean it, Kins. You don’t leave without me. I’ll just be over at the bar if you need me.” Still unable to fight the pull that she has over me, I press my lips to her temple and then turn and walk away.

  Derek hands me a beer, and I shake my head. “Not tonight,” I say, signaling the bartender and ordering a bottle of water.

  “What the fuck? Why aren’t you drinking?” my little brother, Shane, asks.

  I motion with my head to the back booth where Kinsley and her friends are sitting. “Making sure they get home.” I take a swig of my water. Shane just rolls his eyes. He lives with me and has heard me complain multiple times about not knowing what it’s going to take to get her to change her mind and go out with me. At four years younger than me, he was a year younger than Kinsley in school. He works right alongside me at Clay County Fire. Our father was a firefighter but has long since retired due to a heart condition he was diagnosed with a few years ago. Shane and I both decided to follow in his footsteps.

  “You volunteer for that position?” Mason asks. Mason is the same age as Shane, and he too works at the department with Derek and me.

  “Yep.” No need to elaborate. They all know I want her.

  “Pussy,” Derek says with a smile, lifting his bottle to his lips.

  “Determined,” I counter. “Besides, they’re sloshed, all of them. No way do I want that on my conscience.”

  “Oh, they’re sloshed all right,” Shane says, pointing behind me.

  My gaze locks on the four of them swinging their hips, hands in the air, drinks in hand to the beat from the jukebox. I don’t look away as I watch them have their fun. That lasts about two minutes before Kinsley is approached by some drunk asshole. Yeah, so not happening. His drunk friends are standing from their table. “Fellas, you need to pick one. I don’t care as long as it’s not Kinsley. Keep those drunk bastards away from them,” I say, sitting my water bottle on the bar and standing.

  “Brother.” Shane claps me on the shoulder. “This is one order I’ll gladly take with no complaints. Every fucking one of them is a wet dream.”

  I don’t bother to comment. I leave them standing there, or hell, they could be right behind me. I don’t know. All I know is that he’s not getting close to my girl. I walk up behind Kinsley just as Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” starts to play. “This is our song, baby,” I say, placing my hands on her hips and pulling her against my chest.

  “Dude, I seen her first,” drunk guy yells over the music.

  “She’s been mine for a long damn time.” I state the facts. She’s just been fighting it. It’s my mission to wipe away any fears she might have, especially after her earlier confession.

  “You with him?” drunk guy asks, stepping closer. I tighten my hold on her. She nods and rests her head back against my chest. He mumbles something that sounds like “Fucking figures,” and walks away.

  I don’t give him one more second of my attention. Instead, I sway my hips, singing softly to my very own brown-eyed girl. Kinsley matches my rhythm as we sway to the beat. “Brown Eyed Girl” fades away as “When I See You Smile” by Bad English starts to play. There are times when I’ve considered giving up on her, but I feel it in my gut, in my heart of hearts that we’re good together. I just need to work past this barrier she has in place. I need to make her see.

  She turns in my arms, places them around my neck, and softly smiles up at me. My fucking heart flips over in my chest. “You never give up,” she says. Her big brown eyes are glassy, letting me know she’s had a lot to drink. She’s a little wobbly on her feet, so I tighten my hold, not that it’s a hardship having her tight in my embrace.

  We’re no longer moving to the beat. Instead, we stand still in a sea of others on the dance floor, looking into each other’s eyes. Ever so slowly, I lean in and place a kiss on the corner of her mouth. “I won’t give up.”

  She shakes her head as if she just doesn’t get it. “We can’t be together, Brantley. I wish you could understand that.”

  “Why, Kinsley? Explain it to me.” I pull her a little tighter to my chest. I don’t want there to be any space between us. Ever. “From where I’m standing, we fit really fucking nice together.”

  She sighs and lays her head against my chest. I wrap my arms around her a little tighter, if that’s even possible. I couldn’t give a fuck that we’re the only ones standing still. She’s in my arms, finally where she belongs. I’m seizing the fucking moment, memorizing the feel of her in my arms. I know that if were not for the alcohol, she wouldn’t have let me this close. It’s a struggle to get her attention; she’s good at evading.

  Before I have time to… Mara interrupts. “Time for drinks,” she announces, pulling Kinsley from my arms.

  I watch as Mara drags her back to the table that Shane, Derek, and Mason are sitting at. Giving my boys a mental fist bump, I follow along behind them. I take a seat beside Shane and watch as the girls each pound back another shot. “How many have they had?” I ask Shane.

  He shrugs. “This is the first since we’ve been here, but they’re all pretty lit.”

  “Another.” Anna holds up yet another shot glass. “Here’s to those who wish us well, all the rest can go to hell,” she toasts

  The girls clink their glasses together, splashing their shots before tossing them back. Kinsley leans over, pressing her forehead against the table. She’s done. Standing, I go to her and place my hands on her shoulders. “I think she’s had enough,” I tell her friends. Anna, her roommate, groans in agreement. Bending down, I move Kinsley’s hair over her shoulder and speak just to her. “Babe, let’s get you home.” I’ve seen her out with her friends before, but she’s never been this drunk. She’s cute as hell when she lets her guard down, but this is too much. She’s had enough.

  “Urgh,” she moans, turning her head. “Anna drove me.” Her voice slurs, cheek is resting against the wooden table. Her long blonde hair is covering her face.

  “She’s not taking you home. You’re both coming with me. Come on,” I push her hair out of her eyes. Standing, I pull out her chair, causing her to begrudgingly lift her head from the table. I hold out my hand, and she takes it. Pulling her to her unsteady feet, I guide her to my chest and wrap my arms around her for the second time tonight.

  “Need some help?” Shane asks me.

  “Yeah, actually, can you get Anna? Bring her out to my truck?” I look over at Derek and Mason. “Can you two make sure they get home?” I ask. Mason gives me an “are you fucking stupid” look. He’s right, I know they will, but I feel better asking.

  “I’ve only had one,” Derek speaks up.

  “Can you walk?” I whisper to Kinsley.

  “Just don’t let go,” she slurs tightening her arms around my waist.

  I manage to get her in the truck, and her seat belt fastened, while Shane does the same with Anna.

  “Brothers.” Anna giggles. “Kins, I’m so glad you gave in,” she says with a hiccup.

  Looking in the rearview mirror, I see her with her head resting on Shane’s shoulder, eyes closed. Risking a quick glance over at Kinsley, she’s turned toward me, head resting back against the seat with her eyes closed too.

  She’s beautiful.

  Unable to resist the pull of her within touching distance, I reach over and place my hand on her thigh. She doesn’t stir, too deep in her alcohol slumber. I hate that she’s out of it, that she’s not going to remember this. I’m like a starved man when it comes to her attention, but I want her to be able to remember it. The ride to their place is quiet, except for a few giggles from Anna and the rumble of Shane’s whispered deep voice. The radio plays softly drowning most of it out.

  “I really have to pee,” Anna says, as soon as we pull into the driveway. Shane takes action, opening up the back door and helping her out of the truck. I remain seated, watching them as they make their way up the steps of the front porch. Anna messes with the lock, until Shane steps in and takes over, and they disappear into the condo.

  Taking off my seat belt, I turn to face Kinsley. Her hair’s covering her eyes, so I reach over and gently tuck it behind her ear. Her eyes slowly flutter open. “Hey.”

  “Where are we?” she questions, blinking those big brown eyes.

  “Your driveway.”

  She lifts her head to look around. “In your truck,” she observes.

  “Yeah, babe. You were too far gone to drive, all of you were. Shane and Anna just went inside. Derek and Mason are getting Lacey and Mara home.”

  “Like a true hero,” she says with a soft smile.

  My heart trips over in my chest. I’ll be anything and everything she wants me to be. “Just taking care of my girl.”

  “Not your girl,” she whispers. Her big brown eyes are telling me another story as they stay locked on mine.

  “I’m working on that,” I tell her. She nods, giving herself away. She’s too drunk to even realize she did it. “Let’s get you inside.” Climbing out of the truck, I rush to the passenger side and open her door. She tries to turn to me, but her seat belt restricts her.

  “I’m stuck.” She slumps back in her seat heaving a big sigh.

  Cute as hell this one. I have to bite back my smile. “Let me help you.” Leaning in, I make quick work of freeing her.

  “You saved me again,” she says dramatically.

  “Let’s go you,” I laugh, and shake my head amused. I like her like this, laid-back. Hands on her hips, I lift her from the truck. Once she’s steady on her feet, we make our way inside. Shane and Anna are sitting on the couch. She’s on his lap, while he flips through the channels on the television.

  “So tired,” Kinsley says, her words almost incoherent.

  “Where’s your room?”

  She points down the hall, and I can’t help but chuckle at her. The condo is small. There’s a door on either side and one at the end of the small hallway. Kinsley leads me to the door on the right. As soon as she opens it, I know it’s hers. It smells just like her. Vanilla and… something uniquely Kinsley.

  “So tired,” she repeats, plopping down on her bed. I follow her into the room, making sure to close the door. “Ugh.” She pushes herself back into the sitting position, unsteadily. I watch as she tugs her shirt over her head and tosses it across the room. I stand still, frozen in my steps as I watch her unbutton her jeans. “Help,” she huffs, falling back on the bed.

  One word. That’s all it takes to bring me out of my mental recording of this moment. In two long strides, I’m standing next to the bed, looking down at her. “What do you need?” I ask, even though I already have a pretty good idea what she wants.

  With a yank at the waistband of her now unbuttoned and unzipped pants, she mumbles, “I need these off.”

  Jumping into action, I grab her hands and bring them to my lips for a kiss, then place each on either side of her, resting on the bed. “Let me,” I tell her. With deft fingers, I grip the waistband of her jeans and begin to ease them off her. “Lift, baby.” She does as I ask, barely, but enough that I can pull the denim over her ass and down her legs. There’s a chair in the corner that I toss them on. Turning to look at her, it’s a sight I’ll always remember. Every minute, every second, every day for the rest of my life, I’ll never forget this moment. Her long tan legs lead to a tiny pair of lace panties. Her flat stomach leads me to incredible plump breasts, also covered in thick black lace that lead me to a slender neck, and blonde hair splayed out on the pillow and those big brown eyes staring straight at me. She’s watching me memorize every delectable inch of her.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?” Her voice is soft.

  My voice thick with want, with need for her, I ask, “How am I looking at you?”

  “Like you want to devour me.”

  “Because I do.” Fuck me, I really do.

  “You can’t.”

  “You keep telling me that. Tell me why?” It might be wrong taking advantage of her inebriated state, but maybe I’ll finally get an answer. If I can get honesty from her, then I can finally figure out my next play, whether that be to try a new tactic, or hell, even let her go. The latter sits heavily in my stomach.

  “You’re a firefighter.”

  “I am.”

  “That’s why,” she says, closing her eyes.

  “That’s my job, Kinsley. What does that have to do with you giving me your time?”

  “My dad,” she says, curling up on her side, resting her hands under her soft cheek.

  Her dad? “Did he tell you not to date me?” I ask, confused.

  “He loves you.” She smiles softly, eyes still closed.

  Taking a seat on the edge of the bed, I rest my hand on her bare hip, well bare but for a thin strip of black lace. “What about your dad?”

  “He was never there, missed stuff, birthdays, school. Never get close to a firefighter,” she mumbles. “Dangerous to your heart and dangerous to them.”

  Fuck me. I let her mumbled reply sink in, and understanding hits me. This incredible woman missed her father as a little girl and vowed to never have the same in her adult life. At least, that’s my guess.

  “I love what I do, and there will be times I might miss out on, but I promise you, I’ll always make up for it,” I tell her. I’m not sure why I’m trying to reason with her in this state.

  She doesn’t reply, sound asleep. Sleeping, she looks like an angel. Unable to resist, I cup her cheek with my hand, running my thumb over her soft skin. I remember the day I decided I wanted to get to know her. She had just moved home from college and stopped by the station to bring her dad some lunch. Her hair was pulled up into a messy knot. She had on short shorts and a tank top, with flip-flops, casual, yet I’d never seen anyone more beautiful.

  From that day, I’ve asked her out. Hell, I’ve lost count the number of times. I’ve done everything, even told Captain Spears that it was my intention to pursue her. He gave me his blessing, not that I needed it, but it’s nice to know her father, who is also my boss, approves. All of that combined, all those moments bring me to now. The moment when I reaffirm that it’s more than just the chase. It’s not just about getting her to say yes. I want her in my life. I want her to be mine, more than anything I’ve ever wanted.

  Leaning over, I kiss her forehead. “Sweet dreams,” I whisper, before standing and bringing the cover up over her.

  “Brant,” she says softly.

  “Yeah, baby?” I ask, bending down so I can hear her soft voice. “I wish it could be you.”

  My heart stills in my chest. “It will be,” I tell her with certainty. One more kiss this time on the corner of her mouth, and I sneak out of her room. I want nothing more than to climb into the bed beside her and pull her into my arms, but that needs to be her choice, and she can’t make that right now.

  Soon.

  I wake with a pounding headache and what feels like a skunk in my mouth. Groaning, I pull my pillow over my eyes to block out the light of the sun. It’s not often I drink like I did last night, and this is why. The day after is always pure hell.

  I hear voices outside my bedroom door, deep male voices. Shit! What did we do last night? Lifting the covers, I see I’m in my bra and panties, which is a good sign. Beside me, the bed remains untouched. I relax with the knowledge that I slept alone. Needing to face the music, I climb out of bed, grab a pair of yoga pants and a T-shirt, then throw them on. I make a pit stop in the bathroom to brush the funk off my teeth before heading out to the living room. I find Anna sitting on one of the two recliners with a bagel in her hand. Shane is sitting in the other, empty plate in his.

  “Hey,” I greet them cautiously.

  “Morning,” Anna says cheerily. She always bounces back from a night out of drinking. If she weren’t my best friend, I might hate her just a little bit for it.

  “You went to get bagels?” I ask her. I know we didn’t have any in the fridge. We are way past due to go to the grocery store. That’s actually on the agenda for today, at least I thought it was. I turn my gaze toward Shane. “And brought Shane back with you? Wait? Did you spend the night?” I question him.

  Before either of them can answer, his heat touches my back, and his hot breath brushes against my neck. A shiver races down my spine. “Morning, beautiful,” Brantley whispers, just for me. Wide-eyed, I stare at Anna, and she smiles and shrugs. “This is for you. Sit. I’ll grab you some coffee,” Brantley says, one hand on my hip, the other holding a small paper plate with a toasted bagel and what appears to be my favorite cinnamon cream cheese. Turning to look at him over my shoulder, he winks.

  I stare at the plate, trying to wrap my head around what the hell is happening. Why are the Price brothers in our condo? Why is Anna acting like it’s normal?

  “It’s your favorite, right?” Brantley asks. “Sit, Kins, you’ll feel better after you get some food in you.”

  Not sure of what else to do, I take the plate and round the couch, taking a seat. “What’s going on?” I ask Anna.

  “We brought y’all home last night,” Shane answers. “We left Anna’s car and my truck at the Tavern.”

  The details of last night are a little fuzzy. There’s this hazy memory of Brantley pulling the covers up over me. “So why are you both here? With bagels?” I ask him.

  Before Shane can answer, Brantley takes the seat beside me, right next to me. His thigh presses up against mine, and I struggle not to tremble at the touch. “Figured Anna would need her car,” he says, holding a steaming mug of coffee up for me to take.