Chaos by Barbara Huffert Read Free Book Online Page B

with ferocious intensity. When she began to feel as if they would both
spontaneously combust, she forced herself to back away. “Satisfied?”
    “No,” he tired to regain the conversation, “but I will be
soon enough.” He handed her the plate and pointed to the syrup on the counter.
    When Alyssa realized he was watching her douse her
breakfast, she warned, “Not one word, I mean it.”
    “Who me? If you want to go into sugar shock, that’s up to
you. I have to warn you though. I’m going to avail myself of your body even if
you pass out so maybe you want to avoid some of that. I’d like you to enjoy it
too.”
    “You’re such a pig,” she said, laughing to take away any
harshness.
    When they were settled on the sofa, he started the video
from the beginning. They watched as Jordan played on the beach with one of the
blue-footed birds that Max was so fascinated with. “He’d bring one home with
him if he could,” Shane said quietly.
    “I think he’d do anything for that little boy,” Alyssa
agreed. “I wish they could find the cure for him. I know they won’t, not in
time anyway but I can’t help it.”
    “I know what you mean. At least we all got the chance to
know him. He really is the best kid ever, isn’t he?”
    “Yeah. I was surprised that he was Jordan’s best man instead
of you or Brett. I guess it makes sense though. I mean, that way he didn’t have
to choose between the two of you and neither of you could possibly mind.”
    “Yes and no. I told Jordan that he should ask Brett. He’s
been a better friend over the years than I was at times. It would have been
right for him to have Brett.”
    “And I’d bet Brett told him to ask you, now that you got
over judging him. Your brother’s a great guy, McKade. I’m glad Kiley found
him.” They returned their focus to the video where they saw Kiley spreading out
a picnic while the bird watched. Jordan must have put the camera on a rock
because he joined her on the blanket. They both had some words for Max before
they ate, alternating between looking into the camera and at each other. When
the couple said goodbye, promising to visit Max as soon as they were home, the
video ended. “Wow. Did you see how happy they look?”
    “Yeah, in love too. And that was made for a kid. Imagine how
they look at each other when they’re not thinking ‘PG’.”
    “I wish…” She let her voice dwindle into nothing.
    “What do you wish? What’s going on in that adorable head of
yours, Campini?” Shane took the empty plates to the sink.
    Adorable? Must be the effect of watching Kiley and Jordan.
“Nothing really. I was just thinking out loud. I can’t imagine me acting like
that.”
    “Me either,” Shane stated without thinking. When he noticed
her frown, he quickly added, “What I meant was that every couple is different.
You’re too mad all the time to act that soft. Too hyper too. I think, even if
you were that much in love, you’d still be yelling about it instead of sighing
the way your cousin does. I don’t think you do mellow except when you’re
completely satiated and about to pass out from exhaustion.”
    “I might be offended by that if I let myself think about it.
But I’m not willing to waste my time over your opinion on this. After all, it’s
not like you’re an expert on love, is it, McKade?”
    “You got me there.” He rolled his eyes at her. “In fact,
this whole discussion is probably a waste of time when we consider our
alternative plan. We could go back to bed and see about that satisfaction you
implied earlier.” When she laughed, he couldn’t resist tossing her over his
shoulder and striding toward the bedroom.

Chapter Six
     
    “I’m going to grab a shower. Why don’t you relax for a few
minutes?” Shane was overcome with the need to distance himself from Alyssa, if
only for a brief time. The feelings that had started to swirl through him were
too intense. He relished the spontaneous, combustible passion when