Page 5 of Irresistible

I can.

It’s notdifficult to avoid Chloe for the next few hours, since she’s in the kitchen with her mom and Denise and I’m in the living room with Rob and his dad and Will. While I’m hanging out with the guys, though, something unexpected happens. As I watch Will run back and forth between his dad and grandpa, I’m struck by how touching the scene is. I’m not usually one to get all sentimental and shit, but it’s hard not to, seeing these three generations in front of me, just spending time together, enjoying each other’s company.

And I have to ask myself: Am Ireallynot interested in having that for myself someday?

Even when Will has a melt down a little later, it doesn’t seemthatbad. I mean, yeah, I’m sure it eventually wears on the nerves. It’s not like I actually know what being a parent is like. But there’s a reason people have more than one kid, right? The good stuff has gotta significantly outweigh the bad, right?

My thoughts are interrupted as Rob’s mom calls out that the meal is ready.

“Come on,” says Rob, standing up and stretching. “Let’s get our feast on.”

Rob wasn’t kiddingabout how good of a turkey his mom makes. Hell,everythingon the table is absolutely delicious. The turkey, the stuffing, the mashed potatoes…even the cranberries are something magical.

“I put orange zest in them,” says Rob’s mom, looking flattered when I compliment the dish. “Or I guess I should say that Chloe put orange zest in them. She helped out so much with the meal.”

I glance over at Chloe, who’s talking to her sister-in-law about how school is going. I’ve gathered bits and pieces throughout the meal and I’ve loved hearing Chloe talk about her passion for photography. But of course every glimpse I get of her also makes me want her more.

My heart thuds and I force my eyes back to her mom. “Well, it’s all fantastic.”

She smiles and nods. “I’m glad you could join us, Austin.”

“Yeah,” Rob pipes up from across the table. “Isn’t this better than eating alone?”

I laugh and nod. Meanwhile, though, I wonder how pissed Rob would be if he knew how I feel about his sister. I wonder how much he’d regret his decision to talk me into coming here. Rob doesn’t really show it, but I know he’s protective of Chloe. What older brother wouldn’t be?

Later, we all help with putting away the leftovers and cleaning up. As pies are set out onto the table, we settle back into our seats with hot cups of coffee. Rob’s dad asks us how the business is going, and Rob gives his dad an update, me piping up every so often to add something to what he’s saying.

The whole time, though, I’m also paying attention to Chloe in my peripheral vision. I’m watching those pretty lips of hers part every time she brings a forkful of pie to her mouth. And I’m thinking about how badly I want to kiss those lips. How badly I want to kiss everyinchof her.

Hey, a guy can dream.

Chapter Four

Chloe

“And your room is right here, Austin,” I hear my mom say, two sets of footsteps going up the hall. I’m in the bathroom getting ready for bed. It’s close to midnight. After dessert, we all hung out for several hours in the living room, first listening to my dad play guitar, then just chilling out, several smaller conversations filling the room.

I feel a little bad for avoiding Austin so purposefully this evening. But based on my reaction when he first showed up, I knew I had to.

So much for outgrowing those old feelings, huh?

I guess I should have known that a crush like that wouldn’t die. No, it’s just been lingering all these years, waiting for the perfect time to pop its lustful little head back up. And since I don’t know what else to do, my tactic has been to avoid thinking any thoughts about Austin and avoiding him as much as I can.

If only the guest room wasn’t right next to my old bedroom.

I press a cloth to my face, drying my skin. Then I grab my toiletry bag and head back to my room. I pass by the guest room on the way, and my eyes can’t help but glance in. Austin is standing in the room, unpacking his bag.

He glances over his shoulder—maybe sensing my presence—and I quickly avert my gaze and rush into my room.

My heart is racing as I step into my bedroom and shut the door behind me. I lean back against the door, close my eyes, and let out a breath. It’s just two nights. And I’m in my childhood home with my parents and my brother under the same roof—it should be enough to squash this desire.

But it’s not.

I flip off the light and dive into bed. The room sinks into darkness—although not complete darkness. Light from the moon angles in through my single window. I let my eyes drift over the soft light, then shut them tight.

All I want is for sleep to wash over me. To find an escape from my feelings. This whole evening, it was a constant struggle to keep my eyes from drifting over to Austin—and the few times I let my guard down and did glance over, I caught his dark, beautiful eyes looking back at me.

Austin can’t possibly feel the same way that I feel about him, though? Can he?