Page 39 of King of Kings
The next fewweeks fly by without incident. When I’m not busy at the office showing Bradley around, I’m spending time getting to know my new nephew.
Kane found out last month that he had a son he didn’t know about. Emotions have been high, and it’s been an adjustment, but Braxton has easily made his way into the family. We all adore him.
I’m watching both of my brothers fall in love and grow up. I’d be lying if I said a part of me didn’t want the same things they have.
“Are you okay?” Kinsley comes into the kitchen, standing next to me by the window.
“Yeah. I guess I was lost in thought.”
“Were you thinking about how it won’t be too much longer, and it will just be the two of us left here?” she asks, and I turn to her, confused.
“What do you mean?”
“Kane and Noelle haven’t spent a night apart since they straightened out the mess between them. Kai and Ivy are stronger than ever. Surely you don’t think they’ll want to stay here? They’re going to want to get out and start their own lives eventually.” She sighs.
“I guess I hadn’t thought about it.”
“We’ll be okay,” she says, smiling up at me, putting her hand on mine.
I turn around, leaning against the counter and watch her leave the room.
I don’t know when my baby sister got so wise. She’s grown up a lot in the past six months. She’s overcome a lot and she seems to be thriving.
My body goes rigid when Sophia comes into the kitchen.
Things have been tense between us, to say the least. Ever since we had that big blow out in the driveway a few weeks ago, we’ve been avoiding each other. Thankfully, our work schedules seem to be the opposite of one another’s, but I overheard Kinsley telling Kane the other day that Sophia is back on the day shift now.
That means the two of us will be home in the evenings together a lot more.
“I’m just going to squeeze by you and grab a cup,” she says, motioning to the cabinet above my head.
I step out of the way, my eyes never leaving her.
Sophia is the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen. Most of the time she doesn’t even realize it. Today she’s got her dark blonde hair piled on top of her head––there are a few pieces falling out of the messy bun, framing her face. She isn’t wearing any makeup, but I’ve never thought she needed it. Her blue eyes shine, and she’s got these plump lips that are just begging to be kissed. She’s wearing an oversized T-shirt that’s hanging off her shoulder, one brush of my finger would show me that she’s not wearing a bra underneath. I can’t even see if she’s wearing pants, and I’m not sure if that pisses me off––thinking about the fact that either one of my brothers could walk in at any moment––or turns me on, because I want to slide my hand up to find out.
“You good?” she asks, her voice pulling me from thoughts that were about to take a turn for the dirty.
“Yeah, apparently I’m distracted today,” I say.
We stare at each other for a few minutes, neither one of us really sure what to say.
“Sophia, there you are,” Kinsley says, walking back into the kitchen.
I breathe a sigh of relief that my sister showed up to ease some of the tension.
“Hey, Kins,” Sophia replies, smiling over her mug.
Fuck, she looks beautiful today.
“What are your plans today? I have a couple classes this morning and this afternoon, and that’s it.” Kinsley asks, her attention on Sophia.
I watch panic cross over her face, and she looks at me briefly before looking back at Kinsley.
“Um, I have a date,” she says nervously.
My jaw ticks. My blood is boiling. I cross my arms over my chest.
“That’s so exciting!” Kinsley says, clapping.