Attracted to her 💘

Chapter 17

BRENT

This time, Kennedy shows up: at seven sharp there's a knock on the door. I wait in the backyard while Harrison goes to open it. The whole afternoon, my energy level was buzzing even higher than usual. I tried to get some work done, but I kept wondering when Kennedy would get home.

And what her expression would be when she opened the box I'd had delivered to her—a big white box with a red bow. Large enough for the dress, shoes, and purse that were inside it.

My mother has a personal shopper she's worked with for years. With the amount of time my hands have spent on Kennedy's body, I know her dimensions pretty frigging well. Well enough to describe the perfect dress that'll fit her like a custom-tailored glove.

And I'm every bit as good as I thought I was.

Because when Kennedy steps onto the back patio, she knocks the breath out of me. Her flawless neck and dainty arms are bare in the white strapless dress—practically glistening in the moonlight. The soft, shiny fabric hugs her breasts, pushing them up and together, creating a tasty cleavage line that I want to dip my tongue into. The dress cinches at her tiny waist, then flares just a bit, the gauzy chiffon fluttering slightly with the light breeze, just above her knees.

The dress is lovely. Sexy but elegant. Something a woman would wear on a special night out . . . or a girl would wear to her prom.

Her hair falls loose and curled around her delicate shoulders, her lips are shiny with a touch of gloss. And her smile—it's all hope and wonder and amazement. My heart pounds in my chest—because I was able to give that to her.

Kennedy looks around the yard, at the twinkling lights strewn through the trees and bushes, at the candles glowing softly on the table set for two. "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer plays out of the speakers—they were a big hit in the nineties. When those stunning eyes fall on me, I know she gets it. She understands what I'm trying to do.

I shrug. "You didn't get to go to the senior dance . . . I figured it's time to rectify that."

"Brent . . ." She sighs. "This is . . . wow."

I bite my bottom lip with a nod. "Oh, there's more." I open the small box on the table and step up to her.

"You got me a corsage?" There's laughter in her voice.

"Yep." I start to pin on the small red rosebuds. "When I was seventeen, I probably would've gotten you a wristlet—because I would've been too intimidated to pin this here." My fingers graze her soft skin beneath the top of her dress. "But I'm all man now, so this corsage is no match for me." Once it's on, my hand skims down her arm, making her shiver. "And I got to touch your boob, so—bonus."

The sound of her laughter echoes across the yard and warms my blood. Then her head tilts as the song changes. To Ed Sheeran's "Photograph." And Kennedy's smile glows even brighter.

"I love this song."

I lift one shoulder. "I didn't at first. The radio stations overplay it, make it annoying." And I look into her eyes. "But lately, I like it a lot more. It reminds me of you. Of us."

She nods slowly and takes my hand. "Dance with me, Brent."

"I thought you'd never ask."

My arms wrap around her, pulling her flush against me. I follow her small steps, but mostly we just sway. Kennedy's cheek rests against the lapel of my tuxedo and I kiss the crown of her head.

"You look beautiful," I tell her—although the tent in my pants, pressing against her, probably already gave that away.

"Thank you." She lifts her head and looks up at me. "Thank you for doing this. It's like . . . a dream come true."