“Yeah, it’s okay.” I brush off the compliment. I haven’t brought a woman here before, and knowing Kenzie is the first does something to me.

Jesus, keep it together, fucker. You told her we are just friends. Stick to it.

“It’s perfect. Come on, show me around.” She looks back at me, eager to see more. I don’t waste any time. I push the kickstand down on my bike and climb off. She’s too busy looking at the house to notice my semi-hard cock from her tits pressed into my back, so I quickly adjust myself.

“Okay, let’s go.” I place my hand in the small of her back and guide her to the front porch. She doesn’t flinch at my touch today and I can’t help wanting to celebrate the small win. After the kiss last night, I wasn’t sure this was going to be a good idea, until I realized the alternative. As much as having her in my house, in my space is going to fuck with me, I’d still prefer it to her living on her own. When she raced back to her room last night, I thought for sure she’d pull right back, and I was prepared for it. But then I felt her come into the kitchen this morning, and I knew there was no way I was going to let her. So I told her I didn’t think of her that way. I lied to save face. And yeah she said it back, but I know she was lying too.

We both played it our own way because whatever is happening between us can’t progress.

Not yet anyway.

“How long have you lived here?” she asks as we take the stairs to the front porch.

“Three years now.” She nods before her eyes find the swing hanging at the end of the porch.

“Oh my, I’ve always wanted one of these.” She walks over to it and plants her ass smack down in the middle.

“It was my mom’s,” I tell her, watching her smile fade away.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” She stands from the swing instantly and I regret dropping it on her like that.

“Don’t be, darlin’,” is all I say, not because I don’t want her to know about my mom or my family for that matter. It’s a fucked-up situation and today is not the day to visit it.

“My mom and dad died when I was twelve. Car accident,” she shares, and I take a moment to catalog the information. The last month, Kenzie has barely shared anything personal with me. Sure I know her favorite food, what she likes to drink, what makes her laugh, even what she’s been doing the last eighteen months, but deep shit like this she keeps to herself. We both do.

“Sorry.” I give her the same words back.

“Don’t be.” She grins then shakes her head. “You gonna keep me out on this porch all day, Beau, or you gonna show me your house?” She breaks through the dismal moment, pulling us both out of the past.

Needing the reprieve, I nod and step up to the door. “I’ll have a second key made for you,” I tell her as I unlock the door and step into the foyer. She stays close as I move to the alarm and disarm it.

“How am I going to remember all those numbers?” she asks over my shoulder when I punch in my code.

“We can reprogram it,” I offer, hoping it will make it easier. I push the door open and let her pass. “So this is my home.” I direct her through the front entryway into the living area. The house is an open concept. The kitchen and dining are to the left, and living area to the right. All rooms open up to each other with a hall that takes you to the back of the house where the bedrooms and bathroom are.

“Living area.” I point to the room, but continue on to the kitchen. “Kitchen and dining, and through the glass door there is a patio.” She follows each direction, taking it all in.

“Down the hall are the bedrooms and bathroom.” I continue to guide her through the rest of my house.

“I love the wooden floors.” Mackenzie follows closely, taking in everything and offers her commentary. Even though the house only had one owner before me, I still gave it a coat of paint and polished the floors up before I moved in.

“First room is a junk room. Don’t even bother trying to clean it up,” I warn, knowing what she’s like. She’ll have it organized and tidied before the week is out.

“Second door is the bathroom.” I tap on the door. “It’s all yours. I have one in my room. This room is empty.” I tap on the third door. “And this room is yours.” I stop at the door closest to mine and turn back. She’s still checking out the bathroom so I wait.

“This one?” She finally catches up, pushing the door open and stepping in.

“Yep.” I stay back and watch her take in her new room. It’s nothing special. Queen bed, nightstand on each side, and a dresser against the far wall.

“It’s perfect, Beau.” She turns back and smiles up at me. “Are you sure this is okay? Me moving in?”

“Wouldn’t have offered if it wasn’t, darlin’.” I’m sure it’s going to be hard having her in my space and keeping my hands to myself, but I’ll get there.

“I know. I just want to make sure.” I watch her eye the door of my bedroom before looking up at me.

“My room,” I offer and then watch her blush. Seriously, I rarely call a woman cute, but everything she does makes me wanna kiss her and tell her to quit being cute before she makes me lose my head.

“Great.” She starts to walk back up the hall, out into the living area. I watch her ass as I follow her. The motion of her movements causes my cock to twitch. “So when can I move in?” She turns around slowly and I divert my eyes immediately before she can catch me.