The look on Katelyn's face is one of utter disbelief and mortification. And it takes every ounce of control to keep me from laughing.

Everyone is at the kitchen island and I think they did this on purpose. To be honest, if it was anyone of them I would have done the same thing. I place my hand on the small of Katelyn's back and guide her to a seat and take the one next to her. When I sling my arm around the back of her chair she stiffens ever so slightly but I don't care. I don't know why but I have a need to touch her, to make sure she's there and this isn't some dream. 

Chloe looks like she's about to burst, Layton doesn't seem to care but I know he's going to ask questions later. He's as perceptive as Liam but with way more tact. He's also the only one who's ever been in a relationship and that didn't end too well. 

Wait, what? Relationship? Aren't we getting a little ahead of ourselves here?   

I'm not a relationship kind of guy and I try to keep myself out of them as far as possible. I have rules and women usually know the score. Don't tell a woman more than she needs to know but I've broken that one time and time again with Katelyn. I even told her about my dad and Justin, those are two things I never discuss with anyone outside of our group. With Katelyn, I'd happily tell her every sordid detail of my life and she only has to ask. 

Never sleep over. That makes a woman think there's more and usually, there's not. I've been bone-tired before after being with a woman but I always left. Something about Katelyn made me want to just hold her for the rest of the night. Sure the sex was great and I was exhausted but having her peacefully sleeping in my arms was better than I ever thought.    

I saw her eyes this morning, the doubt and fear in them. I wasn't planning on pushing her for more but then she came out of the bathroom wearing nothing but my T-shirt and eyeing me like a hungry woman. And I swear I was as hard as a rock in a second flat.

When she grew quiet I kept thinking I've made a mistake and usually, I don't care enough to ask but I wanted to wipe away whatever was bothering her. Like a tonne of bricks collapse on me, I realize we're both in over our heads and this won't  end well. I don't think I can walk away even if I tried.

Liam pipes up, "Can I say 'I told you so' or will that just get me punched again?"

Katelyn's soft gasp has me looking over and I can see the blush creeping over her face. I grin behind my hand as Chloe and Layton start chewing into Liam. 

"Seriously, Liam? Do you want Lucas to ruin that pretty face of yours?" Chloe asks with a raised eyebrow. 

Layton snickers, "Yeah, you already have a busted lip. Just give it rest, will you?"

"He has a black eye!" Liam says pointing to me, "Is no one even slightly worried about Lucas' pretty face getting busted?"

"No," Chloe and Layton say at exactly the same time and burst out laughing. 

This causes the rest of us to snicker and even Katelyn is smiling now. Ollie comes up next to Katelyn and puts a hand on her shoulder, "Well, I for one think you two make a great couple! I can't believe I didn't see it." 

Thank you Ollie, for making an already awkward situation that much worse. Seriously, I applaud you. 

Katelyn glows like a neon sign in the red-light district, her eyes are wide and no words seem to come out of her gaping mouth. And Chloe seems to be having one hell of a time, I'm surprised she hasn't passed out from lack of oxygen yet. 

"Told you, you are slow on the uptake Ollie!" Liam. 

Ollie swats at Liam and he laughs maniacally as mom places a tray of bacon, eggs, and toast on the island in front of us and everyone starts to eat. Thank god, now they're back to having conversations about other things instead of me and Katelyn. 

I lean over to her, "You holding up okay?"

Her eyes narrow but her cheeks flush, "No, that was mortifying!" She whisper-yells and I can't help but chuckle. 

"They're just messing with you because it's so easy."

If looks could kill, I'd be a rotting corpse now. Katelyn narrows her eyes, "Excuse me?"

I lean closer to her, "I don't mind, that blush of yours has me thinking about last night. And this morning," I say while placing a kiss on her neck. 

"Hey! Get a room you two. Some of us are trying to eat here." Liam chips in.

When Katelyn turns her withering glare to him, he salutes her and pops a piece of bacon into his mouth. Then he grins.

She turns back to me, "Can I hurt him?"

"Go for it Katelyn!" Chloe yells before I can reply and a wicked grin spreads on Katelyn's lips.

Liam pretends to look terrified, "Mrs. M! They're ganging up on me!" he yells when mom sits down on an island stool next to Katelyn. 

"No, dear, I think you brought this on yourself."

Everyone laughs and Liam fakes a wounded expression. He gets up and places a kiss on mom's head, "Bye, Mrs. M. The rest of you fuckers won't even get a goodbye."

"Liam!" Mom gasps smacking his chest, "Watch your language in my house young man."

Liam just grins, Chloe and Layton are trying to cover up their laughs with fake coughing and Ollie shoots Liam a glare while holding Shay's ears. Everyone starts taking their plates to the kitchen, Katelyn and Ollie stay to help mom clean up. I'm stopped by both Chloe and Layton and by heir respective grins, I can tell I'm in for it. 

"I don't like Katelyn!" Chloe mimics in a deep voice then she laughs, "you are so screwed. But enough teasing. Don't be a dick to her, I actually like Katelyn."

She gives me a hug and then waves on her way to the front door. Now I'm left with Layton and I can already hear the lecture he's about to give me.

He folds his arm across his chest, "Is it serious?"

"I don't know."

Layton sighs, "Well whatever it is, you've got it bad."

I bristle but, I don't exactly know why. Everyone is getting on my case like I've never had a girl before. I know they like Katelyn but we're both grownups and we both know what we're doing. Mostly.

"Like you had with Megan?" I say but instantly regret it. It was an unwritten rule in our group. Never mention Megan Garcia unless you want Layton to rip your face off.

Layton's jaw tenses and after a beat of silence he finally speaks, "Have, not had. Feelings like that don't just go away."

He walks away without saying goodbye and I feel like a dick. Megan left Layton without saying why, hell she didn't tell anyone and the very same night Justin died. Layton hasn't been the same since and now I had to go and rub it in his face.

But he's right, I can't let Katelyn develop any feelings for me. I should do the right thing and walk away but that thought leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Katelyn hops into the passanger side seat of my truck and I get into the drivers side. I have plans for today and I hope this lets Katelyn know that she's involved in her house restorations. I made a promise and I'm not about to back out.

Katelyn gives me a quizzical look as we pass her house, "Where are we going?"

I smile and give her a side ways look, "It's a surprise."

I don't say much but Katelyn seems to bounce with excitement and by the time we're turning into Home Up, she has a huge grin on her face. Jackson is waiting for us by the door and he has a huge grin on his face when he sees my arm slung over Katelyn's shoulders.

Now I'm about to get it from this dick too. Perrect.

Thoughts flee my mind when Katelyn looks up at me with a guddy grin on her lips, "Lucas what are we doing here?"

"I thought we'd pick out some stuff for your house. And if you're really nice I can even get the owner to give us a discount."

Katelyn surprises me when she flings her arms around my neck and squeals with barely contained excitement. The small of blueberry and spicy vanilla assault my senses. My knees feel like they're about to give in and my arms instinctively wrap around Katelyn and I pull her closer.

Jackson clears his throat behind us, "Hate to interupt but the store is about to open."

I ignore the laughter in his voice and lower Katelyn down on her feet. She's still smiling from ear to ear. I take her small hand in mine and together we walk into the store.

Jackson started Home Up about six years ago and we've been working with him ever since. All the things they make here are handmade in different styles. Every corner of the large factory like building is set to showcase different rooms in a home and Katelyn immediately walks to he kitchen section.

There are well over twelve kitchens set in various colours. When we walk past a set with dark wood cupboards, black granite counter tops and a large centre island, Katelyn stops dead and I almost crash into her back.

All the appliances are a greaming black along with the tiles on the set. Everything is decked out in a way that makes it seem like somone is living there. A basket with fresh fruits are on the island along with a coffee pot.

Katelyn grins as walks onto the set. I stand back and watch her, reveling in the fact that se looks so at home. She makes the kitchen look beautiful but all I can think about is taking her on the kitchen island, her legs spread wide while I pump into her. Her voice screaming my name in the cusps of her pleasure.

"Lucas?"

I swallow and walk to stand behind the counter, discreetly adjusting my jeans, "Yeah?"

She gives me a knowing smile, "I asked, what do you think about this design?"

"It's distracting, I mean perfect! You look like tou belong here."

She smiles and traces her finger along thenedge of the smooth counter. I try to stifle a groan, how the hell does she make a kitchen look so sexy?

"But do you really need a big kitchen? I mean, I've never seen you cook."

Katelyn's finger stops moving and she glaces over her shoulder, "I'll have you know Mr. Rhys, I'm an excellent cook and I bake."

Fuck. My. Life.

My jeans are uncofortably tight and I'm about to embarrass myself in my brother's store.

I take several large steps and then my hands are on her body. I lift her up and place her ass on the kitchen island.

She squeals and tried to swat me away, "Lucas! What are you doing?"

I grip her hips and her legs clamp around my waist, "You're driving me crazy." I whisper before kissing her like my life depends on it.

When she rips her mouth from mine she giggles and it's the sweetest fucking sound ever, "Lucas, we need to stop. We're in public!"

Her mouth is saying stop but her hands are desperately pulling me closer. And in this moment I don't give a shit who sees me. I trace kisses down the sensitive skin down her throat and she shivers.

"I. Don't. Care." I say between kisses.

Somone clears their throat behind us and I reluctantly let her go. Katelyn pushes me away and jumps of the counter, using her hair to hide her face.

Jackson is standing at the foor of the set grinning at me, "I take it this is the one?"

Katelyn is trying to surpress her smile as she nods to Jackson. I can't keep the grin of my face and I don't even try to. This woman is turning me into a caveman, all I want to do is drag her home and lock her up in the bedroom.

We spend the rest of the day picking out everything she likes for the house. I sneak in as many kisses and touches as possible until Jackson gives me a clipboard to take notes. I think he said something about to much PDA but I was too busy kissing Katelyn to care. After hours of walking, talking, and kissing I'm ready to explode. It's the most fun I've ever had picking out designs. Usually, I just take the catalogs to clients but I love seeing the excitment in her eyes. I also love seeing that blush on her cheeks when ever I kiss her. I really do have it bad. Whatever it is.