Free Ryder's Redemption (Badboy Rockers #2) by J.A. Templeton

woman.”
    “Yep, and we grew up somewhere along the way.”
    He places a hand over one of mine and squeezes. “I’m so glad you’re here. Kenzie really needs a friend. Brooke is fine and all, but she did lead her down a dangerous path. She needs someone who runs in a similar circle as you.”
    I wasn’t ready to talk shit about anyone, especially a family member, but I am tempted because it’s not like Brooke has been overly nice to me. Still, I’m wary to say anything just in case. “Brooke’s good to Kenzie.”
    “No, I know. I’m just saying that she can be a bit intense and doesn’t hang with the best crowd.”
    There it was again, the jab about Kenzie’s group of friends.
    “They’re not all bad,” I say with forced humor. “Plus, I’m sure you have a few friends that are questionable as well…or wait, are they all gorgeous jocks like you?”
    Crap. The second the words came out of my mouth, I wish I could pull them back in.
    “You think I’m gorgeous?” His teeth flash white.
    Any regret about the outburst flees as he pulls my head down and his lips hover over mine. “You’re so pretty,” he whispers, seconds before he kisses me.
    I start shaking. I can’t freaking believe what is happening. I’m kissing Cole Parker.
    I’ve waited for this moment for a lifetime.
    His breath is hot, sweet, and minty. His tongue strokes mine, and not in a tentative, testing way…but in an ‘I’m going to ravage you’ kind of way.
    When he breaks the kiss a minute later, he says, “I’ve wanted to do that since I saw you wearing that sexy sundress.”
    I need to pull out that sundress again.
    That, or go to the mall and buy more sundresses. Hell, I’d buy one in every color.
    He turns and is kneeling in front of me, his big hands on either one of my knees, and I savor the skin on skin contact.
    As I stare at him, I’m reminded of a Greek God statue that has come to life. His chiseled body is flawless, his face amazing, and I want more than anything to bury my fingers in his curly golden hair.
    Without a doubt, Cole Parker is my greatest fantasy come to life.
    I lose all sense of control. I kiss him and slide my fingers through his golden curls.
    Strong, callused fingers slide slowly up my thighs, to the part of me that is burning for him.
    Holy shit. My heart is slamming so hard it reverberates in my ears.
    Am I ready for this? I wonder, and as the excitement turns to trepidation I grab his wrists a second later.
    Apparently I’m not quite ready.
    His brows furrow, but only for a second as his hands continue their upward slide. His thumbs move downward, toward my crotch.
    I grip his wrists tightly and forcefully push them aside.
    I see the shock on his face. The frown as he sets back on his heels. That look says that he’s disappointed and thinks I’m a tease.
    Am I a tease? One second I’m rubbing his shoulders, the next I’m making out with him, and when he wants to take it further, I play coy.
    “I’m sorry,” I blurt, and then wish for the moment back again.
    What an idiot. What am I thinking? I’ve wanted Cole for what seemed like a lifetime and now when he finally wants me back, I put the brakes on?
    Hearing footsteps in the hallway, I jump to my feet.
    So does Cole, who gathers enough wits to slide onto the hide-a-bed as though he’s always been there since Kenzie first came home.
    Kenzie is wearing pajama bottoms with stars and half moons and a well-worn baby blue t-shirt that I remember her telling me came from Deklan.
    “How did the phone call go?” I ask, even though I already know. I hope she doesn’t see my heated cheeks.
    Taking a seat on the edge of the hide-a-bed, she glances over at me. “Good. Thank you for talking some sense into me.”
    “That’s what friends are for.”
    She glances at her brother and frowns. “Don’t you own a shirt?”
    “Ange was rubbing my shoulders for me. I had a kink.”
    Her brows lift. “Using my buddy as a massage therapist isn’t