Free Strong Reflection: Book 2 of the Dark Series Trilogy by Cate Mckoy Page A

being a couple?”  He elaborated, “An exclusive couple?”
     
    “Yes.”  
    “And you’ll ride with me to Newburgh tomorrow?”  He held her eyes captive with his impassioned blue gaze.
     
    “Yes.”
     
    “You’ll spend our vacation together getting to know each other, becoming closer?”
     
    “Yes,” She gave a happy laugh.  Another more insistent knock sounded.
     
    “We’ll spend some of that time alone away from Jack and Catlyn?”
     
    “Yes.”
     
    “We’ll kiss, make out and do some heavy petting?”
     
    “Yes.”  She laughed harder at his silliness.
     
    “You’ll never disobey one of my orders again and go off after some bad guy?”
     
    “Y—“ She started to answer but then snapped her lips shut.  Giving him a stern look she stuck out her tongue.
     
    Kyle laughed out loud.  “I was on a roll so I thought I’d throw that one in there.”  He gave her another quick kiss before going to answer the door.
     
    With his hand on the knob he turned back to her, “Ashley, just one more thing.”
     
    She raised her eyebrows in question.
     
    “No other man touches my woman, especially not my nephew, especially not in that manner.”  He held, not opening the door or moving a muscle until she answered.
     
    “Yes, Kyle, as long as the monogamy applies to you too,” She was firm.
     
    His smile returned, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
     
    Kyle let in his mother and nephew.
     
    Cheryl looked at them both, taking in their cat-that-ate-the-canary looks.  “Well, I can see nothing is wrong here.”
     
    Drew looked at his uncle.  “Uncle Kyle, you looked mad.”
     
    Kyle put a reassuring hand on his nephew’s shoulder.  “Sorry about that, man, I didn’t mean to scare you and I apologize for the strong arm tactics.”
     
    “So, we’re cool?”
     
    “Always son,” Kyle winked.
     
    Drew beamed.  Kyle was his hero.  He’d be devastated if he had somehow displeased him or if his uncle were not proud of him.  “So what did you think?”
     
    “I have to tell you, I didn’t think I’d like this and was only going to tolerate it because I love you.”  He put his arm around Drew, giving him a one arm hug.  “But, I have to say, I’ve really enjoyed myself tonight.  The competition is so much more than I expected.  And, you guys on that stage are athletes. Some of those moves they did were impressive and all of yours were.  I am very proud.”
     
    Tears came to Ashley’s eyes.  Kyle had made Drew very happy.
     
    There was another knock on the door.  It was one of the event organizers.  “Team Ebony and Ivory, you’re on in 15 minutes.  Who is doing the singing, Drew, Ashley or both?”
     
    “I am.”  Ashley said
     
    “Ashley is singing.”  Drew said at the same time.
     
    The organizer made a note on a clipboard, “15 minutes Ashley.  The rest of you should get to your seats.”  He closed the door.
     
    Drew went to Ashley, taking her hands in his, “Mack, are you sure?  I know this is tough for you and brings back painful memories.  I just wanted to prove to myself and Maria that I could compete.  We can drop out if you want.”
    Giving Drew a watery smile.  “No way, we’re not done teaching that girl that nobody messes with a Strong.”
     
    Drew laughed.  “I think she learned her lesson.”
     
    “I like to be thorough in my teachings.  And, Drew, when she comes up to you after the show, you had better make her grovel.”
     
    “Mack, she isn’t going to come to me after the show.  She made her choice before the show very clear.”
    “Oh, make no mistake she’ll come over to you.”  Ashley poked Drew in the chest for emphasis.  “I mean it.  You make that girl grovel to get you back.”
     
    Shaking his head, Drew smiled, “Ok, but I don’t think I have to worry about it.”
     
    “We’ll see.  Now scram, I have to put on the dress for my singing solo.”
     
    He thanked her one more time, kissed