The Best of Us (Love in Isolation, #2)

by Kennedy Fox

I often allow my mood to decide my clothing choice, and I never know how I’m going to feel. So, options. It could be a legging type of day with running shoes or a pair of expensive slacks with heels. I never know.

I step around the island and gently grip her arm. “It’s gonna be fine. We’re smart and can live without power for a couple of days if we have to.” She nods, and her brown eyes stare into mine as she holds onto every word I say. I love that she trusts me, and it makes me want to do everything I can not to let her down.

When Ryan places more logs inside, I wake up disoriented. “Hey, Sleeping Beauty.” He chuckles and hands me my phone. He’s wearing dark jeans, boots, and a knitted sweater. The mountain man vibe is fitting, considering he’s typically dressed to the nines.

getting involved with Kendall Montgomery would be equally good and bad. Good because there’s no denying she’s gorgeous. I’d gladly devour her for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Bad because she’s my sister’s best friend, and if either of us caught feelings, it’d only end badly. I’m not in the position to have a relationship or give her the attention she deserves.

I’m so entranced by her that instead of moving around the tree with the lights, I stay planted, and she ends up bumping into me. She looks up at me, and I smile back at her. The realization of how stress-free I feel for the first time in months nearly takes my breath away. The way she brightens up a room with her positive attitude and energy is becoming impossible to resist.

“If I only have twenty-four hours to live, then I’m gonna come clean,” she states, straddling my lap and wrapping her arms around my neck. Instinctively, I grab her hips and hold her still. “Come clean about what?” I ask with a raspy voice. “That I’m attracted to you, and I don’t think it’s one-sided.” She rocks her body against my groin. Fuck. Me.

“You’re seriously testing me right now…” I whisper as I slide my fingers under her shirt and touch her soft skin. With her eyes locked on mine, Kendall lowers her hand and removes her shirt. I watch as it drops to the floor, and my gaze hardens as I take in her perfect breasts. “Fuck it,” I growl as I cup her face and press my mouth to hers.

Our hips move in sync as she rubs her pussy over my cock. It’s practically begging to be released and fuck her raw.

That first kiss we shared was hot. It burned me from the inside out, and I’ve never experienced that kind of electricity before.

Before I can respond, he grabs both of my wrists with one hand and secures them above my head. Then he pins my body to the couch with his hips and flashes a devilish smirk. “What’re you doing?” “I don’t like being rushed,” he states calmly with a wink. Heat rushes to my cheeks from the anticipation of what Ryan’s going to do. It’s almost too much for me to handle. “I like you like this…defenseless and restrained.” I wiggle underneath him and groan. “Funny.” “Don’t worry, Angel.” Angel? Why does him calling me that give me goose bumps? “You cooperate, and you’ll be thanking me later,”

I want Kendall as much as she wants me, and the only thing coming between us is my insecurities.

“Now that we have power, we can watch Christmas movies.” She beams. “It’s literally the perfect setting—snowed in, fireplace, hot guy. I think I’m living in a Hallmark movie.” “I swear to God.”

“Sleep with me in my bed,” I say. Not giving her any room to argue, I rush to say, “I’ll keep you warm and make sure you aren’t lonely.” Kendall arches a brow. “Double bonus.” I smile and reach for her hand. “That’s right. C’mon.” Though I made it sound like it was for her benefit, I love the idea of having her in my bed. Next to me, smelling like me, having me inside her. A possessiveness I’ve never experienced before sweeps over me. But when it comes to Kendall Montgomery, I can’t help it. If only we could stay in our little bubble forever.

She spreads her legs wider as I lick and flick her clit, then she’s screaming out my name. She’s a greedy little thing and rides my fingers when I slide them inside. “Damn,” I whisper between finger fucking her and teasing her clit. “You’re so wet.”

I think about how Ryan and I keep losing control with each other. Even though our agreement is just sex, something more sizzles between us, and he’d be blind to deny it. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a partner, but I have a feeling this is all we’ll have. However, I’m hanging onto the possibility of more after we leave the cabin.

Once we’ve both laughed ourselves stupid, I remove the distance between us and slide my lips against his. “You taste good,” I tell him. “Like chocolate and sexy man.” He chuckles against my lips and cups my cheeks. “You taste like Christmas.” I smile. “My favorite holiday.” He presses a soft kiss on my forehead. “And mine, but I have a feeling this year might be the best one yet.”

“We’ll never know who won.” I meet her eyes and smile. “I think we both did, Angel.” After we pick up all the pieces and put everything back in the box, Kendall and I find something to eat. We settle with tuna and crackers, then go back to the couch and watch another Hallmark movie. At this point, I don’t even fight it because I know how happy it makes her, and that’s all I care about anyway.

“I wanna make you come all night long.” “You have for the past five days,” I tease. “Not that I’m complaining.” “I think we have some records to break, sweetheart,” he taunts, gently kissing me, right as I crumple beneath his touch again. My body convulses, and I lie flat on the table, taking it all in. “Trust me, we’ve already broken records,” I say breathlessly. “Then it’s time to make new ones.”

Kendall meets my eyes and smiles. The realization hits me that Kendall and I are following the same path as my best friend and sister. My entire body is on fire.

When her eyes meet mine, there’s something more behind it, a twinkle I’ve never seen before. Unspoken words stream between us, and there’s no denying she’s knocked me off my axis.

When I’m around her, I feel happier than I’ve felt in months and more like myself. I honestly can’t remember the last time that’s happened to me. Years, maybe? A decade?

I walk closer to her and lean over the back of the chair. My eyes go wide, and my mouth falls open when I see a portrait of myself. “Kendall...” She places her hand over it and tenses. “They say take a picture, it lasts longer, right?” I hear the uncertainty in her tone, and I want to make sure she knows exactly how I feel about her. I tilt her jaw and collide my lips with hers. “It’s perfect, just like you.” “I can’t get you out of my head, Ryan,” she whispers as my heart throbs hard in my chest. “The feeling is mutual,”

She set the ground rules to this game. I’m just playing by them, hoping we both survive.

Feeling this way about Kendall is scaring the fuck out of me. It could end badly. I could break her heart, or she could break mine.

I’m blinded by the emotions that consume me. I study her face, kissing her lips, and wish I was Bill Murray so I could live this day over and over a thousand times with her. Even if that happened, I doubt it’d be enough because Kendall has already burrowed herself deep inside my heart.

As I listen to his heart beat, I wonder if a part of him will be reserved for me once we leave the cabin. I wasn’t supposed to feel this way, but I am, and there’s no denying it.

She’s too goddamn beautiful for her own good. She’s kind and caring, and I’m honestly shocked she isn’t taken.

When we were teens, she was such a pain in my ass. All we did was argue even though Cami begged us to get along. I was just as impossible as she was because I saw her as a spoiled brat, and she always said I had a stick up my ass. Now, I think it was all a cover-up for our mutual attraction.

The blinders have been removed, and I’ve gotten a glimpse of the real Kendall, the woman I’m falling hard for. It makes sense as to why my sister adores her so much and always has. Kendall’s an amazing person.

Kendall might very well be the woman of my dreams, the one I’ve been searching for all this time. She understands me and calms me in ways I’ve desperately needed. There’s no way I can ignore that, but I’m not sure she feels the same.

I’ve always had a thing for Ryan, but the connection and bond we’ve created is so damn strong. Losing him and having this end so abruptly is so unfair.

On the way down the long driveway, I catch a glimpse of the cabin in the side mirror. I watch it until it’s out of view, and sadness washes over me because I know I left a piece of my heart behind.

I honestly wish I could spend more time with her without the distractions from the outside world and take her out on a real date. After spending two weeks alone with Kendall, I’m a changed man, but I’m fighting a war with myself over the way I feel for her. It’s hard for me to comprehend it, and it scares me how fast I’ve fallen for her. I know I’m going to disappoint her.

I’ve gotten quite used to having her near and hearing her little comments about everything. I try to watch TV, but my mind wanders way too much. When I stop on the Hallmark channel, I shake my head and chuckle at what I’m seeing on TV. Two people are snowed in together at a cabin and can’t stop flirting with each other. Our story is literally a corny Christmas romance, but hopefully, we get our second chance like the characters in this movie.

I won’t beg a man to be in my life. If he wanted to be with me, he would be. Period.

“I’m in love with you, Ryan.” He traces his lips with mine before resting his forehead against mine. “Fuck, that feels good to hear.” He laughs. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone, Kendall. It scares the shit outta me, but I’m not gonna run from it. I’ve fallen for you too, Angel. I’m so deeply in love with you.”

“I’ve never felt this way about anyone but you. If you’re willing to take the risk and be mine, I promise I’ll do whatever I can to make you happy and give you the attention you deserve.” Kendall wraps her arms around the back of my neck and pulls me close to her mouth. “Yes, Ryan. I guess that means you’re my boyfriend?” I slide my tongue between her lips and deepen the kiss. “For now. Well, until I make you my wife.” She giggles,

“Kendall.” He clears his throat. “It’s been exactly one year since I fell madly in love with you. Actually, right here in this very place. I know without a doubt you’re the one for me and my forever.” My emotions take over, and happy tears stream down my face as he continues. “The day you decided to give me a chance was the day I felt whole again. Angel, I know it’s not been that long since we started dating, but I can’t imagine my life without you. You’re my everything. You’re the reason my heart beats. You’re the love of my life, and I want to spend eternity with you.” My breath hitches as I wait for his final question. “Kendall Montgomery, baby...will you marry me and be my wife?”

That time we spent together at the cabin changed my life. Kendall showed me I was worthy of being loved and worthy enough to love. She has my whole heart and means so damn much to me.