Destined To Fall by Tamsyn Bester Page A

friend Quinn
helped me.”
Kyler’s mother smiles warmly at me. “Thank you sweet girl, but I’m sure
Robert told you to bring chocolate cake because it’s secretly his favorite.”
We chuckle, and just then Kyler’s father, Robert, walks in. “What did I hear
about chocolate cake?”
“Cassey here, made us some for dessert,” Estelle chimes in, smiling adoringly
at her husband.
“In that case,” Robert says, a naughty grin on his face. “Let’s skip right to
dessert.”
I laugh as Robert hugs me in greeting and then pushes me back by the
shoulders to look at me. “How are you, sweetheart? You look tired,” he says to
me.
“I could say the same thing about you,” I chuckle. “I’m great. Thank you so
much for having me.”
“Estelle has been talking about seeing you again for almost a week,” he
laughs.
“Oh hush, Robert,” Kyler’s mother chides playfully. “I wasn’t that bad.”
He leans down and presses a kiss to his wife’s cheek. “No, my love, you were
worse.”
She slaps him on the chest, and the look they share is one of adoration, respect and pure love. The kind you see in fairytales.
“Now,” Robert says, turning to me. “Let’s go sit outside, on the deck, and
drink some sweet tea.”
    He leads me outside by my elbow and pulls out a deck chair for me. He
takes a seat next to me, at the head of the table. I’m about to start talking
when another voice interrupts me.
“Dad, I’m home!”
     
I turn around just in time to see Kyler step outside and head towards us.
    His step falters when he see’s me, but recovers quickly.
“Cassey? What are you doing here?”
“Kyler, that is no way to speak to our guest.” Kyler’s mother comes out
    next, carrying a tray of appetizers.
“Sorry, Mom, I didn’t meant to be rude,” he replies. He shakes his father’s
hand, and turns to hug his mother. I take a moment to drink him in. His
jeans cling to his thighs and travels up to hug his firm butt. His black t-shirt
shows off beautifully broad shoulders and accentuates his pecs.
My cheeks flush when he catches me devouring him with my slow, intentional perusal.
“Cassey here, visits us almost every Sunday for lunch,” his father says,
winking at me.
“Is that so?” Kyler says. I catch the mischievous glint in his eye, and the
way his lip curls up to the one side. Dammit. He’s sexy.
I stick my hand out. “It’s nice to see you again, Mr. Knight.”
His eyebrows shoot up and he takes a step closer to me, ignoring my
outstretched hand. His hand brushes against my arm as he leans in closer.
My ballet flats have me at a major height disadvantage and I have to resist
the natural inclination to stretch onto the balls of my feet. His lips meet my
cheek, and he breathes out my name against my skin, causing a slight shiver
to make it’s way up my spine. When he straightens, I huff out the breath I
didn’t know I was holding.
“Nice to see again too, Ms. Emerson,” Kyler says sweetly.
Kyler’s parents sit down, and I take the chance to excuse myself to the
bathroom. I need a moment to recollect myself. I’m more than surprised to
see Kyler here, and for some reason it has left me feeling a little frazzled. I
was hoping I’d only have to deal with him on Monday, when I tell him never
to kiss me again.
There’s a knock on the door, and I open it, thinking it could be Estelle
who’s checking on me after I’ve been gone for over ten minutes. Kyler steps
in, shutting the door behind him, and captures my mouth with his before I
even a second to think, let alone protest.
He lifts me and places me on the counter next to the sink. I should push
him away. I should. But I don’t. My body response on its own and my hands
grip his shirt, pulling him between my legs. His kiss turns aggressive, and he
bites my lip.
His hands dive into my hair and he yanks my head up, with the slightest
bit of force, and his tongue starts its assault on mine.
“Kyler, stop,” I mumble into his mouth.