The Do-Over Read online

  “Very nice,” he replied, swallowing hard. Only when she turned away was he able to regain his composure.

  Brad and Cassie arrived then, so Kyle’s exchange with Lanie was cut short. It irked Kyle, but he had no idea why, since the point of the date was to create a false pretense for Brad. Kyle and Brad sat on one side of the table while the girls sat on the other. Kyle missed Lanie’s presence next to him. He’d gotten used to it.

  He sat through most of dinner listening to Cassie drone on about new eyeliners and perfume samples. Brad and Lanie occasionally chatted about work, but Cassie was quick to interrupt them. Kyle had started to focus his attention on the buxom strawberry blonde at the next table when Lanie kicked his shin. Oh yeah, he was supposed to keep his eyes on her. He shifted his gaze, noticing that Lanie’s hair was very soft and shiny. He wondered if it felt as good as it looked. He leaned forward to brush it away from her face, but she jerked from his touch with apparent discomfort. The reaction made him wince. Even though she had some starry-eyed crush on Brad, she could at least act interested. “I really like your tie, Kyle,” Cassie said with fake sweetness, interrupting his thoughts.

  “Thanks. Lanie picked it out.” It was a complete lie, but it served a purpose: letting the other couple at the table know their relationship was serious.

  “Lanie picked that out?” Cassie asked, rolling her eyes.

  Brad said, “That’s a new tie, Kyle? I thought you wore—“

  “Yes, Brad, it’s new. Lanie has very good taste,” Kyle interrupted, hoping Brad would just shut up.

  “Too bad she can’t apply it to her own clothes,” Cassie said, once again acting as if Lanie weren’t present.

  “It’s not what’s on the outside, Cassie. Lanie’s hiding some pretty valuable assets.” Even as he said it, Kyle tried hard not to grin. Brad choked on his drink. Kyle patted his friend on the back much harder than necessary.

  Cassie narrowed her eyes at Kyle. “I don’t know about that. This one’s wound pretty tight,” Cassie retorted, putting her arm around Lanie in a sisterly gesture that was more patronizing than affectionate. Lanie was as red as a tomato and about to pass out. Kyle realized he was not doing her any favors. Still, he hated the taunting way her sister spoke to her.

  “I prefer tight over loose any day of the week,” Kyle replied, watching for Cassie’s reaction. He hoped she wasn’t too dim-witted to understand his meaning.

  Judging from the natural flush that further reddened Cassie’s artificially blushed complexion, she got it. However, unlike Lanie, Cassie wasn’t blushing because she was embarrassed. She was pissed off. She smoothed back her blonde hair, pouted her cherry-colored lips, and crossed her arms.

  “Cassie, relax. Kyle wasn’t directing it at you.” Lanie’s voice came out strong but comforting. She rubbed her sister’s back with compassion. “Right, Kyle?” Lanie’s look was almost pleading.

  “Kyle…“ Brad started, but Kyle had to stop this now. Their table was about to burst into flames.

  “No, my statement was not meant maliciously. Sorry, Cassie. I’m not very good with words.”

  “Which is really surprising since you’re a journalist,” Brad replied with sarcastic animosity.

  Kyle turned to Brad and gave him his best “I’m a jerk and I know it” look. It had always worked in college, and he knew Brad would move on. Kyle breathed a sigh of relief when the uncomfortable dinner was over. They said pleasant good-byes outside of the restaurant. He stood with Lanie, watching Brad and Cassie walk toward Brad’s car.

  Lanie crossed her arms, staring at Kyle with apparent agitation. He did his best to downplay his amusement. “What the hell is wrong with you? Are you trying to get me disowned?”

  “Shut up, Lanie,” Kyle said.

  “Shut up? You don’t tell me to shut up. Who do you think you are?”

  “Just wait.”

  “Wait for what, you jerk?” she asked and actually punched him in the arm. Kyle was surprised how forceful her little fist was.

  “For this.” He took her in his arms and kissed her deeply, rocking her back on her heels. He waited until Brad’s car passed them to ensure Cassie and Brad witnessed the intimate moment. Lanie’s lips were soft and full, but he was perturbed because, not only didn’t she open her mouth, she made no motion to return the kiss.

  When he released her, she punched him even harder. Then she used her duffel-bag-sized purse to hit him in the chest.

  He grabbed her arm and dragged her to the bench by the door. He held her tightly until she stopped struggling. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

  “Me? What about you? You can’t just kiss a girl without notice.”

  “Notice? What the fuck do you want? A written request? You’re acting like you’ve never been kissed before.”

  All the color crept out of her face at once, making her appear ethereal. She looked down at her tightly clenched hands, shifting away from Kyle. He let go of her.

  “Lanie, look at me, please,” Kyle said gently.

  She barely met his gaze, but he tilted her chin with his finger until their eyes aligned. “That was your first kiss?”

  She didn’t speak but nodded in response.

  “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.” Kyle felt like a total jackass. He desperately wished for the ability to reverse time by a few minutes.

  “It’s okay. Don’t feel guilty about it. I was just surprised. Did I hurt you?”

  Kyle would have chuckled at her question. Lanie was tall in stature, but he guessed she was only half his weight. “I’m fine. Does that mean you’re a…you’re a…um…”

  She rolled her eyes. “Yes, Kyle, I’m a virgin.”

  “I don’t understand. How old are you?”

  “I’m twenty-eight,” she answered, looking embarrassed.

  “But…there was never anyone? Like anyone in high school or college?”

  “No, I was too busy studying, and then I was very career focused. I never met the right person either.”

  “Until Brad?” Kyle was surprised by the bitterness in his voice.

  “I guess so,” she replied.

  “Are you saving yourself for him?” Kyle thought it sounded absurd, but then again, everything about Lanie was peculiar to him.

  “It’s nothing like that. I just never wanted to before. It never appealed to me.”

  Kyle’s mouth dropped open. “Sex never appealed to you? Are you listening to yourself, woman?”

  “I know it sounds strange to someone like you who needs sex like most people need air and water.”

  “I guarantee you I’m not the only one who would find your admission odd.”

  “Kyle, I know I’m kind of a freak, but you’re looking at me like I belong in a zoo,” Lanie replied before biting her lower lip. He cursed himself for making her feel worse.

  “You’re not a freak. I don’t mean to make you feel that way. I’m sorry I fucked-up your first kiss.” Kyle did feel very contrite.

  “Don’t be. If I weren’t so shocked, I bet I would have enjoyed it.” She looked up at him with those big hazel eyes and a halfhearted smile. Kyle found it was difficult to breathe. She smelled good too, sweet and citrusy. Like lemons and roses, two things that shouldn’t go together, but on Lanie it worked.

  “Would you let me have a do-over? At least make it memorable?” Kyle asked hopefully, moving closer to her.

  She looked thoughtful for a moment but then shrugged in that cute way of hers and nodded. He swallowed hard and imagined giving her the best kiss of his life. Then that’s what he did. He moved closer to her, stopping only a millimeter from their mouths touching. Kyle whispered, “You have a very pretty mouth. Let me taste it this time.”

  Then he pressed his lips against hers, moving them slowly with gentle precision. He didn’t place any additional pressure until she returned his kiss. He caressed her hair, noting that the luminous auburn strands were as soft as he’d imagined. They brushed against his hand like spun silk. He traced the
outline of her lips with his tongue until she opened for him. Then he explored her mouth, finding her tongue and stroking it with his. The flavor of Lanie was indescribable except to say it was…delicious. A small moan escaped her, which reverberated between them, and Kyle deepened the kiss. He had an urge to pull her on his lap and kiss her for hours, but he restrained himself. Only when he found it was difficult to breathe did he release her. They were both panting. Kyle was relieved he had a takeout box to cover his large erection. Lanie was flushed, but she smiled brightly.

  “Was that better?” Kyle asked, praying she’d enjoyed it.

  “Yes, much better. What a relief,” she said and exhaled.

  “A relief?”

  “I’ve been reading and wondering about kissing so much, and I really didn’t like the first one. I thought I was just a bad kisser.” Her smile turned playful as she tilted her head. “Or maybe you were.”

  Kyle grinned in amusement. “You’re not, Lanie.”

  “Thanks. You’re not so bad yourself.”

  Kyle knew he wasn’t a bad kisser. He had received numerous compliments on his kissable lips many times, but at this moment, her simple statement made him feel like a gold medalist.

  He stood up and reached for her hand. He walked her to her car, feeling incredibly aroused and dissatisfied at the same time. She opened her door. “Bye, Professor,” she joked. Kyle caught another whiff of her incredible scent and couldn’t resist. He slammed her door shut and spun her so she was facing him.

  “One more for the road.” She stared at him with a perplexed expression but didn’t back away. “I want another taste,” he said, feeling his heart race. He leaned her against the car and crushed his lips against hers. This time she ran her fingers through his hair, making him moan. He wanted to touch the curves of her body through the thick fabric of her dress, but he forced himself to concentrate all his efforts on her sexy, soft, pouty lips. When he released her, they were both breathless. Her lips were chapped, and those golden eyes were on fire with a carnal sexuality. There was so much electricity between them that, if harnessed, they could power the whole damn city.

  He opened the door for her.

  “Good night, Kyle,” she said in a raspy voice, getting into the car.

  He leaned into the car, wanting to explore her mouth again, but he settled for kissing her forehead. “Drive carefully.”

  He closed the door and watched her drive away. He hadn’t planned to kiss her again, but part of him had thought the last kiss was a fluke. He’d imagined it wouldn’t be as exciting a third time. It wasn’t. It was much better.

  Chapter Eight

  Kyle lay on his bed, unable to sleep, wondering if Lanie was thinking about their kisses. This odd girl managed to occupy so many of his thoughts. One of his regular booty calls had texted him to come over, but he declined. The whole thing scared Kyle. There was no way he was attracted to Lanie. Moreover, he was definitely not into the virgin thing. He liked girls with experience. He was no teacher, and it wasn’t a turn-on at all. Yet he couldn’t get her out of his mind. He kept seeing her deep hazel eyes and long, slender fingers, remembering how her delicate, soft curls felt against his hands. He recalled the sweet curve of her mouth and the luscious smile she gave him.

  “What the fuck is wrong with me?” Kyle said aloud to the empty room. He never had problems going to sleep and certainly not over a girl. They’d only shared a few kisses, after all. Amazing, soft, furious, passionate kisses. In some ways, it felt like his first kiss.

  He pulled on sweatpants and a Syracuse sweatshirt, deciding to go for a walk. Kyle always walked when he needed to think about a big story or other issues that plagued his mind. Tonight it wasn’t helping to clear his head at all. Lanie was a sweet girl—misguided, but sweet. She loved Brad, and in a strange way, they would be very good together. Cassie was, for sure, not good for Brad…or, for that matter, any guy. She was arm candy, and like any candy, she was addictive in a very bad way. Kyle was definitely no saint, but he wasn’t evil. If anything, he was flawed, and he could admit that about himself. He wanted to feel like an outsider, observing this bizarre situation like a journalist should. But now he was completely vested in this crazy entanglement. Why shouldn’t he be? Brad was his oldest friend. And then there was Lanie, who he now thought of as a friend too.

  Fuck, maybe they should all go on Dr. Phil and get some resolution. He imagined Cassie throwing a chair at Lanie and laughed. Then again, Lanie probably wouldn’t duck. Why wouldn’t she? He had looked up her bio at work, and she had an impressive résumé. She was a brilliant lawyer and did more pro bono work than any attorney there. She was accomplished and successful, but she acted like such a pushover, at least when it came to her sister.

  Lanie had seemed so brash and ballsy the first time he met her. She had made sexual comments about the leggy blonde screaming his name. Lanie was right. The blonde, Candace or Connie or whatever her name was, had screamed his name over and over when her legs were wrapped around his neck later that night. Kyle didn’t say her name back though. He couldn’t remember it, even when they were in the throes of passion. He was only thinking of the Pulitzer, the most coveted prize in journalism, and…Lanie. How could she be so perceptive about him, yet so stupid when it came to her own life?

  Right now, he wasn’t thinking of the Pulitzer at all. All his thoughts were focused on her. Was she thinking about him? He doubted it. She was busy dreaming about good old Brad. He texted her, knowing it was too late for her to answer. Hey, are you okay?

  He was surprised to get a text right back. Yep. Why?

  Just wanted to make sure.

  R U feeling guilty, mister?

  Kyle laughed. He was feeling guilty. You got me.

  Don’t. It was a very nice first kiss. One I’ll remember.

  Want to meet for lunch tomorrow? He sucked in a breath waiting for her answer.

  Ok.

  When he read her answer, Kyle wondered what she was doing up so late, and he almost texted her to ask but decided not to. He liked believing that she was thinking about him. After all, he was definitely thinking about her. Why did he even want to meet her? He wasn’t sure except he felt he should help her more. She was giving him a story worthy of a Pulitzer, and he was, what…telling her how to dress? It didn’t seem quite quid pro quo.

  Who was he kidding? Or was he kidding himself? He wanted to sleep with her. Maybe he would feel some relief if he just acted on this. The thought made him feel like an asshole. Was he actually contemplating taking her virginity? What kind of douche bag did that? But at the same time, Lanie was an adult, and it would be her decision. He wouldn’t be taking advantage of her. He’d be open and honest about his intentions, and she was the kind of girl who would appreciate that. He was a good lover, but he wasn’t patient. He promised himself that if she agreed, he would be with her…for her. Besides, Brad was a very moral guy, but he certainly wasn’t into virgins either, and it wouldn’t deter Lanie’s goals in any way. Really, he was doing them all a favor. Even if Lanie had sex with Kyle, it wouldn’t make her less desirable to Brad. Lanie wouldn’t be looking for a commitment either. She wanted Mr. Fantastic, not Mr. Fucktastic. She was a lawyer, so they could surely come up with some sort of oral contract. Oral contract…he imagined those sweet lips wrapped around him, and his cock jerked inside his pants. Kyle kicked a garbage can before breaking into a sprint. The walking wasn’t working. Maybe running would be better.

  * * * *

  Lanie tried to put the kiss out of her mind but found herself thinking about it at all hours of the day when she needed to concentrate on work. It only confirmed she had done the right thing by not giving in to any temptations and concentrating on school and work all those years. She didn’t have a point of comparison, but the kisses they’d shared stirred every molecule in her body as if it were waking up from a deep hibernation. They were passionate and tender at the same time. His eyes were even deeper in those moments and almost feral, creating sens
ations she thought were reserved for romantic movies and books. It was unexpected and unnecessary the way he stood up for her with Cassie, but she also found it endearing. No one had ever done that for her, not once in her life. Who could have imagined Kyle Manchester would be that person?

  It didn’t matter though. Kyle was a nice guy, but he was just trouble. His type was all about quantity and variety, not quality or consistency. Brad was different. He saw past Cassie’s flaws and cherished her. In a weird way, that just made Lanie love him more.

  The morning meeting consisted of all the juniors going over their active cases. Lanie received more attention than she was used to when she discussed the status of the Hayes case. Her boss once again encouraged her to seek help with the loads of work involved. She needed a co-counsel on this one. Lanie knew she was a great case lawyer, but she did not have a commanding courtroom presence. This would be the biggest case in her life…her rainmaker, which coincidentally contained all the twists and shockers of a John Grisham novel. She had been able to keep it as a junior associate because she had brought it to the firm, and the girls insisted she be their lawyer.

  She stared at the room full of attorneys, many of whom she’d never talked to. Especially the women, who spoke of her in hushed whispers because she was such an oddball. She had a hard time conversing with them about clothing or television or anything even remotely normal. If it wasn’t about work, she was tongue-tied or silent. That was, most likely, why she didn’t have any friends. She never had, not in grade school, high school, or even college. She was a reclusive kind of girl, and she preferred it that way.

  That was the initial driving motivation for her feelings for Brad. She felt comfortable conversing with him outside of work. Funny, it was the same with Kyle. In fact, it was even easier with Kyle because she didn’t feel a need to impress him or read into what he was saying.