Chapter Eighteen - It would be too much for me.

McKenna

Carter and I were making dinner. Paxton was helping, but then he got a call from his manager, which he had to take. It has been hard since our little session on the sofa this afternoon. My hormones have been crazy, something I haven’t felt in a long time. Yes, I get horny like everyone else, but not this much. I have been containing my feelings well. I don’t have much of a choice with my brother around.

I hear Paxton come downstairs and towards the kitchen.

“Carter, I have a favour to ask you.” He says as he enters.

“What do you need?”

“Um, I need to attend an event next weekend in New York. My manager insists I need to attend. Do you fancy coming with me? I worry if I go alone, he won’t let me leave again.” He chuckles.

“Sure. Why not.” Carter smiles.

“Great! Thank you,” Paxton says brightly, “You should come too, Kenna?”

“Me? No. I don’t do well with attention, and if I am with you, there is going to be a lot of it going around.” I say and shake my head.

“Come on, little sister. You will be fine. You will be with us.” Carter encourages.

“I don’t think I can,” I say softly.

All those people who will be there and the press too. It would be way too much for me. I will end up having an anxiety attack. Plus, I would rather not start any rumours about Paxton and me. I know what the media are like.

“Think about it, please?” Paxton asks.

I sigh, “Okay, I will think about it.”

Even if I do, it will still be the same answer: no. He doesn’t need me there; his best friend will accompany him. Also, I am sure if he wants someone else to go, he won’t have any issues finding a woman to go with him. I am sure he has a long list of them in his phone.

“Thank you. If you say no, I promise not to push.” He smiles.

I return it, “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

Even if I agreed to go, I don’t have a dress suitable for such events. I can’t afford to buy a new one either. I will tell him my final answer tomorrow. Yes, I know what it is now, but I at least want to make it seem like I have thought about it. I wish I could be the time of girl who was a social butterfly, like my brother and Paxton, but I am not. I never really have been. I don’t believe I ever will be.

We take dinner through to the living room. We went with a simple spaghetti dish, a side salad and some Italian bread. For some reason, Carter decided we would all sit at the table tonight. He does that sometimes. I believe it may be because we used to do it when we were kids. My mother insisted we all sat at the table to eat, and a lot of the time, Paxton was there.

“What event is it next week?” Carter asks.

“A charity gala. It is being hosted by the husband and wife who own my record label. They have one every year. I usually perform at, but since I wanted a break this year, they found someone else, but they wanted me to attend at least.” Paxton answers.

“I am sure we will have a fun night.” Carter smiles.

“I am sure we will.”

They talk about the event. Paxton filled Carter in on what to expect. I play with my food as I listen to them. I wish I were the type of person who could go to such things and enjoy them without panicking the entire time.

“Kenna, are you okay? Why aren’t you eating?” Paxton’s concerned voice asks.

I glance up and see the two of them staring at me, a worried look on their face. It is a look I am familiar with, especially from my brother.

“I am fine. I am eating, so you can both quit looking at me like I am going to break because I am not instantly tucking into my food.” I reply with an eye roll.

They look at one another and back at me, “Okay, sorry.”

“It is fine.” I smile and finally begin to eat.

The guys do the same. I appreciate their care, but it has been a long time since my eating disorder was in control, and they need to back off. It is in the past where it will stay.

They go back to talking to one another. I enjoy my food, leaving them to it. The things they are discussing are not ones I am interested in. When I am full, I take my dishes to the kitchen, washing them up. The guys can do theirs once they are done.

I hear someone approach the kitchen. A second later, a pair of arms came around my waist from behind, “Are you okay, beautiful?” Paxton whispers, kissing over my shoulders.

I close my eyes and moan softly, “Paxton, what are you doing? Carter could come in at any second.”

“I know, but I wanted to make sure you were alright. You seemed overly quiet at dinner.”

I turn myself to face him, “I am fine. You two worry too much about me. I am an adult. I am not the scared, broken, sad girl I was back then.”

He reaches in and caresses my cheek, “We can’t help it. It comes naturally.”

“I know, but you really don’t need to, either of you.” I smile.

Paxton pecks my lips and quickly puts a distance between us since we hear my brother approach. I turn back to the sink, washing the dishes Paxton put into them. Carter’s will soon join them too, and I will be left to do them too, but they can dry and put them away.

“Anyone want some dessert?” Carter asks.

“Always.” Paxton laughs.

I shake my head, “No, I am okay for now, but it doesn’t mean you are allowed to eat all the cheesecake. Keep me a slice for later.” I warn, pointing between them.

“Yes, ma’am.” Carter chuckles.

Once I am done with my tasks, I excuse myself to go upstairs. I wanted to shower and change into my pjs for the night. I don’t plan on leaving the house again tonight, so there is no point in staying in my clothes.

I grab towels and my pjs before leaving my room for the bathroom. The second I step out, I am getting pushed back in. Paxton quickly closes the door behind us, reaches for him and pulls me against him.

“Carter has gone out to the store because he needs some things for breakfast tomorrow.” He says.

“And you thought you would take the opportunity to come and annoy me?” I laugh.

“I wasn’t thinking about annoying you, more like kissing you.” He replies and claims my lips in his in a heated kiss.

I moan, holding him close and kiss back. He swings us around, pushing my back against the door. I entangle my fingers in his hair. His body presses hard against mine, his hands running up my thigh and hooking it around his hip.

I whimper loudly and feel myself become wet from our encounter. I part my lips from his, “We should stop because you are arousing me, and Carter won’t be long until he is back.” I breathe out.

“Am I making your horny, sweetness?” he smirks.

“Yes, and you know you are.” I laugh.

“I do. I will let you go, but you should come to my room later once Carter is asleep.” He says.

“I will think about it,” I smirk.

I pat his chest, push him away and disappear to the bathroom. I hear him chuckling from behind. I giggle, locking the door behind me. I will probably go to his room, but I want to make him wonder for a while.