Yours Always, Kit: Yours Always, #7

By Ryenne Renner

Taking a sip of coffee, I watched as he took a spoonful of soup.

His groan had me laughing.

"Right? Best hecking soup ever."

"That's amazing."

He dunked his bun into it and I almost spilled my drink as he took a bite then licked his lips.

I remembered that kiss against my truck. I thought about the sweet one by the generator.

My mind moved to the mindblowing night we'd spent together after the bar. I wanted to feel him relax under my hands. I wanted to hear those noises he made. I wanted those shy yeses to reach my ears when I asked him if what I was doing was okay.

Having said that, I wanted him to stick around so I could try and get to know him better. I should probably just focus on quiet movie time.

I finished my soup and sat back with a sigh.

His eyes were on me and I cocked my head in question.

I could see his anxiety slowly climbing.

"Close your eyes, Trap."

I smiled when he did and instantly relaxed.

My lips found his and he leaned into it.

I pulled back. "What do you need?"

He kissed me again. "A shower."

I started to laugh. "So have one."

His grin made my heart kick. Why the hell had a shower almost sent him running?

He stood and held his hand out to me.

Oh.

 

Taylor

All it takes is a few moments of sitting on the deck with Kit and, suddenly, he's all I can think about. It doesn't take long to realize that someone in his past hurt him badly, but for some reason, he trusts me. Until he doesn't. Every time we start to get close, the man runs and disappears. Now, the question is: am I willing to risk my heart in an attempt to heal his?

 

Kit

I can't be loved. It's not something I dwell on, it's just something that is. I've learned the hard way that there's something about me that drives people away. I've come to terms with it. It is what it is. So, I have a rule. I don't go home with anyone I might ever see again. Then, I meet Taylor. The man just won't leave my mind and the next thing you know, I'm finding my way back to him. I know one thing: I can't give him what he wants even if it's the one one thing I want too.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ryenne Renner
• Release date: May 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223012849

Ryenne Renner

Ryenne Renner is a Canadian author who resides in the beautiful province of Saskatchewan. Wife, mother, author, woods sprite, food lover; she has many hats she loves to fill. A trucker’s wife and mom of three, she is grateful to be able to write full time and stay home with her son with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. When not writing, her days are spent hiking, fishing, camping, reading, and watching movies with her family.  Ryenne is a romance author who is a firm believer that love is love.  Follow her at the following links! Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/ryennesromancelovers/  Twitter: www.twitter.com/ryennerenner Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/ryennerenner  Newsletter: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jfqivnv90e (free book) Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ryenne-renner  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryennerenner    Books by Ryenne Renner Contemporary Romance   Yours Always (Mason, Lukas, Logan, Nyssa, Ray, Jack, Kit, Dean, Morgan) Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy   Palbert City Underground (Fire’s Kiss, Tiger’s Choice, Reaper’s Promise) Books written as Mireille Chester Adult: Fantasy Romance   The Chosen One Trilogy (Crossover, Journey, Destiny)   Sageden Pack (Displaced, Shattered, Strayed)   Holidays in Quelondain (Eggnog Kisses, Candy Hearts)   Ghosts (a Quelondain Short) Apocalypse Romance   Angered Seasons Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy   Crimson Moon Hideaway (Winning Paradise, Feathers Afire, Ocean’s Blood, Sweet as Huney)  *these characters also make appearances in the Palbert City Underground series)    YA :   Tyler’s Story   Chael’s Luck

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Kit

I watched as Pen raised an eyebrow at Joker and he grinned.

What? he questioned.

Don’t ‘what’ me. I saw you do it.

Had I not seen the same thing as her, I’d almost have believed his wide eyed innocent look. I smiled.

Liam, you put more sugar in the whipped cream.

He shook his head. Nope. You’re seeing things. Ask Trapper. He’ll tell you.

I laughed and shook my head. I’m not getting in the middle of this. You’re on your own, dude. I took a long swallow of my beer.

I had to admit, when I’d bet against Chains the pair would end up together after their fake marriage op, I’d hoped I’d be wrong. For whatever reason, the Pup crew hadn’t been aware the two had a love/ hate thing going. Maybe it was because Nyssa had been engaged to Pointer. On our end? Shit. The puppy dog eyes on Liam when he was looking at her and he thought no one was watching him... well. Yeah. It had been pretty damn obvious.

Earth to Kit.

I blinked and looked at Nyssa.

Pie. How many pieces?

Oh. Ah, just one, please.

She handed me a piece of apple pie covered in extra sweet whipped cream.

We chatted about the assignment Grimm and Chains were on, all of us glad we weren’t stuck babysitting some rich kids this time around. The majority weren’t terrible, but there were always a few who loved to make our jobs fucking hell.

I glanced at my watch. I’d better head out. I have to fuel up before the gas station closes.

Nyssa hugged me. Drive safe.

I smiled. Always.

Stopping at the pump, I was met by James, who I now knew owned the station. His brow furrowed slightly and I assumed he was trying to remember which one of the crew I was.

You’re not one of the Pup Security guys.

Nope. I shook my head. I’m one of the Daisy Security guys. I work with Joker.

He nodded. You guys all have the same bloody SUVs.

I laughed. Yeah. We do.

Anyway. The debit machine is broken, so if you want fuel, you’ll need to run across the street to the bar and take out some cash.

I smiled. I’ll be right back.

I walked into the bar and blinked, my mouth suddenly dry.

Jesus, Trapper. What the fuck. You’d seen hot guys before.

Christ, I was fucking surrounded by them at work for fucks’ sakes.

Taylor Clark took a sip of his beer, listening to his friend’s story. He burst out laughing and the sound washed over me.

The urge to run back across the street almost had my feet moving. Had I not been low on gas, I would have left.

Shit. Nope. I needed cash so I could get home.

Taylor ran a hand through his blond hair and stood to his full six foot two inches. Seriously? Had he had those jeans tailor made specifically for his ass.

He walked to the bar and got another round for him and his two friends.

Just go to the bar, Trap. Just go to the bar and take out money at the cash machine there and don’t look into his eyes.

Because those eyes... Those amazing grey eyes had looked into mine at Pointer and Ginny’s baby reveal party and I was sure he’d seen into my broken soul. The one part of me no one was allowed to see.

He turned and stopped short at the sight of me.

Fuck.

His smile... Jesus, his smile. My heart gave a kick.

Trapper! Hey! What are you doing here?

I took a deep breath and made my way to his table. I’m ah... I was visiting Pen and Joker. I need gas to get home.

He nodded. You need cash.

Right.

This is Marco and Vinny. You guys, this is Trapper. He works with Joker on the Daisy crew.

Vinny nodded. So, you’re another one of those kickass ex-special ops guys taking the town by storm.

I don’t think...

Marco scoffed. That whole table of women over there haven’t looked away since you showed up.

Oh. They’re probably looking at the three of you.

Seriously.  Vinny had the whole dark and mysterious thing going for him. Marco was all black hair, blue eyes, and cheek bones. And Taylor... I needed to stop looking at his lips.

He laughed. It’s a small town. They all know Vinny is happily married to his wife and they know Marco and I are gay. Trust me. It’s you they’re looking at.

Did he... had he just given me a once over?

I ran a hand over my face. Wow. Okay.

Wait. Him and Marco...

My chest tightened. What the fuck. Was I jealous?

Those amazing grey eyes were on mine. Are you in a hurry? Come back after you fuel up.

I shrugged. Cash. I needed cash so I could get out of here.

He followed me to the cash machine.

I should probably get going.

That’s too bad, he said quietly.

I looked up at the change in his voice and got lost in those eyes again. He wanted me to stay?

Maybe...

No. Absolutely not.

Taylor was off limits. He was Ginny’s cousin. Ginny was getting married to Pointer. That meant I’d see Taylor again and I didn’t fuck anyone I might ever see again.

Besides, I had no idea if Taylor was the fucking type. I didn’t think so.

Also, Marco.

Okay. Ah, I’m gonna go.

I was going to go. As soon as I could stop looking into his eyes.

A small smile touched his lips and he nodded.

Alright. Maybe next time.

I blinked. Sure.

I left with a wave and quickly paid James for the fuel. Getting back into my vehicle, I glanced at the bar.

One drink. I could do one drink and still get home at a decent hour. And just because I had a drink with the man didn’t mean I had to go home with him.

And besides, he was with Marco, so problem solved.

I remembered sitting with him on the deck at Logan’s and watching the kids play in the yard. We hadn’t said much. I’d found out he owned the tow truck business in town, that he liked quiet living, and he was a coffee snob which I thought was hilarious.

I’d laughed and he’d looked into my eyes and my heart had kicked.

I’d made up a bad excuse about something I couldn’t remember and had headed home because my heart... my heart didn’t kick.

No. Going back to the bar was definitely a bad idea.

I pushed on the accelerator.

CHAPTER TWO

Taylor

Holy shit.

He was here. He was here in this bar and I’d almost dropped the beer bottles when I’d turned and found him looking at me.

My heart gave a massive kick and I mentally shushed it.

He wasn’t here for me. I’d somehow managed to scare him off the last time we’d met. I had no clue what I’d said or done, but I’d never had a man run away from me quite as fast as Trapper had. Christ.

I smiled because, fuck it, I was happy to see him. If he wanted to run again, he could run, but I really hoped he wouldn’t.

Trapper! Hey! What are you doing here?

I saw him take a deep breath and my grin widened as he made his way to our table.

I’m ah... I was visiting Pen and Joker. I need gas to get home.

I nodded. You need cash.

Right.

This is Marco and Vinny. You guys, this is Trapper. He works with Joker on the Daisy crew.

Vinny nodded. So, you’re another one of those kickass ex-special ops guys taking the town by storm.

I don’t think...

Marco scoffed. That whole table of women over there haven’t looked away since you showed up.

Those amazing hazel eyes widened. They’re probably looking at the three of you.

I laughed. It’s a small town. They all know Vinny is happily married to his wife and they know Marco and I are gay. Trust me. It’s you they’re looking at.

I couldn’t help myself. I gave him the once over. A couple inches shorter than me with short blond hair and hazel eyes, built strong but not too thick...  he was a wet dream come to life.

Are you in a hurry? Come back after you fuel up. Please?

I followed him to the cash machine.

I should probably get going.

My heart dropped. Yeah. Whatever I’d done, it had left a lasting impression. That’s too bad.

He looked up at me.

I thought maybe he’d change his mind.

Okay. Ah, I’m gonna go.

The urge to ask him again was overwhelming, but I had a feeling that would speed up the running process. Instead, I smiled and nodded.

Alright. Maybe next time.

He blinked. Sure.

He left with a wave and I went back to my table.

Vinny was grinning. Holy shit. Taylor Clark, you have got it bad.

I scoffed. Shut up.

Vinny laughed. Seriously, I thought the two of you were just going to fuck on the table in front of everyone.

Ok. Seriously you guys. He can’t stand me. I don’t know what I did or what I said, but this is two times where he just bolts.

And yeah. My heart broke a little and I had no idea why. I barely knew him. Hell. Barely knew him didn’t even come close to covering how little I knew him. I knew his nickname was Trapper, he worked with the Daisy Security team, he was ex-special ops, and his specialty was traps and explosives.

That was it.

Well, you can’t have scared him off too badly. Vinny grinned and I followed his gaze to where Trapper stood.

Holy shit.

He seemed to hesitate a fraction of a second before coming to our table and sitting beside me.

I can probably stay for one, he said.

I smiled. What do you want?

He cocked his head at the bottles on the table.

They’re a local brew.

Sure. Let’s try that.

Vinny stood. My round.

Marco grinned. Know what we haven’t done in a while?

I raised an eyebrow. No. Absolutely not. I sent a silent plea into the universe that my friend would behave himself.

God, you suck. Vinny?

Fine. So long as it’s not tequila. He turned to Trapper. You want a shot?

Ah... No. I’m good, thanks. I still have to drive home.

I shook my head. I’ll be calling Vin’s wife in about an hour, I muttered to him and he smiled.

My heart kicked.

Vinny came back to the table with four beers and four shots.

Vin. I told Auntie Wilma I’d help out in the coffee shop tomorrow. I’m not drinking that. I glared at the shot. What the hell is it?

He grinned. It’s a blow job. Come on, Tay. You love those.

I started to laugh. You’re fucking terrible, you know that?

Marco slammed his shot back and took a sip of his beer. Well, if you don’t want it, Taylor, you know I’m not one to turn down a blow job.

His eyes were on Trapper as he reached for my shot.

What the actual fuck. I mean, I had no claim on the man sitting beside me, but that wasn’t the point. Marco knew I was interested and we had a strict ‘no hitting on our friends’ interest’ rule.

I glanced at Trapper. There was a slight frown on his face.

He watched as Marco did my shot.

Marco grinned. You gonna do yours?

Trapper shook his head and pushed the drink towards him.

Now that they’d started, it seemed to be a race as to who could finish their beer first, Vinny or Marco. I took a sip of mine.

So, I turned to Trapper and found him looking at me. Any interesting assignments since the last time we saw each other?

He gave a small shrug. "Nothing too exciting. Ghost and