Chapter Three

Blair

"Stop being a wuss," I say loudly to myself as I sit inside my little yellow car.

I've been parked in the driveway of the address Dax sent me for the past five minutes. There are a couple of other vehicles parked in the street but this spot was available. Lucky for me because sitting in my car in front of some stranger's house might have made me look like a complete psycho.

Instead, I get to sit here feeling like a total loser.

The passenger-side door opens, and I catch a whiff of woodsy cologne before turning to see who it is getting into my car. Holden smiles beside me.

"I thought I would join you," he says with a chuckle.

"Huh?" It's like I lose the capacity to form words around these men. They strip me of all thoughts and words and I blush brightly at my stupidity.

"You've been out here for the better part of five minutes."

"Oh, my…" I cover my face with my hands. "I didn't think anyone had seen me. I'm so embarrassed."

For long moments nothing happens. Neither of us speaks before Holden takes my hands in his and pulls them away from my face.

"What's going on?" he asks softly scanning my face. "Do you want to leave?"

"No!" I say loudly as I squeeze his hands. "I'm just nervous."

"About?"

"I've never been very social," I say with another blush. "I don't get invited to stuff like this and I'm … afraid I'm … going to make a fool of myself."

"Oh, Little Dove." Holden smiles widely. "You don't have to worry about that. There are only four people here besides me, Dax, and Ford. It isn't a big deal."

I sigh with relief, trying not to let my mind get caught up in the nickname he used. No one has used a cute name for me. Ever. I've always just been Blair. Not that there is anyone in my life to give me a pet name.

"Come on." He kisses my knuckles before letting go of my hand. "Before they send out a search party to find us."

Holden is out of the car and at my door before I can even think to argue. He opens my door and holds out a hand for me to take as I climb out of the car and lock it behind me. He doesn't let go of my hand, but when I turn back to face him there is something in his gaze that can't possibly be what I think it is.

****

Holden

It takes every ounce of self-control not to push Blair against the side of her car and kiss the shit out of her. She has grown up to be a gorgeous woman. Even in high school, it was easy to see how beautiful she was. But in the years we haven't been around, she has bloomed into a stunner.

She is curvy as fuck. Full breasts covered by a pink strappy top, thick thighs, and a juicy ass barely contained in her cut-off jeans. Her long blonde hair hangs in loose curls around her face, making my hands twitch to grab a handful and pull her head back until I have better access to the long, smooth column of her neck.

"Holden?" she says softly pulling me from the dirty thoughts bombarding my brain.

"Yes, Little Dove," I reply.

I keep calling her by the nickname I gave her years ago. I've never used it before except in my mind, but since I said it over the phone I can't seem to stop. And now, I am doing my damnedest not to look down at the freckles that dot her cleavage.

"Is everything okay?" Blair asks as she stares up at me. "Is there something wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"What?" I ask shocked. "No, why would you ask me that?"

"You're staring," she says softly.

"Yes, I am." I smile. "It's hard not to stare at woman as beautiful as you."

Blair blushes again and the color extends all the way from her cleavage, up her neck, and to her cheeks. I wonder if her blush extends beneath the top she is wearing, and I lick my lips as I imagine finding out.

"Let's head inside before Ford comes looking for us." With her hand clasped in mine, I lead her toward the backyard as I try to discreetly adjust my erection.