Ill Take Forever

they were seated and drinks dispersed. 'She and I were best friends as girls, then we drifted apart. I haven't heard from her in ages.'
    'She's not a very good correspondent,' Kyle acknowledged with a grin. 'She travels a lot, you know.' He looked pointedly at Jenny as if to say, join in at any time.
    'Didn't you say she was in Texas touring the Alamo?' She helped out, grinning a little at his discomfort.
    'Yes, she wanted to stand where Davy Crockett stood.'
    'That sounds just like Edith.' Peggy sighed. 'Next time you see her, tell her to give me a call. I never knew your father. She ran off with the first man right after high school. Divorced him before she was twenty. She must have married your father right away. How old are you, Kyle?'
    He took a swallow of his drink, rapidly calculating.
    'Twenty-eight.'
    Jenny's eyes widened at that, and she quickly glanced at her parents for their reaction. Peggy nodded.
    'That'd fit then, Jenny's twenty-five. I knew you’d been around a little while before she was born. How long was Edith married to your father?'
    'Not long,' Kyle hedged.
    Jenny was getting concerned. Any minute now her mother would ask something Kyle wouldn't know and he'd blow the whole thing. She wasn't sure how to turn the subject without her mother becoming suspicious. She could but try.
    'Mother, tell Kyle about entering the flower contest at the fair this year,' Jenny said brightly.
    Her parents both looked at her, rather oddly she thought, but maybe it was guilty conscience. Kyle's face creased in amusement as he gave her a deliberate wink.
    'For best of variety or as an arrangement?' he asked, taking Jenny's lead.
    Once or twice during the evening Jenny would look up to find her mother's eyes on her or Kyle rather speculatively. Jenny would smile awkwardly, glance to Kyle and then back to her food.
    As the evening wore on, they shifted seats, moving away from the table to lawn chairs to take their coffee and brandy. They sat long after dark fell, sipping the beverages, talking. Under cover of darkness, Kyle reached for Jenny's hand, holding it lightly on his thigh, caressing it absently now and again.
    Jenny didn't think her parents could see him holding her hand. If so, what would they think after she'd told them Kyle was interested in Naomi Taylor? She certainly didn't want to give her mother any romantic ideas. But she let her hand stay in his.
    She enjoyed the evening. Her parents were relaxed and amusing in the topics of conversation they chose. Kyle fitted in well and Jenny could tell that both liked him. Of Kyle she was less sure. How much was genuine, how much a part of his act?
    She was always questioning that. Just when she was feeling comfortable, doubt would creep in: how much was Kyle under cover and how much was Kyle the real deal?
    'I'll drive back, shall I?' he asked when it was time to leave.
    'That would be nice.' Jenny didn't like driving at night.
    The moon rose high in the sky, casting a silvery glow, deep shadows, as they drove through the night, the headlights of the SUV thrusting bold slashes of light. Kyle drove swiftly, competently. Jenny rested her head against the seatback, watching him from the faint glow of the dashboard, his hair falling on his forehead, the strong jaw line, the way his hands held the wheel.
    He stopped the car before the house, switched off the lights and engine. 'Your parents are nice.'
    'I'm glad you think so.'
    The light from the moon enabled her to see him, though not clearly. Reluctantly, she got out.
    When she opened the front door to the house, he stopped her as she reached for the lights.
    'There's plenty of light from the moon, we don't need the electric ones.'
    His breath smelled slightly of brandy as he pulled her into his arms. Jenny moved closer and put her arms around him, tilting her face for his kiss.
    He held back for a moment, gazing down at her in the silvery moonlight before slowly lowering his mouth to hers.
    Kyle's touch exploded her senses, setting her afloat on a sea of delight. When his mouth moved to her neck, her throat, she arched against him, moving her head back to better receive his kisses.
    With a muffled groan he swept her up in his arms and turned to mount the stairs. Jenny, conscious of his injury, took as much of her weight as she could, kissing Kyle's ear, teasing the lobe with her tongue, moving to meet his hot mouth when he turned to her.
    He laid her on his bed, immediately following her down, his mouth a sweet,