Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 99494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
There’s that weird feeling of guilt mixed with anxiousness again, and that sucks because I don’t even know what is going to happen between us, yet I’m already a mess over it.
“Oh.” I fall flat to my feet, and he lets me go. Tossing the toilet paper in the trash, I look toward the open door behind him when the bell rings.
“I got it!” one of Talon and Mia’s boys shouts, and a second later, multiple voices fill the house, along with the sound of children laughing.
“I guess we should get back out there,” he says quietly as his gaze searches mine. “If my sisters start asking questions about us, don’t feel obligated to answer them.”
“I wouldn’t know how to answer them anyway,” I mutter, and he laughs. “I’m not being funny.”
“I know, but you still are. Should we come up with a safe word so I’ll know when you need me to step in?”
“Is it going to be that intense?”
“This is my family. I know it’s been a while since you’ve been around them, but I’m sure you remember a little of what it was like.”
It’s been years, but I do remember there was lots of picking on each other and a whole lot of them being in each other's business. “Maybe I should go home.”
“It’s too late.” He smiles. “Everyone is here. It will look weird if you take off now.”
“Great.”
“It’ll be fine. If things get to be too much, just say ‘telemarketer.’”
“Yeah, ’cause that won't be weird at all.” I roll my eyes, and his fingers grasp my hip, digging in.
“You know, it’s really hard not to kiss you when you’re being funny.”
My toes curl at the mention of him kissing me, and my hands come up between us, landing against his shirt.
“We need to go out there to your family.” I drop my eyes to his mouth that is so close but so darn far.
“Yeah,” he agrees, and I rub my lips together as I put more pressure on his chest.
I honestly don’t know how I never recognized the sexual tension between us before. I must have been blind or in denial ’cause if it were a tangible thing, I’d be choking on it right now; it’s that thick.
“Fuck,” he mutters, dropping his eyes from mine and his hand from where he was grasping me when one of the kids shouts his name. “Let’s get this part of the night over with.” Turning, he flips off the light, leaving me no choice but to follow him.
When we get down the hall to the living room, I find the large space filled with adults and kids who are all excited to see each other and Bax. I remember Sage, Willow, and Harmony—Bax and Talon’s brother and sisters—but the woman standing with Sage and the two large men taking up space are new to me.
Standing close, with his hand resting on my lower back, Bax introduces me to Sage’s wife, Kim, Harmony’s husband, Harlan, and Willow’s husband, Clay, along with all their kids. Well, Sage and Harmony’s kids, since Willow is very much pregnant and due in the next couple of months with their first child. The only person missing is their sister, Nalia, and I’m surprised she’s not here when everyone else is.
As the kids begin to all play together and run around the house, the doorbell rings, and when Sage opens it, Nico and Sophie step inside. I don’t know why I didn’t remember that Bax’s mom and dad were coming over, but if I had, I would’ve been more insistent on leaving. Being around Bax’s siblings is one thing, but his parents are a whole other can of worms.
Thankfully, his parents are instantly swarmed by their grandkids, who are all excited to see them and show off their costumes, so I’m able to fade into the background. As I watch them interact, I can now understand why my mom has been on Liam and me about settling down. I don’t think it’s about her wanting us settled, or at least not completely. It’s that she wants to experience this kind of moment for herself. And now that I’m seeing it firsthand, I can admit that I’d love for her to have this… and have it myself.
As the children slowly lose interest in their grandparents, Sophie and Nico take off their coats and greet their kids while I stand with Bax, who hasn’t left my side. When Sophie’s eyes find her son’s, the smile she gives him warms me from the inside. It might be similar to the ones she gave her other kids, but it’s still all for him.
She walks across the room to give him a hug, and that’s when she notices me standing next to him. And as she tips her head to the side, it’s like she recognizes me but also doesn’t.