11. Carmen
11
Carmen
Three days. Three long, torturous days, and I still can’t shake the feel of Donny’s lips on mine. The memory burns, simmering beneath my skin, electrifying every glance, every accidental touch since that kiss. It wasn’t just a moment—it’s been an undeniable, magnetic pull between us ever since. Every time he’s near, I’m painfully aware of the heat still coursing through me, and it takes everything in me to keep it together. Now, as we pull up to the family cabins, the thick blanket of snowfall feels like a much-needed buffer between me and the firestorm still raging inside.
The past few days have been a blur of awkward preparations and stolen glances. Neither of us is quite sure how to address what happened. We’ve danced around the subject, focusing instead on rehashing our cover story and packing for this trip. But in quiet moments, I’ve caught Donny watching me, his gaze intense and unreadable.
As our SUV comes to a stop, the sight of running children gleefully through the snow pulls me back to the present. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the performance we’re about to give. Donny’s hand brushes mine as he reaches for the door handle, and I try to ignore the spark of electricity that jumps between us.
Jaxson, my nephew, spots us first. His eyes light up as he recognizes me, and he bounds over, kicking up snow with each step.
“Auntie Carmen!” He says loudly, getting the attention of his siblings.
Plastering on a grin, I open the door and step out onto the snow-covered driveway. The cold air is a shock, exaggerating my surprise. “You can’t possibly be my nephew. Last I checked, he was half this size!”
As I speak, I’m acutely aware of Donny getting out of the car behind me. His presence feels larger than life, and I have to resist the urge to lean back into him.
Jax’s cheeks turn a brighter shade of pink and he rolls his eyes. “I’m getting older, Auntie.”
“Auntie, auntie!” Arabella says excitedly, then she wraps her small arms around my legs in a tight hug. “Come play.”
I chuckle and pull away from her, my eyes landing on their little sister, stumbling over to us with a smile of her own. “There’s someone you guys should meet first.”
Their gazes immediately take notice of Donny’s wide frame standing next to me, and I thread my fingers through his. Jaxson looks at Donny with a frown, studying him like the adult I’m sure he thinks he is, then narrows his eyes. “Who are you?”
“Jax, manners,” Walker says sternly, a few feet away, but there’s no doubt where Jax got the narrowed look from because my brother is sporting it as well.
“Jax, this is my fiancé, Donny.” I tug Donny closer to my side and lean into him with a smile, hoping that the action makes Walker soften up a bit. Donny’s arm is around my waist, his touch both comforting and electrifying. His stance is protective, almost possessive, as he faces my family. It’s a reminder of how natural it feels to be claimed by him, even if it’s just pretend.
Donny plays his part to perfection, one large hand sliding possessively across my lower back, the heat of his palm branding me through the fabric. When he presses a firm kiss to my temple, it’s not just a simple gesture—it’s a claim, a silent declaration that I’m his, and a bold challenge to anyone watching. Every nerve in my body comes alive, my pulse quickening in response to his touch, betraying the careful mask I’ve tried to maintain.
“It’s great to finally meet Carmen’s family,” he says, his voice rumbling with a low, husky tone that sends a shiver down my spine. I feel his words more than I hear them, the deep vibration sinking into my skin.
It’s the closest we’ve been since that kiss, and my body reacts before my mind can catch up—heat floods my veins, desire curling low in my stomach. I struggle to remind myself to breathe, to act like this is just a charade. But the moment he pulls me tighter, his confidence simmering in the air between us, pretending becomes infinitely harder.
Walker looks between us, his frown deepening. I wonder if he can sense the tension, the unspoken words hanging in the air. Donny, however, seems unfazed by Walker’s scrutiny. If anything, he pulls me closer, his confidence radiating in waves. It’s clear he’s not intimidated by my protective older brother.
After a moment, he nods and extends his hand. “Donny, it’s nice to meet you.” His tone is polite, but there’s an undercurrent of skepticism.
Donny’s arm brushes mine as he reaches out to shake Walker’s hand.
“You must be Walker,” Donny says with an easy smile. “Carmen has told me a lot about you. Must be nice to get away from work and enjoy yourself.”
They shake hands while staring each other down, and the only reason the moment gets cut is because Declan decides to make his own appearance.
“I was wondering when my favorite sister would make her appearance,” he says, winking at me and pulling into a warm embrace.
“Dec,” I say with a chuckle, then pull away from him and nod toward Donny. “This is my fiancé, Donny.”
“Huh, I thought for sure it was a big joke,” he mumbles while studying Donny’s frame. Then Declan walks up to him and smacks him on the back. “I’ve got to compliment any man who can deal with my sister long enough to marry her.”
“Asshole,” I mutter.
Donny grins and Declan looks over his shoulder at me, throwing me a wink.
A tiny hand tugs on my heavy coat and I look down to find Sadie staring at me, snowflakes melting on her thick eyelashes as she does. I lean down, smiling brightly at her, and left her up onto my hip while pressing my lips against her cheek.
She giggles and shakes away from my assault. “Stop it, Auntie.”
“You excited for Santa to be coming? I bet he’s seen how good you’ve been, huh?”
Sadie nods excitedly, her bright blue eyes shining brighter from the thick blanket of snow surrounding us. “I’m going to get a new dolly!”
“Wow,” I say and tickle her tummy. “I can’t wait to see it.”
Instead of waiting for the rest of the family to close us in, I nudge Donny toward the trunk and my brothers follow suit to grab our bags. Walker looks around, then grunts as he places one of my bags down on the ground.
“It’s only a few days, Carmen,” he mutters with a shake of his head as he reaches for another one of my bags. “Who the hell needs this much stuff for a few days?”
I roll my eyes. “Just being prepared.”
Declan smirks and grabs one of the bags, heading forward. “Which cabin is yours?”
Donny squeezes my waist one last time, his touch sending a jolt through me, before letting go to pick up the rest of our luggage. The brief separation leaves me feeling exposed, especially under the weight of everyone’s eyes on me.
Donny chuckles, breaking the tension, and nods toward the lone cabin tucked in the corner. “That’s us,” he says, taking the lead.
Walker watches me curiously as he passes, but thankfully keeps his thoughts to himself as he continues ahead.
The kids have since forgotten the excitement of me showing up and are back to giggling as they throw snowballs at each other. Even Sadie is joining in with a happy squeal. Jessa is standing on the front porch of one cabin, locked in deep conversation with Declan’s girlfriend while still watching the kids closely, and she pauses for a moment to wave at me with a smile.
I manage to give her a forced smile, though she barely notices as her attention quickly shifts to something she deems more important. Hopefully, Donny was paying attention when I explained that Jessa and I have always had a strained relationship—it never fails to show during these family trips.
Walker seems perfectly happy, but I can’t ignore how easily Jessa flaunts his money, acting more like a guest in her own home than a partner. She leaves most of the parenting to Walker, barely lifting a finger to help with the kids. It’s not just that she’s spoiled—it’s that I don’t believe she truly loves him. It feels more like she loves what he provides. And that thought gnaws at me, no matter how hard I try to let it go.
If Walker weren’t so blinded by whatever it is he feels for her, I know he’d see it too. That’s the only reason I’ve kept my mouth shut—he seems happy, and I don’t want to ruin that for him.
The feeling’s probably mutual. Jessa can’t stand me, likely because I’m the only one in the family who sees through the act she’s been playing all along.
When I finally make it to what’s supposed to be a shared cabin between me and Donny, my brothers are already making their way down the stairs in front of me with frowns. Declan pulls in for another hug, pressing his lips to the top of my head, and I pull away.
“Where’s the others at?”
Walker rolls his eyes and glances toward the cabin next to us. “Marissa insisted that she needed more beauty rest, since apparently the drive took too much out of her.”
“And Layla?”
“She should be here soon. She had to make a few pit stops on the way since that bladder of hers has a mind of its own,” Declan says with a chuckle.
I chew on the inside of my cheek and look up, the snow seeming to come down harder than it was a few moments ago. “I hope she doesn't get stuck anywhere. Was a snowstorm on the forecast?”
Walker runs a hand through his hair and sighs heavily. “Dad insisted that everything would be okay, even though I told him we should reschedule until after the holidays.”
“I’m sure it will be okay,” Declan says, then he waves a hand toward our cabin. “He seems like a good enough dude.”
“Yeah, good enough that he proposed before ever meeting the rest of us,” Walker grumbles. “I’m heading back to my cabin.”
“Which one is mom and dad’s?”
As much as I want to keep Donny away from them, it’s inevitable that they’ll meet each other and I need to get it over with.
Walker points down the driveway, which is getting thicker with snow each minute that passes, and shakes his head. “Not sure what they’re doing, but they should be inside. Probably steering clear of the storm, I suppose.”
“Perfect day for some hot chocolate with the kids,” I say softly. “I’m going to say hi, then come by your cabin to spend some time with them. That okay?”
Walker’s gaze softens, and he smiles. “It’s always okay. They never get enough of you.”
“Could you try to get ahold of Layla, make sure the drive is going okay?”
He nods. “Already planned on it now that the snow is coming down harder. I’ll let you know what she says.”
Before I can chicken out, I hurry up the stairs and poke my head inside the cabin to find Donny lounging on the couch. He looks up as I enter, his eyes darkening as they roam over me.
“Come on, Drummer Boy, there’s a few more people you should meet before we call it a day.”
He grunts, but lifts from the couch and gives me an easy enough smile as he pulls me into his side to escort us out of the cabin. As we walk, I can’t help but notice how effortlessly Donny takes charge, guiding me with a hand on my lower back. It’s a subtle display of dominance that sends a shiver down my spine.
Declan walks with us to my parents’ cabin and I chuckle when he forms a snowball to chuck at Walker’s back. Our brother whirls around, his eyes narrowing on Declan, and we hurry up to our parents’ porch with a big smile.
“He’s going to get you back, you know?” I say breathlessly.
Declan shrugs. “I’ll be ready for it. It’s about time he gets out of his grumpy shell and has some fun.”
I scoff. “He doesn’t know the meaning of fun.”
“And you do?” Donny asks with a chuckle.
My spine stiffens at the remark, but I don’t say anything. I can’t fault Donny for making it. He’s only ever known me as the workaholic. Declan is the only one who can ever get the fun side out of me, which is how I know he’s giving me a weird look as I walk up to my parents’ door.
Before this conversation can get uncomfortable, I quickly tap my knuckles on the thick wood and patiently wait for someone to open the door.
It doesn’t surprise me that it’s my dad and he’s frowning, likely over the amount of snow that’s covering the ground, but it quickly turns into a grin at the sight of me. “Baby girl, what a sight for sore eyes.”
His warmth envelops me as I give him a big hug and I inhale deeply. Seems as though my mom can’t help but to get started on the annual cookie baking.
When we pull apart, he ushers us all inside, and Donny comes in silently next to me.
“Dad,” I say as I look up at Donny with a loving smile, “this is Donny, my fiancé.”
My dad holds a hand out and clears his throat, eyes narrowing. “Normally, I’d like to meet my daughter’s partner before they decide they will be in her life forever, but I guess it’s better than nothing.”
Donny doesn’t flinch under my dad’s scrutiny. Instead, he meets my father’s gaze head-on, his grip firm as he shakes his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. I’ve been looking forward to this.”
“You can call me Corbin,” my dad says, but there’s still a frown on his face. “This is the perfect time to get to know each other. I hear you’re part of the band my little girl works for?”
It takes everything in me not to groan over the use of ‘little girl’, but I manage to keep the reaction to myself and head into the kitchen where I know my mother is. The one thing I won’t be able to do is stand in front of my dad and lie much longer about the extent of my relationship. It wouldn’t take long before I open my mouth and utter the truth to everyone.
As I head toward the kitchen, my steps falter when I glance back at Donny. He’s deep in conversation with my dad, but the moment our eyes meet, he gives me a quick wink. His gaze is dark, simmering with something that makes heat curl low in my belly.
I’m not so eager to put distance between us like I used to .
That kiss changed everything, sparking a fire that hasn’t died down, and these past three days of stolen glances and electrifying silences have only stoked the flames.
I don’t know what to make of these new feelings, but I can’t deny them any longer.
Am I falling for him?