Chapter 45
Kaden
“Slow down, baby. You’re gonna make me cum too soon,” I groan as Hope rides my cock hard and fast, her hands pressed firmly against my bare chest, like it’s the only thing holding her from coming undone completely.
She doesn’t ease up, instead, her hips buck against mine, moving in a fevered rhythm that’s intense, urgent, and wild.
“Fuck, angel. You make me want to lose my mind.”
The wicked curve of her smile is enough to tell me she knows exactly what she’s doing—that she loves every second of watching me unravel.
When she lifts a hand to her hair, her fingers threading slowly through the silky strands as she grinds her greedy core against me, I just about lose it. This woman is just way too fucking sexy.
I grip her waist, lifting her up slightly, and thrust into her with rough, vigorous movements.
Her moans and cries quickly fill the air and course through my veins, making me rock harder, faster, deeper, until my stomach clenches, my balls tighten, and I release inside her with a low, guttural grunt.
“Mmm...” she hums, her breaths coming in quick, shallow pants. “I feel so much better now.”
I give her a slow, lazy, and deeply satisfied smile, and let my eyes fall shut as the last of my energy seeps away.
“Oh, no you don’t.” She smacks my chest playfully. “We have to get ready. Come on—up you get.”
She climbs off me and pulls me up by my arm.
I groan dramatically. “How about we just lie in bed for another hour?”
“Nah-ah! We can’t leave my parents waiting. So either you get up and shower, or I’m leaving without you.” she demands, draping a robe over her bare skin, and instantly making me want to tear that flimsy piece of fabric to shreds.
Three weeks into our new relationship, and I’m about to meet her parents for the very first time tonight.
Even after spending Christmas and New Year’s together, she preferred to wait a few more weeks before bringing me home to meet her family.
But after Zac blurted out last week—while his grandparents were visiting—that his mum had a new boyfriend, a flood of questions followed, along with an official invitation to meet me.
We’d only recently revealed our relationship to Zac, though he had probably already guessed it from how much time we’ve all been spending together.
He seemed genuinely happy, perhaps even thrilled, judging by the way he hugged me and asked if I’d be there to watch him play soccer on Saturday mornings.
His acceptance meant the world to me, and I knew it mattered just as much to Hope.
And if all goes well tonight, I’m hoping to earn her parents’ approval too.
Forty-five minutes later, we’re showered, dressed, and heading out the door towards my car. I offered to drive, so Hope could just relax and enjoy the night, and for once, she had no objections.
After taking advantage of a child-free day, where we spent most of our time eating, watching TV, and making love in bed—we’re now missing Zac and eager to bring him home from his grandparent’s.
Home.
It’s been a long time since I’ve felt truly at home, and ever since Hope and I started dating, that’s exactly how being with her has felt.
We’re on the road, listening to the radio playing softly through the speakers, when I glance over at her sitting in the passenger seat, quietly humming along to an unfamiliar song. She has her window rolled down halfway, the wind tangling through her hair as she watches the streets blur past.
Taking her hand in mine, I lift it towards my mouth, and press soft kisses to each knuckle, the gesture instantly making her smile.
I don’t release her hand. Instead, I lace our fingers together, and rest them on my thigh, holding her there while I drive to her parents’ house.
“How are you doing beautiful?” I ask softly.
“I think I should be asking you that.”
“I’m not going to lie—I’m nervous as hell. Especially after you told me your dad never really liked Adrian when you brought him home all those years ago.”
“Well, you’re not Adrian—thank God for that. And besides, he wasn’t exactly warm towards my father either. He never really made an effort to spend time with him or get to know him. He rarely invited Dad over for a barbecue or even just a beer. It was always my dad who initiated something.”
She shakes her head firmly, as if determined to rid herself of the memory.
“He was close with my brother, though. But I think he only tried with him because he needed at least one member of my family on his side. And my brother Finn is pretty easy to get along with. I think he’d really like you.”
“What’s he like?”
“He’s super easy going. Freakishly smart and a total computer geek. He works as a Cybercrime Investigator for the Federal Police.”
“Wow. That’s fucking impressive.”
“Yeah,” she chuckles. “We never have to worry about getting hacked or scammed. My brother always finds a way to track those fuckers down.”
A genuine laugh slips from my mouth. “It’s definitely a handy skill to have these days. And your dad—you said he’s a judge?”
“Yeah, he is—for the Supreme Court. He worked a lot while my mother stayed home to take care of my brother and me. But even so, we still had a normal upbringing. He plans to retire in the next two years when he turns seventy.”
“Our fathers’ are the same age then.”
A smile graces her face once more, and before I can ask my next question, she tells me to turn right at the next set of traffic lights. Her parents’ house is just at the end of the street.
Less than five minutes later, I’m pulling up to a gated house, or rather, a mansion. Hope taps in the code and the gates slowly glide open. As I drive through, I’m instantly struck by the sheer size of the property, the house itself looking almost as big as my apartment building.
“Jesus,” I murmur under my breath, and Hope lets out a small chuckle beside me.
“That’s pretty much the reaction I get every time I bring someone here.”
I raise a curious brow at her. “How often do you bring people over?”
“Why?” she smirks. “You getting jealous?”
“Maybe,” I toss her a playful wink. “But it might just be a little awkward if you’d brought another man here right before me.”
“Don’t worry—the last man I brought to this house turned out to be the biggest disappointment of my life and a total sex addict. But he gave me Zac, so I can’t completely regret it.”
The knowledge that I’m only the second man she’s invited to her parents’ home draws a wide, satisfied smile from me.
I park beside a white Range Rover, and moments later we’re at the front door, armed with a bottle of French champagne and a baked lemon cheesecake we grabbed on the way here.
We barely have to wait, because within seconds, the front door swings open, revealing a slender, middle-aged woman with velvety red hair, smiling warmly in the doorway.
“You made it!” she exclaims, hugging her daughter tightly before facing me. She glances my way, smiles, and leans towards Hope as if whispering a secret to her.
“Oh, my, honey. He’s quite a handsome one.”
“Mum!” Hope groans, rolling her eyes.
Shaking my head, I let out a breathy chuckle. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. McKenna. I’m Kaden,” I say, leaning in to press my cheek gently against hers.
As I begin to pull away, she holds onto my arms and pulls me in for a heartfelt hug.
“That’s how we greet each other around here. And, please, call me Justine.” she says with a grin, and I respond with a smile of my own.
“I’ll definitely keep that in mind.” I extend the bottle of champagne to her. “This is for you.”
She takes it, her eyes lighting up. “French champagne—my favourite! That’s so kind of you.”
“We also brought Dad’s favourite baked lemon cheesecake,” Hope adds, tapping the top of the box she’s holding.
“Oh, perfect! We were just going to have chocolate pudding for dessert, but a cheesecake is so much better.” She steps back, holding the door open for us. “Come on in—Zac and your dad are already in the dining room waiting.”
I step back and let Hope go in first, then follow the two women towards the dining room. As I walk, my eyes take in the enormous space—expensive décor, polished marble floors, and… plenty of plants, clearly the work of their daughter.
An entire wall is devoted to family photos—snapshots of their whole lives captured in black wooden frames. I spot several pictures of Hope as a little girl, and before I can stop it, a warm smile tugs at the corners of my lips.
Thankfully, there aren’t any photos of Adrian on the wall, even though he was part of this family for years. I suppose, at some point, they realised he wasn’t worthy of a place among those memories. And honestly? I’m more than okay with that.
We step into the dining room, and the second I cross the threshold, I’m instantly taken aback by the number of people gathered around the table.
At the head sits an older gentleman with thick salt-and-pepper hair, presumably Hope’s dad.
Next to him is a man who looks like a younger version of him, a small toddler perched on his lap.
And across from them, a blonde woman of similar age, perhaps mid to late thirties—sits, with a little girl and Zac beside her.
As soon as Zac sees me, he jumps out of his chair and barrels towards me, enveloping me in a hug like we haven’t seen in each other in months.
“You came,” he says, gazing up at me, his arms still wrapped around my waist
“Of course. I promise I would.”
I look up just in time to catch the older gentleman studying me, his expression unreadable, though a flicker of suspicion and curiosity lingers behind his icy blue eyes.
“So much for just meeting the parents,” Hope mutters, shooting a pointed look at her mother, who simply shrugs.
“Kaden’s going to meet the rest of the family at some point. Might as well be tonight.”
Hope shakes her head, then glances at me with a hint of guilt. I offer her a small nod, letting her know I’m fine with it.