Chapter 24
Twenty-Four
They’d had an intense scene in the early morning hours before they drove to Baltimore, which ironically seemed to calm Kate and make her happy. She’d unhooked her bra to give her inflamed breasts some time to recover on the drive.
“Are you all right, kitten?”
“I’m ok,” she said with a smile. “Better than okay. This is my favorite kind of sore.”
“You need Motrin? I can hit a gas station.”
“No, I’m good.”
“I’m thinking about later. The kids might want you to pick them up and hug them. I wasn’t thinking about them earlier.”
She smiled. “What do you think about? In the moment?”
“Nothing we should talk about while I’m driving.”
“I guess not. Later, I’ll ask you again.”
“You want to hear it raw and unfiltered?”
“Yes.”
“You’re a strange girl, Kate. You know that?”
“Yes.” She reached under her t-shirt and re-clasped her bra with a little hiss of pain as she adjusted her juicy tits inside the cups. “I think you like that about me,” she said softly.
“I love that about you.”
The house was full, not just with his family, but with other kids and parents that had been invited for the party.
Kate stood with her back against the wall, looking pretty overwhelmed as he introduced her.
The kids were jumping and climbing on him as he passed out presents.
He always brought them all something, no matter whose birthday it was.
Kate wore a pink and tan dress with her hair pulled back in a crystal clip.
“You’re Kate, like the princess. That’s a princess’s name,” his niece said.
A two-year-old reached her arms up.
Kate leaned over to talk to them, but her hands stayed firmly behind her back. He would’ve laughed, except he had plans that involved putting his babies inside her and at the moment she looked about as maternal as an iceberg.
Rory swept the two-year-old up, who squealed with delight when he tossed her in the air.
“Why don’t you take Kate to have a tea party?”
“Go with them?” she asked, surprised.
“Sure. When I track down my mom, I’ll bring her in.”
Having gotten his okay, the girls in their Disney gowns grabbed Kate’s hands and tried to drag her down the hall.
“Rory?”
He leaned over.
“I don’t really have any experience with this sort of play,” she whispered.
“You’ll be fine, baby,” he said, brushing his lips over hers. “You’re good at winging it.”
The little girls erupted into discussion over the fact that he’d kissed her. Was he married to Kate? If not, were they getting married soon? If so, could the girls be in the wedding? Could they wear miniature bridesmaids dresses? And flowers? And tiaras?
Kate stared down at them like they were aliens. Rory laughed and sent them on their way.
By the time Rory said hello to everyone and found his mom over an hour had passed.
He was surprised that Kate hadn’t re-emerged, but took it as a good sign.
When he and his mom got to the doorway, the girls were gathered around a table.
Kate sat with her butt on her heels, the way she often did in the club at his feet.
The room was in perfect order in a way he’d never seen it.
“My goodness. Look at this room!” his mom said.
“Yeah, it’s clean, right, Grandma?! Kate said all castles have servants, and they wouldn’t let it get messy, especially on a day of an important tea party. You want some tea, Grandma?”
“Who cleaned this room? You guys or Kate?” Rory asked.
They looked up guiltily. “We did. We helped!”
“My girl doesn’t like messes,” Rory murmured.
“Good for her. But talk to me when she’s got three or four kids of her own. They’ll wear her down.”
Kate looked a little alarmed at the prospect as she came over.
“No one’s going to wear her down,” Rory said, introducing her to his mom.
“Well, you’re just beautiful. And smart, I hear. And talented.”
Kate blushed and looked down. “Not exactly. I work hard though.”
“Well then you’re a good match for Rory. I never knew a day when he wasn’t hard at work on something. Of course, he wanted a salary for his trouble.”
“Ma,” he said mildly.
His mom laughed. “What? Don’t you want Kate to know that you accused your dad and me of being right out of Dickens?”
Kate’s brows shot up, and she grinned. “What’s this?”
“He was nine, and we sent him to help cut the grass of some of the old folks on the block. Do you know he asked the local lawn service what they charged and then demanded the same?” His mom laughed.
“‘I deserve a living wage.’ That’s what he said.
When I asked him what a living wage was, he had no idea.
He’d heard it on some financial channel and knew it meant getting paid more.
” She continued chuckling. “The negotiation went on for days. I tell you so you’ll be careful of this one. He was born relentless.”
“You act like she doesn’t know,” Rory said.
His mom clucked her tongue at him, then turned to Kate. “Well, we’re very glad you’re here. If you need anything, just come and tell me. I know this place is a mad house. We’re all used to it, but if you don’t have brothers and sisters—?”
Kate shook her head.
“Or close cousins? No. Then it’ll take a little time for it to seem normal to you.”
Kate nodded politely.
The little girls wanted her to return to the tea party. They hadn’t even served the imaginary cakes yet, and she’d promised to have some.
“Should I?” Kate asked.
Rory nodded. “I’ll grab you when the real food’s ready.”
When they left the room, his mom gave him a look. He didn’t ask because he knew he didn’t need to.
“She seems very sweet and very shy.”
Rory said nothing.
“And a little stiff. Comes from money?”
“Not the kind you’re talking about. Her dad’s a university professor. Her mom’s a substitute teacher for elementary schools. Her grandfather’s the one who pays her tuition and that was contingent on her getting into Yale and going there.”
His mom frowned. “So only if she measured up? Nice family.”
“We’ll see,” Rory said evenly.
“You must care a lot about her. You never bring anyone home.”
Rory said nothing.
“Garrett and Cindy were from different backgrounds, but anyone could see how much alike they were in their values and what they were comfortable with. It’s hard to overcome big differences if they’re fundamental ones.”
“Agreed.”
“So you think you have enough in common?”
“I know we do.”
She nodded and smiled. “You always think you’re right, Rory.”
“I don’t have to start out right. I just have to be relentless about getting what I want, so I turn out to be right in the end.”
“My son. The king of the self-fulfilling prophecy.”
“Exactly.”
“Well, let me know what I can do to help her feel comfortable. Maybe Cindy and Stacia can take her out—”
He grinned. “No thanks.”
“Why not? Are you afraid they’ll encourage her to stand up to you? Don’t be gruff with her, Rory, if you expect to keep her. You know every girl in the neighborhood started off crazy about you and then ended up avoiding you because you hurt their feelings.”
“Is that what happened?” Rory asked mildly. “Good to know.”
“You act like it’s a joke, but I know you, my darling boy. You wouldn’t have brought her here if you didn’t have something serious on your mind. Be nice to her to make up for the stuff you’ll say without thinking that’ll hurt her feelings.”
He hugged his mom, tight enough for her to poke his side.
“If you love her, you should tell her,” his mom persisted.
“I wonder where I get my relentless streak from.”
She smirked. “I’m serious.”
“Ma, listen, because I’m only gonna say it once. I don’t need help or advice. Kate knows better than anyone how I feel about her.”
“And she feels the same way about you?”
He smirked. “The skepticism is great, Ma. Appreciate it.”
She gave a long-suffering sigh. “All right, I wash my hands of it.”
“Good idea.”
“Well, will you at least buy her a present for spending the weekend here and putting up with all this noise? Anyone can see she’s not used to it. Buying people gifts is one thing you’re really good at.”
“You think I should bribe her into staying with me?” he asked, amused. “There’s a word for that.”
“That’s not what I meant. You know—never mind, here she comes.”
“I had two imaginary strawberry shortcakes and one imaginary cream puff. I can’t figure out why I’m so hungry,” Kate said.
“Let me see what’s ready,” his mom said, disappearing into the kitchen.
Rory pulled her to him. “Did the Mad Hatter show up?”
“No, but funny you should ask. I told them about him and now they’re looking for him everywhere, convinced he’s in the house. They’re checking the toy box and closets. I’m supposed to check the kitchen. They’re so hilarious,” she said, shaking her head.
“My mom tried to give me advice. She said I should be nice to you.”
Kate glanced down and smiled. “She meant well.”
“She also said I should buy you presents. Guess I’ll tell her about the nipple clamps and the collars.”
Kate laughed.
“Here she comes,” he said in a low voice, then louder, “Thanks for making me a plate, Ma. Appreciate it.”
“Very funny. Come and sit down, Kate sweetheart, and tell me what you’re studying in school while you eat.”
“Finally someone who knows how I deserve to be treated,” Kate teased.
He smirked and swatted her ass as she walked away.
His mother gave him a stern look. “I saw that. You better behave, Rory.”
“Uh huh,” Rory said, the corners of his mouth curving up.
His mom shook her head. “Go away. Leave Kate and me in peace.”
After his nephew opened his gifts, the party thinned out, and Rory told Kate that they’d put in their appearance and could head to the hotel anytime she was ready. She could see he was having a good time though, so said she’d like to stay a little longer.
She spent more time with his adorable nieces and then found an unexpected opening with the nephews. They came to Rory for advice on a video game.
“Why ask me? I’m no gamer,” Rory said.
“Your friend. The one you texted at Christmas.”