Chapter Eight #2
I blink in surprise. Nick told his parents about my job? “Sure.” I glance down at the gift in my hand. “Oh! This is for you.” I hand the wrapped box to Serenity. “It’s just a little something to say thank you for having us.”
The other woman studies me, her expression gentle.
“Thank you, Aurora. But from now on? No gifts like you’re some stranger or outsider.
You’re family, you hear?” Serenity accepts the present, and we walk into the kitchen.
“Although I have to say, I love presents,” she murmurs as she sets it on the counter.
“I’ll open it later. I want to talk, first.”
I like this woman already.
“Hi, Aurora.” A pretty woman who has to be Jade walks over. She has blonde hair and Nick’s indigo blue eyes, filled with warmth. She pulls me into an unexpected hug. “I’m so happy to meet you.” Releasing me, Jade steps back. “It’s brave of you to come deal with the masses all at once.”
I laugh. “The Kingstons are pretty much the same. I’m prepared.”
Serenity chuckles. “Let’s sit.”
I sit down on a bar stool and place an elbow on the white and light gray veined granite island and glance around. The appliances are top of the line stainless steel. My kitchen is beyond anything I ever dreamed I would have, but this is a step above .
“The house is beautiful, but this room is incredible,” I say. My gaze falls on a coffee maker set into the backsplash across the room, next to the sink. Each look around shows me something new.
Serenity takes a seat. “Thank you. I picked everything. I love to cook, so I was fussy about what I chose. With so many kids, I also wanted things practical. Like these stools? Faux leather, easy to clean.”
“Even with one child, I understand. Spills happen all the time. But I’m more of a basic cook. I didn’t learn until a couple of years ago.” I blush as I realize I’ve alluded to my embarrassing childhood.
Nick’s family might have their issues, but nobody dumped their kid in foster care and ignored them for eighteen years.
“How well you cook doesn’t matter as long as you eat together, right? Besides, there’s always mac and cheese.”
“That there is.” I appreciate how easy it is to talk to Nick’s stepmother.
“I love mac and cheese,” Jade says. “You used to make it for us all the time.” She glances at Serenity and smiles before turning back to me. “I’m looking forward to having another woman at these family gatherings.”
Serenity nods. “Agreed.”
They’re going out of their way to make me feel welcome, and I’m so grateful. “Thank you.”
Serenity brushes at a piece of lint on her blouse. “Michael and I are so happy you and Nick reconnected. It would have been a tragedy for the three of you never to have become a family.”
Serenity’s point hits home, and I find myself confiding in them both.
“I’d always regretted that Leah would never know her father.
When I saw Nick across the room at the premiere, I was shocked, and it took a little while to sink in, but I knew knowing her father was everything I’d ever wanted for Leah. ”
Serenity smiles. “I’ve never seen Nick so happy or complete and I have no doubt it’s because he has both of you in his life.”
“It’s true,” Jade murmurs. “He’s lucky things have worked out. As for me, I’m on a man-fast.”
I can’t help but grin. “Watch it. I said the same thing before Nick burst into our lives.” Realizing what I’ve implied, I feel my face heat. “I mean, not that Nick and I are…well I don’t know what Nick and I are.” I swallow hard. “But you’re tempting fate.”
Serenity puts a hand on Jade’s shoulder. “She’s right. Just because you’ve had two duds, that doesn’t mean the third time won’t be the charm.”
I raise my eyebrows, unsure of what they’re talking about. But I don’t think it’s my place to ask.
“I know, you’re curious.” Jade purses her lips. “ I’ve had two broken engagements and currently believe all men are assholes,” Jade admits.
“Jade Dare. Language!” Serenity shakes her head, but I catch her grin.
“Mom here just thinks she has to guide us. Her language can be as bad as mine.”
I pull in a deep breath, deeply affected by Jade and her stepmom’s easy relationship. I don’t know Jade’s feelings about her own mother, but it’s clear that like Nick, Jade thinks of Serenity as her mom, in every sense of the word.
It’s also obvious that Jade has been hurt by bad relationships and has built barriers around her emotions—something I recognize all too well. I like Nick’s sister and hope we can be friends.
The doorbell rings, and the next thing I know, family surrounds me. I’m introduced to the rest of the Dare clan as they trickle into the house and make their way into the kitchen. Asher is missing, apparently called away on business at the last minute. It seems to be a family theme, I think.
For a while, Nick and Harrison help make me comfortable around their other siblings by introducing me, staying by my side, and telling stories about Nick growing up.
I appreciate their thoughtfulness, but Nick’s family is easy to relax around.
They aren’t pretentious and make me feel like one of them.
Serenity even catches up with me again to ask questions about Future Fast Track, truly interested in the details.
Leah seems to be having a blast with her “aunt” Layla, and meeting her family.
She’s passed around, always the center of attention.
They all brought gifts for Leah and for Layla, which makes Leah extremely happy, and easily wins her over.
Instead of her being overwhelmed, Leah and I fit in.
I’m sure the size of the Kingston clan has us used to the large family dynamic.
“Why do we always end up in this room?” Michael complains, as he pours himself a glass of soda. “We have a perfectly good family room with much more comfortable chairs.”
“The food is here. Where else should we be?” Harrison asks, then glances at me and winks.
That gesture has Nick appearing at my side, letting me know without words that he’s been keeping an eye on me. I can’t deny how much I like knowing he cares enough to make sure I’m okay. And I like to see that he can be jealous, even if his brother is just being sweet.
“Relax, Dad. This is what we do,” Jade says. “You should be used to it.” She wraps an arm around Michael and kisses his cheek. He hugs her in return.
At the innocent, every day gestures, my heart squeezes tight. I never knew that acceptance and love from my own parents. I never will.
“Hey. Are you okay?” Nick asks.
The pain in my chest eases. “I am. Your family is great.” I hesitate and decide to be honest. “I thought the Kingstons and their big, happy family were an anomaly. But you all are showing me that it can be the norm.” And I missed out on so much more than I imagined growing up.
Nick clasps my hands in his, and I soak up his warmth. “The Kingstons are your big, happy family. You’re not an outsider. Not to them.”
I blink in surprise. “I didn’t realize I was referring to them that way.”
They are the family who found me, who took me in, who gave me money they said belonged to me, and they accepted me. But until now, I didn’t realize how much I think of the family as them …and myself, as a separate entity.
“Did I say something wrong?” Nick asks.
I shake my head. “Not at all. You gave me something to think about,” I murmur.
“Hey, little brother.” Zach, a big man, dressed in faded jeans and a battered motorcycle jacket, joins us. “I haven’t had time to meet your woman.”
His interruption comes just in time, before I can get caught up in thoughts of the past. But… His woman? “I’m not…we’re not…”
“We are,” Nick says, sliding an arm around my waist in a slick move. “But you’ll have to forgive Zach. He’s the Neanderthal of the family. It’s the company he keeps.”
“Oh, you have plenty of Neanderthal in you, too.” I pointedly glance at Nick’s hold on my waist, and he squeezes tighter.
I can’t deny his possessiveness turns me on, something I don’t want to think about around his family.
I focus on Zach. “You own a bar?” I ask the handsome man, who has shaggy hair and a healthy scruff of beard.
“Among other pursuits,” he says vaguely. He grins, and I immediately know Zach Dare has secrets. “You two made one adorable kid.”
“Yeah, we did.”
I love the warmth in Nick’s tone when he speaks of our daughter.
“I think so, too, but thank you,” I say.
“Mom, Mom, Mom!” As if on cue, Leah comes running in, but before Nick can grab her, Zach scoops her into his arms. “Mom!” she yells once more.
“Yes! Right here. What’s up?” I ask.
“Uncle Zach got me Unicorn Poo!” Leah’s excitement is palpable, but I shake my head.
“You got her what?” I ask, envisioning something I’ll have to clean up after.
“You heard the lady. Unicorn Poo.” Zach treats me to an unrepentant grin.
“What the he…heck, man?” Nick obviously catches his word choice in front of his daughter.
“Relax. They’re bath bombs, right, kid?” Zach juggles Leah in his arms and she giggles, then he puts her back down on the floor.
“Leah, come have a snack,” Serenity calls, and Leah darts over to where her new grandmother stands by a plate of cookies.
Nick turns to his brother. “What do you know about bath bombs?” he asks, obviously confused. Based on Zach’s un-dad-like appearance, I know why.
“One of the waitresses has a daughter Leah’s age. I asked her what a good gift would be.” Zach shrugs. “Easy.”
“So you chose Unicorn Poo.” I shake my head, laughing.
“Gotta be the cool uncle.”
Nick rolls his eyes. “You think you’re cool, huh?”
“Compared to Mr. Three Dates and I’m Out? Yeah, I’m the cool one.”
“Umm, what ?” I glance from Zach to Nick. “Three dates? What does that mean?” I have no idea what to make of Zach’s comment.
Nick glares at his brother .
“And on that note, I’m gone.” Zach takes my hand. “Great meeting you. I’m sure I’ll see you soon.” He leans in and brushes a friendly kiss on my cheek. “Don’t kill him for who he used to be,” he whispers in my ear.
And then the enigmatic brother is gone, leaving me with questions I won’t get answered while surrounded by people. And not on the ride home, either, as Leah repeats her interactions with every relative she met until she passes out. But I’ll find out. Soon.
***
Nick
I park the SUV in Aurora’s garage and shut off the engine.
“Are we home?” Leah asks.
“I thought she was asleep?” I ask.
Aurora turns to glance at the child in the back. “She sensed the car shutting off. We’re home but it’s late. Bath and bed.”
“Can we use the Unicorn Poo in the bath?” Leah asks, unbuckling herself and opening the car door.
We exit the vehicle, and I know enough to let Aurora handle things tonight.
“It’s late. Let’s save Uncle Zach’s gift for tomorrow. You can even skip a bath now and take one in the morning with the bath bombs, if you like. But you have to promise to go right to sleep.”
“Yes!” Leah raises a victorious hand in the air, and as Aurora shuts the electric garage door and opens the door to the house, Leah darts inside.
I step up behind Aurora, my mouth close to her ear. “Good call, Mom.”
Her body trembles, and she turns to face me. “You’re trouble, Nick.”
“Only for you.” I back her against the door frame. “Today was successful, wouldn’t you say?” My goal is to stay the night, but I have no idea where her head is.
“I’d say so. Everyone was kind and welcoming. You’re very lucky to have them all,” she says.
“I am.” Seeing her fit in with my family cements what I already know—we are meant to be together, and not only because we have a child. If she lets me, I’ll make her a part of my family, the way the Kingstons had made her part of theirs.
She just has to realize where—and with whom—she belongs.
She steps inside, and I follow, the house door closing behind us. Before she can head upstairs, I catch her hand, and she turns to face me.
“Ask me,” I say.
She wrinkles her nose in question. “Ask you what? ”
I bracket her against the nearest wall. “No games. Ask me about the three-date shit Zach mentioned.” I know how bad it sounds.
I saw her reaction and sense that is the reason she’s been so quiet on the way home. But my explanation will go a long way towards smoothing out the rough waters between us.
She sighs. “Fine. I was going to ask anyway. What did Zach mean by three dates and you’re out? Is that how you treated women?”
“Here’s the thing. I dated. If I found a woman I could see a future with, I would have kept seeing her.
But I always knew within three dates if that was even a possibility.
” I shrug because I never set out to hurt anyone.
“It made sense to me. Why string someone along if I knew it wasn’t going to work? ”
She narrows her gaze, her sensual lips pursed in thought. “So you really have that rule?”
“I did. But not any longer. Because I found you again. You’re the only woman with whom I could ever envision having more. Even after that first night.” I touch my forehead to hers. “I came back the next day, remember?”
“Yes,” she whispers.
“Now ask me why no one ever got past three dates.” I breathe in the lingering scent of her vanilla-based perfume, and my cock gets hard .
“Why?” she asks.
I raise my head and bring my hand up, cupping her jaw. “Because none of them were you,” I say. Then I lower my lips and capture hers.
Her mouth is warm and welcoming, and I drink her in, kissing her, licking at her lips, my tongue tangling with hers. More. I want more. And by the way her hands slide into my hair, holding my head in place, I can tell she does, too.
“Mommy! I’m stuck!” Leah screams from upstairs.
I break our connection. “Little cockblocker,” I say, laughing.
Aurora grins. “I should go help her.”
I take her hand. “Tell me I can stay tonight,” I say, as she moves to go up the stairs.
Her gaze meets mine, and the seconds tick away in silence. I wait while she obviously thinks things through.
“You can stay,” she says at last.
“Mommy!”
I shake my head and grin. “We forgot the presents in the car. I’ll grab them while you go rescue her.”
An hour later, thanks to my little negotiator, Aurora and I stand in the hallway outside Leah’s bedroom.
Earlier, she got her head stuck in her pajamas, hence the call for help.
Then, since there was no bath, Leah wheedled us into telling her two stories, one from Aurora, then one from me, with a glass of water in between.
She has a routine, just the way her mother likes it.
It was a great day. Still, I’m glad when Leah falls asleep mid-final story…and I finally have Aurora alone.