Page 38

Killian

The house she told me about in letters is even nicer than I imagined, but it’s hard to focus on that when all I can think about is meeting her family for the first time. These people had my back in a time I didn’t expect to have anyone, and the words “thank you” just don’t feel sufficient.

It’s been so long since I’ve been around a family that I don’t even know how to act. I feel like I need a shower to wash off prison, but thanks to the haircut Kev gave me and the dressy outfit Joey got me for court, I at least look like someone attending a dinner. It doesn’t take much for me to recognize these feelings aren’t about how I look or even how I act, I’m just... nervous to meet them.

“Go over their names for me one more time, love. The kids are Noah and Avery?”

She watches me drum my fingers on the steering wheel anxiously before reaching over to squeeze my leg. “Yes. My sister is Violet, her husband is Greg. My parents are Moses and Sheri, and not one of them will blame you if you don’t know their names by heart. It’s okay, baby. I promise.”

I nod, taking her hand in mine to bring it up to my lips. “I may not know their names, but I already love them all.”

“They love you too. You’ll see.”

Her blinding smile helps put me at ease enough to climb out of the car. She makes it all the way around to me before I can finish smoothing out my collar in my reflection, but I only smile a little wider at her chuckle. “Alright, let’s go meet my new family.”

I tug her hair teasingly as we begin walking, relishing the way she bites her lip and tells me to behave.

I will... but not for long.

It’s not even my fault.

Thankfully for her, the door opens before we even reach it and Violet rushes out to launch herself at me.

I’m knocked back by a force that shouldn’t be possible from a woman her size, but I hug her back without hesitation. She’s the one that’s brought my girl comfort all her life, and because of that, I fucking admire her. “Hey, Vi. Thank you for being there for my Roo.”

“Your what?” she laughs, stepping back to get a better look at me as a little girl with wavy brown hair nearly trips trying to get closer. “Roo?”

“Long story,” Roo mutters, scooping Avery up to hold her. “Say hi, baby girl.”

She eyes me skeptically for a moment. “Are you Uncle Killian?”

Uncle. I’ve always wanted to be an uncle, and now I can be because this family has welcomed me with open arms. It feels so damn good I struggle to find the words. “Uh... yeah.” I clear my throat. “I’m Uncle Killian. You must be Avery, I’ve heard so much about you.”

She beams, wiggling forward to throw her arms around my neck. “Yay!”

I look to her mom for permission before I take her into my arms. “It’s nice to meet you. You wanna introduce me to everyone?”

“Mmhm.” She points to her mom. “That’s Mom.”

“Hi, mom.” I’ve been here less than two minutes and my cheeks already hurt from smiling. “Where’s dad?”

Avery leans around Violet and points. “He’s over there being a stink.”

Suddenly, a man with a full beard pops around the corner with a sheepish expression, one that doesn’t at all match his burly appearance.

He’s a big dude, and that’s coming from me. “I’m Greg,” he says. “I was trying not to overwhelm you. I know how... welcoming my wife can be.”

She sticks her tongue out at him as my girl’s parents join us. After I shake his hand, I let Avery climb into his arms as I face my future in-laws.

Joey definitely takes after her mom, but I can see her in her Moses’ hazel eyes. They’re both wearing warm expressions that have me feeling at ease even when he shakes my hand a little harder than Greg did, and when Sheri pulls me in for a tight hug, I linger there a little longer wishing my mom could be a part of this. “Thank you both for supporting me when you didn’t have to. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I appreciate everything.”

“Thanks for doing the Lord’s work,” Moses laughs, nudging me with his elbow. “Fuck that guy.”

“Dad!” Violet covers Avery’s ears, but it’s too late. Her shocked expression says she heard him loud and clear.

I can’t help but laugh and toss him a little shrug. “Yeah, I agree.”

We make our way into the living room where I meet Noah. It’s obvious he was slowly making his way over to where all the noise was coming from, and when he pauses to look up at me, I feel my chest tighten. He’s so fucking cute it hurts. “Hey, buddy.” I kneel down to his level and take his tiny hand. “Man, you got a grip, huh? I know you’re the one I have to answer to here, so I give you my word I’ll take care of your auntie, okay?”

He just stares at me with giant brown eyes, but slowly breaks out into a cheeky smile, his soft dark curls falling over his forehead. I think that means I have his approval.

“Are you hungry?” Sheri asks. “You have to be, prison food is hot garbage on a good day. Come eat. Joey said you like a good steak.”

Yeah, I think I’ve fallen in love with this whole damn family. “Did she also tell you I’m always hungry?”

I lift him up and follow her to the kitchen, the delicious smells of real food making me cuss under my breath, and when Noah repeats it, I fear they might toss me right out the window. “Damn. Damn. Damn.”

Damn is right, kid.

“Oops. My fault.”

I meet Vi’s narrowed gaze and hand him over, but she softens as everyone starts to sit down. “My kids will grow up to be heathens because of you.”

“Like you’ve never said anything inappropriate in front of them,” Roo laughs. “Just the other day, you—”

“Alright!” Violet blushes, mouthing for her sister to shut up. “Are the baked potatoes ready?”

“Yes, they are. Come grab the toppings to set on the table,” Sheri says, shooing me away so I can’t help.

I take a seat next to Joey and instantly grab her thigh. I’m not trying to deliberately start something here at the table, but I feel that touch all the way through my body. “I missed you.”

I lean in and kiss her nose, catching the little hitch in her breath as she meets my eyes. “I missed you too. But no one can take you away from me now.”

“Nope. Stuck with me, and we both know I’m not afraid to tie you up,” I joke, then sit up a little straighter when I realize Greg absolutely heard that. Oops. At least he laughs.

Did I mention it’s been a while since I’ve had to behave around family?

My fingers dance a little higher up on her thigh before everyone finally sits and I’m forced to use both hands to cut the most delicious looking steak I’ve ever seen.

“It’s medium rare,” Moses grunts. “If you don’t like it, well... maybe you should eat tofu.”

The playfulness in his eyes lightens his delivery, but I hear him loud and clear. “It’s the only way I’ll take it. Anything more may as well be rubber.”

“Good man.” Satisfied, he turns to Roo. “Don’t fuck it up.”

Her jaw drops. “Me?! Tell that to him!”

“Look at him, Joey. He knows what he’s got. Don’t you?”

“Absolutely,” I say without a single doubt. “I may have made some questionable decisions in my life, but this right here I’ll never question. I’ll work every day to show her I know what I have... even in the mornings when she has that messy bun and she’s yelling at me until she has coffee.” I miss that so much.

“He’s got your number,” Sheri teases. “God, she was a nightmare as a teenager.”

“I can imagine.” I laugh even though she’s pouting at me, and it only makes me fall a little more. “She can yell at me all she needs. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Will you guys stop talking now and let the poor man eat?” Roo’s cheeks are deep red as she grabs a steak knife. “He had prison slop for breakfast.”

“Actually, this is my first meal today.” My appetite this morning — this whole week actually — has been nonexistent. “Steel forced me to eat a protein bar though, and I swear it tasted like sand. Please don’t judge me if I eat like an animal.” Or a prisoner.

None of them judge me at all. In fact, they seem happy to watch me enjoy real food for the first time in months, and when I finish well before everyone else, I get to put my hand back on my girl and tease her a little.

It’s impressive how well she keeps the conversation going even as she spreads her legs further for me, but I screw myself over the moment I graze her pussy.

My cock wants more.

Hell, it needs more, and we’re not going to survive if we have to wait for her family to head out. That might not even be today.

Maybe we can be quiet enough.

“Where’s the bathroom, love? Can you show me real fast?” I meet her eyes so she knows exactly what I need, but if she understands, she doesn’t show it.

Her movements are flawless as she stands and sets her napkin down. “The good one is upstairs. It has a bidet.”

I definitely don’t need that right now, but it’s better if they believe I do, so I don’t argue as I let her lead me up the stairs. And I damn sure don’t keep my hands to myself.

When we reach the bathroom, I tug her inside with me and close the door, lifting her up on the vanity so I can slot between her legs.

God, I love the fact that she wore a dress today.

“Killian,” she gasps. “They’ll hear us!”

“You’ll have to be quiet for me, Joey. You think you can do that?”

Painfully slowly, I drag her panties down her smooth legs without breaking eye contact.

She licks her lips slowly as she nods. “I can try.”

“That’s my good girl.” The second she’s bare for me, I inhale her scent and drop down for a taste, finding her hot and ready for me at the first swipe of my tongue. I can’t linger there like I want to, but I go until I feel her body tensing and then stand to free myself. “How much time do you think we have?”

Before she responds, I step in and slide inside her, the overwhelming sensation of coming home hitting me all at once and making me melt into her.

“Fuck it,” she whispers, curling one arm around my neck as she braces on the counter with the other. “Take what you need, baby. However long it takes.”

What I need is for her to promise me forever, but as I slowly slide in and out of her, I realize I don’t need to hear those words. She’s shown me every single day since we decided to take this leap, and every kiss she gives me is laced with that promise. This incredible woman has chosen me, and she isn’t the type to turn her back on someone once she’s opened her heart to them — especially if they give her that same devotion in return. “I love you. You feel like home.”

I crash my mouth to hers and pick up the pace, swallowing the moans she lets out as I drive myself deeper.

“I love you too,” she whispers between kisses, clenching around me as her body trembles.

“Wanted this every single day we were apart, love. I can still say without a doubt that I will never get sick of this. I’ll crave you in the afterlife, and even then you’ll be my captive.”

I told her to be quiet for me and here I am moaning into her ear like we’re the only ones in the house. Her hand clamps over my mouth as she leans back, lips parted in pleasure, and she’s so damn beautiful I almost blow at the sight.

With her hand muffling the noises, I get a little louder as I fuck her harder against the vanity, but suddenly, I want something much different.

I need her to see what I see.

Stepping back, my cock throbs in protest as I pull out of her. “Turn around. Don’t make a fucking sound.”

Her eyes widen for a moment, but she hops off the counter and spins for me anyway. “What are you going to do to me?”

“I want you to watch yourself take it,” I growl as quietly as I can, pushing her dress up above her beautiful ass and slapping the skin. It’s too loud and I know it, but the way her body reacts is worth it. “Eyes on me.”

She glances up at the mirror as I shove myself inside of her again, so close to the edge I wish I’d have thought of this sooner. But here, I can see the slender curve of her neck, the way her dress teases what’s underneath, and the desperation on her face.

And she can see it, too.

“Go ahead, Joey,” I whisper, leaning in to ghost the words against her ear. “Tell me not to come inside you.”

Her breath catches as her pussy strangles my cock, but she shakes her head. “Fuck that, baby. Fill me up. Send me back to dinner with your cum dripping down my thighs.”

I hit the edge so fast I barely have time to grab a fistful of her hair to make her watch. It’s so fucking hard to stay quiet as I pump her full that I know I fail, and the desperate little whimper she lets out isn’t exactly quiet either.

Oh, well.

“Thank you,” Roo laughs. “I needed that.”

“Me too.”

I get her cleaned up and pocket her panties, then follow her back down to the dining room with a sheepish expression.

“We heard that,” Violet mutters. “We all heard that.”

Roo just shrugs as she takes a seat again, and I can’t find it in me to worry about it. Maybe I’ll care later about the way her dad struggles to meet my eyes again, but right now, all I feel is bliss.

Right now... all I feel is free.