Page 5 of Filthy Uncle To Go

“I don’t know,” I say finally.

“Well, why don’t you like the guys at your school?” she asks. I shrug my shoulders again and Nat snorts. “Jenna, there has to be a reason. I know dating is still brand new to you, but there’s got to be at leastoneman in this world that you’re interested in. Or are you interested in women?” she asks, her eyes going round. “There’s nothing wrong with that.”

I laugh.

“No, definitely not that,” I assure her. “I guess it’s because the guys at my school are immature,” I say. “They just seem really juvenile.”

Nat perks up.

“So maybe you need an older guy,” she remarks as she hops off of the counter and walks into the dining room. “We’ll talk more later, Jen, but I haven’t forgotten. We’ll find an older man for you.”

I shake my head ruefully because my sister doesn’t realize it, but the older guy I want is completely off limits. I can’t see myself with anyone else but him, yet I have to forget about my feelings for him because they’re wrong. What an impossible situation.

I take the dish of steaming green beans off of the counter and carry it into the dining room. Most of our guests are already seated, leaving only two open chairs available. One is next to my brother Kendrick, and the other is next to Uncle Drake. Immediately, my heart begins beating rapidly. I have to get to Kendrick, otherwise I’ll spend the entire two hours next to the man whom I’m trying to avoid.

I walk quickly to the table, but before I can even put the green beans down, Natalie takes the seat next to our brother. My heart starts to race as I stare at the chair next to Uncle Drake. Oh gosh. Is this really happening?

In slow motion, I place the green beans on the table. The sound of my thudding heart rings in my ears as I take the remaining empty seat, unable to meet Drake’s eyes. I can feel him glancing at me, and he’s probably wondering why I’m so shy. Why aren’t I saying hi? Then I look up and our eyes lock, as my heart beats even louder in my ears. It’s happening, and this time, I’m ready.

4

Drake

She smiles at me, her pink lips plush.

“Hi, Uncle Drake,” the beautiful brunette murmurs as she scoots her chair closer to the table. “Do you remember me?”

I start. It’s the same lovely voice I heard over the intercom. But who is this woman?

“I’m sorry, have we met?” I ask in a low voice. “Apologies in advance for my rudeness.”

The woman merely giggles again, the tinkling sound making my groin tighten.

“It’s me, Uncle Drake. Jenna. Remember? Your niece?”

I start.

“Jenna?” I ask, my eyes wide.

“Yeah,” she giggles. “I guess you don’t remember, but I don’t blame you. Last year, we had a kids’ table and I had to sit there. But this year, no more! We’re all sitting at the big table this Thanksgiving.”

I mutter something, although I have no idea what I just said because how can it be that the shy, awkward child I remember grew up to be such a sexy woman? Even worse, what does that say about me? I’ve been ogling my own niece for about an hour now. Shit.

But then again, Jenna isn’treallymy niece. She was adopted, and I married into the family, so there’s no shared DNA between us. And technically, sneaking glimpses isn’t a crime, although it feels like it could be.

“It’s good to see you again. It’s been so long,” I manage in a somewhat unsteady voice.

“Yeah, definitely,” she giggles while pushing a lock of those luscious curls behind her ear. “I’ve been at college, so I’ve been away sort of. I go to Marymount, in the city.”

Suddenly we’re interrupted because Michael’s just walked into the dining room carrying a carving knife, but I hardly notice because I can’t take my eyes off of his beautiful daughter. It’s wrong to stare at Jenna, but God, she’s stunning. Her soft, plump lips are begging me to press mine against hers, and from the side, I can see deep into the vee of her sweater. Her creaminess tempts me, and my mouth waters.

This isn’t fair. She’s breathtakingly gorgeous, but I can’t touch her. Yet everything about this delectable woman makes me crave her even more. She smells like the sweetest berries mixed with a vanilla spice. I wish I could scoot my chair closer and press my nose to her hair. But that would be creepy, wouldn’t it? As well as totally inappropriate.

“Alright, who’s ready to eat?” Michael booms.

Everyone responds all at once, but my pounding heart drowns out the sound of their voices because it’s the only thing I can hear. This is crazy! Jenna’s half my age, and I’ve practically known her all of her life. She was just a kid before, but she’s a grown woman now, that’s for sure. She isn’t the same little girl hiding away in her bedroom anymore. This woman is curvaceous and confident, with big brown eyes that make me want more.

As Michael carves the turkey, I sneak a glance at Jenna from the corner of my eye, trying my best to not be obvious. She brightens and licks her lips in anticipation of the food, and that small gesture almost does me in. I want to touch my tongue to her own, not to mention taste the inside of her mouth. But I have to keep things under control.Down boy, I tell my body.This isn’t the time or place.