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eleven

LAUNA

At least two hours had gone by when we finally made it out of the tub.

Some sex had occurred.

Plenty of sex.

We were drying off when the doorbell rang.

I frowned, looking at Kyle.

He grinned sheepishly. “Probably my family. I’m sure they think I lost.”

“You don’t think anyone told them?”

“Nah. We don’t have connections like some of the other guys. They’ll be shocked when they meet you.”

I bit my lip.

The doorbell rang again.

And again.

“We’d better get dressed quick. They have the code,” he said, towing me toward the closet.

“Um, why do they have the code?” I demanded.

He flashed me a grin. “Don’t worry, Beautiful. They can’t usually get in and out whenever they want. I just wanted them to check on my house now and then while I was on the island.”

Okay, that made sense.

“We’re going to change it, right?”

“As soon as I find my phone and power it up enough to send a text to my security company.”

That was fair.

Reasonable, even.

Sure enough, I heard the front door open a moment later. We hadn’t bothered closing our bedroom door, so it was way too accessible.

Kyle tugged a pair of sweats up his legs, and I couldn’t help but admire his ass.

Damn , it was the perfect bubble shape.

“Stare at me after you’re dressed,” he said, putting a gigantic, black long-sleeved shirt in my hands.

“Alright.” I slipped the shirt over my head. He did the same, though his was a thin white t-shirt. And the clothes actually fit him.

“Kyle?” A woman’s voice demanded.

“It’s Kenna,” he murmured. “I’m sure my parents are with her.

“I brought ice cream and board games! No one is moping!” She said, her voice ringing through the house.

The woman was certainly commanding. I had to respect her for it, though it seemed safe to assume it would irritate me from time to time.

“Just a second,” Kyle called out. “Getting dressed.”

“He doesn’t sound like he’s moping,” another woman said.

“Thank fuck,” Kenna replied.

“Language,” a male voice grumbled.

“Are you sure you want me to meet them right now, looking like this?” I whispered to Kyle, as I stepped into the pair of boxer briefs he’d handed me. I didn’t love that they fit just fine, but I wasn’t going to think about that for too long.

“Wearing my clothes, looking like you just spent two hours fucking me in the bathtub?” he asked, lifting his eyebrows as his lips stretched in another grin. “I can’t think of a better way.”

He kissed me, then towed me out of the closet behind him. Part of me wanted to dig in my heels and refuse to go any further, but I knew that was ridiculous. There was no point in putting off the meeting, despite my attempt at convincing him otherwise.

As soon as he stepped through the doorway, someone threw their arms around him.

I stopped abruptly, barely managing not to run into his back. And the person’s arms.

Another set of arms joined.

Kyle hugged both of his assailants with his free arm, though he maintained his grip on my hand. It steadied me, honestly, so I was grateful that he did.

“We’ll make the last few months fun,” his mother whispered.

“You won’t miss anything,” Kenna added, her voice growing a little tighter.

They finally released him, both of them stepping back.

“Thanks for the offer,” Kyle said. “But I’ve got other plans.”

A moment of silence passed.

And another.

“What the hell does that mean?” Kenna finally asked.

I could hear the grin in Kyle’s voice when he said, “I’ve got someone to introduce you to.”

Someone sucked in a breath.

Kenna breathed, “ No .”

He stepped back, pulling me in front of him and setting his hands on my waist but leaving space between his chest and my wings. I appreciated that, tremendously . They were insanely sensitive.

“This is Launa. My mate.”

His mom gasped. She looked about the same age as us, considering she was fae, but her hair was the same shade as his. Their eyes were the same shape, and their bone structure was insanely similar, too. He clearly took after her.

“You did it,” Kenna said, her eyes wide and her lips round. “I can’t believe it.”

“ We did it,” he said, and I could hear that smile again.

“ You did it,” I admitted, looking back at him over my shoulder.

His smile widened. “A little.”

Kyle’s mom surged forward, flinging her arms around me and squeezing tightly. I bit my lip to stop from crying out at the bump to my wings, and hugged her back. She obviously wasn’t trying to hurt me.

“Easy, now. Her wings are sensitive,” Kyle said, his hands tightening protectively on my waist.

“You’re not dying,” Kenna said.

“Nope.” He popped his lips with the ‘p’ as his mom released me. Her eyes were brimmed with tears as she whispered,

“Thank you.”

“I’m lucky to have him,” I said, giving her a small but genuine smile.

“Like hell you are. This bastard does not deserve you,” Kenna warned, stepping up next to her mom and hugging me too. Her hug was gentler, surprisingly.

I laughed, and Kyle did too. “She’s stuck with me anyway,” he said, squeezing my hip lightly.

Kenna released me, and Kyle’s dad stepped forward with a grin and an offer of his hand.

“Welcome to the family, Launa.”

His words nearly made my eyes sting. “Thank you.”

“Now, let’s play those board games,” Kenna said, gesturing toward the kitchen. “I already told Todd to find something else to do for a few hours, so I’m free.”

“Kenna,” their mom said, rolling her eyes as she looped her arm through her daughter’s. “They need space for the next few days. You can avoid your wedding stress through board games after they’ve adjusted.”

I shot her a grateful look.

Kyle made a noise of agreement. “Sorry, Squirt. Door’s closed for about a week.”

She huffed, but agreed.

Kyle’s dad smacked him on the shoulder lightly, offering him a congrats as the three of them headed out.

When the door was shut behind them, I breathed a little easier.

“Well, that could’ve been worse,” Kyle said cheerfully.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

He was right; it could’ve been much worse.

Maybe I really would like his family.

He turned me around and kissed me gently. “Now, I’m going to find my phone so I can reset that code. Do you want to get a movie playing in our room, and spend the rest of the day in bed together?”

“That sounds perfect,” I admitted.

His smile widened, and he kissed me again. “Good.”

With that, he grabbed my ass, making me laugh again before he disappeared.

I padded back into our bedroom with a smile on my face.

Fighting to play on Survival was so, so worth it.