Page 63 of The Troublemaker
I laugh at that, but she’s right about one thing. I do want to make love to her, and the sex between us is so good because there is love involved. She has to feel it, too. I mean she said make love over sex, right? With a burst of hopefulness inside me, I tease, “It is a pretty nice car, Kins.”
She laughs. “Any other fetishes I should know about before we go in there, husband? I am supposed to know everything about you.”
“You will tonight, and the things I’m going to tell you are for your ears only. Our business, no one else’s.”
She goes quiet for a moment, and I can almost hear the wheels spinning. For a second I think she’s going to call me out, and ask me to tell her right now, but instead she says, “Okay.” I’m grateful, because I want to do it after the party, when we’re alone at home.
Home.
I almost snort. I’ve always lived in a house, even growing up. It wasn’t filled with laughter and dinners around the table, all the things Nina has and involves me in. She even decorated my house and cottage, wanting me to experience the warmth of home and hearth, but until I accidently found myself in bed with Kinsley, and we stayed in each other’s lives and houses, I never knew what home really meant. I want to have a home with her. I want to have it all with her.
She exits the vehicle and I climb from my side and put my arm around her back. Voices from the backyard reach our ears, and I shake my head.
“What?”
“Sounds like Liam is the life of the party.”
“We need to get that guy a girl,” she says with a laugh.
“He doesn’t need any help getting the girls. That’s the problem.”
She nods. “I know, and I know he’s been through a rough time. What he needs is to meet his match, and fall in love and settle himself down.”
“I agree, but I don’t think Emily was right for him.”
We walk into the backyard and I take in the gorgeous gardens all decorated with flowers and lights, candles, and chairs draped in fabric. There’s even a banner with our names on it.
I put my mouth close to her ear. “They went all out.”
She waves to Emily, who is chatting with Quinn and Jonah. Liam is standing near the bar, knocking back the drinks.
Emily is about to come over but stops when Kinsley’s parents head our way. Kinsley stiffens beside me and I give her a reassuring squeeze.
Her mother plasters on a smile. “You look lovely, dear,” she says, her gaze moving down Kinsley’s dress, stopping around her stomach, like she’s checking for a baby bump before she presents us to the crowd. “Many of your friends are already here.”
“Yes,” her father pipes in. “I met Quinn, she owns a daycare, and Jules is a nurse. Such great professions.” His smile widens, “And Cason, you didn’t tell me your sister was a New York Times Bestselling author. Now that’s something to be proud of.”
“I am proud of her,” I say.
Lilith looks around me. “Are your parents coming?”
“No, they weren’t able to make it. They give their apologies.”
Once again, Kinsley goes tight beneath my palm, and I cast her a quick glance, but she doesn’t look my way. Christ. Was it something I said?
Don’t fuck this up, dude.
“Kinsley, you should know, Evan is here.”
Her head jerks back. “Why would Evan be here?”
“To congratulate you two, of course,” her father says, but her mother casts me a quick glance and I read everything in it. Do they seriously think she’s going to drop everything, me included, and go back to a douchebag who dumped her when she no longer fit his agenda? My God, who are these people?
“How about we go say hello to Evan, then? Let him congratulate us.”
Her parents both look surprised by my reaction. But I thought let’s just face this head on and show them once and for all that Kinsley is with me and we’re happy. We cross the gardens, stopping to say hello to a few of their friends, and most seem genuinely happy for us.
We catch up with Evan who has been talking to Liam, and an uneasy feeling sinks to the pit of my stomach. Judging by Liam’s stance, he’s had one too many drinks. I give a fast glance around and spot Cole. He instantly reads my distress and takes Nina’s hand and makes his way toward us.