“There’s no way I can go out there again,” she claims. “I have to catch the next flight back to Texas. Right now.” She tries to stand, only for me to catch her by the waist, pulling her back down.
“Where the hell are you going?”
Her eyebrows lift as if I just asked the most ridiculous question. “I’m going to find my phone so I can book a flight. I need to go.”
My arm around her waist tightens when she tries to stand again. “You’re not going any damn where,” I growl. “We’ve reserved this place until Sunday and today is only Friday.”
Ellyn and I have barely had two days together in this place. There’s a lot more I want to show her and I damn sure am not ready to give up sharing a bed with her for the next two nights.
“Joel, your whole family is here,” she whispers as if it’s some secret that we’re in here together.
“And?”
“What do you mean ‘and’?” she shrieks. “They all just saw me in my panties and bra.” Groaning again, she covers her face with her hands.
“What a sight it was.” I wiggle my eyebrows, grinning.
Ellyn pushes my shoulders. “It’s not funny. This can’t be the first impression I make on your family. That’s so embarrassing.”
I take Ellyn’s chin between my thumb and forefinger. “Look at me.”
It takes a beat before her eyes meet mine. “There’s nothing you have to be ashamed or embarrassed about. We are two adults who are in love and enjoying one another’s company. My kids will understand that.”
“And your grandchildren?” she retorts.
I shrug. “They might be a little pissed that we played with their water guns without their permission.” I chuckle. “But since I was the one who bought those damn toys in the first place, they don’t have a leg to stand on.”
Ellyn gives me a small smile at first. Unable to stay away, I lean in, kissing her. I make it brief to keep it more comforting than sensual.
“Ready?” I ask, standing from the bed.
She rolls her eyes but then puts her hand into mine. I hoist her up, catching her in my arms.
I hold the door open, allowing Ellyn to pass through ahead of me, and I start following her up the hallway.
We’re cut off when Parker comes sprinting into the hallway. “Oh, they’re wearing clothes now!” she calls out to the rest of the family.
Ellyn immediately ducks her head and turns around. The only thing that stops her from retreating is my hand on her shoulders, spinning her around again, then taking her hand in mine as we round the hallway into the living room.
Micah, Gabriel, Ace, and their wives are all seated around the dining room table. Two empty chairs in the middle.
Everyone looks at Ellyn and me.
“What the hell is this? The Portuguese Inquisition?”
“Spanish Inquisition,” Ace corrects.
“Don’t be a smartass.” I point at my middle son.
He smirks, looking unfazed.
“We’ve gotten lunch started,” Lena says from beside Micah. “How about we all have a seat and get acquainted?”
“We don’t need?—”
“That would be great,” Ellyn says, cutting my tirade off.
“Parker, why don’t you and your cousins go downstairs and play for a while?” Savannah calls out to their oldest daughter.
