“Or Boo?”
“There’s nothing wrong with Kevin.”
“It would be so sexy to incorporate that with some dirty talk in the bedroom.”
He shut his eyes and groaned. “I don’t like where this is going.”
“How’s this for a turn on? Just picture it. In the throes of passion I shout out: Pillage my village, Boo!”
“Shit.” He rolled his chair away from the desk and looked down at himself. “My dick just shriveled when you said that…and then it crawled inside my body and died.”
“Maybe you just don’t understand. By village, I mean my va-jay-jay.”
“No, I got that.”
“And it still doesn’t work for you? Tough crowd.”
He laughed and rolled his chair back to the desk. “Can you please just answer my question?”
Although a smile was still on her face, she was more serious now. “Are you sure you’re ready for this, Son?”
“I’m ready to try,” he replied with a nod. “I know I fucked up. When we met, I was a mess. It was just the wrong time, but it feels like everything is falling into place now and you’re that last missing piece. I can’t promise that this is going to be smooth sailing. If the last six months are anything to go by, this is going to be hard. Really hard. We’re gonna fight and we’re gonna argue over stupid things, but I want that. I want that because it’s with you. And I promise I won’t hurt you again. Do you believe me when I say that?”
There wasn’t a shred of doubt when she answered. “I do. You prove it to me all the time and…I’m ready too…to be yourgirlfriend, that is.”
Just hearing those few words caused a grin so wide his cheeks hurt. “You just made me the happiest guy in the world. So…you know I got a job for the summer and I already bought you a ticket, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.”
She giggled. “That was a little presumptuous.”
“Nope. Just being positive.” He still couldn’t get that stupid grin off his face. “It’s a by-product of being around you.”
“Oh, my God. I am so excited to meet the rest of your family.”
“I’m more worried than excited. Just a warning, when you meet Jordan, don’t take offense to anything she says. She’s very out there. And she’s patched things up with Tyler, so he’ll be there too. Max says he’s also quite…strange.”
“I think I can handle that,” she replied with a wink. “I know all about being strange and out there.”
“True. So…I’ll see you in two weeks?”
“See you in two weeks, Boo.”
June, 28
Great Falls, Montana
Jasmin gathered up the long edges of her saree and climbed out of the cab carrying her small overnight bag. The sheer pink draped skirt and matching half top was adorned with intricate silver beadwork and complimented her small frame. Her hair– in Kevin’s opinion– had grown to anacceptablelength and she left it down just for him. She only ever got dressed up like this on special occasions and today was definitely a special occasion. She was going to meet Kevin’s entire family today…as hisgirlfriend. She spoke to his mother at least once a week and she’d had casual chats with his dad, but meeting the whole family was nerve-racking.
The anxious ball slipped deeper into her stomach as she climbed up the stairs leading to the front door of Kevin’s house. He immediately opened the door, looking delectably handsome in a suit. Seeing him face to face after six months did strange things to her. One part of her was ready to burst into tears while the other part wanted to hug him and never let go.
“Hi,” she said.
He didn’t say a word, his eyes glued to her as if he couldn’t believe she was actually standing in front of him.
“Uh…are you gonna invite me in or…just stare at me?”
Still he said nothing, but he stepped forward, cupped her face and kissed her. Longing, desperation, lust—it was all in that kiss. Day by day they’d become more accustomed to the distance and it felt like an eternity had gone by. The feel of his lips was like a memory of a dream and it took mere seconds to get lost in it. Thebag dropped from her hand as he spun her around and pushed her up against the wall.
“God, I’ve missed you,” he whispered against her lips.
