“Don’t. The only one apologizing for this holiday is Eddy. It’ll be a while before we get it, but it’ll come.”
“You sound confident.”
“I am. I know my sister. Give her time with no one to interrupt her feelings and she’ll figure her shit out. Then she’ll apologize.”
“I’m really glad you want to marry me,” I whisper.
“Every day that goes by, I want to marry you more and more. I become more convinced that this is the right decision. The best decision I’ve ever made.”
“Can we get into bed now?”
“You mean among all the sex toys we left out?”
I glance at the bed and my skin heats. We opened the gifts we got for each other and we definitely both stocked up on lube. Got that note loud and clear. But where I went practical with condoms and sexy jock straps and a vibrator I thought I was totally being risqué on, Etna went adventurous with dildos and butt plugs and cock sleeves for maximum pleasure. He even bought a sounding rod that had my cock trying to crawl back into my body.
“Yes,” I answer. “Let’s lay amongst our spoils.”
He snorts. “Good idea. Get used to feeling them against our skin.”
“Ohmygod.”
Etna laughs quietly. “I’m not sure if I never noticed before or it’s just the change in our relationship, but you’re so damn cute when you blush.”
That makes me blush more. He grins, softly moving his thumb over my red cheek. “So cute,” he murmurs.
“You get better and better,” I say. “Everything out of your mouth makes my heart race.”
“We can definitely work with that. Let’s go, fiancé. We need to brush our teeth and cuddle up with our toys like they’re stuffed animals.”
I crinkle my nose as Etna takes my hand and leads me into the bathroom. I’m pretty confident our marriage is going to be super fun, if nothing else.
CHAPTER 13
ETNA
It’s earlywhen my eyes open. I’ve woken in beds that aren’t mine too many times to count, so it’s not unusual for me to not immediately recognize my surroundings in my groggy state, especially since it’s overcast this morning. However, the lodge-y décor and little holiday knick-knacks around the room remind me and I smile.
Keno is close—much closer than we used to sleep—though we’re not touching. I wonder if it was subconsciously that we’d previously slept with such distance between us. I don’t remember telling myself to stay at the edge of the bed. Honestly, I’d always thought I had plenty of room.
This is different. We’re both in the middle. Together. I can feel his body heat under the covers because he’s so close.
I admire him for a minute, just because I can. He’s still sound asleep. Looking so peaceful and free of worry. No lines of concern mar his forehead because my sister is being a bitch. His long lashes touch his cheeks, so dark in contrast to his light skin.
Picking up my head, I search out the glowing numbers of the clock. It’s just past seven. Glancing out the window, I muse how much earlier it feels with the clouds looming. Was there a storm forecasted? Hopefully, that doesn’t mess up anyone’s travel.
I climb out of bed carefully so I don’t wake Keno. He doesn’t move. Just lets out a quiet sigh in his sleep. Smiling, I slip into some socks and leave the bedroom, shutting the door as quietly as possible.
Keno’s parents have a late morning flight. Though it doesn’t take off until eleven, they need to drop off the car and navigate an unfamiliar airport, so I think they hope to leave around eight. My plan is to make them breakfast so they’re not subject to airport food so early in the morning.
I’m surprised to find Edna sitting at the island with a mug of tea. Her eyes flick up as soon as I step into the room and lock on me. There’s a childish compulsion to say,oh, you’re not going to pretend I don’t exist today?
I don’t. I’m not thirteen anymore.
Without a word, I open the fridge and start pulling out ingredients. What had I planned this morning? There are still eighteen eggs left. Oh, and a loaf of bread. French toast it is. Bacon, too. Sweet.
With my findings on the counter, I dig around in the cabinets as quietly as I can until I find the bowl I need to mix the eggs and the grate pan to bake the bacon. I eat bacon far too much to eat it fully greased. This way, the grease drips off, and it’s still tasty.
“Etna—” Edna starts.
