Her gaze meets mine, and I know the word is thick between the both of us, but we don’t say anything. It feels like we’ve been on cloud nine lately, and I don’t want to say anything that shifts that balance. I feel like Jessa was made for me, and I’m excited for my family to meet her, but I know that this is going to be the moment that things get real for everyone. I’ve never brought a girl on vacation with my family before.
The plane ride is longer than I would like, but it is what it is. We’re finally in the tropical paradise I’ve grown accustomed to. The car picking us up from the airport is on time and Jessa looks at our surroundings through the window the entire drive.
I honestly considered renting our own place for the trip, but I knew it would hurt my mom’s feelings. While the vacation home is large, it only has two master bedrooms. The thought of sharing a queen bed with Jessa while one of my brothers or cousin is in the same room feels kind of gross. But I’m sure we can all be adults, and I can keep my hands to myself—for the most part.
“Can I have a rundown of your family again?” Jessa asks, I knead her thigh in her cute little sundress and give her a soft smile.
“I’m the oldest. Linc is three years younger than me. The twins are Gavin and Benjamin, he usually goes by Ben. They both just turned thirty and are something else.” I shrug and she smiles, not sure how to explain my brothers who seem to not have a care in the world. “My parents are Maggie and Jeff, my aunt is my mother’s sister, Holly and her husband Tim.”
“Penny’s parents?”
“Yes, they adopted her when she was three. She’s a year younger than the twins and their only child.”
“Is there anything I shouldn’t bring up or talk about, any touchy subjects?”
“Not really, my family is just a little chaotic at times. If you ever need a break, just tell me and I’ll get you out of there.” She nods and rests her head on my shoulder. “I promise you have nothing to worry about.”
She sighs and leans to kiss my jaw. “I know you wouldn’t put me in a bad position.” I can’t help myself when I grip her chin and kiss her far more passionately than I should with a stranger driving the car. When we break apart, she gives me the smile I’ve become addicted to, the one she gives when I’ve pleased her.
I’m not sure how I’ve earned her trust, but I’m sure as fuck not going to break it. When we pull up to the house, her jaw drops.
“Holy fucking shit. Your parents have fuck you money.”
I clear my throat but don’t reply as the driver opens the door and I hold out my hand for her to get out of the car. We’re assaulted by the humidity, and I get our luggage as we walk to the front door. Jessa is just taking it all in as I open the front door. It seems like luck is on our side and everyone is outside. I’m about to show Jessa around the house before we meet my family.
She looks shell shocked by the house and doesn’t even bat an eye at the room we will be staying in with multiple beds.
“Looks like the twins will be in here with us,” I say, feeling a little insecure about the whole thing.
“This place is beautiful,” she says, looking around as we walk through the upstairs, and I show her each room. The kitchen is massive with a large table that seats twelve and connects with the living room that has a ridiculous sized sectional and massive TV.
“You ready?” I ask her, and she swallows and nods her head. I take her smaller hand in mine and slide the glass door connected to the living room open. The breeze from the ocean hits us right away, and I see my family on the lower deck. We walk down, and we’re greeted with smiles all around.
“You made it!” Penny says, wrapping her arms around Jessa and giving her a tight hug.
My family acts like I’m a goddamn ghost as they all introduce themselves one by one. Jessa seems a little overwhelmed but takes it in stride, shaking hands and giving them a true smile. I give my mom a stern look that says now is not the time for an interrogation, and she rolls her eyes at me.
“Why don’t we all get ready for dinner? Xavier will be plating everything outside in the next half hour.”
Jessa blinks at me a few times, and I hold her closer. I can’t help but notice multiple pairs of eyes tracking the motion.
Jesus fucking Christ.
I don’t think I prepared Jessa enough, or myself, for how bewildered my family would be seeing me so affectionate with someone.
Everyone is scattering to go get showered or changed. They have been here for hours, and we just got here.
“Is what I’m wearing okay?” Jessa whispers. When I look around and none of my family is around, I cup her face, lean down, and give her a kiss.
“You look perfect.” She looks nervous as fuck, and I stroke my thumbs against her face in a soothing motion. “Are you okay?”
“Everyone seems nice, but…” I tilt my head for her to continue, and she sighs. “Are they going to think I’m good enough for you?” It’s almost like she slapped me when I physically recoil from that insecure thought. Jessa has her moments of being passive, or unconfident with others. But the more we’ve gotten to know each other I’ve seen her for the beautifully confident woman she is, and to know she’s feeling this way hurts me.
I lean forward, kissing her head. “I don’t want to hear you say that kind of shit again. I don’t care that we’re on vacation with my family. I will find somewhere to spank your pretty little ass and remind you who you belong to. If you need a reminder of how good you are for me, just let me know, kitten.”
She swallows, and her pupils dilate as she looks at me. “This is just a lot.”
“I think I should have done a better job preparing you, that’s on me. But I never want to hear you say anything about being good enough for me. You’re fucking everything.”
