She grins, not even trying to look apologetic. “A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.”
“You mischievous little minx,” I grunt, pulling her closer as if she’s not nearly on my lap already. “You’re full of surprises.”
“Gotta keep the mystery alive somehow, you know?”
Eli and Hana launch themselves into a random discussion I can’t hear, and Gen and I watch the stage for a moment.
“I have something I want to ask you,” she says right in my ear after a while.
“Yes, I’ll still play pool with you, even though I know you’re a state champion.”
She giggles. “That’s not it, but thank you, wombat. My brother is hosting a dinner for Independence Day, and he’s invited me. I don’t know if you have plans already, but he knows I’m seeing someone, so he suggested I bring you along. Would you like that?”
I’m a little shocked and honored that she’s making such a considerable leap like this. Her family has always been a worry where I’m concerned.
“Will your parents be there?”
“God, no. They always celebrate it in DC, using their network to get invited to the most exclusive parties. It would be just my brother’s family and us. His daughter was recently diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, and they don’t want to overwhelm her while they’re working on it with a therapist.”
She told me her brother isn’t as uptight as her parents, so it should be okay. “The guys and I planned a barbecue on the roof with a few friends. But they’ll understand if I tell them why I’m dropping out.”
“To be fair, it’ll probably be over by nine. Then we can attend your rooftop party, which, knowing you guys, will last well into the night.”
“Probably will, yes,” I concede with a smile. “I’ll still have to smoke the meat for them and prepare the sides because these two twats can’t cook for the life of them. They’ll handle the drinks and grilling, though.”
“You’re so sexy when you take charge like that,” she amorously says, grabbing my jaw to pull me in for a kiss.
I know Kill will probably give me shit about it and say it’s going too fast, but I don’t care. This doesn’t feel fast to me because I know what I want.
This woman.
For as long as she’ll have me.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Gen
One thing I’ve learned about Jakeis that he isn’t an anxious person. He breezes through life with ease and doesn’t bother with emotions as useless as stress or nervousness. As we make our way out of his car to enter my brother’s building in South Central Park though, the confident and easygoing Jake I’ve come to know and love is entirely gone. The man walking by my side is a jittery mess who can’t stop adjusting his necktie.
“I told you the tie wasn’t a good idea,” I point out as we reach the entrance.
He opens the door for me, holding a massive bouquet over a big cake box while I have a bag thrown over my shoulder holding a few things. We came bearing gifts, hoping it would help our odds.
“I should have listened,” he agrees, tugging at the tie yet again. “I feel like I’m being choked.”
“You prefer it when I do it, don’t you?” I tease.
Even though I’m the one bringing it up, heat spreads across my cheeks while he smirks. We got a little carried away this weekend, and I asked to take the lead and try a few things. Choking him while I passionately straddled him was among them, and he guided me through it until we both orgasmed together.
The concierge in the luxurious hallway knows me enough to require nothing more than a nod, so we head to the elevator lobby.
When Jake checks his reflection in the tall mirror to our right and adjusts his clothes, I bite back a smile. “Relax. My brother isn’t as intimidating as my parents.”
He’s wearing a dark suit, which looks fantastic on him, and a blood-red tie. It works well with the reddish tattoos creeping up his neck. I know that he decided to wear a tie in an attempt to hide those as much as possible. He even suggested borrowing my foundation to hide it. I pointed out that not only do our skin tones not match, but it would also be pointless. My brother will eventually learn the truth.
“Everything will be fine, wombat,” I promise, offering him an encouraging smile. When he bends down for a kiss, I gladly give it to him. He needs strength and courage.
I’m not as confident as I look, but I pretend for his sake. After tonight, my parents will eventually hear about Jake, since Gerry might mention him in passing. He works in tandem with our father, after all, so it’s a high probability.
