“I don’t see why I can’t shoot you. You literally broke into my room,” Ben pointed out. “What is this?”
“Lou isn’t the one I hurt,” Kala whispered. “I love her but she’s not my twin. Kenz, I’m not completely sure what I did. I can be arrogant and selfish and say things that feel like truth to me but it’s hurtful to others, but I love you so much. I want to make it right.”
“Be nice to Ben,” Kenzie replied and held her sister’s hand. “That’s all I ask.”
She didn’t want her sister to change. She loved Kala the way she was but she wanted Ben to have a shot at blending in with her family and friends. She wanted to feel like everyone welcomed him like they had Dare. She didn’t need them to love him like they did Cooper. Coop had been part of their family for a long time, but Dare was doing well.Dare and her dad got along great.
She was almost certain part of the reason Dare had been willing to forgive Tasha had been her family. He’d wanted so much to not be on his own, to have people he could count on. She didn’t know a single human being who could use a nosy, helpful family more than Ben Parker.
She had to prove to him that he was worth more than his guilt, was more important than any vengeance.
Kala groaned. “Fine. I’ll be nice. Scoot over. Coop doesn’t have any room.”
“I’m sorry. What the hell is happening?” Ben asked. “Cooper doesn’t need any room. Cooper is supposed to have his own room.”
“He’s got a nice package,” Kala said with a chuckle. “Very well made, and he keeps a nice grooming routine. I can see where that would be appealing. There. I said a nice thing. About your boyfriend’s dick. It’s handling the cold quite well.”
“Could you put on a robe or something?” Cooper asked. “Also, where’s the… Ah, found the blanket. Scoot over.”
Kenzie yawned and propped herself up on one elbow. There was a thin shaft of moonlight coming from the window and it illuminated her boyfriend’s hot bod and the gun he held. “Babe, this is something we do from time to time when one of us needs comfort.”
“Uhm, she has a husband,” Ben pointed out.
“Yes, that’s why I’m here. Look, man, have you ever dated a twin? Because it gets weird and I’ve learned to go with it.” Cooper settled in. “They didn’t talk earlier and Kala gave up her play session for what I think amounted to a therapy session with Vivi and Sophy. She can’t sleep unless she knows Kenzie is okay. We don’t have to talk about it now, but she needs the connection. Kenzie is half her freaking soul and we will never understand their bond, but we can honor it. Also, is there an extra pillow?”
Ben set the gun down and picked up one of the pillows he’d tossed off the bed earlier because Penny apparently loved pillows. He fast balled it Cooper’s way. “I would like everyone to acknowledge that this is weird.”
“It’s weird,” they all said at the same time.
Ben settled in, crawling under the covers again. “And we all sleep together?”
“It gets fun when one of them needs to go to the bathroom,” Cooper complained. “Because they do not want to be on the outside even though they have tiny bladders.”
“We made a deal. If we’re getting murdered in bed, you go first, babe,” Kala said through a yawn. “Did you have fun tonight?”
“Yes.” Kenzie felt a smile go across her face even as the world felt soft again and sleep called. Ben turned on his side. “And I have the marks to prove it.”
She expected her sister to gag and that was okay.
Instead, she rested her head against Kenzie’s. “I’m so glad to hear that. I want to see them tomorrow.”
Likely so she could assess Ben’s performance, but hopefully she would be nice about it since they were a new couple.
“You could put on PJs,” Cooper said quietly.
“You can’t see it but I’m flipping you off, McKay,” Ben murmured. “You crawl into my bed, you deal with all of me. Also, I will be fucking my sub in the morning and if this is the way we’re playing it, I won’t care that you’re here.”
“We’ll be gone by then,” Cooper promised.
“I don’t know, babe. I could give tips,” Kala offered.
Kenzie snorted and elbowed her twin. “You will not. Go to sleep. We have to work tomorrow.”
“I’m so glad you finally got to play,” Kala said quietly. “The one good thing that’s come from that fucker Huisman is my sister finally getting to be herself fully and completely.”
It was enough. More than enough.
Kenzie went to sleep hoping the next few days would go well.
