Page 28 of Never Till Now

“I guess I’ll try a small piece,” Lauren agrees as I cut a piece and hand her the plate. “Are you babysitting tonight?”

“My sister should be here soon. It’s been a rough few weeks with custody paperwork and she needed downtime.” I pull a beer out of the fridge to offer her one, but her nose scrunches up.

“Understandable.” She takes a bite of the lasagna.

Her eyes close and a soft moan passes through my ears, making my dick twitch. I’m seconds from sending the kids back home so I can bend her over this counter.

On cue, Mallory walks up to the counter.

“Do you like it?” she asks.

“It’s one of the best things I’ve put in my mouth.”

“I’m turning seven on Friday.” Mallory hops up on the barstool and starts swaying it back and forth.

“That’s so exciting.” I watch as Lauren’s chair sways, mimicking my niece’s.

“I really want you to attend my party that evening if you’re available.” Mallory grins with eyes full of hope. “It’s going to be at the family cabin with a giant ice cream cake!”

That got Lauren’s attention. “A giant ice cream cake? That’s pretty hard to refuse.”

“I’ll let you have an extra piece if you say yes,” Mallory sings and leans forward, arching an eyebrow.

“Goodness, you know how to pitch a sale. I’ll see if I can get my shift covered for Friday.”

“If work needs to valiate the event, they can call me.” Mallory nods.

“Do you mean to validate?” I ask.

“Look, I only started speaking like four years ago.” She yawns along with Lauren. “Can James and I go back to see mom?”

“Go get your shoes on.” I lock eyes with Lauren as the kids run off. “If you don’t want to go to the party, that’s completely fine,” I whisper. “I know you’re working and it’s hard to tell Mallory no face to face.”

“Do you want me there?” I pause at her question, wondering if this is some sort of test.

“I enjoy you when you are around, but I don’t need you there. This is for Mallory. The entire family will be at the cabin.” I smirk. “The party would be less dull with your pretty face, but I am well aware our rules were no family. So, this is completely up to you.”

“Ice cream cake or a trauma room,” she debates. “I’ve already met some of your family, so that wouldn’t be breaking another rule, right?” I shrug, leaving this up to her. “Are you all staying the night?”

“No. They most likely will but I have a class to teach Saturday morning as a fill-in.”

“I’ll see if I can make it.”

I pull in front of Lauren’s place Friday afternoon. She holds a sparkly pink gift bag and a giant princess balloon. My heart warms with how thoughtful she is. I get out and pop the trunk for the gift.

“You look beautiful.” Her light-pink top and dark jeans hug her curves the way I want to. “You didn’t need to bring a gift.” I debate parking the car and carrying her upstairs so I can wrap my hand around her side braid.

“We should get going.” I know by the look on her face she can read my thoughts. “If today goes well, maybe you’ll get a gift too.” Her finger slides down my chest and drags across my waistline. “Now, open the damn door for me.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I step back and open the door. “Isn’t this a couple thing?”

“Manners are manners, smart-ass.”

The drive north passes quickly with light conversation. We round the bend to a familiar secluded dirt road leading up to the cabin. Redwoods surround us as the weight lifts off me. I should come here more often. I crack the windows filling the car with the fresh forest air. Lauren remains quiet, staring at the nature surrounding us. Her raised eyebrows and parted lips tell me the family cabin is more of an understatement.

A large deck wraps around the two-story, four-thousand-square-foot chalet. Large triangle windows meet at the peak of the angled roof. Pot lights trace the roof line and shine down, giving the cabin a warm glow. I put the car in park and take a deep breath.

“You sure you’re ready for this? It may be loud and chaotic.”