My girls.
Just as Lexi finishes her bottle, Kinley yawns, which causes me to yawn as well. It’s been a long-ass day, and I’m ready for bed. “I’m going to lay her down,” I say to Kinley.
“I’ll help you set up the pack-n-play.” She stands from the couch and I follow her upstairs. My grandparents’ house has four bedrooms, so Mom made up both rooms, one for me and Lexi and the other for Kinley. She pulled me off to the side earlier and said she wasn’t sure if we wanted to share a room, so she got the other ready just in case.
Kinley sets up the pack-n-play while I change Lexi’s diaper and get her into her pajamas. She sleeps through it all. She’s been such a good girl today and travels so well.
“She’s out,” I say as I lay her down.
“Yeah, she’s had a big day.” Kinley kisses the tips of her fingers and presses them to Lexi’s forehead. “I guess I’ll see you in the morning,” she says and looks back at Lexi one last time before walking away.
I reach out and grab her arm. She stops and looks over her shoulder at me. “Stay,” I whisper my request, scared as hell she’ll turn me down. I’ve slept a handful of nights with her beside me and as far as I’m concerned, it needs to be that way from now on. She’s going to be my wife after all.
“Your parents,” she offers a meek excuse.
“We’re adults,” I counter. Adults who will be married in just five days. “It’s been a long day, McKinley. I just want to hold you.” What is she doing to me? “I’m going to go downstairs to rinse out her bottle and tell everyone goodnight. I’ll be back in a few.” I don’t give her time to argue. Instead, I kiss the top of her head and leave the room, hoping like hell she’s in my bed when I get back.
My grandparents went to bed hours ago, and I can tell that Dad has reached his limit as well. I find them in the living room and pick up Lexi’s bottle. “We’re all going to bed. It’s been a long day.”
“Did you all find everything in your rooms?” Mom asks. I know she’s hinting to see what our sleeping arrangements are.
“We’re good, Mom. I’m just going to rinse this out and then head back upstairs. I’ll see you guys in the morning.”
In the kitchen, I wash the bottle and place it in the strainer. I hear my parents as they head to their room. There are two bedrooms upstairs and two downstairs. Dad’s weak all the time, so they occupy the second “in-laws” suite, as it’s called. I wait until I hear their bedroom door close and take the stairs two at a time.
I enter my room and release the breath I didn’t even realize I was holding. Kinley’s standing in the middle of the room in nothing but a pair of panties. She’s digging through my luggage with nothing but the light from her cell phone, I assume for something to sleep in. Closing the door and turning the lock, I reach back, grab the neck of my shirt, and pull it over my head, all the while walking toward her.
The room is dark, but I can hear her with each rapid breath she pulls in. Reaching out, I snak
e my arms around her waist, her bare back now flush with my chest. Resting my chin on top of her head, I hold her. Her head rests against my heart and I know she can feel it as it thunders inside my chest. It’s all different with her. Every touch is . . . more.
“Arms up,” I say, releasing her. She complies and I slide the shirt I just removed over her head. As soon as she drops her arms back to her sides, I’m hauling her back against me. Everything is different with her, it’s . . . more.
“Let’s get some sleep.” I pull back the covers and wait for her to climb in, following right behind her. As soon as I drag the covers up over us, she backs into me and I wrap her in my arms, just like I have each night we’ve shared a bed.
“Night, Evan.”
I hold her a little closer. “Goodnight, baby.”
The week has flown by. Evan and Lexi have gotten to spend a lot of time with his parents and grandparents. Lexi warmed up to them by the end of day two. Now it’s like she’s been around them since birth. Tonight is our last night with them before my family and Jeff’s parents arrive. Day after tomorrow, we’re getting married.
“Mom, yes, I’m sure he hasn’t seen it. It’s not like this is going to be a real marriage. Why are you so worried?”
I’m currently up in our room, or Evan’s room, talking to my mom. “Honey, it’s a real wedding and your first, so, of course, I want this to be perfect.”
I fight the urge to roll my eyes. “Carol showed it to me the day it was delivered. Evan was outside with his dad and grandfather. She has it in her room.”
“Good. I just talked to her too, and the flowers will be delivered early Saturday.” She rambles on about the wedding.
It’s hard not to get caught up in the excitement of it all, especially when I fall asleep with his arms around me each night. He always finds little ways to touch me—hand on the small of my back or on my knee, arm around the back of my chair. It’s endless.
He calls me babe in front of everyone and doesn’t care who hears him. He even slipped up and called me baby last night when he asked me if I was ready for bed. His mom heard him; I could tell by the smirk on her face. Evan didn’t seem to notice or care. He just said his goodnights, picked Lexi up, and guided me up the steps.
This sweet, caring, charming, sexy-as-hell man is going to be my husband day after tomorrow. Yeah, it’s hard as hell not to get caught up in that. He makes it all feel real.
“So either Evan or I will be at the airport to pick you up. I don’t know that both of us will come, so there will be enough room in the Durango for your luggage.”
“Great. Our flight lands at three,” she tells me.