Shelter (Heroes of Big Sky 2)

I snort. “My family isn’t quiet, sugar. Nice? Yes. And the food is out of this world. But they’re not quiet. You’ll meet my grandma. She always bakes the dessert, and she makes the best damn pie in the world.”

“I like pie.” She nods. “And, honestly, I like to cook. A lot. Mind if I borrow your kitchen one of these days?”

“Honey, you can use my kitchen anytime you like, as long as I get to eat whatever you make.”

“I make enough for an army.”

“Yeah. You’re going to fit in just fine.”

Chapter 12

~Remi~

“I’m going to meet his family.” I cradle the phone close to my mouth.

“Why are you whispering?” Annie asks on the other end of the phone, also whispering loudly.

“Because he’s in the other room, and I’m acting nonchalant in front of him, but I’m chalant as all fuck, Annie.”

She giggles, and I scowl.

“It’s not funny!”

“Of course, not,” she whispers. “Wait, why am I whispering? Okay, tell me what’s happening. Lay it all out for me.”

“He invited me to Sunday night dinner with his whole family. Even his grandma. The. Whole. Family.”

“Oh, I like Nancy so much. You’ll love her.”

“You’re not helping.”

“What do you want me to say? I mean, I’m trying to be a good friend here, Remi, but I don’t know why this is a bad thing. If you don’t want to go, just say so. Tell him you have other plans or something.”

“I don’t have other plans.” I chew on my thumbnail and will my stomach to stop roiling. “I made it seem like it’s no big deal earlier when we were out on the horses, but holy shit, Annie. He wants me to have dinner with his whole family. Isn’t that a thing? Am I ready for it to be a thing?”

Annie sighs, and I know I’m being that frustrating friend that wants to have the situation solved miraculously. But I can’t help it. This has never happened to me before.

“Remi. You spend more time with him than not. You’re sleeping with him.”

“I never said—”

“A woman knows these things. I saw the way you lit up from the inside out when he stopped into the deli on Friday. I hate to break it to you, but this is already a thing. But if you don’t want to go, don’t go.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to go.” I check to make sure Seth is still in the kitchen. “I do. Sort of. But damn it, I’m nervous. This is his whole family. His parents, siblings, and his grandmother.”

“And probably his aunt and uncle and their kids, too.”

“Holy shit, Annie.”

“I know, not helping. Okay, you need to take a deep breath, honey. I suspect you’re not close to your family the way that Seth is.”

“Totally not. Not even close. My mother can’t even remember my birthday.”

“Wait, what? Remi, when is your birthday?”

“Focus, Annie.”

“Right. Go. Enjoy it. Worry about the rest later.”

“That’s it? Those are your words of wisdom?”

“You’re overthinking,” she says with laughter in her voice. “Go enjoy that sexy man of yours. Call me if you need me.”

“Okay. Thanks. Bye.”

I hang up and turn around, running right into a very solid, very hard chest.

“Holy shit! You scared me. You can’t just sneak up on people like that, Seth. It’s rude.”

He’s quiet, so I let my eyes travel up his chest, throat, and to his face. His eyes are narrowed. His jaw tight.

“What?”

“You can just talk to me about this, you know.”

I swallow hard. “Not really.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want to hurt your feelings, Seth. I don’t want to turn down your invitation. I want to go with you.”

“But you have to call a friend to get up the guts? That tells me you don’t want to go. And if that’s the case, you need to say so.”

“Why do you want me there?”

There. I said it. It’s out in the universe now.

Seth licks his lips and moves in closer, nudging me back until I’m flush against the wall. His hands slide over my hips, and his nose skims my cheek.

“Because I like being with you. I want you to hang out with the people I like best. You don’t have anything to worry about, Rem. I’ll be right there with you.”

“What if they don’t like me?” I hate the shakiness in my voice.

“What’s not to like? Have you met you?”

I smile a little and feel the heat ripple through me and my nipples pucker as those magical hands of his slide up to my rib cage.

“I mean, I am pretty cool.”

“The coolest,” he agrees. “If you hate it, we’ll leave. No questions asked. No harm, no foul.”

“It’s easy to say that now—”

“Look at me, damn it.”

My eyes fly up to his, the hardness in his voice surprising me.

“I don’t say shit I don’t mean. We don’t have time for games. Listen to me carefully. If you’re not comfortable tonight, you just say so, and we’ll leave. I won’t be mad. I won’t punish you with the silent treatment or guilt-trip you. We’ll just go, and move on with our lives until you are comfortable. Okay?”