Just One Dare (The Kingston Family 5)

Serenity put a hand on Jade’s shoulder. “She’s right. Just because you’ve had two duds, that doesn’t mean the third time won’t be the charm.”

Aurora raised her eyebrows, unsure of what they were talking about. But she didn’t think it was her place to ask.

“I know, you’re curious.” Jade pursed her lips. “I’ve had two broken engagements and currently believe all men are assholes,” Jade admitted.

“Jade Dare. Language!” Serenity shook her head but Aurora caught her grin.

“Mom here just thinks she has to guide us. Her language can be as bad as mine.”

Aurora pulled in a deep breath, deeply affected by Jade and her stepmom’s easy relationship. She didn’t know Jade’s feelings about her own mother, but it was clear that like Nick, Jade thought of Serenity as her mom, in every sense of the word.

It was also obvious that Jade had been hurt by bad relationships and had built barriers around her emotions—something Aurora recognized all too well. Aurora liked Nick’s sister and hoped they could be friends.

The doorbell rang and the next thing Aurora knew, family surrounded her. She was introduced to the rest of the Dare clan as they trickled into the house and made their way into the kitchen. Asher was missing, apparently called away on business at the last minute. It seemed to be a family theme, she thought.

For a while, Nick and Harrison helped make her comfortable around their other siblings by introducing her, staying by her side, and telling stories about Nick growing up. She appreciated their thoughtfulness but Nick’s family was easy to relax around. They weren’t pretentious and made her feel like one of them. Serenity had even caught up with her again to ask questions about Future Fast Track, truly interested in the details.

Leah seemed to be having a blast with her “aunt” Layla, and meeting her family. She was passed around, always the center of attention. They’d all brought gifts for Leah and for Layla, which made Leah extremely happy, and easily won her over. Instead of her being overwhelmed, Aurora and Leah fit in. Aurora was sure the size of the Kingston clan had her used to the large family dynamic.

“Why do we always end up in this room?” Michael complained, as he poured himself a glass of soda. “We have a perfectly good family room with much more comfortable chairs.”

“The food is here. Where else should we be?” Harrison asked, then glanced at Aurora and winked.

That gesture had Nick appearing at her side, letting her know without words that he’d been keeping an eye on her. She couldn’t deny how much she liked knowing he cared enough to make sure she was okay. And she liked to see that he could be jealous, even if his brother was just being sweet.

“Relax, Dad. This is what we do,” Jade said. “You should be used to it.” She wrapped an arm around Michael and kissed his cheek. He hugged her in return.

At the innocent, every day gestures, Aurora’s heart squeezed tight. She’d never known that acceptance and love from her own parents. She never would.

“Hey. Are you okay?” Nick asked.

The pain in her chest eased. “I am. Your family is great.” She hesitated and decided to be honest. “I thought the Kingstons and their big, happy family were an anomaly. But you all are showing me that it can be the norm.” And she’d missed out on so much more than she’d imagined growing up.

Nick clasped her hands in his and she soaked up his warmth. “The Kingstons are your big, happy family. You’re not an outsider. Not to them.”

She blinked in surprised. “I didn’t realize I was referring to them that way.”

They were the family who’d found her, who’d taken her in, who’d given her money they said belonged to her, and they accepted her. But until now, she hadn’t realized how much she thought of the family as them…and herself, as a separate entity.

“Did I say something wrong?” Nick asked.

She shook her head. “Not at all. You gave me something to think about,” she murmured.

“Hey, little brother.” Zach, a big man, dressed in faded jeans and a battered motorcycle jacket, joined them. “I haven’t had time to meet your woman.”

His interruption came just in time, before she could get caught up in thoughts of the past. But… His woman? “I’m not…we’re not…”

“We are,” Nick said, sliding an arm around her waist in a slick move. “But you’ll have to forgive Zach. He’s the Neanderthal of the family. It’s the company he keeps.”

“Oh, you have plenty of Neanderthal in you, too.” She pointedly glanced at Nick’s hold on her waist and he squeezed tighter.

She couldn’t deny his possessiveness turned her on, something she didn’t want to think about around his family.

She focused on Zach. “You own a bar?” she asked the handsome man, who had shaggy hair and a healthy scruff of beard.