I poked them. “What’s this? You’re surprised too?”
He tilted his head with the cutest grin, saying, “I’m just fucking happy.”
I jumped him the next second, because why not put all this extra energy to good use?
He stumbled for a brief moment before regaining his balance. His hands went under my ass, and he carried me to the counter.
As soon as I was sitting on it, he took control of the kiss, deepening it until I gasped for breath. I was shaking slightly from his actions.
“You’re the most amazing woman, Tess. Warm and funny, and so damn caring that it brings me to my knees. Thank you for wanting to bring Gran with us.”
“You think she’ll want to go?” I asked.
“Let’s find out.”
Ellen was so ecstatic that she was ready to leave within fifteen minutes. She was certainly fast for her age, and she claimed the knee injury was actually slowing her down. We chugged our cognac right before heading out the door. Liam and I had initially planned to take a train to Brooklyn to avoid traffic, but we just missed it.
Our little episode in the kitchen had sidetracked us, but it was totally worth it.
He loves me!
I was floating on a cloud so high that I could tolerate even the traffic in this city with a smile on my face.
Uber had no cars available, but Liam flagged down a yellow cab, and the three of us slid in the back seat. I was in the middle, a bit squished from both sides, but I really didn’t mind.
I was still floating on my amazing cloud when I realized this was the first time Liam was meeting my brothers and Hunter. I told them more about him when we’d finally gotten around to having lunch together, but meeting him was different.
“Ummm...I forgot to tell you. All the male members in my family are going to pay extra attention to you. They might be a bit intense, but it’s just because they don’t know you.”
“I know Ryker,” Liam said, taken aback. “I’ve met him at a few industry events.”
“You know Ryker the investment banker, not Ryker the brother. Big difference.”
Liam cocked a brow, like he didn’t quite believe me.
Ellen nudged me with her elbow. “Full of himself, this one. Always been like this. Can’t wait to see your brothers in action.”
“I really like you, Ellen.”
She struck me as really lonely, and I immediately resolved to ask Mom to invite Ellen over often.
“Don’t you two band against me,” Liam warned.
To say Mom’s place was packed was an understatement. The whole family was there. But honestly, I loved that we were all crammed in here. No matter where you were in the apartment, you could just hear everyone’s laughter and joy. The place smelled delicious, of roasting turkey, baked apple and cinnamon, and even hot chocolate.
Isabelle, Dylan, and Ian were here too. Mom and her husband, Mick, were the first to notice us, and they immediately came to greet us.
“Liam, so happy to finally meet you. And Ellen, so delighted you could come,” Mom said.
Mick shook hands with Liam and kissed Ellen’s hand.
“Thank you for opening your home to me on such short notice,” Ellen said.
Mick nodded. “It’s our pleasure.”
Mom waved her hand. “We love big gatherings, though this place is bursting at the seams. Know that you’re always welcome here.”
While she showed Ellen and Liam where to put their coats, I caught Isabelle’s eye and waved at her. She immediately hurried over to us, checking out Liam appreciatively.