McKenzie Cousins Box Set 4

“Poppy?”

“They don’t want me here.”

“Who? My parent’s?” I pull her closer and turn her face directly up to mine. “They do want you here. I wish you hadn’t overheard anything, then you’d believe me. They’re good people, Poppy.”

She squeezes my hand. “It’s all new to me as well. You’re not the only one who is adapting here. I’m scared. I don’t like being scared.”

“You don’t have anything to be scared of from me. I won’t hurt you and, I hope one day you’ll be able to trust me.” I pause, taking a moment for my emotions to run their course before saying, “Having you in my arms is right where I want you.”

“Oh,” she murmurs, wrapping her arms a bit awkwardly around my neck. “I’m glad I overheard what I did because you’ve reassured me. It’s what I needed.” She nuzzles into my throat and adds, “I want to be right here with you too.”

Hearing her sigh softly in my ear sends all kinds of messages to my body, especially the part that she's sitting on. The more I caress her, the more uncomfortable I become. It doesn't matter, because I have Poppy in my arms, and she isn't going anywhere.

She starts to wiggle on my lap, and the moment I hear a moan leave her lips, my cock becomes hard as a rock. She moans loudly this time, and the sound goes straight to my balls.

“I’m not going to be able to move if you keep rubbing on me.”

“I need you,” she hisses.

Dropping my head against the back of the chair, I groan, arching upwards and clamp my hands to Poppy's hips to keep her still. No way am I going to let her rub herself to climax out here on the porch, nor do I want to come in my jeans—or get interrupted.

“I need to calm down, and so do you.” It pains me to say those words because I want to carry her upstairs to my bed. “Tonight,” I mumble, gently moving her into the other rocking chair. “Tonight, I’m not going to stop.”

Her eyes darken with need. “You promise?”

“I promise.”

24

Poppy

The moment Jaxon leads me inside the house, his mother, Rosie, rushes over and pulls me straight into her arms for a hug. “I’m so sorry you overheard our conversation.”

My eyes flicker to Ryan, who is slumped on the sofa grinning.

Rosie holds me at arm's length and continues, "We don't have anything against you. However, it was a big surprise having Jaxon not only bring a girl here but his pregnant girlfriend. It took a short time to adjust. Regardless of the circumstances, I want you to know that you are welcome here.” She smiles, tears hovering on her lashes. “You’re carrying our grandchild and our son—”

"Mom!" Jaxon interrupts abruptly, and then calmly says, "Thank you for saying that to Poppy. Everything else I'm capable of telling her myself." His hand slides to the nape of my neck, where he caresses with his thumb. “I smell cheese biscuit.” He sniffs the air as my tummy grumbles rather loudly.

It certainly breaks the ice as everyone laughs while I feel my cheeks heat. “Sorry about that.”

“I’ve made buttermilk cheese biscuit. The recipe is actually for British cheese scones.” Rosie smiles as we follow her into the kitchen.

Jaxon ushers me into a seat at the large wooden table before moving to sit besi

de me. "Mom loves trying recipes out from all over the world."

"Help yourself, Poppy. They're fresh out of the oven." Rosie places a large plate in the center of the table with the hot food. Next, she puts a dish of butter at either side of the table, along with a platter of different meats; ham, chicken, salami, chorizo and, another plate with cheese.

My belly gives another grumble, and to my amusement, it's Ryan who uses serving utensils and puts food in front of me. Silence descends, and Ryan looks around the table, frowning. "She's hungry." He shrugs. "Jeez. I don't know what's wrong with everyone. I'm helping out a sister." He starts eating his own food while his mother clears her throat.

“That’s nice of you, Ryan,” Ruben states.

“Yeah,” Jaxon agrees.

I nudge into his side, and Jaxon winks then nods toward my food.

The biscuit (scone) melts in my mouth with the flavor bursting on my tongue. Even though my stomach had been letting everyone know it needed food, I hadn't felt that hungry, but as I eat, I realize I'm starving. "These are delicious," I comment, and Jaxon laughs as I take another.