gold from hay. How is that my best skill? As Mom tries to convince Khloe I’m the catch of the century, I heat the oven, boil the noodles, and brown the meat. Once it’s all put together and baking, I clean up and join my two girls.
“You get to the naked baby pictures yet?” I ask, settling in next to Khloe. She tries to move over, but the sofa arm keeps her from going far. I swallow up the small space she made with my larger frame and lay my arm across the back of the sofa. Her hip presses against my thigh and her smaller leg stretches out next to mine. Her body’s warm and her scent sweet—my cock pulses in excitement and anticipation.
“We started with those. You had a sweet baby bottom,” Khloe tries to tease me.
“Later you can see how good it looks now.”
“Your mother is right here,” Khloe hisses.
“Mom, Khloe and I—”
Khloe slaps a hand across my mouth. My mom laughs. “You keep that thought to yourself, son. Your girl isn’t ready to hear it.”
“I’m not his girl, Mrs.—“
“Thea, please, and of course not. You’re just friends. Isn’t that what you kids call it these days?” Mom snaps the photo album shut and sends me a silent but forceful message to not screw this up. I wink at her reassuringly.
“Yes, just friends.” Khloe sighs in relief, thinking that Mom’s finally on her side. “Thank you for sharing the stuff about Mae, though. That’s so interesting and you’re right. She was beautiful. Way more beautiful than me.” Self-conscious, Khloe tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear.
“Nonsense. You’re just as gorgeous, if not more so. I bet you cause so many accidents walking across the street. Dane, you better be with her as much as possible to protect all the citizens of Smithville from getting hurt just from looking at our Khloe.”
“Don’t worry, Mom. You raised me right. I’m not leaving Khloe’s side.”
10
Khloe
Thea peppers me with questions throughout dinner while also slipping in reasons about why Dane is such a catch. Dane watches me the whole time, taking in everything I’m saying. It’s actually really adorable. It’s sweet how close they are. His mom truly loves him. I can see now where Dane gets some of that pushy personality he’s got going on. I’m enjoying spending time with them.
It was so nice of Thea to take the time to show me pictures of Aunt Mae. It made me feel more connected to her. I have to admit, I enjoyed looking at the pics of Dane more than I should have.
“More coffee?” Thea asks.
“I can't. I don’t think I can fit anything else in my stomach tonight.” I look down at my watch. “Anyways, my bedtime is creeping up on me.”
Thea’s shoulders drop. “I didn't realize it had gotten so late. You know what they say about time when you’re having a good time.” She smiles at me.
“I had a really great time. Thank you for everything.”
She grabs my hand, giving it a squeeze. “You come back over here soon and I’ll tell you more stories about Mae.”
“I’ll do that.” I stand, giving her a hug. She hugs me back tight like a mom should. I will myself to let go so I don’t make a fool out of myself. She’s not my mom. But there’s something so comforting about her. She makes me want to tell her my whole life story.
“She’s a good hugger.” Thea smiles at Dane.
“I wouldn't know.” I snort a laugh.
“Are you pouting about not getting a hug?” I stare up at Dane.
“Yes,” he says with no shame.
“Fine.” I open my arms to give him a hug. He wraps his arms around me, lifting me off my feet. “I don’t think this is a hug.”
“You two are so cute.” I look over Dane’s shoulder to see Thea waving goodbye.
“Bye.” I wave back as Dane goes out the front door. “You’re a brute. You know that?” He opens up the passenger door, putting me inside.
“Seems so.”
“Is this a new revelation to you?” I lift an eyebrow at him.
“Yep.” He steps back, shutting the door before he rounds the front of the SUV to hop into the driver's seat. He reaches over me, grabbing my seatbelt and fastening it. His scent puts me into some sort of trance, and the next thing I know his lips are on mine. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
I should stop this. I should push him away,