my uncle on the cheek. He wraps his arms around me and squashes me to him. “Can’t breathe,” I say joking.
Uncle John lets go. “Fine.”
I do the same with my aunt and then sit next to her. “Whatcha working on?” The yarn is soft.
“It’s a scarf.” Her eyes fill with tears. She sniffles and glances at my uncle.
“Oh, Lizzie. I’m fine. Just fine.” But he reaches over and takes her outstretched hand, twining his fingers with hers.
They adore each other. And seeing the way they are makes me want to bring Kyle around. He’s going to be in my life a very, very long time. Hopefully they will too. I want my aunt and uncle to understand how amazing he is.
“How was your performance?” Aunt Eliza asks, going back to her crocheting. The tension is immediately thick, palpable.
“It went well. We received a standing ovation.”
Aunt Eliza pats my hand. “Of course you did.”
I sigh. “Kyle played beautifully. He’s seriously so good. I can’t wait for you—”
“That’ll be the day,” Uncle John interrupts, flipping on the TV like we’re done talking.
Anger bubbles to the surface and I stand. “Here’s the thing. I’m in love with Kyle.”
My aunt gasps. “No,” she says, putting a hand to her chest.
Uncle John grumbles something incoherent.
“Yes. He’s amazing. Caring. Sweet. Kind. Gorgeous. Sexy. Loving. Compassionate—”
“We get it, dear. You’re smitten.” Aunt Eliza goes back to crocheting. Her eyebrows drawn together in consternation.
I sit back down. Place a hand over hers. “It’s more than that.” She looks at me and I meet her eyes. “You used to say evil men raise evil kids, remember?”
She balks and pulls her hand from mine. “Of course I do. It’s a fact.”
“Maybe it usually is, but Kyle saved me. And not just my actual life, but in here too.” I press a fist to my chest, over my heart. Tears of frustration fill my eyes. I blink them away, but my voice breaks. “Without him I’m incomplete.” I turn my gaze to my uncle. “Without the two of you I’m incomplete.”
He grumbles.
“I need the two of you and Kyle in my life, and it would mean so much to me if you could give him a chance.” I look at my aunt. Her mouth is hanging open. “Please.” I wipe the tears that escaped off my face.
“Alright.” My uncle gives my aunt a look, one that says, ”It’s settled.”
“Fine. Why don’t you bring him to dinner on Sunday? I’ll make taco sushi and chocolate cake.”
I reach over and hug her. “Thank you. Thanks. I will.” Then I stand. Because Kyle is waiting, and I’m anxious to be alone with him.
“You want some pie? I made apple.”
I shake my head. “Can I take a rain check? I have someplace to be.”
My uncle rolls his eyes.
I knock on Kyle’s apartment door. It bursts open. I notice he’s still in his tux, but the bow tie is gone and the top button is undone. He yanks me in, crushing his lips to mine.
I want him. Need him.
“Hi,” he says between kisses. “How did it go?”
I giggle. “Good. You’re in. They want you to come to dinner. Taco sushi.”
He makes a face.
“It’s delicious,” I say, oozing sarcasm.
“I’m sure I’ll love it.” He unzips my dress. Pushes it off my shoulders, and lets it fall into a pile at my feet. I step out of it. His lips are immediately back on mine, suckling my tongue.
I slide his jacket off. He sticks his tongue in my mouth, and I grab hold of his hair. He groans. Cups my ass with his hands, pulling one of my thighs up. A delicious heat warms my lower belly.
“I love you, Maddie Martin. More than I believed it was possible to love.” He whispers the words against my lips, and tears of joy fill my eyes.
“I love you too.” I pull back and take in his face, his beautiful, ice blue eyes. “Thank you for waiting for me. For saving me. For being the first person to see all of me.”
He kisses me tenderly, his fingers slowly moving up and down my arms. Goosebumps pucker all over. He looks at me, puts his hands on my waist.
“Will you be my first time?” I ask quietly, unbuttoning his shirt.
In answer, he pulls me to him, his hands in my hair and his tongue in my mouth. “I would be honored. In fact… well, let’s just say I love that you chose red. You look beautiful.” Kyle’s eyes slowly trail down my