Page 36 of Heat & Hard Candies

“Thank fuck,” Kenna replied.

“Language,” a male voice grumbled.

“Are you sure you want me to meet them right now, looking like this?” I whispered to Kyle, as I stepped into the pair of boxer briefs he’d handed me. I didn’t love that they fit just fine, but I wasn’t going to think about that for too long.

“Wearing my clothes, looking like you just spent two hours fucking me in the bathtub?” he asked, lifting his eyebrows as his lips stretched in another grin. “I can’t think of a better way.”

He kissed me, then towed me out of the closet behind him. Part of me wanted to dig in my heels and refuse to go any further, but I knew that was ridiculous. There was no point in putting off the meeting, despite my attempt at convincing him otherwise.

As soon as he stepped through the doorway, someone threw their arms around him.

I stopped abruptly, barely managing not to run into his back. And the person’s arms.

Another set of arms joined.

Kyle hugged both of his assailants with his free arm, though he maintained his grip on my hand. It steadied me, honestly, so I was grateful that he did.

“We’ll make the last few months fun,” his mother whispered.

“You won’t miss anything,” Kenna added, her voice growing a little tighter.

They finally released him, both of them stepping back.

“Thanks for the offer,” Kyle said. “But I’ve got other plans.”

A moment of silence passed.

And another.

“What the hell does that mean?” Kenna finally asked.

I could hear the grin in Kyle’s voice when he said, “I’ve got someone to introduce you to.”

Someone sucked in a breath.

Kenna breathed, “No.”

He stepped back, pulling me in front of him and setting his hands on my waist but leaving space between his chest and my wings. I appreciated that,tremendously. They were insanely sensitive.

“This is Launa. My mate.”

His mom gasped. She looked about the same age as us, considering she was fae, but her hair was the same shade as his. Their eyes were the same shape, and their bone structure was insanely similar, too. He clearly took after her.

“You did it,” Kenna said, her eyes wide and her lips round. “I can’t believe it.”

“Wedid it,” he said, and I could hear that smile again.

“Youdid it,” I admitted, looking back at him over my shoulder.

His smile widened. “A little.”

Kyle’s mom surged forward, flinging her arms around me and squeezing tightly. I bit my lip to stop from crying out at the bump to my wings, and hugged her back. She obviously wasn’ttryingto hurt me.

“Easy, now. Her wings are sensitive,” Kyle said, his hands tightening protectively on my waist.

“You’re not dying,” Kenna said.

“Nope.” He popped his lips with the ‘p’ as his mom released me. Her eyes were brimmed with tears as she whispered,

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