Kenzie’s lips kicked up. “Fine. I made the deal with Ben. Icouldn’t figure out a way to go on the honeymoon, and she was surprisinglyagainst me taking her place.”
“Well, I didn’t know,” Tristan pointed out.
“No, you didn’t because you are a chatty motherfucker,” Kalaproclaimed. “And Tash didn’t know because we didn’t want to put her in a badposition.”
“What I’m hearing is we’re the good ones, Tash,” Tristansaid with a smug grin.
“You’re the one most likely to tell on everyone, and Tashwould feel bad.” Devi knew Tris well. She probably should feel weird beinginvolved in what should be a classified debrief, but it felt more like a familyreunion of sorts, and that included ribbing her obnoxious cousins.
And feeling insecure around her gorgeous cousins.
“You aren’t spanking her enough, Zach.” Tristan gave her Doma frown.
“And I’m done.” Her uncle stood. “There are only so manybedrooms. I’m rooming with Henry. I’m sure we can stay up most of the nightdrinking whiskey and talking about how our children will die.”
“Fun times,” Henry agreed and sighed. “I thought we wouldput Tasha, Kenzie, Lucy, and Devi in the bunk room.”
“It’s basically a tiny room with two bunk beds. Mom likes tomake sure she has places for everyone to sleep,” Lucy acknowledged. “I supposethat means Zach and Tristan are in the small room and the other two go to themarried couples. Well, the married couple and the practically married couple.”
“If you try to separate TJ and Lou, he’ll wander the hallsbegging for hot dogs in the middle of the night,” her uncle said.
She wasn’t sleeping with Zach?
Guess there was more than one bed. She’d never consideredhow the only one bed trope would affect her life, but here she was.
Was it over? Or would they steal moments? Would he pull herinto an empty bedroom tomorrow and take out all of his stress on her body?
He was going to see his mom for the first time in years. Hehad to be nervous about that. He had to be stressed by the events of the day.He probably needed some comfort. She had to find a way to keep them together.He would almost certainly try to please everyone by not causing a scene, but heneeded her.
“No,” Zach said, his tone implacable.
Her uncle turned, that one brow arching in a way thatusually made her back out of the room. “No?”
“Until this is over, she’s mine, and I sleep where shesleeps.” He looked over at his brother.
Cooper got his arms around Kala, rubbing his cheek againsther hair. “It’s a family tradition. I sleep where she sleeps.”
Kala’s expression went tight. “What is happening to me?”
Cooper kissed her cheek. “It’s called sentiment, baby. It’swhat you feel when you remember a sweet moment like that time when your husbandwouldn’t let you be alone. It’s okay. You’ll get used to it.”
“I don’t like it.” But Kala leaned into his touch.
“Unless Tristan wants to watch, he can take one of thebunks,” Zach announced as though that was a totally normal thing to say. Whichit wasn’t.
Tristan perked up. “I mean I never mind a show.” He musthave heard her uncle growl because his hands came up in defeat. “I will behappy in a bunk. Jeez, forlifestylerswe’re all alittle prissy, don’t you think?”
He stood and they started to break up.
Her uncle looked her way. “You know what you’re doing?”
“Nope. Not in any way,” she admitted.
“But you’re still going to do it,” her uncle said with asigh. “He’s in trouble.”
“I know.” She leaned back against him. “We both know we’reon a timer. We’re going to enjoy it while it lasts. It’s not a big deal.”
The sex. While it lasted. A pit opened in her gut becauseshe was talking like he was a sex toy she had to enjoy until he was taken awayfrom her when she knew deep down he was everything. Every fucking thing.