Page 24 of Cursed Touch
“Edward said he needed to work late, but he promised he’d be at the next dinner,” Brandy said.
“Where’s Max, Claudia, and Katia?” Debbie asked.
“Running late. They were meeting with Peter about—you know,” Ryan said.
The cryptic words caused Carter to narrow his eyes on his family before returning to Vanessa’s confused, deer-in-headlight stare.
“I’m sorry, I thought you knew… I can leave,” she said, hurt and embarrassment coating her words.
He shook his head. “No… No, don’t leave. I’m just surprised is all. No one told me you were coming over, especially not after…”
Serena returned to his side and placed a hand on his arm. “I asked her to come—”
“But I thought—”
Serena shook her head and offered him a soft smile. “It’s clear she’s yours. I asked her to give you a second chance. Don’t fuck it up.”
“But y’all stressed the importance of… you know…” Could he possibly have Vanessa and let her in on the real world around them?
“What are you guys talking about?” Vanessa asked as she crossed her arms under her breasts, pushing them higher. The simple action caused his dick to stir.
“Why don’t we wait for everyone else to show and then we can have a nice long chat?” Serena asked, her tone unyielding. “Introduce her to everyone.”
As a high priestess, Serena demanded respect and for her commands to be followed. As his future sister-in-law, she was kind and playful. In that moment, she was their high priestess.
He nodded and offered his hand to Vanessa, needing to touch her in some form or another. When she accepted his hand, he sucked in a shuddering breath, excited to take a step in the right direction.
Her skin was a little pale, and her eyes a bit dilated. If she felt anything he did, he could blame it all on nerves. He lowered his mouth to her ear and whispered, “They’re all really nice, I promise.”
After introductions, he grabbed her a glass of wine, hoping to ease the turmoil within her. She raised the glass to her lips as his front door opened once again. Peering past her, he spotted Max’s beaming face as he carried Katia in one arm and held Claudia’s hand in the other.
“Please tell me the food is ready, because I’m about to eat this little one,” Max announced before playfully nipping Katia.
Vanessa turned at the sound of Katia’s giggles and squeals of delight. “Who’s that?”
“Max, his fiancée, Claudia, and her daughter, Katia. Come on, I’m sure you’ll like them,” he said as he pressed a hand to her lower back and guided her toward them.
His family did not disappoint with their kind and welcoming nature, but he still wished he understood why Vanessa was there. Refusing to be an ass and leaving her to go find out, he stuck by her side as Katia entertained them with a story.
“Be right back,” he whispered to Vanessa when the doorbell rang throughout the house. He pulled open the door and was met with a mouthwatering scent, then paid the delivery guy. As he shut the door again, he was juggling the pizzas in one hand and the bags of food in the other.
“Here, let me help you!” Vanessa told him as she hurried to his side and freed his hand of bags.
Everyone worked together and dished themselves food on the paper plates he’d retrieved from the pantry. For a moment, he regretted not ordering more but was pleased to see it was just what they needed. Little groups split off to eat and chat, leaving him leaning against the counter with Vanessa at his side.
“I’m sorry,” she muttered. “I thought you knew I was coming over.”
Carter swallowed his bite of food and shook his head. “Don’t be. I’m really excited you’re here. I wish it were just us and not all five million of my family members.”
Vanessa giggled, and the sound soothed his soul. “There really are a lot of you.”
He nodded and grinned as he took them all in. “They’re pretty great when they’re not sticking their noses in your business. Although… I’m kind of glad they did, or else you wouldn’t be here now.”
Vanessa gave him a teasing check of her hips before leaning her head against his arm. The simple action was sweet and comfortable. It left him wishing for more easy moments. He knew his family had a dual purpose to her invitation, but he would enjoy his time before they laid their cards out.
Chapter 13
“All right, everyone,” Serena called as she faced them all.
