Page 48 of My Monster, My Choice

“I’ve got him, love,” I tell her, and watch her eyes soften at the word. I can’t help but commend myself for that one. Pretty sure she was going to try to go back to erecting walls between us, but one word tore them down. “Go enjoy time with Tera and Telilah. I’ll make sure we get cleaned up and presentable before dinner.” Kenny has clean clothing scattered throughout every home in Eden. It seems the entire troupe takes care of my boy, whether or not I’m here.

“I can’t ask you—”

Before she can finish her sentence, I jump up and stride to her. Her voice falters as I lock my hand around the back of her neck and lean in. I touch my mouth to hers to shut her up. To remind her that I am the mate she does not claim. To remind her that I love Kenny also. I kiss her breathless before pulling away.

“Well, okay, if you’re sure—”

“Go enjoy a few hours with Tera and Telilah,” I say, and then because I can’t help myself, I kiss her again. “I got Kenny. Relion’s at home and I’ll send him a message to meet us at six.”

The stubborn woman melts against me, and now I know Christina loves me. That she craves my touch. That there is another reason for her to keep herself from me. I will figure it out.

“An’ Pappy Elex said he’ll shower me, Mum,” Kenny says, trying to be helpful…but then I realize the stinker is waiting for her to tell him not to refer to me as Pappy.

She frowns at him, but I nip her bottom lip. “I told him he can call me that.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. Don’t worry so much.” I kiss her again and then push her off with a swat to her round little behind. I love that body part humans have.

“Okay, fellas let’s spar,” Kenny says, bouncing up with his rubber sword and swishing it through the air.

“Testicle,” Jaire whispers, and Kenny and I break into another fit of giggles.

ChapterEighteen

ELEX

“You got the flowers for yourmaman?” I ask Kenny.

“Yep,” he drawls, and points to the bundle sitting on the rail of the porch. He straightens the strange human tie he borrowed from Tera’s drawers. It’s a hideous shade of scarlet-pink in a strange shiny material but I imagine he likes it.

“And remember to tell yourkishlingshe looks lovely. Tera needs to hear that these days.”

“Even if she don’t? ‘Coz sometimes she smells stinky like baby milk.” He scrunches his adorable human nose.

“Especially then.”

He sighs. “Okay. I tella her she pretty then.”

We’re standing on the porch so long, Relion comes up to meet us.

I smile widely at him. “How was your afternoon off? Did you rest up with all youralonetime?”

Alone time is our code for masturbation.

He snorts. “I had some quality alone time, yes. Would much rather have had my mate for cuddle time.” He winks at Kenny.

“She was busy with hermaman,” I say.

He scowls. “Someone could have told me to stay at work.”

“But then I would not have had the afternoon with your brother.” I wink at Kenny, which sends him into a fit of giggles.

Relion tugs Kenny’s ear. “I’ll invite you over to spend the night so yourmamanand Elex have some cuddle time.”

“Oooh.” Kenny can’t help but giggle behind his fingers. “Okay. And at your house, I watch Baby Telilah so you and Terr get cuddle time too.”

Relion has the grace to look sheepish. “That was just once,” he mutters.

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