“I don’t have to go. If you’re not ready, I don’t have to go,” she repeats.

  “Baby, I was ready to take you after our first date.” Her eyes widen. “I know it was fast, but I fell hard. I was just waiting for you to catch up.”

  “I think we’ve been reading the same book, Orrin. I wanted to tell you so many times, but I didn’t want to scare you away.”

  “We’re a pair, huh?” I ask, pulling her into my chest. “How about from now on, we agree that even if we’re scared, we say what we’re feeling, what we’re thinking. It’s important for our future to keep the lines of communication open.”

  “Our future?”

  “Yeah, I mean, what if our son or daughter asks to go somewhere and you say no, but I say yes. That puts us working against each other. We need to talk about these things so we can be a united front.”

  “Our son or daughter?” she parrots.

  “Or all girls, or all boys, I don’t care, really. I’m speaking hypothetically here.”

  “About our future children?”

  “Yes. Catch up, baby. I’m saying we need to be on the same page from here on out. I could have told you weeks ago what you mean to me, and we could have been having dinner with my family all along. Instead, I’ve endured not spending Sunday nights with you and listening to my mom ask when I was going to bring you with me, and my brothers giving me shit, thinking it was because you didn’t want to be there with me.”

  “Orrin, surely you knew better than that.”

  “I did, but it still pissed me off, which was their plan.”

  “You all really like to razz on each other, huh?”

  “Yes, but no one else is allowed to. Well, you can, and Ramsey, of course, and I guess Deacon by association. I mean, they are getting married now.”

  “I love you. I love you and your big loving family.”

  “I love you too. Speaking of my family, we should get going. We’re going to be late.” I kiss her one more time before she stands from my lap.

  I wait for her to grab her purse and phone and follow her out the door to my truck. “Are you nervous?” I ask, glancing over once we’re on the road to see her wringing her hands together.

  “What should I expect?”

  “Lots of loud laughter, ribbing from my brothers, a crushing hug from my mom and my dad, and lots of good food. I think Dad’s grilling burgers.”

  “Orrin! I forgot the cookies that I made. We have to go back. I can’t go to your parents for dinner empty-handed.”

  “It’s fine. I told you that you don’t have to bring anything. Just you.” I reach over and give her leg a gentle squeeze.

  “Please?”

  Smiling, I turn on my signal, pull into a driveway, and turn back around. There isn’t much she could ask of me that I wouldn’t give her if it were within my power. “You’re setting the bar high,” I tell her.

  “What do you mean?” she asks as we pull back into her driveway.

  “My brothers, the women they bring home when they find their own Jade, they’re going to have big shoes to fill.” Leaning over the console, I kiss her. “Go grab your cookies, sweetheart.”

  She runs up the front steps, unlocks the door, and is right back outside with a clear container with a red lid in her hands. She makes sure the door is locked before she jogs back to the truck. Opening the door, she hands me the container and takes her seat next to mine.

  “Hey.” She smacks my hand when I reach into the container for a small sample. “Those are for your family.”

  “I’m your boyfriend. Do I not get to eat my girl’s cookie?” I grin and wag my eyebrows.

  “No, you do not, and if you don’t listen, you might not ever get my er… other cookie either.”

  I immediately drop the cookie back into the container and shove the lid back on. Jade’s laughter fills the cab of my truck. I hand her the container and put the truck in Reverse. I can wait until after dinner. Nothing is worth her cutting me off before I’ve had the chance to taste her everything.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Jade

  I try to hide my nerves as Orrin, with his hand locked tight around mine, leads us into the house. I have my container of cookies in my other hand, clutching them to my chest. I’m scared to death that I’m going to drop them.

  This isn’t my first time being at his parents’ place. I’ve been here several times with the girls, but this is my first time as his girlfriend, and it feels different. I know his brothers, hell, I know his parents. It’s not like I’m walking into a room of strangers, but it still has my belly in knots and my palms sweating. Hence the reason I’m clutching the cookies to my chest and cutting off the circulation in Orrin’s hand from my tight grip. I don’t want either of them to slip out of reach.

  “Breathe, sweetheart,” Orrin whispers in my ear. “It’s just my family. You know them. They know you. It’s all going to be fine.” With that, he stands back to his full height and leads me inside.

  As soon as we open the door, we’re greeted with boisterous laughter, and I start to feel my body relax. These are people I know. They know that we’ve been dating. This isn’t a big deal. At least, that’s what I try to convince myself. Two hours ago, was fine coming here for dinner. When Orrin showed up at my door and told me he loved me, that changed everything.

  I knew that I loved him, but him loving me back? That’s a game changer. I’m not just some girl he’s been dating. He said forever. That’s one word, seven letters that change the course of both of our lives. It hasn’t even been two months since our first date, and he’s dropping those seven letters like they’re written in stone. I’m good with it. It’s crazy and fast, but when you know, you know.

  Orrin and I are solid. It’s his family I’m not sure about. Do they know what we just confessed to one another? How do they feel about this whirlwind relationship we’re both jumping into feet first?

  “Finally!” I hear a female voice call out.

  Orrin laughs from beside me as his mom appears in front of us. “Jade, I’m so sorry my oldest son was keeping you from us. I’m glad he finally came to his senses.” I’m shocked when she leans in and hugs me tight. “I’m so glad that you’re here. I’m outnumbered. Ramsey and Blakely are not enough to balance out this crazy brood of mine,” she says, releasing me from her hug.

  “Thank you for having me,” I say, finding my voice. I shove the container toward her. “I made cookies.”

  “Cookie?” I hear from behind me. I don’t have time to see which brother it is because he’s suddenly next to me, tossing his arm over my shoulder. “I like cookies,” Archer says, grinning.

  “Hands off my girl,” Orrin says, picking Archer's arm up from my shoulders and letting it drop.

  “Cookies?” Rushton says, pushing Archer forward, and he too drops his arm over my shoulder.

  “Fuck off,” Orrin grumbles. When he reaches for Rushton, his brother is faster. Rushton pulls me into his chest, wrapping his arms around me.

  “No way, bro. She bakes. I’m calling dibs.” Rushton smiles down at me. “It’s a match made in heaven.”

  “I think we should let her choose,” Sterling calls out. “I mean, there are nine of us.” He shrugs his shoulders like it’s the most logical reasoning that there’s a choice.

  “Oh, I like the way you think.” Brooks nods. “Maybe draw straws,” he suggests with a wicked grin.

  “I vote for pulling names out of a hat,” Ryder chimes in. “Mom, do you still have the old hat we used to use?” he asks Carol, their mom.

  “The choice is obvious,” Maverick says. He glances over at his twin, who grins as they have some sort of silent conversation.

  “Two for one.” Merrick winks at me.

  “Stop!” Orrin yells.

  “Now you’ve done it. Blake, why don’t you come with me. We need to check on Papaw and the grill,” Declan tells his daughter.

  “I’m a good checker.” She takes Declan’s hand, and they step out of the room.

  “Is that your vein popping?” Deacon asks with a chuckle.

  “Hush.” Ramsey smacks at his chest. “Jade, I’m sorry for these idiots.”

  “It’s fine,” I tell her, trying to hide my laugh because Orrin really does look like he’s ready to explode.

  “Rushton,” Orrin growls. “Get your hands off my girlfriend. Now.”

  “Did you say girlfriend?” another male voice asks. We all turn to see Raymond, their dad, standing with an aluminum pan full of grilled burgers.

  “Yep.” Orrin is now grinning.

  “Boys, leave your sister alone,” Raymond tells them. “Don’t rile him up. One day it’s going to be you, and girlfriend or wife be damned, he will find a way to pay you back.”

  I am about swallow my tongue when he says wife, but I don’t have time to finish the task because Orrin grabs my arm, pulling me into his chest. He wraps his arms around me protectively, and I melt into him. I feel his lips press to the top of my head, and normally I’d blush, but after that initiation, I’m just happy to be in his arms and to know he’s no longer on the verge of a stroke.

  “Dad, you’re always taking away our fun,” Maverick grumbles.

  Raymond fights a grin. “You two”—he points to the twins—“I’m watching you.”

  “What?” Merrick scoffs. “Why are we always the ones that get blamed?”

  “Double trouble,” the entire room mutters, and then they all crack up laughing.

  “Come and get it!” Carol calls out from what I’m assuming is the kitchen.

  Everyone filters out of the room, except for Orrin and me. “I’m sorry,” he says as soon as it’s just us.

  Tilting my head back, I smile up at him. “Why are you apologizing?”

  “They mean well, but they love to rile me up,” he grumbles.

  “Orrin, it’s fine. They’re your brothers. They do it because they love you. I’m fine. It actually helped to calm my nerves.”

  He studies me, looking for what I’m not sure, but when he sighs, letting his guard down, I know he’s accepted my words as truth. “I love you.” He leans down and kisses me.

  “Daddy!” Blakely yells. “Uncle Orrin is giving Jade cooties.” The little tattletale giggles and rushes back into the kitchen.

  “I wonder which one of my brothers sent her out here?” Orrin asks.

  “It doesn’t matter. She’s adorable, and we came here to eat with your family. We should probably do that.” I start to pull away, but something his dad said stops me. “Orrin, your dad referred to me as your brothers’ sister. Did I hear that right?”

  This time his smile is huge and lights up his entire face. “You heard him.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “They know I would have never brought you here unless I was in love with you. That’s his way of welcoming you to the family.”

  “Wow. This is all happening fast.” I try to process his words. Orrin- this day is more than I ever could have hoped for. To have the blessing of not only his brothers, but his parents has me falling a little in love with all of them too.

  “We can slow down, just don’t pull away,” he says, suddenly serious.

  “I don’t want to slow down.” I go up on my toes and kiss him softly. “We could go a little faster,” I tell him.

  His eyes widen, and his hands tighten on my waist. “We’re leaving,” he says. His voice is suddenly deep and husky.

  “No.” I laugh. “We are having dinner with your family. We can go faster when we get home.”

  “Home.” He nods and kisses me. “One of these days, the meaning of that word is going to mean the same for both of us.”

  “You’re already my home, Orrin.”

  “Let me rephrase that. One of these days, our addresses are going to match.”

  Somehow, I manage to contain the giddiness that bubbles inside of me at with his confession. “Come on, boyfriend, let’s eat.” I step away, but he grabs my hand, and we enter the kitchen together as a united front. I catch Ramsey’s eye as she makes her plate, and she grins and nods.

  Everyone else acts as though I’ve been here a million times as Orrin’s girlfriend. We all make our plates and everyone spreads out around the open area finding a seat. They have a huge kitchen table, but not enough room for all of us. The house is an open concept, so it doesn’t matter if you sit at the table in the living room or on the island. It still feels as though everyone is eating together.

  The rest of the evening goes off without a hitch. We eat, laugh, and end up in an intense euchre tournament of sorts. There is no more teasing, but I think that has more to do with the fact that Orrin hasn’t let me out of his sight, and he’s always touching me. So much so that when it’s his turn to play, and I’m sitting out from a loss with my partner, which was Ramsey, he pulls a chair up beside him and has me sit next to him. Not that I mind. I want to be next to him too. I hope that I never lose that want or need to be with him.

  By the time we say our goodbyes and head back to my place, it’s almost ten, and I have to be up early for work tomorrow. Orrin holds my hand all the way and walks me to my door. “You should pack a bag and come stay with me,” he says, standing on my front porch.

  “I’m already home, and it’s late.”

  “Yeah.” He sighs. “Family dinner, take my time with you. I’m not a fan,” he grumbles.

  “Come on now. Tonight was fun.”

  “Anytime I spend with you is fun.”

  “Silver tongue,” I say, kissing under his chin.

  “Next weekend, we’re staying at my place. All weekend. Friday at five, you’re mine. Pack a bag and come straight from work. We’re blocking out the world.”

  “Deal.”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you too. Drive safe.”

  He kisses me one more time and steps back. “Lock up before I leave.”

  “So protective,” I tease.

  “When it comes to my heart, you’re damn right I am.”

  “You make mine beat faster.”

  “Good. I hope that I always do.”

  “Me too, handsome. Love you.” I push open the door and close it. I’ve been here before. We both hate leaving the other at the end of the night, and we’re notorious for stalling. I turn the lock and then rush to the window to watch him step off the porch and climb back into his truck. I don’t step away until I can no longer see his headlights. Today was unexpected and incredible and one I will never forget.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Orrin

  This week has been long and lonely. I worked late every damn night, including tonight. One of my guys came down with the flu and put us short-handed. I like to meet the deadlines that I give my customers, so I had to do what any business owner does. I had to put in the extra hours to meet deadlines. I’m dead on my feet, and I miss my girl. She brought me dinner to the shop every single night even when I told her she didn’t have to but insisted that she wanted to, and it only made me love her more. She wanted to spend that time with me, even though it was only long enough for me to scarf down my food and steal a few kisses.

  My last customer just picked up their truck, and they’re barely out of the parking lot before I’m hitting the lights, locking the doors, and racing to my truck. Last weekend when I told Jade that her weekend was mine, I didn’t know what kind of hell my week was going to be. Now, I can’t get home fast enough. She’s spending the entire weekend at my place. I want a shower, food, my girl in my arms, and a good night’s sleep in that order.

  When I pull into my driveway, I could weep when I see Jade’s car parked outside of the garage. She’s sitting on the front porch. She’s in the swing, reading her e-reader. The truck is barely in Park before I’m tearing open the door and rushing up the steps. She’s standing when I reach her, so I can easily lift her into my arms and hug the shit out of her. She wraps her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck.

  “I missed you too.” She chuckles.

  “You’re staying, right? I need time with you. I missed you more than I thought possible.”

  “Yeah, I’m staying. I made dinner.” She points to the Crock-Pot sitting by the front door. “I put a roast on with potatoes and carrots before I left for work this morning. I assumed it would be another late night for you.”

  “That sounds perfect. Come on, let’s get inside, close the blinds, and lock the doors.”

  She laughs. “That’s a little excessive, don’t you think?”

  “Nope.” I unlock the door and pick up the Crock-Pot, stepping back and giving her room to enter with her bag. “That’s the best fucking thing I’ve seen all week,” I say, nodding toward her overnight bag.

  “Way to make a girl feel special,” she teases.

  “That bag belongs to you, baby. Not much more special than that. We’re not leaving this house until Sunday night when I know you’ll insist you need to go home.”

  “You never know what the weekend might hold,” she tells me with a smile.

  “I know that I’m going to hold you.” I lean in for a kiss. “Do I need to plug this in?”

  “No, it should be plenty warm.”

  “Let’s eat, then we shower.”

  “You saying I’m dirty?” She raises her eyebrows, her smile barely contained.

  “I’m saying I’m dirty, but I don’t want to be away from you. Be prepared for me to be attached to you for the next forty-eight hours. Minimum.”

  “Such a hardship. I guess I can deal.”

  I tickle her side, and she giggles, stepping out of my reach. “Eat, hungry man.”

  “I’m hungry, sweetheart, but it’s not for dinner.” I don’t give her time to protest. I plug the Crock-Pot back in, set it on warm, and lift her over my shoulder.

  “Orrin!” she screeches. “What are you doing?” A playful swat lands on my ass.

  I don’t answer her. Instead, I carry her into my bedroom and into the bathroom. I place her ass on the counter. While her face is red from being upside down, her smile is radiant, and her eyes are so full of love, and are pointed at me.