Two weeks later, on Saturday afternoon, we arrived late to the party. Paisley wanted an intricate braid, and I fell down the YouTube rabbit hole searching for the right twist. Then she changed her outfit from a white dress to crop pants and a tee. I was wearing a simple cotton summer dress in a peach color. We also packed an overnight bag for Paisley because she was spending the night with her grandparents. One thing led to another, and then Tate had to chase us out of the house.
My phone beeped as we entered the yard. I had messages from Jenny, Ella, and Mom. I’d sent everyone a pic of me, Paisley, and Tate.
Jenny: Girl, that is a very dreamy pic.
Ella: Wow. I’m jealous.
Mom: You three look wonderful. Like a small family.
My heart tugged at that.
I’d spent a few nights at the house ever since we told Paisley we were dating, and she was starting to tell everyone I was her dad’s girlfriend, her best friend, and her roommate. It was adorable how much she’d embraced me. It made my heart happy, but I couldn’t deny that I was still on edge whenever she talked about her first day of school, which was in two weeks.
Tate and I still hadn’t talked about what was going to happen once school started.
Travis rented an entire restaurant at the lake for his party. I’d never been on this section of the lake. The restaurant was nestled between huge oak trees, and the garden was large and full of all sorts of flowers in bloom. It looked heavenly. The weather was hot and so humid that my hair was already curly, but the breeze between the trees was pleasant. It felt amazing against my skin.
I was on pins and needles because this was the first time I was at a family event strictly as Tate’s girlfriend and not Paisley’s nanny. In fact, that description hadn’t been used after me calling myself nanny at the store, making me feel even more a part of this family than I’d ever hoped for.
I couldn’t help but smile when Paisley ran off to Lena the second she saw her.
Tate whispered conspiratorially, ‘I’ll bet anything we won’t even see her until the party ends. It’s the same every time Mom and Dad are around.’
‘Hey, she missed them. They were gone for quite some time.’
‘True.”
“Where is Beatrice?” I asked, not seeing her anywhere.
“She’s got a cold. Mom and Dad checked on her this morning.”
“Oh, okay. Poor Beatrice. I’m sure she didn’t want to miss this.”
“It’s not serious, but Dad thought it best that she rest up.” He grabbed my hand. “Come on. I want to introduce you to Travis. And then to Sam and Kimberly. They both flew in for the party.’
I knew Kimberly and Sam were both overseas, working. They’d flown in for the occasion? Wow, that was sweet.
‘I can’t wait.’ The three of them were the only ones I hadn’t met yet.
I racked my brain, trying to remember the last time I’d met the family of anyone else I’d dated, but I came up blank. Then again, none of the guys I ever dated were in Tate’s league. No one had ever made me feel the way he did.
“I want my whole family to know you and how important you are to me.”
I swooned. This was Tate to a T. All he needed were words—or sometimes one look—to make me feel so happy that I could barely contain it.
I’d seen pictures of the family in the house and on Paisley’s phone, so I immediately recognized Travis. He was a carbon copy of his father, even more so than Tate or Declan, but his hair was longer than it had been in the pictures Paisley showed me.
He grinned as Tate and I approached, holding his arms wide open.
‘Brother, congratulations on not letting her slip through your fingers.’ Focusing on me, he added, ‘If he acts like an ass, call me. I’ll talk sense into him. By the way, I’m Travis.’
‘I know. I’m Lexi. Nice to meet you.’
‘You act like you have your shit together. You’re not exactly the sensible brother,’ Tate teased.
Travis patted Tate’s shoulder. ‘But I’m so good at pretending I am. Besides, I like having different skill sets. I’ve been working on becoming more sensible. And I’m proud to say that I’m making progress.’
Reese and a woman I assumed was Kimberly approached us, and by the amusement in their expressions, it was obvious that they’d eavesdropped.
‘So that’s why you rented out this huge space and are going to have fireworks?’ Reese asked.
Kimberly nudged her shoulder before moving over to Travis, lacing her arm through his. ‘Hey, it’s a big reason to celebrate. A huge party is more than warranted. I’m proud of you, cousin.’
Travis kissed her temple, putting an arm around her shoulders. ‘Finally, someone who doesn’t give me shit.’
“I’m Kimberly, by the way,” she said to me.
“I thought you might be.” She looked very similar to Reese.
I liked watching their interactions, and I loved how everyone liked to tease everyone. And I realized Lena was right: Tate did like to egg everyone on.
‘Lexi, what’s your stance on this?’ Tate asked. He had a hand at the small of my back, tipping me so our hips touched like he couldn’t bear to let go of me.
‘I agree with Kimberly. Travis just sold his company. If this isn’t a reason to celebrate, I don’t know what is.’
Travis winked at me. ‘I like you even more, Lexi.’
‘Back at you,’ I replied, looking at Tate and wiggling my eyebrows. He made me feel like part of the family so effortlessly.
“I can’t believe everyone’s on time,” Kimberly exclaimed.
‘Except Tyler,’ Reese pointed out. ‘He says he’s coming with a surprise. I’m very curious what it’s about.’
‘Probably a present for me,’ Travis said, looking very self-assured.
‘Yeah, you wish,’ Reese teased him.
‘Come on, let’s say hi to Mom and Dad,’ Tate said, looking around the huge garden for them.
Lena and Emmett were at the edge of the lake with Paisley. Emmett was skipping stones with her, and he was quite impressive at it. He managed to throw them at such an angle that they bounced two or three times on the surface of the water before sinking to the bottom.
As we walked toward them, Tate kissed my temple, and his hand went so dangerously low on my back that I swatted it away. A low growl reverberated in his throat as he slid it back down again, though not as low as last time.
‘You can’t behave, can you?’ I whispered.
‘Not today. Not when you look like this. Not when I want you this much,’ he said into my ear.
Heat coursed through me. Holy shit, how can he do this to me with just a few words?
‘Since when are you so shameless?’
He looked at me with a stern expression, ‘I’m Shameless Tate. I’ve got a reputation to live up to.”
‘Yes, but you’re being extra shameless right now. Before, you were kissing me behind corners. Now you’re shameless out in the open.’
‘I want everyone to know you’re mine, Lexi. I don’t want them to have one fucking doubt.’
Oh wow, the way he spoke made me feel like I was the only woman on the planet for him. Emotion grew in my chest, snowballing. I couldn’t let it out now, though, or I was going to make a spectacle of us.
I tilted closer, kissing his cheek. ‘All that talk about Travis not being sensible, but you aren’t either.’
‘I’ll show you sensible.’ Pulling back, he looked straight into my eyes. They’d darkened a notch.
I backtracked a few steps before bursting into giggles. ‘You want to greet your parents, remember? Can you behave long enough to do that?’
‘I’m not sure, Lexi. You might have to keep me in check.’ His eyes traveled down my body, lighting me up even more than before. It was as though now, after we openly told Paisley we were together, it was even harder to keep our hands off each other, but we had to try.
We headed toward his parents at the same time as one of the other Maxwell brothers—the only other one I hadn’t met—Sam.
In contrast to Travis, he looked exactly like the photos Paisley showed me: dark hair cropped short and blue eyes standing out against tanned skin. He straightened up at the sight of Tate and me.
‘You’re the mythical Lexi, yes?’
‘Yes, I am,’ I confirmed.
‘I’ve heard so many good things. I wondered if you were real.’
‘She’s very real,’ Tate said. ‘And mine.’
‘Yes, brother. I think everyone saw that by the way you’re glued to her.’
I felt my face get hot. Oh my God. Did anyone else see the possessive way he was holding me against him? I’d given him shit, but in truth, I thought no one was paying enough attention. I’d underestimated the Maxwells.
Lena joined us right away, leaving Paisley and Emmett by the lake.
‘This is a glorious day. Travis had such a good idea to bring us all here. It’s beautiful,’ she said.
‘Yes, it is,’ Sam agreed, kissing his mom on the cheek. ‘By the way, I think Tyler arrived. And what the f—Chuck?’ His eyes bulged. ‘Hey, I think he brought a woman.’
Tate, Lena, and I all turned at the same time.
‘That must be the surprise he mentioned before,’ I murmured.
The woman on his arm was stunning. Her hair was fiery red, and she was as tall as Tyler in her heels. Her body was slender, and she looked like a supermodel in her short white dress.
Tate chuckled. ‘And Travis thought he was going to get a present. He’s always overly optimistic.’
‘Sam,’ Lena said, sounding uncharacteristically sharp, ‘don’t tease your brother.’
Sam slowly turned to his mother. ‘For what? Coming with a woman?’
‘Exactly,’ Lena said. Her voice was even more stern.
Sam held up his hands as if not comprehending it. ‘You’re joking. He hasn’t said one word about dating anyone, and now he’s bringing her to the party. You can’t expect me to behave.’
The corners of Lena’s mouth lifted up. She was trying to fight a smile.
‘I really can’t, can I? I don’t know why I was even trying.’
‘It’s good to try, Mom. Sometimes it works,’ Tate said, but he was on the verge of laughter too.
‘I give it ten minutes before everyone circles Tyler to razz him,’ Sam said.
It turned out they didn’t even need half of that time. I was pretty surprised that Tate was staying put, and that surprise turned to suspicion. I glanced at him intently.
‘What’s this? Trying to prove you’re sensible?’ I teased him.
‘Nah, merciful. Half the family is going to pounce on him.’
‘And you won’t?’ I asked skeptically.
‘Of course I will, but not right now. I’ll save it for later. You know, keep the best for last.’ He took my hand, strolling with me farther along the edge of the water.
“So, we’re just staying here to bide our time? I can get on board with that,” I said.
‘That, and I want to enjoy this moment with you,’ he said simply, making me swoon. ‘I’m so happy you’re here,’ he murmured.
‘Why? Because you can fondle me anytime you want, even in front of your family?’
He chuckled again. ‘Sam was bluffing.’
‘How do you know that?’
‘Because he’s my brother, and I’ve seen him do it more times than I can count.’
‘Okay, that is a good argument. So, back to why you’re happy that I’m here. Even if you don’t admit it, fondling is a big part of it.’
‘I won’t deny it,’ he said, stopping in his tracks. ‘I love sharing my life with you, Lexi.’ He looked at my mouth before making eye contact. ‘I love you.’
Wow! My heart stopped. Breath whooshed out of me. My knees weakened.
‘Tate,’ I whispered, tugging at his shirt, bringing him closer. ‘You love me?’ I asked, for some reason needing to hear it again.
‘Yes, I do. I love you, Lexi.’
It was a moment in time I’d never forget. Although I’d felt it for a while, I’d been afraid maybe he didn’t feel the same—that he couldn’t.
‘I love you too.’
Tate looked at me for a few seconds, then glanced around.
What is he doing?
A few seconds later, I realized exactly what—he was looking for a place to hide.
Hmm, what does this man have in mind? He couldn’t possibly make me swoon any more than he already had.
A few moments later, I realized he could. He pulled me off to the right of the shore, in between a few trees and some huge pink hydrangea bushes, and then he brought his mouth over mine, kissing me hard and deep.
My knees truly became so weak that I placed my palms on his shoulders to ground myself, and still, he didn’t stop kissing me. It felt as if I was the very air he breathed, as if he needed me more than anything else. And I kissed him back with everything I had. He buried one hand in my hair and parked the other one on my waist, pressing his fingers deeply into my flesh.
We only paused because he groaned, pulling his head back a few inches. ‘Damn it. I’m going to lose my head.’ His voice was almost a growl.
‘You’re going to?’ I whispered. ‘I thought you already had.’
‘Trust me, you’d know if I had.’ He was looking at me intently, hand still in my hair. ‘I wish the party was already over so it would be just the two of us.’
‘Hey, don’t say that. Travis has been waiting for this party for some time.’
“I know. But I can’t help wanting what I want. You and me. Alone.”
“We just have to wait for a few hours,” I whispered.
“And then I won’t be holding back anymore, Lexi. Not one bit.”
