Protecting His Forever(23)

Walking into the house, I see my mother cooking; I offered to cook, but she wouldn’t let me. Pulling her into a hug, I tell her, “Happy birthday!”

“Thanks, baby.” She pats my back before turning back to the stove.

Laying her gift on the island, I ask, “Do you need me to do anything?”

“You bring the food to the table?” She motions to the food across the room.

“You should have let me cook, Mom.” I huff as I pick up the first huge dish of food. She waves her spatula at me.

“Pish posh. Do as I say.”

Setting the plates on the table, I go back to the kitchen to spend some time with Mom.

“How are you and Kane?” She gives me a sly smile.

Not able to keep the grin off my face, I say, “Everything is great.”

She laughs under her breath. “I knew everything would turn out, honey. The way that man looks at you…”

“Mom, I love him,” I answer honestly. She turns around to look at me.

“I know you do, honey. He loves you too.” She grins.

The roar of a truck coming up the driveway has me running out of the house. I haven’t seen Kane in two days. Too long in my opinion.

The screen door smacks against the siding as I go onto the porch. He steps out of his truck. His black t-shirt is tight around his broad shoulders, bulging at his arms, and loose around his waist. The tattoos on his arms are bright and glowing in the sun.

Running down the steps, I tackle him in a hug. My legs go around his waist, and his hands go to my butt to hold me up.

“Hi, sweetheart.” His breath tickles my ear. Shuddering, I raise up to meet his gaze.

“Hi,” I whisper back before sealing my lips to his. He growls low in his throat as he bites my bottom lip. Gasping, I press him harder to me while his hand flexes on my ass and pulls me closer, if that’s even possible.

“Get a room!” someone yells from behind us.

Pulling back, I look behind Kane’s shoulder. Chase is leaning against his truck laughing at us, an older man standing beside him. Smirking, I flip him the bird. Tapping Kane’s arm, I motion for him to put me down on the ground.

Getting a good look at my brother and Kane’s Military Sergeant. He’s freaking hot for an older guy. He even has tattoos.

Kane sets me down but doesn’t let go of me. Instead, he tucks me close to his side.

“Holy hell. I just came.” A woman’s voice says from behind me.

My eyes widen. Who the heck is that? My head shoots around like the exorcist.

A very pregnant woman and Brae are standing by a car. Brae looks down at the ground, blushing.

“I’m Jessica.” She smiles and walks over to me.

Returning the smile, I shake her hand.

“I invited Jessica, if that’s okay. She’s new to town,” Brae pipes in.

My mom pops her head out of the door. “Let’s eat, everyone.”

“Damn. There must be something in the water,” I hear Jessica mutter under her breath, and Chase chuckles. Shaking my head, I make my way to the dining room. Kane pinches my butt hard. Jumping, I smack him equally as hard in the chest. He winks.

My mom puts more plates on the table. It’s like freaking thanksgiving with the amount of food this woman made.

“Mom,” I call her.

She looks up at me. I point over at Jessica. “This is Jessica.” I then point at the Sergeant who is standing toward the back. “This is Ethan’s and the guys’ Sergeant.”

I watch as she looks at him with a blush on her face. The Sergeant walks toward her. “Nice to meet you, I’m Dave.” He extends her hand for her to shake.

Blushing deeper, she shakes his hand. “Nice to meet you too.”

Looking at Ethan wondering if he’s witnessing the same thing, I see that he’s scowling at them both. Laughing silently, I pull out my seat to sit down.

My mom giggles and sits down too. My mom has never reacted this way toward a man. She never even dated to my knowledge.

We all sit down and eat together. Chase and Jessica have us laughing so hard I’m crying. Jessica is like a more pervy Chase.

The Sergeant, who I now know as Dave, has had his undivided attention on my mom. I really hope that something comes out of this for her. She deserves to be happy. More than anyone else I know.

Kane has his hand on my leg. My body is noticing all too much at how close his hand is. Sucking in my bottom lip, I squirm in my seat. If only his hand would slide a little bit closer.

“Everyone want to go out on the back patio?” my mom interrupts my thoughts. Everyone gets up and follows her outside.

“I could watch that man’s ass all day every day.” Jessica grunts and tilts her head to the side to look at Chase’s butt.