Instead of the jealousy he thought would never subside upon first meeting these two, he now felt a calm sense of peace washing over him, warming him inside and out.
Never would he have to worry about Lindsey’s well-being because there would always be two of them to cherish and protect her. And when they made love to her, the look on her face divulged her intense pleasure, a level of satisfaction he’d never seen before on the face of a woman being loved by just one man.
Yep, the two of them were going to rock her world and turn it upside down, every day.
As soon as they entered the house, the volume increased tenfold. Everyone in his family started talking at once and crowding around the entrance hall.
A sharp whistle brought the bustling to an abrupt halt. Ryan smiled. It was the only way his mother had ever gained the upper hand in that house. Her high-pitched shrill signal could freeze a polar bear in his spot.
Nancy Masters plowed through the throng, her five-foot-two-inch frame daring anyone to accuse her of being petite.
“You must be Lindsey.” Her voice was calm and low and welcoming, belying the decibel she’d used just seconds ago to get her way. “Welcome to our family. Pardon the bad manners of my shouting sons.” She took Ryan’s stunned mate in her arms and hugged her briefly.
“Thank you.”
She turned to Alex and took both his hands in hers. “Alejandro.” Her sincere gaze melted another piece of Ryan’s heart. His parents were going to be okay with this. He’d not expected otherwise, but still … it was unconventional, and unexpected for him to bring home a second mate for his woman. “I’ve spoken with your aunt and uncle several times in the last few days. Feel like I know you already. Please, make yourself at home. This is as much yours as anyone else’s now. We want you to know we support whatever the three of you decide for your future together.”
Alejandro appeared to choke back his relief. “Thank you, ma’am. I appreciate your hospitality. And thank you for letting us stay here while we make some decisions.”
“Take as long as you need.”
“Your mom is an angel.”
Ryan smiled at the silent exchange. He stared at his small new family and thanked God for his good fortune. “That she is.”
“Now, if everyone would stand still, I’ll introduce you all and maybe, just maybe, the poor lass won’t run screaming for the woods before we even get in the living room.”
Ryan watched Lindsey for her reaction to the mayhem. And Alex didn’t let go of her hand, although Ryan wasn’t altogether sure which one of them was actually gripping the other more firmly in silent moral support.
“I’m Nancy,” his mother began. “That tall man behind everyone is my husband Richard. It’s our fault all this chaos exists in the first place.”
“Welcome, we are honored to have you,” Ryan’s father stated. He reached around everyone and extended his hand to Alex. After a brief handshake, he took Lindsey’s palm is his own and looked her in the eye. “Lindsey, you’re as beautiful as my son described. Welcome.”
Lindsey blushed and bit her lip, nodding her thanks.
Ryan’s mother gave a brief smile and continued from left to right, pointing at each person gathered. “You met Tessa outside? And her husband, Aaron. The two little ones circling everyone’s feet are theirs.
“My second child is Justin, whom you’ve met. He’s the only one not here and the only one who doesn’t live here, so far. Next is Ryan, obviously. Fourth is Charles.” She pointed at Charles who nodded. “And the youngest is Michael.”
Michael shuffled his embarrassment at being singled out if even for an instant. At just twenty, he was far younger than the next brother, Charles, twenty-five. And hated being called the baby.
“And you’ve met Trevor also, right? He’s just as much my son as any of these rascals.”
And the volume level rose once again to a decibel that made even Ryan want to cover his ears. He tickled the kids as he made his way to his mate’s free side and wrapped an arm around her before leaning in to whisper in her ear. “Let’s find a place to sit.”
“You’d think they’d give us some room to breathe, but no…”
“They’re wonderful, all of them. I’m relieved and honored to be the newest addition.” Alex smiled over Lindsey’s head at Ryan.
“I smell Chinese.” Ryan didn’t realize he was hungry before. His stomach growled and he glanced at the long inviting kitchen table covered with a multitude of take-out cartons. Bless his mom. They’d eaten lunch so long ago and not had a moment to pause and consider dinner. It was growing late now. Lindsey looked exhausted and her smile was strained.