BriarEdge Academy: Second Semester

by Kit Kyndall

  Ashton stiffened, and Candace did as well. She was calling him Dad in relation to him being Suraya’s father, but seeing the wateriness of his eyes, and the hopefulness in his expression, she couldn’t bring herself to clarify what she’d meant or take it back. Instead, she smiled and tried it out again. “Do you think that’s safe enough for her to have, Dad?” It sounded a little strange on her tongue, but it clearly brought him pleasure, and she decided she would stick with it.

  “I think it’ll be fine with some help.” He sounded hoarse, and he cleared his throat. “It’s a nice house you guys have, kiddo.”

  “Thanks.” She finished the tour, pleased they had driven down for the weekend to visit and spend time with them. It was the first time they’d hosted her and Dalton’s family in their shared house, but Jonas’s parents had been to visit shortly after they moved in.

  At first, it was clear Martha disapproved, but she seemed to have gotten over that, and by her third visit, just a couple of weeks ago, she’d been much nicer to the other guys, and she didn’t seem to regard Candace as an amoral seducer now.

  Lex’s parents had flat-out refused to visit, rejecting the situation and telling Lex he was a fool. She hoped they would unbend about it, but at least they hadn’t disinherited him, so she took that as a good sign they would eventually accept their relationship. They’d told him they wouldn’t have any part of this aspect of his life, but she was hopeful they would soften eventually.

  Lex seemed to think by the time they had their first child, his parents might come around to the idea, but she knew that was years away, so she was hoping they would miss him enough to overcome their prejudices about the idea of him being in a relationship with her while she was with three other men.

  “We don’t really have a guestroom, but you guys can have the main room, and I’ll bunk with someone else.” As she spoke, she opened the door to the master bedroom. The bed Dalton had wanted dominated the space, and it was as comfortable as it looked—and more than accommodating for her and the four men she loved.

  Her mother blanched for a moment, clearly realizing why the bed was so big, and she turned away from it. “I think I’d prefer a smaller room.”

  “You can have my room,” said Dalton as he came into the bedroom, putting his arm around Candace’s shoulders and drawing her against him in a half-hug. “You’d probably find it more comfortable, and so will we.” He winked at Candace as her mother made a choking sound. She pinched him lightly on the side, a silent reminder to behave and not torture their respective parents too much with the reality of their sex lives.

  “That sounds like a better plan,” said Ashton as Suraya squealed and reached for the sucker he was carefully holding for her.

  “I’ll show you guys the way.” Dalton let go of her and went to his dad, putting a hand on his shoulder.

  “We’ll catch up in a minute,” said Candace. Once the door closed behind them, Candace braced herself for her mother’s comments, expecting the reality of her situation to been more than her mom could accept.

  “Are you happy, Candace?”

  She blinked at the question, surprised by the mildness of her tone. “I’m ecstatic. I couldn’t be happier if I tried.”

  Hannah hesitated for a moment, and then she smiled gently. “That’s all I need to know. I’m happy if you’re happy. I love you, baby.”

  She hugged her mom. “I love you too, Mom.”

  “It looks like the last year’s been good for both of us. I know you were resentful when I met Ashton—”

  “No, not that. I always wanted you to be happy, Mom.” She hugged her again. “I just wasn’t ready for the changes, but it brought good things for me. None of this would’ve happened if you hadn’t fallen in love with Ashton, and I’ll never resent you finding happiness. I want you to be as happy as I am, and I’m sure you are.”

  “I certainly am, especially now that we feel like a real family. Malone actually asked me to come for a mother-daughter event at BriarEdge next weekend. Can you imagine?”

  Candace giggled. “It is pretty unbelievable, but cool. I’m happy.”

  “Me too.” Hannah cleared her throat. “Should we get some dinner? It’s been a long day of travel, and I could use something before all the trick-or-treaters arrive.”

  “That sounds perfect.” Candace put an arm around her mom’s waist, and the two of them left the master bedroom to find the others. Kip and Jonas were already in the kitchen preparing food, and she went to help. A bit later, they all sat around the table together, and it was casual. Nothing felt weird, and if Hannah or Ashton still disapproved, they gave no indication. Yes, everything was perfect.

  About Kit Kyndall

  Kit Kyndall is the pen name USA Today bestselling author Kit Tunstall uses when writing contemporary erotic romances. It’s simply a way to separate the myriad types of stories she writes so readers know what to expect with each “author.”

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