[Southern Heart 01.0] Southern Pleasure

by Kaylee Ryan

  Leaning over the console, I kiss her forehead. “Time to wake up, babe.” I slide my hand behind her neck, my thumb trailing back and forth. Her skin is so damn soft. “Kinley,” I whisper against her ear.

  Her eyes flutter open and a soft smile graces her lips. “Hi.”

  “Time to stretch your legs, beautiful. Lexi—” Before I can say anymore, Lexi shrieks. It’s not an ‘I’m starving’ or ‘Get me the hell out of this seat’ shriek; no, this is a ‘I just learned I can do this’ shriek. She started it a few days ago.

  We both laugh. “—is awake,” Kinley finishes for me.

  “Yeah.” Not able to resist her lips being so close, I give her a quick, chaste kiss and pull away. “I’ll get Lex. You mind grabbing the diaper bag?” I ask.

  We take a small table in the back and I remove Lexi from her seat. She’s all smiles this morning.

  “Oh, your little girl is so cute,” the waitress says.

  “Thank you, do you have a restroom?” I ask.

  “Yeah, we actually have a changing table in the women’s. I keep telling my manager we need to get one for the men’s, but he won’t listen,” she rambles on.

  “Looks like it’s you and me, Lex.” Kinley reaches for her and slings the diaper bag over her shoulder, and off they go.

  “I’ll be back in a few,” the waitress says, and then she’s gone.

  I’m looking at the menu when I get a text.

  Aaron: You all get on the road okay?

  Me: Yeah. Lexi just woke up, so we stopped to feed her and get some food ourselves.

  Aaron: Good. Have a safe trip.

  Me: Will do.

  I’m sliding my phone back into my pocket when the girls make it back to the table. “All better,” Kinley says, sliding into the booth with Lexi on her lap. “I thought I would just hold her while we eat. Give her a break from that seat.”

  “I can take her,” I offer.

  “I don’t mind.” She grins at Lexi as she sits on the table. She’s loving the attention. The waitress comes back and we order. I make Lexi a bottle at the same time and push it across the table to Kinley. My little girl, who is all crazy arms and legs with excitement, immediately settles down once she starts to eat.

  Kinley eats one-handed. I offer to take Lexi, but she just smiles and says she’s fine. We hang out for about twenty minutes after we’re all finished eating, letting Lexi get a break from the seat. When she starts to get restless, we know it’s time to move on.

  “Want me to drive?”

  “I’m good, babe.” We are already three hours into our total eight-hour drive time. Five hours to go. Depending on how Lexi does will determine how many stops we’ll need in the future. So far, my girl travels like a champ.

  “Aaron texted me,” I say once we are loaded back up and on our way. “He just wanted to make sure we got on the road okay and to say have a safe trip.”

  “He’s surprisingly doing really well with all this.”

  “Yeah, I mean, I’m sure it has to be weird his best friend marrying his little sister and with the circumstances and all,” I admit.

  “He knows this is what’s best.”

  My phone rings before I can answer. I see it’s my attorney, Mr. Fields. “Hello.”

  “Evan, I’ve been doing some research. My paralegal has it documented Misty insisted, on the record, her parents never have anything to do with Lexi. This should help your case.”

  “That’s good, but I told you they don’t have a leg to stand on. I’m getting married this weekend, so their claim that she doesn’t have a mother is null and void.”

  “But you don’t have to get married. I think this is the piece we need.”

  “I know I don’t have to. I want to.” It’s true. I want to marry Kinley. Not just so I can keep my daughter, but for reasons I cannot allow myself to think about. I know she’ll be leaving once this all blows over, and I’ll need to be able to let her walk away, but the thought already causes panic to set in. I don’t know how I’m going to do that.

  “Oh, I just assumed—”

  “Yeah, well, you shouldn’t,” I fire back. I didn’t tell him we were doing this for Lexi. The less people who know the truth, the better.

  “Did you think about that pre-nup?” he asks.

  “No, no pre-nup. We’ve talked about this. I’m driving us there now. Anything else you need to tell me?”

  “Evan, I wish you would reconsider.”

  “No,” I practically growl.

  “Fine, have a safe trip.” I don’t wait for him to say anything else before ending the call.

  “You know I’ll sign anything you want, Evan.”

  I drop my phone in the cup holder and place my hand on her thigh. I always have to be touching her. “That’s the thing, babe. There is nothing I want you to sign except for the marriage license.” No truer words have ever left my mouth.

  We made it. We only had to stop one other time for lunch. We changed and fed Lexi, ate, and then went to the mall. We walked around for a bit, stretching our legs. They had a play area that was not busy at all considering it’s Monday. I laid out a blanket on the couch in the center of the mall and let Lexi stretch and play. She loved it. After that, we loaded up and drove the rest of the way. So here we are. I’m nervous as hell. Our parents are close, so I’ve known Evan’s parents my whole life, but seeing them this time is different. Now I’m not just McKinley, their son’s best friend’s sister and their friends’ daughter. I’m here to marry their son.

  Evan pulls into the drive and shuts off the car. Before we have a chance to get out, his mom is rushing toward us. “Prepare yourself, Lex. Grandma is about to unleash some major hugs and kisses,” he chuckles.

  Sure enough, his mom goes straight to the back door of the Durango and rips it open, tears streaming down her face. “Oh, Evan, she’s beautiful.”

  I feel like I’m invading on a family moment, so I climb out of the car and go stand at the back, giving them time. Not a minute later, Evan is rounding the back with a concerned look on his face.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I just felt like it was a private moment for the three of you. I didn’t want to take away from that, so I was giving you time.”

  He steps in close, his hands resting on my hips. “Baby, look at me.”

  I tilt my head up and the look in his eyes tells me, whatever he’s about to say, he means every word.

  “I don’t want time away from you, McKinley. You’re going to be my wife. I take that very seriously. It may not be a traditional marriage in the sense of why we decided to do it, but it will be a real marriage. I won’t hide things from you and I won’t keep you separated from anything in my life.”

  “I . . . I wasn’t sure, and I wanted to give you time,” I try to excuse my actions.

  “I don’t need time, baby. You’re a part of this. I’m always going to want you wherever I am, just remember that. I always want you.”

  His words cause my heart to race. I will it to slow down, reminding myself he’s just being nice. He’s appreciative of what I’m doing to help him keep his daughter. He feels obligated to have me there. He’s blurring the lines and I have to hold strong. I can’t let myself fall any deeper than I already have, or I fear I won’t recover from it when it’s all over.

  I should have thought this through a little better. Regardless, I would not have changed my mind. All that matters is keeping Lexi with Evan. This is for Lex.

  “McKinley, oh, give me a hug. It’s been too long,” Carol says. She’s got Lexi in her arms.

  “Hey, Carol,” I say, giving her a one-armed hug. As soon as Lexi sees me, she grins big and holds her hand out. It’s almost like she’s reaching for me, but I know she’s not. When I step back from the hug, Lexi begins to whimper.

  “It’s okay, sweet girl. Grandma’s got you,” I say, stepping close to her and placing my hand on her back. She again holds her arm out and I want to take her, like I know she wants, but I can�
��t. Carol needs time to bond with her as well.

  Evan steps close and places his hand on the small of my back. “She loves you,” he whispers in my ear. I fight to not break out in tears. I love her too, so much more than I ever thought possible.

  Lexi is still fussing and just like me, Evan can’t handle it. He reaches out and takes her from his mom. “She just needs time to warm up to this,” he says gently.

  “Oh, by bedtime I’ll have her used to me.” Carol grins. “Let’s get you inside. Everyone is dying to meet her and see both of you.” I don’t miss how she includes me.

  With Lexi in his arms and his hand on the small of my back, Evan guides us to follow his mom into the house. Carol leads us into the living room where his grandparents are both sitting in matching recliners and his dad is sitting on the couch looking more frail than I’ve ever seen him, his feet propped up on a pillow on the table.

  “Is that my granddaughter?” he asks. His voice is husky.

  “Hey Dad. Yeah, this is Lexi.” I expect him to drop his hand, but instead, he guides me to the couch. The three of us are now standing in front of his father. “Have a seat, babe,” he says to me.

  I sit next to his dad and gently touch his arm. “Good to see you, Jeff.”

  “McKinley, girl, it’s been ages,” he says, patting my hand.

  Evan kneels in front of us. “Dad, this is Lexi. Lex, this is your grandpa.” Lexi is watching Evan’s dad just as she did Carol. She doesn’t crack a smile, her tiny face so serious. Evan sits her in his dad’s lap and leans back on his heels. I can see what this moment means to him. He’s worried about his dad, the cancer eating away at him. I know he was scared this moment would never happen, worried his children—Lexi—would not get to meet his dad. Evan confessed that before the “wedding” talk started, he was trying to work up the nerve to ask me to take this trip with him.

  Lexi holds her arm out for me and I slip my finger into her tiny hand. “Who’s got you, Lex?” She babbles at me, telling me all about it. I keep talking to her, letting her hear my voice. Once Evan see’s she’s going to be okay with his dad, he takes the seat next to me on the couch. His arm goes around the back and he angles his body toward us, so he can talk to his father and take in the sight of him holding his little girl.

  “She’s a beaut, Evan,” his dad comments.

  “Yeah, she is. I told Kinley she’s not dating until she’s thirty,” he laughs.

  “Oh hush, you,” his mom joins the conversation.

  “Don’t be hogging all the loving, son,” Evan’s Grandpa Lexington chimes in. “I need to meet the angel who carries on the family name.”

  Just as he says the words, Lexi lets out a shriek and leans into me. Instinctively, I grab her and pull her into my arms. Her chubby little hands grab at my face as she smiles and shrieks again. Evan rubs her back as he chuckles, and to anyone watching us, we look like the happily little family we’re about to be, but for how long?

  Tonight has been . . . overwhelming. I never thought I would be an emotional sap seeing my parents with my daughter. When Mom held her, I got choked up, but when Dad held her, yeah, I had to bite my damn tongue to keep the tears at bay. Mom made dinner, and the rest of the night was spent passing Lex from one person to the next. That is up until about ten minutes ago when she decided she was done. I took her from Mom, who hasn’t stopped smiling since we pulled in the drive.

  “I’ll make her a bottle,” Kinley offers and scurries off to the kitchen. I watch her go, because, well . . . she’s gorgeous.

  “You’re smitten,” Mom calls me out.

  You have no idea. “She’s been there from the beginning. I owe her everything.” I try to deter the conversation.

  Dad laughs. “Evan, you look at her like I still look at your mother. You sure this is a good idea?” he says hesitantly.

  Is this a good idea? Hell if I know. Do I want to marry her? Yes, without question. Is it just to keep my daughter with me? No, it’s not. Can I confess that to them? I’ve always been close to them, but this . . .”No reservations,” I tell them.

  “Does she know?” Mom asks.

  I look at the door leading to the kitchen, watching for her. I don’t want her to hear this and make what we’re about to do awkward. “No.” I pretty much just lay it all out for them in that simple word. My parents are smart and can read between the lines. This is more for me.

  I’m fucked!

  They don’t get the chance to say more as Kinley walks back into the room. Lexi is snuggled up on my chest, eyes wide as she watches my parents. At the sound of Kinley’s voice, she lifts her head. “Here you go, baby girl.” Kinley hands the bottle to me.

  I settle Lexi into the crook of my arm and she begins to eat. Her arm reaches out and Kinley doesn’t hesitate to offer her finger for Lexi to hold on to. Lexi goes back to eating, never letting go of Kinley. Her other hand is grabbing at my chin, so I offer her my finger as well. She locks on tight and settles. Kinley’s eyes find mine and she smiles my smile.

  My girls.

  Just as Lexi finishes her bottle, Kinley yawns, which causes me to yawn as well. It’s been a long-ass day, and I’m ready for bed. “I’m going to lay her down,” I say to Kinley.

  “I’ll help you set up the pack-n-play.” She stands from the couch and I follow her upstairs. My grandparents’ house has four bedrooms, so Mom made up both rooms, one for me and Lexi and the other for Kinley. She pulled me off to the side earlier and said she wasn’t sure if we wanted to share a room, so she got the other ready just in case.

  Kinley sets up the pack-n-play while I change Lexi’s diaper and get her into her pajamas. She sleeps through it all. She’s been such a good girl today and travels so well.

  “She’s out,” I say as I lay her down.

  “Yeah, she’s had a big day.” Kinley kisses the tips of her fingers and presses them to Lexi’s forehead. “I guess I’ll see you in the morning,” she says and looks back at Lexi one last time before walking away.

  I reach out and grab her arm. She stops and looks over her shoulder at me. “Stay,” I whisper my request, scared as hell she’ll turn me down. I’ve slept a handful of nights with her beside me and as far as I’m concerned, it needs to be that way from now on. She’s going to be my wife after all.

  “Your parents,” she offers a meek excuse.

  “We’re adults,” I counter. Adults who will be married in just five days. “It’s been a long day, McKinley. I just want to hold you.” What is she doing to me? “I’m going to go downstairs to rinse out her bottle and tell everyone goodnight. I’ll be back in a few.” I don’t give her time to argue. Instead, I kiss the top of her head and leave the room, hoping like hell she’s in my bed when I get back.

  My grandparents went to bed hours ago, and I can tell that Dad has reached his limit as well. I find them in the living room and pick up Lexi’s bottle. “We’re all going to bed. It’s been a long day.”

  “Did you all find everything in your rooms?” Mom asks. I know she’s hinting to see what our sleeping arrangements are.

  “We’re good, Mom. I’m just going to rinse this out and then head back upstairs. I’ll see you guys in the morning.”

  In the kitchen, I wash the bottle and place it in the strainer. I hear my parents as they head to their room. There are two bedrooms upstairs and two downstairs. Dad’s weak all the time, so they occupy the second “in-laws” suite, as it’s called. I wait until I hear their bedroom door close and take the stairs two at a time.

  I enter my room and release the breath I didn’t even realize I was holding. Kinley’s standing in the middle of the room in nothing but a pair of panties. She’s digging through my luggage with nothing but the light from her cell phone, I assume for something to sleep in. Closing the door and turning the lock, I reach back, grab the neck of my shirt, and pull it over my head, all the while walking toward her.

  The room is dark, but I can hear her with each rapid breath she pulls in. Reaching out, I snak
e my arms around her waist, her bare back now flush with my chest. Resting my chin on top of her head, I hold her. Her head rests against my heart and I know she can feel it as it thunders inside my chest. It’s all different with her. Every touch is . . . more.

  “Arms up,” I say, releasing her. She complies and I slide the shirt I just removed over her head. As soon as she drops her arms back to her sides, I’m hauling her back against me. Everything is different with her, it’s . . . more.

  “Let’s get some sleep.” I pull back the covers and wait for her to climb in, following right behind her. As soon as I drag the covers up over us, she backs into me and I wrap her in my arms, just like I have each night we’ve shared a bed.

  “Night, Evan.”

  I hold her a little closer. “Goodnight, baby.”

  The week has flown by. Evan and Lexi have gotten to spend a lot of time with his parents and grandparents. Lexi warmed up to them by the end of day two. Now it’s like she’s been around them since birth. Tonight is our last night with them before my family and Jeff’s parents arrive. Day after tomorrow, we’re getting married.

  “Mom, yes, I’m sure he hasn’t seen it. It’s not like this is going to be a real marriage. Why are you so worried?”

  I’m currently up in our room, or Evan’s room, talking to my mom. “Honey, it’s a real wedding and your first, so, of course, I want this to be perfect.”

  I fight the urge to roll my eyes. “Carol showed it to me the day it was delivered. Evan was outside with his dad and grandfather. She has it in her room.”

  “Good. I just talked to her too, and the flowers will be delivered early Saturday.” She rambles on about the wedding.

  It’s hard not to get caught up in the excitement of it all, especially when I fall asleep with his arms around me each night. He always finds little ways to touch me—hand on the small of my back or on my knee, arm around the back of my chair. It’s endless.