Page 77 of 4-Ever

“Then I’ll just have to find a way to distract you,” Ronin whispered as he pushed me down on the back seat.

“Ro,” I warned him, my face heating.

It was hilarious, considering all the sex I’d had in front of other people.

“Your sudden shyness is too fucking adorable.”

I let out a frustrated groan. “I told you how I feel about that word.”

Then he kissed me, and I forgot all about words. Except ‘more’ and ‘please’ and ‘yes’.

The weight of his body, the way his lips took possession of mine, it was all very sexy, insistent, demanding. Like being caught in a massive wave, I was pulled under, deeper, drowning in his ocean blues. I licked into his mouth, and swirled my tongue around his, sucking hard. His answering groan had me shifting, our hips colliding. Fuck, I needed more of his kisses. I could live off them alone.

Suddenly, a throat cleared. I’d forgotten that Lennie was in the car with us.

“We’re back. And your mom has arrived.”

Lennie’s statement was like a cold shower, and I startled, then pushed against Ronin’s shoulder.

“Give us a minute,” Ronin muttered as he sat up and pulled me with him.

Lennie got out of the car and closed the door. Ronin was about to kiss me again when his phone buzzed.

Kissing—and everything else—would have to wait. Again.

“Stay on the other side of the car,” I cautioned Ronin.

His wicked chuckle told me I was in so much trouble.

A few deep breaths, and a few minutes later, we exited the car. Lennie shook his head at us, leading us inside.

Ronin’s mom, who was just shy of my height, greeted us on the other side of the door, pulling Ronin in tight and hugging him hard. And he was a big man to move.

“Ciara’s resting. I’m cooking dinner. Why don’t you boys go and get washed up.”

“It feels like high school all over again,” I said as I greeted her with a hug.

“I hope not. I couldn’t take the smell of Ronin’s gym bag ever again.”

“Mom!”

“What? It’s the truth. I used more bleach during your teenage years than I did throughout my entire life.”

“Okay, we get it,” Ronin sighed and shook his head, his hair falling out of his messy bun.

I bit back a laugh as we entered the foyer.

I was home.

When the four of us settled down to dinner a short time later, memories of my childhood came flooding back.

For years, Callie worked two jobs to support Ronin and Ciara. And after Ronin’s dad cut off contact, she was the only parent they had. It was clear the way she’d always put their needs ahead of her own, that she loved Ro and Ci, and would do anything for them.

Ronin loved staying at my parents’ place on the weekends, but once a week, we’d have dinner with Ciara and Callie at their apartment. Only now did it hit me how lucky I was. To have not just one home, and one family, but three.

After dinner, the four of us sat down to watch movies.

Normally, I sat on one end of the couch and Ronin on the other, but not anymore. He beckoned me closer with a crook of his finger and I had no hesitation moving into his arms. Then I realized that we hadn’t said anything to his sister or mom about us.

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