Page 29 of Wild Hearts

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Shane

HavingMick’s mother and sister show up unexpectedly was… well, unexpected, and now I’m left with questions.

Will he keep sleeping in my bed?

Are we dating?

Do I call her Mrs. McKenzie now that her son and I are intimate, or do I keep calling her Nina?

We haven’t talked about what this is between us yet. I’ve been purposely avoiding the conversation, knowing that when he leaves, I’ll be broken-hearted. This isn’t his home. He has no reason to stay.

“You okay, baby girl?” Mick asks, kissing the crown of my head.

“I have so many questions,” I sigh.

“Can they wait until later or do we need to sneak off?” he asks, rubbing my back.

“I’m good for now.”

“Good.” He leans in and gives me a soft kiss. “You have nothing to worry about. Just remember my mother already loves you.”

I give him a soft smile.

“Hurry up, the movie is about to start!” Autumn yells from the family room.

“Come on, we better get in there before they come looking for us.” We grab the drinks off the counter and head into the family room for family movie night.

I can’t help but look around during the movie. Everyone is sprawled out in their spots, enjoying the company. As the movie plays, Mick and Autumn bicker with each other while Nina steps in and stops them when they get too heated. As weird as it sounds, it’s nice. It feels like I have a family again.

After the movie, everyone heads off to bed. I’m in the bathroom getting ready for bed. I bend over, throwing my hair up into a messy bun.

“That will do for now,” I tell myself as I look in the mirror.

I reach over, grabbing my toothbrush and toothpaste.

“Hey, baby girl.” Mick strolls in. He leans over and kisses my shoulder. “What’s up with the T-shirt?”

He reaches for his toothbrush and toothpaste.

Ever since the day at the hot springs, he’s pretty much moved in here with me. I enjoy the domestic routine we’ve fallen into. I can’t deny that I could see this being us for the rest of our lives. I just wish I knew where his head was at.

We brush our teeth in silence, watching each other in the mirror.

Who knew something so normal could feel so intimate?

I finish brushing my teeth, dropping the toothbrush in its holder.

“I’m not sleeping naked with your mother and sister in the house,” I tell him, leaning against the counter.

Mick scoffs then starts coughing, spitting the toothpaste in the sink. “Are you trying to kill me?”

I roll my eyes. Mick finishes brushing his teeth, dropping his toothbrush next to mine.

“Baby girl, I don’t care if my mother and sister are here. You won’t be covering your body in our bed.” Mick picks me up, forcing me to wrap my legs around his waist.

“Our bed?”

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