Page 102 of Out of the Shadow

“Not asking.” He winks and walks around to the side table. Opening the drawer, he tosses a few condom packets onto the bed. “No, King. I’m on the Pill. We’re good.”

Something flashes in his eyes. “I’ve never been bare with anyone before.”

“And you’ll only ever be bare with me.”

He collapses onto his back. “What you do to me.” He rubs my arm. “Ride me.”

At his words, I see stars. My entire universe is constricted to the two of us, right here, in my bed. I straddle his hips and position him at my entrance but don’t bear down. I want to savor this moment.

King’s hands come to my hips and, holding me in place, he speaks my thoughts. “This is our first time.”

His words are my undoing. I push down, accepting all of him into my body. Our love drives us to completion.

I SPRINKLE SOMEParmigiana Reggiano over my plate and pass the bowl to King, who sits on my right. Even though he kept the beard from the hospital for a couple of weeks, he’s back to his perfect three-day stubble. This is the fourth dinner we’ve shared with my family since he got out of the hospital. I savor the ravioli Mama made by hand, filled with delicious ricotta and sweet sausage. The tines of King’s fork disappear into his mouth and I squirm in my seat, remembering exactly what that mouth did to me last night. And twice this morning.

My father’s voice brings me back to the meal. “So tell me, King, what’s the latest about Trevor?”

King swallows. “He pled guilty. His admission was caught on tape, thanks to Leo.” Everyone glances to my brother, who looks down at the table. “He’s getting rehab in prison.”

My hand lands on his thigh and squeezes. This is a tough subject for all of us because he attacked me. However, it’s hit King really hard since he grew up with Trevor. Over the past month, sometimes he gets very quiet, and at those times I know he’s thinking about how alone he’s been. Until now. My family loves him.

Wanting to change the subject, I bring up a topic King and I have been discussing since Blaine called last night. I want my family’s input. “The show’s premiere episode did really well in the ratings. The producer called and said the studio is ready to order a second season.”

A chorus of “great” and “yes!” meets my ears.

Mama, ever the voice of reason, says, “Congratulations, both of you. How do you feel about doing more TV?”

King replies first. “I enjoyed shooting the first season. It was fun. Plus, the homes the show scouts are amazing.”

I pipe up. “All true, Mama, but what King has omitted is that filming can be very disruptive. And the show promotes a negative dynamic between him and I.”

“It’s called acting. Besides, we don’t usually see eye to eye about properties, which is what makes our partnership work so well. It allows us to consider all the possibilities.”

I wipe my mouth with my napkin and tuck it back onto my lap. “The agency has made its mark now and I don’t think we need to continue.”

“We were named a ‘mover and shaker’ byActive Aroostookmagazine, true. But Mayflower is still Number One, baby.”

“I know, but Poppy has things locked down so tight in Aroostook that I’m not sure it’s a realistic goal.”

“I say we can take her.”

I place my fork onto my plate and cross my arms. King mirrors me.

We’ve been over this several times in the last twenty-four hours, and it always ends like this—in a stand-off. My sister wades into the recurring argument. “I don’t want to put too fine of a point on this, but I have to say I agree with King. But for the show, your agency would still be struggling. With all of the publicity it’s brought, you guys are starting to have an impact on the real estate market out there. Can you commit to doing just one more season?”

Before either one of us can respond, Leo adds, “What about putting some of your new talent in front of the cameras?”

King chuckles. “Can you picture Jessa and Patrick on screen together?”

I giggle at the thought. Our two new agents have only known each other for a few weeks, but they bicker like an old married couple, no enticement needed. Maybe a second season won’t be bad after all. Plus, it was a lot of fun filming with King. “That would be something.”

“So you’re going to do it?” Nonna asks.

Why not? What was holding me back? I look at King and nod, causing him to smile so hard the wrinkles around his eyes appear. “Yeah. I think we are.”

The rest of the meal is filled with the type of banter I’ve come to know and love. Even though King’s still new to being around the family, he fits right in and gives as good as he gets.

Juliana brings up another subject we’ve been discussing. “How’s the house hunt coming along?”

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