Page 92 of Second-Rate Superstar

I plucked at the fabric covering his shoulder. “So, this is what we’re working with?”

Eyes holding mine, his tone was sincere. “You don’t have to wear yours.”

Shaking my head, I took a deep breath. “No, I want to. They made an effort to include me. It’s the least I can do. It’s just pajamas, right?”

But we both knew it was so much more. It was my acceptance that this family was claiming me as one of their own.

Until last night, I hadn’t realized how much I longed for someone to chooseme. I’d spent so many years with a chip on my shoulder, guarded so no one could ever hurt me again. But under that angry girl was a hurt one who just wanted someone to love her without conditions.

Standing, Braxton bent down for a slow kiss, and I couldfeelhow much he cared about me. He might not have said it, probably for fear of another freak-out, but there was no denying the man was in love with me.

Breaking the connection between our lips, he pressed his forehead to mine. “Get changed. I’ll see you out there.”

“Uh-huh.” That kiss had stolen my breath away. If I was honest with myself, I was falling headfirst for him, too. It was happening so fast, but I knew we couldn’t stop it. Our hearts were on a collision course, so what did it matter if it happened after two months or twelve?

The door quietly latched, and I reached for the package containing the matching pajamas. Unwrapping it carefully to avoid making a mess, I lifted the lid of the white box I’d uncovered. Pulling out the garments inside, my eyes widened. This wasnotthe same as the ones Braxton wore.

First, instead of a long pair of flannel pants, there were shorts in the same fabric. But it was the top that stopped me in my tracks. Instead of a thick thermal henley, my red top was a thinner material and was way too short. Standing, I held it against my chest, revealing it was a crop top. They couldn’t possibly expect me to walk around in front of their children showing so much skin. And that also begged the question, did the other girls have the same set?

Nervously, I changed into the pajamas but grabbed my Comets hoodie, holding it in front of my body like a shield as I poked my nose around the corner of my bedroom and into the kitchen.

Natalie was perched on the kitchen island, watching Jaxon and the kids flip pancakes. Sure enough, she was dressed in the same set as me. Tossing my sweatshirt behind me into my room, I walked toward the happy family. If Natalie was comfortable enough to wear a crop top after birthing five kids—one barely two months ago—then who was I to act prudish?

Braxton’s eyes lit up as he scanned me from head to toe. I blushed but continued walking toward where he stood, offering me a mug.

Eyes darkening like we weren’t in a room with children mere feet away, he whispered, “You look good enough to eat.”

The warm ceramic in my hands wasn’t the only thing heating my blood. Reminded that we weren’t alone, I brought the cup to my lips, even as my eyes remained on Braxton.

I let out a tiny moan as the sugary concoction flowed over my tongue with the first sip. “Oh God, that’s good.”

“Made it myself.” Braxton shot me a smug look.

I nudged his chest with my shoulder, not wanting to spill a drop of the heaven held in my hands. “Stop it. No, you didn’t.”

Leaning in, he whispered, “Jaxon may have baking on lock in this family, but yours truly holds the top spot as the barista.”

Shocked, I took a tiny step back. “You are just full of surprises, aren’t you?”

Spinning me so that my back was to his front, Braxton caged me against the island from behind. With his mouth beside my ear, he spoke. “I would happily spend the rest of my life surprising you.” If those words weren’t enough, he kissed the sensitive skin where my neck met my shoulder, and goosebumps broke out across my skin.

There was no doubt Braxton wanted every piece of me. And I knew he was waiting for me to set the pace. Every day—hell, every minute—saw memoving closer and closer to giving him everything. I wanted him to be my first, and if he had his way, we’d be each other’s last.

The only question remaining was when.

Before I could ponder that thought much further, Beau noticed us standing there. Jumping in excitement, he screamed, “We can open presents now!”

Realization dawned that they’d been waiting for me. I elbowed Braxton behind me discreetly.

“You didn’t have to wait for me,” I told Natalie.

Smiling warmly, she waved a hand. “Nonsense. We need the whole family for that.”

My chest tightened, and I tried to fight back the tears for the second time in twelve hours. Nodding, I forced the words out around the lump in my throat. “Thank you.”

Empathy shone through her brown gaze, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that she knew some of what I was dealing with. But that didn’t make any sense. This woman had an incredible family—not just the one she’d created by having children with a man who adored her, but one she chose with her closest friends. What could she possibly know about struggling to be accepted into a loving family?

Turning to her son, she tousled his dark mop of hair. “Breakfast first. Then presents.”

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