Page 51 of His Wild Storm
The blonde woman next to him, who must be Tenley, is looking at him, her heated eyes flicking between his face and the baby he’s wearing. Even though Knox told me all about how they got together, I’m still a little surprised at their age difference.It’s not like I care and certainly no one’s opinion but their own matters. Their love is obvious, which is more than enough for me.
A young boy is standing next to them with a huge smile on his face. If I hadn’t heard the story of how Ian came into Wyatt’s life, I would find it hard to believe it by looking at them. They’re a little family; one filled with a lot of love.
Wilde is squirming next to me and it’s only my arm wrapped around his shoulders keeping him in place. On my other side, Knox offers me his elbow, and I slip my arm through his, needing the comfort he’s offering me so damn effortlessly.
“They’re going to love you,” he murmurs softly.
All I can do is nod in response. He might not be willing to say it, but this meeting matters. To him. To me. To them. I can only hope it’s going to turn out well in the end, but meeting new people has no guarantees.
It does help that they’re all smiling and joking around with each other.
“Is that your family, Knox?” Wilde’s unable to control himself any longer and screeches the question which has everyone’s attention turning our way.
“That’s them, Bud,” Knox assures him gently. “Let’s go and say hello and I’ll introduce everyone.”
“Okay,” Wilde chirps, his head nodding rapidly with a huge smile on his face.
When we step closer, the blonde woman who I assume is Tenley and the man with the baby on his chest, who must be Wyatt, step toward us. They both have smiles on their faces as they look between Wilde and me.
“Hi,” the woman chirps and waves, not giving a single fuck if she’s being over eager, “I’m Tenley. This is my husband and the owner of Vibrant Ink, Wyatt. And these are our boys.” She motions toward the teenager first, “This is Ian, he’s 13, and the baby who has the best seat in the house is Kessler.”
“Hi,” my voice is weaker than I’d like, but the smile on my face is genuine. “I’m Haven and this is Wilde.”
“I’m four,” Wilde pipes up as he bounces on his toes. “I’ve heard all about Knox’s family. You use skin as paper and that is so cool,” he fists pumps the air and does a little spin, his excitement unable to be contained for a moment longer.
Everyone cracks up and then Avery is stepping up next to Tenley. “I don’t know,” she teases Tenley gently, “I think this one might have the best seat in the house.” As she rubs her belly, I remember that time. A feeling of yearning, one I haven’t felt in years, rushes through me. I want to feel that again. She winks at me before greeting us, her voice bright, “Hi Wilde. Hi Haven. It’s nice to see you.” I haven’t seen her since our meeting, but I know she’s working behind the scenes to help everyone at Safe Home stay safe. “I’d like to introduce both of you to Bridger,” she waves a man over who looks to be about the same size as Knox.
They might be similar in size, with equally broad shoulders, but the amusement which is always dancing in Knox’s moss green eyes can’t be found in Bridger’s eyes. Instead, there’s wariness and trepidation. But the way he rests his hand on Avery’s belly tells me everything I need to know.
“It’s nice to meet you Bridger,” I tell him just as Wilde exclaims loudly, “Hi Bridger.”
Everyone laughs and something settles in the space around us. There’s a flutter of activity as we get introduced to Monroe,Travis, and Ellis. I’m kind of thankful they’re all single because I’m at capacity when it comes to new people and names. I’m hopeful, at best, to keep everyone I’ve already met straight.
“Where’s Dallas?” Knox asks the question and looks around like he’s expecting her to jump out from behind a pillar or something.
“She said she had other plans and couldn’t change them,” Ellis answers, his voice quiet. There’s something soft about him, something soothing.
I think I catch irritation flash across Travis’ face, but it’s there and then replaced by a broad smile so quickly it makes me wonder if I saw it at all. Strange. I look at Knox to see if he noticed, but he’s just nodding with understanding as he looks at Ellis.
The next thing I know, Tenley loops her arm through mine as she looks back at Wilde and Knox. “How about we let the guys talk art while we take a stroll?”
Avery slips her arm through Tenley’s other side and sighs, “Yes, please. Bridger has been geeking out over coming here today and talking to me about the exhibits. It was starting to feel like I’d already walked the entire thing,” she keeps her voice pitched low. “It looks like Wilde will fit right in with their excitement.”
I giggle and nod, looking back at Wilde who is holding Knox’s hand and looking around at the other tattoo artists with awe. The guys are quick to catch up with us, Wyatt pushing the stroller and carrying the baby with a loving look on his face and his eyes only for his wife.
As we start to walk through the museum, our tickets already paid for and my protests politely and definitely ignored, I payattention to Wyatt and Bridger. They are both very aware of where Avery and Tenley are at all times.
Then there’s Knox. His focus is evenly split. He watches me while also paying attention to Wilde effortlessly. It’s not that the rest of the group isn’t paying attention to everyone, with Ian floating amongst the adults with ease, but it’s clear their main focus is the art.
“Are your guys usually this intense?” I whisper the question, not even really meaning to ask it.
Tenley giggles and nods while Avery shrugs. “Bridger’s kind of intense all the time, but even I can admit he’s upped his game.”
“It’s because we’re out in public,” Tenley explains. “I swear there’s some caveman switch in them and they really believe someone is going to jump out of the shadows, sweep us off our feet, and we’ll ride into the sunset with some stranger. And, of course, the only way to prevent something so ridiculous is being,” she nods toward them, “whatever they’re being.” She eyes me before adding, “It’s not just our men, Haven. It’s yours too.”
My cheeks heat up, and I know I’m blushing as I bite my lip and look away without saying anything. Of course, my reaction only causes Tenley to giggle and bump my shoulder with hers gently.
“Don’t mind her,” Avery cuts in, “she’s nosey.”
