Page 50 of Wrapped Around My Heart
Ari raises an eyebrow at me. “It’s just a kiss.”
I make a show of adjusting my already half hard cock while leveling her with an unamused stare.
“Freckles, I don’t think you fully grasp the effect you have on me. I’m so attracted to you, that simply kissing you gets me hard.”
Her eyes widen, briefly dropping to my crotch before darting away as a beautiful blush spreads across her cheeks. Luckily, it’s the exact distraction she needed.
“Let’s go before I chicken out again.”
The second she said “let’s go” I was reaching for my door handle and getting out of the car. Rounding the hood, I step up to her car door and open it before she has the chance. Offering her a hand, I help her out before bending back down to grab her purse and water.
Shutting the door, I ignore her outstretched hand trying to take her things and instead slip my palm into hers.
As we head up the walkway hand in hand, my heart feels like it might pound its way up through my throat.
I’ve never been nervous when entering the Sinclair house. Never once had any doubt that I wouldn’t be met with welcome arms and hugs. For as much confidence as I had only moments ago in the car, doubt begins to creep up.
Would this be what it felt like to tell my mom if she was actually a good parent? Would Tristan be excited to be an uncle?
The thoughts hit me out of left field, almost knocking the air from my lungs. Growing up, I was never one to play the game of “what if” with my life. I’ve always taken the cards that were dealt and made my move with what I had.
Now, as we get closer to telling Arianna’s family, I realize just how badly I crave their approval. Over the past seven years that I’ve been on the Bobcats, the Sinclairs have welcomed me into their home as if I were one of them. Landon was the one who brought me home with him, knowing what I needed was to not be alone. Katherine has treated me as if I truly were her own,cheering me on and looking out for me just as much as she does with her own kids. Theodore has filled a father figure gap that I never knew I wanted, showing up at games and congratulating me just as he does his own son.
And Arianna feels like coming home.
While Ari pushes right through the house, I linger in the entryway and take my time removing my shoes. The sounds of laughter as Ari greets her family reach me and when I try to swallow, it feels as if someone dumped a bucket of sand straight down my throat.
Can’t back out now, buddy.
“Dean! This is a wonderful surprise. I’m so glad you could make it tonight.” Katherine rounds the corner from the kitchen, pulling me into one of her warm embraces before glancing around. “Where’s Cora?”
I scratch the back of my head and shrug. “She had a busy morning at the vet getting some shots and her nails clipped. Figured she could use a couple hours of peace and quiet to decompress.”
“Oh, that poor girl! I have a toy that I picked up from the grocery store for you to bring home with you. Hopefully, that will turn her day right around.” Katherine loops her arm through mine, dragging me farther into the living room where the others had moved to as well.
My gaze lands on Ari instantly as she crosses the room and claims the love seat, and I don’t miss the pointed look she sends my way as she signals for me to take the seat beside her.
Guiding Katherine toward the other couch to sit beside her husband, I catch Landon’s eye, both of us nodding in acknowledgment before turning to join Ari. Before I sit, I pass her purse and set the water on the coffee table. Once I’m sitting beside her, we both suck in a deep breath.
Leaning forward, I rest my elbows on my knees and let Arianna start.
“So, before we have dinner…I have, well, actually…” She pauses and glances at me. The fear shining in her eyes mixed with the way her voice shakes and cracks as she talks snaps me out of any unease I was feeling moments before. Throwing caution to the wind, I keep my focus on her as I slip my hand in hers, hoping to lend her some comfort as she continues. Her grip tightens almost painfully, but when she speaks again, her voice has lost some of the nervousness. “Wehave something to tell you all. Dean and I?—”
“I knew it!” Katherine shoots to her feet, clapping her hands as she basically bounces up and down.
“Um, you knew?” Ari questions, shooting me a curious look before turning back to her mom.
“Yes! I’ve been wondering when you kids were gonna get around to start dating. I even invited Liz’s annoying kid over, hoping that having a little healthy competition around would help spark things.” She squeals again, twisting quickly to bend down and pat Theodore’s arm. “I told you it would work.”
All I can do is stare at the woman in shock. On one hand, she’s clearly more than okay with me dating her daughter, but on the other…I didn’t know she was a meddler.
“Well, yes and no,” Ari grumbles, but there’s no anger in her words, at the same time I say, “Worked a little too well.”
“What does that mean?” Theodore asks, placing a hand on his wife’s elbow to help calm her down.
After a quick peek in my direction, Ari sits straighter and rushes the important part of all this out.
“I’m pregnant. Fourteen weeks. Yes, it’s Dean’s. No, we didn’t plan this. Yes, I’m happy. We both are.”
