The car rolled to a stop outside the Miles' house. My heart was still thudding from the confession with Kayden—the closeness, the heat of his hands, and the memory of his lips pressed to mine.
Kayden didn't move right away. Instead, his large hand reached for my seatbelt, unclipping it with slow precision. Before I could react, his long legs shifted, and in one smooth motion, I was pulled onto his lap.
His lips claimed mine instantly, deep and intimate, his hand settling firmly at the small of my back. My fingers clutched his shirt, dragging myself closer, the warmth of his body consuming me. Every stroke of his tongue, every faint hum of approval, every squeeze of his hands made my chest ache and my pulse race.
A soft sound escaped me—half moan, half whimper—and he responded with a low, possessive growl against my lips. My small hands traced his shoulders, committing every line of his solid frame to memory.
The world outside no longer existed. Only the taste of him, the pressure of his hands, the warmth flooding through me.
When his hand slipped beneath my shirt, brushing the swell of my breast, I gasped against his mouth, shivering. He didn't hesitate. His head dipped lower, lips brushing my skin, then closing over my nipple while his fingers pinched the other. My body arched instinctively, a helpless cry leaving my lips as my thighs tightened around him.
The faint sound of muffled laughter outside the car barely registered at first. But then the door swung open abruptly, and the spell shattered.
Kadeem and Kadin leaned against the frame, their grins mischievous.
"Aha!" Kadeem drawled, smirking as his eyes flicked to Kayden's head still buried against my chest. "Caught you red-handed."
Kadin nudged the car door lightly, laughing. "Yeah, save some for inside, Sweet Fury!"
Kaden shook his head with a low chuckle. "Looks like our little princess really knows how to stir him up… Lustful Queen."
Mortified, I buried my face in Kayden's neck, refusing to meet their eyes. My legs tightened around his torso, my fingers curling in his hair as if I could hide there forever.
Kayden only chuckled softly, his arms tightening possessively around me. His lips brushed my hair as he murmured, "They were getting impatient. They knew something was happening… and now they've caught us."
Even as their teasing flew, I clung closer, my chest pressed to his, comforted by his steady hold.
With an amused huff, Kayden shifted, lifting me easily. I was still wrapped around him, my arms clinging to his shoulders, my legs gripping his waist. His body radiated calm dominance, his heartbeat steady beneath my ear.
I barely lifted my head when he whispered, his voice low and sure. "Mine."
The word sent a shiver down my spine, even as the brothers' laughter rang out around us.
At a distance, Mr. Miles and Mr. McPherson had witnessed the little scene unfold, their eyes sharp with amusement. They exchanged a glance—two old friends who knew each other too well—yet said nothing.
When we finally approached them, the brothers immediately turned to Mr. McPherson. Their smiles softened, voices respectful as they greeted him warmly. It wasn't casual—this was the mafia don, the man they had looked up to for years like a godfather.
I was still tucked against Kayden's chest when Mr. Miles, dramatic as ever, threw his arms open. "Ah, ah—look at you! Kaylee!" he exclaimed. "You really do look just like the little girl I remember." His grin widened knowingly, his eyes flicking toward my father with a warmth only lifelong friendship could hold.
Kayden lowered me gently to the ground, and I flushed, suddenly aware of the eyes on me.
I stepped into Mr. Miles' embrace briefly, then turned immediately to my father. My chest tightened, years of misunderstandings crashing down on me all at once. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes.
"Dad…" My voice broke as I clung to him. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for misunderstanding you all these years."
He stilled for a moment, then his large hand came down gently to pat my head. "It's fine, little one," he murmured. No scolding, no explanation—just calm acceptance.
The knot in my chest loosened, and I hugged him tighter, finally letting go of the weight I'd carried for so long.
From the side, Mr. Miles watched the reunion with a quiet smile. He said nothing, but his expression carried the depth of someone who had known both father and daughter their whole lives.
Inside, the house was buzzing with warmth.
Kadeem swung me easily over his shoulder as we entered, ignoring my flustered protests. "Relax, Velvet Temptress," he teased, smirking at my small fists tapping uselessly against his back.
The kitchen was alive with laughter and the sound of sizzling pans. Though the house had plenty of staff, the women of the family insisted on cooking themselves, moving with the rhythm of people who had been doing this for years.
I stared, caught between admiration and awe. I hadn't grown up in a home like this, where cooking together was an act of love. The air smelled of spices, fresh herbs, and warmth.
Kayden, who had been silent since the car, finally moved closer. His usually calm presence faltered slightly as his gaze landed on Elizabeth—my mother. He hesitated, then stepped forward.
"Elizabeth," he said, voice lower than usual, "it's… good to see you again."
The faintest blush colored his cheeks, and my breath caught.
The brothers instantly latched onto the moment.
"Ah, so she still makes you nervous, huh?" Kadeem teased.
Kadin leaned closer to me, grinning. "Your mom's the only one who can break his cool, Sweet Fury."
Kaden chuckled, shaking his head. "Unbelievable. Still blushing after all these years."
Elizabeth laughed warmly, shaking her head. "Don't tease my boy," she said. "You don't know what I put him through before he even managed to talk to me comfortably."
Christiana chimed in slyly, her eyes gleaming. "So you're still shy around her, hmm?"
I blinked, staring at Kayden in disbelief. "Why is he like that with my mom?" I whispered to Christiana.
Her lips curled knowingly. "Ah, that quiet one? He had a little crush on Elizabeth when he was younger. That's why he still stumbles when she's around."
My cheeks flamed. A crush? On my mom?
Before I could react, Kadeem leaned down, his voice wicked in my ear. "Figures. Since he couldn't have the mother, he went for the daughter instead."
Kadin burst out laughing, Kaden smirked, and even Kayden's lips twitched with the ghost of a smile.
Elizabeth, still amused, swatted at the brothers lightly. "Enough now. Leave him be."
Christiana stepped forward then, arms open. I found myself rushing into her embrace, her warmth wrapping around me.
"Kaylee, darling," she said fondly, her eyes sparkling. "It's been far too long."
Flustered, I pulled away only to instinctively cling to Kaden's waist, my small hands gripping his shirt. My height made the gesture almost childlike, but the brothers only laughed at how natural it seemed.
Kayden didn't let it last. In one swift motion, he tugged me away, pulling me back against him. His tall frame leaned into mine, his arms wrapping tight around me, his chest solid at my back.
"Mine," he whispered again, low and sure.
Before I could melt completely, the chaos resumed.
Kadeem kissed my cheek loudly. "Velvet Temptress!"
Kadin pressed one to my forehead. "Sweet Fury!"
Kaden claimed the other side of my face. "Lustful Queen!"
Their laughter rang through the kitchen as they kissed me all over, each nickname shouted louder than the last.
My cheeks burned crimson as I clutched Kayden's arms, his silent presence the only thing steadying me in the storm of their teasing.
Then Kayden spun me gently in his arms, stealing a brief kiss of his own before turning me back toward them again, as if daring them to continue.
The kitchen fell into laughter—until a sudden clatter silenced the room.
A spoon had slipped from my mother's hand, clattering against the tiled floor. Elizabeth's eyes widened, stunned, as she took in the scene before her: her daughter flushed red, wrapped in Kayden's arms while his brothers smothered her with kisses and teasing names.
For once, even she seemed at a loss for words.