Page 38 of Finding You
“Well, I figured that much.” Teresa laughed, her voice still a little too loud, but she didn’t seem to care. “I just want to know if the man still knows how to use that big di—”
A throat cleared from the doorway, and they both startled apart.
Raven’s gaze darted to Zion, noting the humor in his eyes, though she wanted the floor to open and swallow her up. Heat rushed to her cheeks. Clearly, he’d heard the questions or at least part of the conversation because his lips twitched as if trying to hold back a grin.
This was so embarrassing. Now he’d know she’d given her friend a few details about his impressive anatomy. Normally, she didn’t kiss and tell, but her time with Zion in Vegas had been such a wonderful surprise, she’d shared more than she normally would. Especially since she hadn’t expected to see him again.
But there’d been plenty that she’d kept to herself. Like the fact that his dick had been a work of art—long, thick, hard, and he’d known how to use it.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Zion said and extended his hand. “Nice to see you again, Teresa.”
Raven rolled her eyes at the huge grin on Teresa’s face. She also recognized the look she was giving Zion. One of female appreciation despite being happily married to her high school sweetheart.
“Long time no see,Andrew,” she said, emphasizing the name Zion had given them at the bar in Vegas.
Zion shook his head and groaned. “Giving my middle name instead of my full name is the biggest mistake I’ve ever made,” he said, his attention zoning in on Raven as he spoke. He moved closer to her, and her heart rate kicked up when he slid his arm around her, his eyes never leaving hers. “Not giving you my phone number was the second.”
Raven leaned into him, unable to stop the delicious shiver from rocking her body.
This wasn’t the first time he’d said that, and each time his admission stirred something deep inside of her. She didn’t want to fall down that hole of what ifs. She refused to allow herself to wonder what it would’ve been like to have him by her side during her pregnancy, in the delivery room, or even the first time she’d brought the babies home.
No, it wouldn’t do any good to wonder what it would’ve been like to have him there during the scariest moments of her life. Instead, she was going to live in the present and enjoy every minute she had with this incredible man who she was falling hard for. Raven was fairly sure she was in love with him, but she was still hesitant to fully admit it to herself, let alone to him. And what she wanted more than anything in this moment was to get naked with him.
“Hmm, I see,” Teresa said, and Raven noted her friend was watching them intently. She wasn’t sure what Teresa saw, but she recognized her momma bear expression. “So, Zion, what do you think of the twins? Shame you didn’t get to—”
“Teresa,” Raven snapped in a warning tone.
“I’m just asking. He missed a few months of the babies’ lives, and—”
“I won’t be missing any more,” Zion interrupted, a fierceness in his tone as he maintained his hold on Raven, his large handresting against her hip. He stared down at her, and his eyes softened. “I hate that I missed any moment of their lives. I also hate that Raven had to go through so much alone, but I assure you, Teresa, I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere. Raven and the twins are my family, and I will take care of the three of them. So you don’t have to worry. I got this.”
Raven’s heart squeezed at the conviction behind his words. He was so good at knowing exactly what to say and when, and it was what she’d needed to hear.
As if he was sealing a deal, Zion bent down and placed a lingering kiss on her lips before slowly releasing her and stepping back.
“Well, while you two catch up and talk about me,” he cracked with a knowing smile, “Teresa, I can start loading up your vehicle. I’ll just need to know which one is yours.”
Teresa nodded, a smile on her face as her attention went from Zion to Raven and back to Zion again. “Okay. I’ll point to it out the living room window.”
When Zion followed her out of the kitchen, Raven released a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. She sagged against the counter. She wasn’t sure why her heart was pounding hard enough to beat out of her chest. Then again, maybe it was because in the last few minutes something had shifted inside of her. Suddenly there was no doubt in her mind that she was in love with Zion.
I’m in love with Zion. I’m in love with my kids’ father.
Raven ran her hand over her mouth not sure what to do with that epiphany. No way would she tell him. At least not yet. It was too soon for these types of feelings, and the last thing she wanted to do was embarrass herself.
What if she said something to him, and he didn’t feel the same way? Just because he planned to be in her and the kids’lives going forward didn’t mean he loved her. He’d been so kind and generous to her, what if she was mistaking that for love?
And what if it turned out that the strong feelings she was experiencing toward him were caused by loneliness? She had longed to share her life with someone, especially after her parents were killed. She had also wanted to be a part of a large family like the Priestlys. What if these feelings were misplaced, and she was just in love with the idea of being in love with someone who had a large family?
Ugh!She covered her face with her hands, willing herself to stop this train of thought.
Just stop thinking. Stop second guessing everything.
She and Zion were giving their relationship a try, and so far, things were going great. She wasn’t going to second guess every single element.
“Well, well, well.”
Raven’s head shot up, and she dropped her hands. After a quick glance in the living room, she noted Zion wasn’t there, and some of the boxes were gone. She’d been so caught up in her thoughts, she hadn’t heard him walk out or her friend reenter the kitchen.
