There's no real way to warn somebody about my mother. The woman is the most caring person I know. She's also like a category five snowstorm.

"MON ENFANT!" Mama demonstrates absolutely zero inside voice. She all but yanks Reece out from under my arm in a smothering embrace the moment we cross the threshold. "C'EST SI BON DE TE VOIR! VIENS, MANGER! ENTREZ DU FROID."

Jesus Christ.

"Mama," I try and keep the chuckle out of my voice as she clucks over Reece. "Anglais."

"Let me look at you," she thrusts Reece out from her, cradling her face in momma-bear paws. Her English isn't the best, but that doesn't dampen her enthusiasm. "You so pretty, my child. Very kind, your eyes."

"Give the poor girl some air, Etta." Papa chuckles, padding down the stairs.

I give him a grateful look, acting as a buffer for Mama and my sisters. He returns it with a kind smile, drawing Mama back and pressing a tender kiss on her neck.

"While you here, you call me Mama." She then pats my father's chest. "You call him Papa. Easy, no?"

"How was your flight?" Papa asks politely.

"Oh," Reece squeaks, "Good. It's been a while since I was on a plane."

I give her hand an encouraging squeeze. She returns it and my chest fills with warmth.

"We're glad you could make it." Papa plucks Reece's bag from my shoulder. "I'll take this."

"YES!" Mama claps, making Reece jump a bit. "YOU COME AND EAT."

The door suddenly opens behind me, thwacking me in the back of the head.

"Ow!" I snap, turning to find Noelle's hazel eyes and curly dark hair peering at me from the crack. "Why are you beating me up?"

"Why are you standing in front of the damn door!" My eldest sister gripes back. Then she catches sight of Reece. "Oh. My. God. You do exist!"

Noelle hip-checks open the door, thrusting her son Oscar against my chest and flinging her arms around Reece like an octopus. Her husband Jack follows, one arm laden with a covered casserole dish and the other with his son Gabriel. Papa takes the food, Mama the grandchild.

In a whirlwind of noise, hugs, and kisses, we head upstairs from the entryway and into the main living room, kitchen, and dining room of the duplex. The space seemed enormous when I was little. Now, with eight Killfeathers, a husband, two toddlers, and Reece, we're more than a little crowded.

"Your nose ring is so cute!" Noelle gushes.

Mia beams. "I know, right? And that blonde?"

"Gorgeous," Claude agrees. "You're like a little fairy, Reece."

"Who the hell is this?" Leo roars, stepping past our sisters, grin huge under his beard where he faces Reece.

Introductions are made. Leo greets Reece much like my sisters and mother did. Sacha gives her a solid handshake and encouraging smile. Claude then sets Reece and me up with a beer before Mama and Mia steer her to the kitchen.

I try and follow, but Noelle stills me with a hand on my chest. "I think not, Baby Bas."

"Noe." I protest.

"We're not going to eat her." Mia rolls her eyes. "C'mon. You know the kitchen is the women's place for the holidays. You'll just get in the way."

"As much as that goes against my inner feminist and all my beliefs on gender equality, I agree." Claude pulls her long hair up into a messy bun, flashes her snakebite piercings at me in a grin. "It's about the socialization."

"C'mon," Leo grips me by the shoulder, steers me toward Jack and Sacha. "You want to chop wood for the fireplace or be on kid duty?"

I do both.

Cooking is an all-day affair for my family. My sisters and mother giggle and gossip while they chop, stir, and prep. Papa, my brothers, and brother-in-law stand in the periphery, occasionally jumping when needed to reach something in a high place or do some heavy lifting. We talk sports – hockey, of course – and bust each other's chops.

Between armfuls of wood and nephews, I sneak in glances and touches. Reece has shifted from nervously biting her lip and wringing her hands to smiling and laughing with Claude, Mia, and Noelle. Even Mama's volume doesn't seem to bother her anymore.

Reece finishes telling the story of our sheep prank and everyone howls with laughter.

"You are such a little prick!" Noelle scolds through her giggles.

"Remember when he programmed my phone to auto-correct 'lol' to 'fuck me in the ass'?" Leo demands.

"Learned to lock your phone, didn't you?" I tease, where I dangle both my nephews upside-down by their ankles.

"Or when you hid all the towels and I had to dry off with toilet paper." Jack chuckles. "I was picking white fluff out of my clothes for days."

"Had to make sure you were good enough for my big sister."

"Please," Noelle rolls her eyes.

"Or when you superglued whistles to my nostrils while I was asleep," Sacha adds.

"That was just funny."

Mia laughs so hard she gets hiccups. Tugging Reece to her, she chokes, "Every time he breathed out it was just wheeeee."

"Please tell me you haven't brought our sweet girl to the dark side." Papa gives Reece a pat on the shoulder as he passes to grab another beer.

"I would never!" I right Gabriel and toss him to Jack. Oscar, I thrust at Sacha, who makes a dramatic show of almost missing.

Reece sticks her tongue out at me. "Putain."

Mama booms with laughter, caging my girlfriend in her arms and hoisting her up off the floor. "SHE SPEAKS FRENCH."

"Mama!" My sisters tut in stereo.

Everything gets plated for supper. The staples each year are joumou, a hearty beef and pumpkin soup, and griot, a sweet-spicy pork dish. To accompany them are mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, and Noelle's famous macaroni au gratin.

Reece sits between me and Claude at the dinner table. We give thanks and pass around the various dishes. I slide my hand onto Reece's thigh under the table, give an affectionate squeeze on her knee. She smiles before covering it with hers.

My heart gives a gleeful thrum. Seeing Reece bright and happy makes it feel like home. Being surrounded by my family makes it even better.

"Hey," I murmur as the family tucks in and continues eager chatter around us.

"Hi," she returns.

"How are you holding up?"

Reece stirs her joumou, considering. "Good. I wasn't expecting so many hugs."

I chuckle, nuzzling against her neck. "We're very physically affectionate people."

"I noticed."

My lips graze her throat, just where I know to make her shiver. "Thank you."

She gifts me with an airy gasp. "For what?"

"Meeting them, coming out of your comfort zone," I murmur, tuck her hair behind her ear. "It means a lot to me."

Reece turns those big brown eyes to me, expression soft. A delicate smile plays on her lips, her nails skim over the back of my hand. "You're welcome."

"Aww," Noelle coos from across the table, leaning her head on Jack's shoulder. "Aren't they cute?"

Mia sighs, hearts practically popping from her eyes. "I want one."

"A girlfriend?" Her twin snarks.

"No!" She swats him on the back of the head, almost making him stab himself in the eye with his spoon. "Someone to look at me like I hung the stars."

Reece flushes scarlet beside me. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from chuckling, flip my palm up and lace our fingers. Good thing I'm left-handed, can eat without letting her go.

I haven't seen her in eight days and am loathe to give up touching her as much as possible. Every waft of eucalyptus I catch, each brush of her soft skin is like a hit from the best drug. And I keep coming back for more. Having her here and warm and smiling seems right.

**

After dinner, Mama assumes childcare while the rest of the family heads down to the neighborhood rink. The village of Dorval looks like something out of a postcard, all snow-covered roofs, and twinkling Christmas lights. It's made perfect by Reece tucked under my arm as we walk.

The rink is just a sheet of ice in a pole barn, used for hockey clubs and figure skating practice. After hours, it's open to the public. We take full advantage.

"Ever played broomball?" Sacha asks Reece. When she shakes her head, he chuckles. "It's like hockey without skates."

"Boys vs girls?" Noelle suggests, giving her husband a wicked smirk. We're all highly competitive.

Leo cocks a brow at Mia. "Sounds good to me."

Jack cracks his knuckles menacingly. "Bring it."

"Are there stakes to this?" I prompt. Because it's me and I have to.

Sacha guffaws. "Bragging rights?"

"How about the losing team has to sing whatever song the winning team picks."

Noelle's grin grows wider. "Oh, I have the perfect one in mind."

"You have to win, first," Jack jeers.

Papa starts passing out broomball sticks. "Not really fair to put a newbie against a professional hockey player."

Reece accepts a stick and shoots me a teasing glance. "I think I can take him."

Claude whoops. "Yeah, Reecie!"

We give Reece a quick and dirty rundown of the rules, divide into teams. Papa is the ref, because you can't pit siblings against one another without having someone to call foul play. I take a position in the goal, stretching and making goofy faces at Reece where she lines up with my sisters across the line.

I don't do much for the first part of the game. My brothers give Noelle hell in the net. She makes save after spectacular save, however, batting, the small round ball away from the goal and back out onto the ice.

Mia gets a lucky feint from Jack, passes to Claude. My sister and Reece shuffle on the ice, heading toward the net. The first shot I bat away easily. The second Claude swings around the goal, throwing Leo off balance. My brother skids into the net, knocking me on my knees. We both scrabble, struggling for purchase. I lose track of the ball.

By the time I find it, Reece pokes it elegantly past my defense.

"Yeah!" Mia high-fives Reece.

Claude slides forward and captures her in a hug. "Way to go!"

"That was a dirty goal," Leo pouts, dusting the ice from his jeans.

"There's still more game to play," Sacha assures him. "C'mon."

With much laughter and cursing, the game continues. Jack makes a lucky score on Noelle, but it's promptly followed by an assault on our net by the girls. Their lighter frames are able to maneuver on the slick surface without skates, change direction and momentum without bellyflopping like Sacha and Jack.

I block more than I let it, but it's a number's game. One ball sneaks past my thumb, another Mia dekes over my shoulder when I butterfly to block the lower half of the net.

"Yeah!" Noelle hollers, thrusting a fist in the air.

Reece beams. "Sucks to suck, nerds!"

Soundly walloped, my brothers return their sticks and kick the ball back to the equipment shed, pouting. Claude and Mia waste no time in plotting the song for us to sing, settle on I'm a Slave 4 U by Brittney Spears.

"And I expect to see you crawling for me," Noelle murmurs with a suggestive wink at Jack.

"Choreography and singing," Mia rubs her hands together gleefully. "I can't wait."

"You suck." Sacha grumbles, punching me hard in the shoulder.

"What did I do?"

"You let all those goals in," Leo spews. "And you chose the stakes."

"I was going to suggest streaking in the snow," Jack grumbles.

"I am not nearly drunk enough for that," I laugh. "Come on. If we can't wow these ladies with our broomball skills, we can serenade them."

We don't, of course.

Changed from ice-wet clothes into pajamas, we settle in front of the fireplace in the living room. My brothers and I deliver the most off-key rendition of Slave 4 U. Jack really does get on hands and knees for Noelle, putting Magic Mike to shame with the show he puts on. It's almost enough to forgive the terrible singing.

Then Gabe and Oscar tackle their father, wrestling him to the ground. Our pathetic choreography ends. Mama is in tears while Claude, of course, records the entire thing. I'm thankful she keeps the camera on us and away from Reece.

Whiskey is poured and we gather in a circle on the floor for card games. Reece sits beside me, tucked legs touching mine. I skim my fingers along her back, trace the shape of her shoulder blades and spine, swirl promises into her skin through the fabric of her hoodie.

"So, Reece," Noelle prompts over our rummy game. "Bas tells us you're in graphic design?"

"He did?" She shoots me a look, no doubt wondering what else I've told them.

I return it with a calm smile. Then I thumb the scar at the small of her back because I can. "She does amazing work."

Reece flushes, glances back at Noelle. "I just dabble."

Claude lays down a card. "Have anything we can see?"

She blinks, like she can't quite believe what she's hearing. "You want to see my stuff?"

"OF COURSE!" Mama crows. "I ALWAYS PROUD OF MY DAUGHTERS."

Papa kisses her ear, glances at Reese with his kind green eyes. "You don't have to, dear."

"Oh, no," Reese squeaks. "I don't mind...I'm just surprised."

Sacha tilts his head. "Why's that, chérie?"

I remember Claude's words – I can't fight for her. So I keep my silence, wait for her to process and respond. Even so, I keep touching the smooth skin at the small of her back, willing my support and encouragement through the contact.

She bites her lip, considering her cards with excessive concentration. A deep breath in through her nose, out through her mouth. For a moment, I think she won't answer.

"My dad is proud of me," she starts. "My mom...she didn't see much value in it."

Mama clutches her heart dramatically. "Il y a de l'émerveillement dans tout ce que font nos enfants." There is wonder in all our children do.

Noelle smiles kindly, not really paying attention to my card. "Could I see?"

"Yeah." Reece flushes, pulls her phone from her pocket. A few swipes later, she hands it to Noelle across the circle. "Just some of the projects for school."

My eldest sister hands off a snoozing Oscar to me. The toddler rests his cherubic face on my shoulder, dozing on while Noelle looks at the images.

"Putain." She breathes. "These are incredible. Mia, look at this."

Mia leans to take the phone. "Putain." She agrees.

Leo joins his twin. "Oh my God."

Jack can't keep out of the fascination, now. "Wow. Those are some really dynamic colors."

"Let me," Claude snatches the phone, scrolls. "Oh my damn."

"That's the kind of theme you need for your shop!" Noelle exclaims. "Something sultry and sweet."

"That would be amazing," Leo agrees, passing the phone so Mama and Papa can see.

"Reece." Mia clasps her hands, a grin so wide I'm surprised her face doesn't crack. "Could Leo and I hire you to do the promotional designs for our cupcake and wine bar?"

I turn to Reece, realize she's staring at me. Her eyes are warm and gooey. The kind of look women reserve exclusively for a man holding a snoozing kid.

Something twists inside me, scary and wonderful all at once.

This could be our life. Surrounded by family. Loved and cared for. Maybe someday cradling a child of our own.

What is wrong with me?

Except I'm smiling at the image. Reece in my bed, making those sweet sleepy noises as she slowly wakes. Her soft body against mine, lips on my neck while I cook us a late breakfast some weekend we don't work. We'll talk about everything and nothing while the city rises around us.

"I've never really had a graphic design gig," Reece starts. "I've just kind of made coffee to pay for courses."

"Oh my God." Sacha groans. "Could you do that tomorrow, too? I'm so sick of the shitty stuff they have at the station."

"Hey now," I grumble. Sacha is a cop and this is always his biggest gripe. "Reece is here on vacation."

"I don't mind," she perks, sparing me a gleeful glance. "Really."

"Seriously." Jack shifts Gabriel against his chest, hands Reece back her phone. "Noelle and I could set up a contract and negotiate the terms for your work. If you'd like, we could probably post some of your pieces in the bar as décor, feature you as an artist, and—"

"Babe," Noelle kisses her husband to silence him. "Let's not talk business around the holiday. After Christmas, eh?"

"Sure." He gives Reece a humbled glance. "Sorry, I get excited."

Her lips curve in a shy smile. "No problem."

"Rummy," Claude declares, setting down the last of her cards.

Leo growls. "Fils de grace."

Everyone takes Claude's victory as their cue to head to bed. Mama and Papa have taken the pullout to allow Noelle and her brood the master. The rest of us head upstairs to the bunk beds. Just like when we were kids.

Claude follows Sacha to the room he used to share with Noelle, winking at me as she does. "Good night, you two."

"'night," we say after her.

No sooner has the latch clicked than I sigh, "Finally."

I clasp Reece to me, find the soft silk of her mouth. Hands skim my shoulders, her lips part on a delicate moan. The taste of her hits me like it always does, scorching and sweet. Then her teeth take my lower lip in a hard drag and I'm fucking lost.

"God I've missed you." I groan.

Her breath is a hot pant against my neck. "Same."

I fill her mouth with my tongue again, grunting with delight when she curls around my piercing. I hoist her up, locking her ankles behind my back. Her weight in my hands feels incredible. It's like I've been held underwater this past week and am only now able to breathe.

Our hungry kisses carry us to the bottom bunk, where I'm careful not to whack her head. I lay her out, cover her with my body, relish the feel of her hands in my hair, nails scraping my scalp. My dick is a lead pipe in my sweats, pressed against the delicious angle of her hip.

Reece and I lose ourselves in touch and taste, kisses and caresses. The duplex is old and well-built, our stifled moans, gasps, and curses inaudible to the other residents.

Somehow our shirts end up on the floor. Reece has flipped herself on top of me, nails skimming trails of fire along my stomach. Then her mouth leaves mine to nip and suck along my neck and chest.

"God, you're incredible."

"Shut up," she orders. Her teeth find my nipple, give a shocking nip.

"Shit!" Then she does it to the other nipple and my head goes back against the thrill of pleasure. "Damn, babe."

The claws dig harder into my skin and I moan. "I said shut up."

I groan my assent, watching deliriously as she pulls off my sweats. Freed, my cock sails up and slaps my navel. Those big brown eyes heat at the sight of it. Then she makes this feral little moan and I ache.

She is so fucking beautiful. Color high on her cheeks, lips bitten from my kisses, hair a mess from the thread and pull of my fingers. How could she think she's anything other than amazing?

Reece smirks like she can hear my thoughts. Those perfect lips drop down, kiss the head of my cock. Then she hollows her cheeks and takes me deep.

"Fucking hell!" I jackknife onto my elbows. "Reece – you – Jesus."

I should tell her she doesn't have to, that just having her here is everything. I don't want to traumatize her or bring any unwanted memories back. But fuck she's wet and warm, her tongue sweet and probing.

My hands white knuckle the bedsheets, desperate to hold on. I've had my fair share of blowjobs, but this is otherworldly. Those big eyes peering up at me under thick lashes have me so hot I break out in sweat across my chest. And she feels so damn good.

"Babe," I pant. Screwing my eyes shut, I hope not seeing her will help me hold on. "I'm fucking loving that, but you need to stop before I embarrass myself."

She releases me with a pop. Air whooshes from me in relief and disappointment. So close.

Not yet. I chide the greedy caveman.

I drag Reece back up my body, find her mouth once more. My own arousal lingers on her tongue, makes me burn even more. So I twist us so that she's beneath me, rid her of her pajama pants. The cotton boy shorts underneath are plaid with scripted 'ho-ho-ho' along the crotch.

"These are cute," I tease, skimming my finger along the fabric hugging her ass.

"Sh-shut up," she chokes, unable to suppress her giggles.

I palm her breast, tease the pebbled bud of her nipple. Then all amusement leaves. She moans for me where I slide off her panties, clutches my hair while I swirl the other nipple with my piercing.

"Tell me what you want," I growl.

She doesn't hesitate this time. "Inside." Her teeth close on my earlobe, not gentle where she commands me. I fucking love it. "I want you inside."

I can only manage a stifled snarl. That's how gone I am for this girl. And I show her with another tongue and teeth heavy kiss while I fumble for the bedside table and the box of condoms.

Sheathed, I tease myself by rubbing the tip against her entrance. Our eyes meet and she gives me a terse nod, letting me know she's ready. Slowly, just like the first time, I press into her. Inch by careful inch until I'm home.

The nightmare doesn't take her from me this time. Her eyes stay bright, hooded with pleasure. I give her another lingering kiss before starting to move.

She really is incredible – wet and tight and panting for me. I love her slowly, taking my time, worshiping every curve of her body and scar on her skin. Maybe she's not ready to hear the words, but tonight she is damn sure going to feel them.

It's too much to ask for both of us to keep control. The claws on my back become more demanding, more desperate. I angle her knee over my shoulder, where I know I'll hit that sweet spot with every thrust.

"Bas," Reece clutches me to her. "Harder."

I give a teasing nip on her earlobe. "You, first."

She gives good, teeth taking my shoulder and sinking in deep. I let out a sound somewhere between a roar and a whimper, give it to her as she asks. I'm more than a little proud when she can't hang on anymore, grips my arms and shoulders like a lifeline. I feel the telltale tightening of her walls around me, the quiver before the climax.

"That's right, babe," I murmur. "Let go."

Reece convulses around me, head thrown back in rapture. Her chest heaves as she gulps, nails ferocious along my spine. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

I chase her climax with mine, drinking her delirious whimpers of delight. It takes one, two, three more thrusts before I'm totally wrung out inside her. Then I almost act out a scene straight from a chick-flick and shout, "I love you."

I don't, though. Somehow.

Discarding the condom, I draw her against my chest. She's soft and satisfied in the afterglow. So perfect.

Reece skims her fingers over the ridges of my stomach. "Your family's pretty cool."

I chuckle, press a kiss to her brow. "Told you they'd love you."

"I'm glad I came."

Because I'm a tool, I tease, "There's a joke in there somewhere."

She bats me lightly across the face. "Asshat."

"Yes." I kiss her nose piercing. "I am. But I'm your asshat."

"Yeah." Reece's small hand curls in the middle of my chest. A contented sigh glides over my bare skin, her lashes trailing butterfly kisses against my shoulder. "Guess you are."