Millie

My heart was so full it could burst. I found myself resting my hand over it several times throughout the day, almost in fear that it could actually happen. It was as if all the holiday dreams I'd had as a child had been dusted off and turned into a reality, and it scared me how quickly these people were beginning to feel like family.

And while I remained angry with Marcus, his interactions with Alex appeared genuine. They felt right together, and I prayed this was more than Marcus putting on the best performance of his life. For Alex's sake and his.

"I heard the winner has requested more dessert?" Anna called out, entering the living area with two pies held aloft in her delicate hands. Lochlan followed behind her, a pensive expression on his handsome face.

"I demand a rematch," Alex declared.

He reached for the pecan pie his mother put on the coffee table, and she slapped at his hand. "Millie first."

"Yes, Millie first," I said. We stuck our tongues out at one another in such perfect unison we both paused, eyebrows raised, before bursting into laughter.

"Oh, my gosh. You're both acting like you're three."

"Oh hush, Marcus. You're just pouting. You've always been a sore loser," I said around a bite of pie. "Goodness, this is good."

Anna handed Lochlan a piece of pumpkin pie. "I never would have believed this was your first pie. Well done."

I blushed, not just from the compliment, but from watching Lochlan slide the fork between his lips, keeping them pressed together as he pulled the utensil out slowly to make sure he left nothing behind.

"We'll have to keep her away from the potatoes," he said, winking as he lowered himself on the cushion next to me. "But I'll be glad to eat anything she bakes."

Alex and Anna launched into a good-natured argument over whose pies were better: mine or his. I smiled as I listened, settling into my seat with my plate on my lap, the pie half forgotten as I took in the cozy scene. A heavy weight settled over my shoulders, and I looked up in shock as Lochlan pulled me against him.

"Are you crazy?" I hissed, shrugging my shoulders to knock his arm off, hoping no one noticed.

"Maybe," he admitted without humor.

"I thought you didn't want anyone to know about us."

He took another bite of pie, chewing thoughtfully while his thumb slid back and forth on the nape of my neck. Shivers raced down my spine, tightening my core, and turning my thoughts toward an indecent path.

"Apparently, we weren't as sneaky as we thought. Mrs. R called me out in the kitchen, and the only thing worse than hiding something from her is lying to her. I couldn't tell her she was wrong."

"Oh god," I said.

My plate clattered as I set it on the coffee table with a shaky hand. What did Anna think? Had she cautioned Lochlan against getting involved with me? Was she ashamed of me? Living with him hadn't been my decision, but if she guessed that something was going on between us, surely she thought I was sleeping with him. She wasn't wrong, but what must she think of me sleeping with a man I barely knew? Did she think I was a whore? I'd never worried about what someone thought of me before. Not like this.

"Hey, hey," Lochlan said, setting his plate next to mine before gripping my chin. "I can feel you shaking. What's wrong?"

"I don't want her to think I'm sleeping with you to manipulate you. I mean, what else is she going to think? You thought it."

"And I was wrong. I know you now, and while I know you used to be a grifter, I don't believe you ever used your body like that. Right?"

Somehow, this felt like splitting hairs. I'd never slept with anyone to achieve a goal, but seduction had been a part of some of the con's Marcus and I used to run. But I couldn't admit to that, and it wasn't technically what he was asking me about right now.

"Right."

"Mrs. R likes the idea of us together."

"She does?" My voice went up an octave. All the noise faded until I could only hear my heartbeat as my focus narrowed to Lochlan's dark gaze. "She said that?"

He nodded and leaned in for a kiss. It was a perfectly acceptable kiss for public. Closed mouth. Tender. But it still sent fire sizzling through my veins.

"I told you it wasn't Roman and Antonia," Alex crowed.

I jerked back and looked at Alex. "What?"

Marcus rolled his eyes and handed Alex a twenty. He looked at me, concern warring for amusement in his expression, and I hoped no one recognized it.

"Marcus and I heard some activities last night, and we had a little bet going on. I knew there was no way Antonia was letting Roman get that much action or putting that much effort into sex."

I buried my face against Lochlan's chest to hide the flush in my cheeks. He laughed, and I could feel the rumble against my skin.

"I'd apologize, but I think it's the two of you who owe an apology to one another," Lochlan said, running a hand over my hair in a soothing gesture that continued even when I turned to face the group again. Anna's eyes twinkled as everyone bickered, not looking at all put off by the discussion of her children's sex lives.

"Why would you say that?" Alex asked.

"Because," Anna jumped in before Lochlan could answer, "If you two had been busy with your own activities, you wouldn't have time to be nosy."

"Mom!" Alex shouted as everyone else broke into laughter.

"I'm only speaking the truth, dear."

"Here, here," Marcus said, lifting his nearly empty glass of wine.

"Let me grab another bottle."

Lochlan kissed my forehead and got up. Alex and Marcus followed. I could hear Alex explaining to Marcus that he was the only one in the house capable of choosing a decent bottle of wine. Whatever the reply was to that comment was lost to distance.

"Well, that was entertaining," Anna said, gathering the dishes.

I picked up as much as I could carry and followed her. "I feel like I should apologize."

"Don't." Anna held up a hand, shushing me with the single movement. Then she drew me into a tight hug that drew tears to my eyes. She spoke into my ear. "I don't know who you are. If you belong to me biologically or to another. I hope you're mine. But—"

"But?" I asked, wiping my eyes as we drew apart.

"But Lochlan is mine, and I see how much he's changed since you showed up. You're thawing parts of him I thought we lost forever. And that makes you part of this family. No matter what the test says next week. Got it?"

Guilt slammed into me, but I pushed it away, refusing to let it sully this moment. Reality was going to come crashing down hard next week, between the test and the pressure I'm sure the Butcher would put on me, but right now, I was going to take the love and acceptance. I was going to feel like I belonged to these people.

"Got it."