Chapter 10.08 (18+)

“He wants to come back for New Year’s because the girl is probably local, and you definitely know her—he could have only met her through you. I don’t know exactly who she is since I haven’t been over in months, and you haven’t been home much either. But she could be a neighbor or someone who visited while Kevin was there. I think your dad knows who she is or can narrow down the list of possible girls.”

Amber set the letter down, and Jenny smiled, tapping her nose playfully.

“Dad?” I asked. “Don’t tell me she’s right—I really don’t want to sing.”

“Amber, sweetheart,” Dad said seriously. “Confirm that I already said this last year at my father’s birthday.”

The girls nodded.

“Son,” Dad looked at me. “During your first year, we celebrated Grandpa’s birthday here.”

“Yeah, I remember—you mentioned it,” I said impatiently.

“Just like last Christmas, Shannon came over then too. But I didn’t feel the urgency, so I told your mom and Amber that I didn’t think she was here for me. I didn’t know who she was here for, since she knew you weren’t home. Now, after reading the letter, I’d guess it was Shannon.”

Jenny’s face lit up with a wide grin.

“Make sure it’s a good song, pretty boy,” she stood up and placed her plate in the sink.

“You couldn’t have just lied and said you didn’t know who it was?” I asked, pretending to be annoyed as Jenny sat back down across from me. “I am your son, after all.”

“And she is my future daughter-in-law,” Dad said, glancing at Jenny, who suddenly became very focused on her drink.

“You’ll realize eventually that betting is pointless,” Dad laughed, easing Jenny’s embarrassment.

“I do win sometimes,” I pointed out.

“You do, Messyhair,” my girlfriend said. “When Paul pays the bill.” She laughed—she was unbelievably attractive.

“To the hallway,” I motioned to my girlfriend, who smiled and walked ahead without a word. I followed.

“Son, what are you doing?” I heard Mom call after me before I shut the door.

I leaned against the wall, pulled Jenny close, and kissed her.

“You won, beautiful. I love you,” I said. “I’m proud of you—but I’m still the boss.”

“I know,” she whispered with a smile before kissing me again.

We returned to the house, and the family had moved to the living room.

“Just had to clarify who’s in charge,” I said, but I could tell from their faces that Dad had already told them.

“So, Jane,” Amber laughed. I threw a pillow at her.

“Messyhair, we should probably get going soon,” Jenny said quietly. “I didn’t bring my bag over, so we need to stop by first.”

We said our goodbyes, picked up Jenny’s bag, and I drove us back to Paul’s apartment.

“Do you have an exam tomorrow?” she asked while unbuckling her seatbelt.

“No, I don’t,” I said, wrapping my arms around her. “What about you?” My lips started teasing hers.

“Nope,” she smiled. “And Paul isn’t home either.”

Once the door had barely clicked shut, I had her pressed against the wall. I didn't give her a chance to breathe. My hands were everywhere, lifting her by her thighs and pushing the hem of her loose dress up in one fluid motion, while she fumbled with my trousers and boxers, shoving them low enough to clear my hips.

"Do you want this, babe?" I asked, my breath hot against her ear, my hands pulling her panties off as she nodded.

I entered her with a sharp, possessive force, the weight of her dress still bunched between us, acting as the only barrier.

"Yes, Messy," she panted, her fingers digging into my shoulders. "Exactly that... more."

I didn't waste a second, hammering into her with a relentless, driving pace that had her head thudding rhythmically against the wall. The friction was instant and overwhelming; she spiraled quickly, her body tightening and coming again and again as I held her weight effortlessly. I pinned her there, my muscles cording as I used her own momentum against her.

I didn't let her down from my hip until I let out a jagged, broken breath, spilling inside her just as her final, desperate scream was swallowed by my kiss.

"That was incredible, Messy," she panted.

"If I lived with you, you could have it every day," I promised.