Mistaken Identity Page 9

  “Just a few days, I have filming coming up at the start of next week, and I wanted everyone to meet her before the craziness starts.”

  “Understandable. Don’t worry, Kansas, we’re harmless. You’ll find we’re pretty laid back around these parts.”

  Kansas smiled. Sky kept up a steady stream of conversation, pointing out landmarks and telling childhood stories. As they pulled up into the driveway Kansas was feeling a lot less nervous. They made plans to meet back up at six, and made their way up the driveway. The candy brick house made her let out a low whistle. It wasn’t a mansion, but it was nice. A two-story home with large picture windows, candy brick, and a large, well-manicured yard.

  “Wow.”

  “You like it?”

  The inflection in his tone made her pause. Turning to him she arched an eyebrow.

  “You don’t?”

  “It’s not what I would’ve picked for myself.” He shrugged as he unlocked the door.

  “Your ex?”

  “Yeah, she fell in love with it, and as much as I’m gone I wanted her to be comfortable.” He pushed the door open and stepped back to allow her to enter while he saw to the bags. Ever since they’d learned about their tiny miracle he’d broken his neck to get anything even remotely heavy. It’s going to be a long pregnancy. She spun around in the marbled entry way and took in the crisp, clean, white walls, beige sectional with matching La-Z-boy, giant screen television and light wood end tables. It is very bland for a man with such a huge personality.

  “Interesting, what would you have seen?”

  “I’m not sure. Something smaller, more homey for sure? I like your house.”

  Kansas snorted. “Next to this place what I have is a shanty. You could fit my entire house into your garage.”

  “You’re exaggerating. Plus, your home really feels like you. I see your touches everywhere, and the minute I step inside the door the outside world fades away.”

  “And you said Dex Kimber had all the lines.”

  “Hmph.” The smile that twitched the corner of his mouth upward belied his amusement.

  “It’s your place now, so you can do whatever you want with it.”

  He took her hand and led her over to the couch where they collapsed. “It’s ours.”

  She squirmed in her seat.

  “You aren’t reneging on your promise, are you?” he asked.

  “No, Crowley.”

  “What?”

  “Just a deal-maker from another sitcom.”

  “Did you just compare me to a demon?”

  “No … maybe.”

  He snickered.

  “Labels make me …. rashy.”

  “Why?”

  “Because they always seem to cause problems. Dad said he and Mom were happy until they got married, and I’ve seen the phenomenon happen a million times. Friends who’ve dated forever get married, and a few years later, the big D.”

  “There could be a million different reasons. They grew apart, never really knew each other to begin with, or maybe they just didn’t make time for one another.”

  “How can you be so confident in the success of marriage when we live in a world that has more broken homes, step-families, and single parents than ever before.”

  “Because I was taught anything is possible if you’re willing to work hard enough. I mean look at me. I started out doing local commercials, and now I have a lead role on Paranormal Investigation. If I could do that, I refuse to believe I can’t make a marriage work with the woman I love.”

  “You love me now, but what if I change?”

  “Change is inevitable. The key is to do it in tandem,” said Jett. “Your eyes say you think I’m full of shit.”

  “No, I think you’re incredibly optimistic.”

  “The nice way of saying naïve, you think we’re doomed.”

  “No, not necessarily.” She sighed. “I’m just … cautious.”

  “I can’t blame you with your parents, but it makes me sad. I want you to see the beauty committing yourself to one person and sticking with them through thick and thin can be. I’m not saying it’s easy. My parents have had some knock-down, drag-out fights, not seen eye to eye, and gone through periods where they loved each other but weren’t madly in love the way they had been before.”

  “What’s their secret? How did they get through everything?”

  “They took their vows seriously, worked through each obstacle in the road, and in their words came out stronger for it.”

  She shook her head. What would it have been like to grow up with them for an example?

  “You know, after everything with Lis I’d begun to think my ship had wrecked on the reef, and there was no coming back. I thought maybe it was the price I’d pay for being so successful.”

  “Really? You always seem so upbeat and positive.”

  “Yeah, after I met you.” He glanced up and met her eyes, taking her hand. “Before that day I was a wreck. Skirting the edge of clinical depression, I wasn’t eating enough, sleeping enough, every day I got up and found myself sucker-punched with the fact that I was on my own. Everyone thought it was a broken heart, but it was more than that. I had to figure out who I was without her.”

  “How do you mean?”

  “When all this insanity started to happen she was there for me. An anchor to my old life, and the person I was raised to be. With her gone I got excessive, drank too much, dated too much, got wild. After too many times waking up feeling like dog shit scraped off the bottom of someone’s shoe I knew it wasn’t what I wanted for myself. Which left me to ask, what did I want, and how was I going to get it? Being a celebrity is scary. You don’t know who likes you for you, and who wants to use you in some way. It makes dating … next to impossible.”

  “Why not see other actors?”

  He wrinkled his nose.

  “I’ll take that as a no.”

  He laughed. “Listen, I’d be a hypocrite if I held what they did against them. It just makes it harder on a couple. I’ve seen it, especially if one begins to do better than the other. My schedule is insane enough. How would I ever see someone who had one equally as crazy? Plus, I’m old-fashioned enough to say I’d like a more traditional family unit.”

  “I hope you’re not trying to hint at me quitting my job to stay at home.” Her eyes flashed.

  “What? No.” He shook his head. “I want the baby to have the kind of childhood I did. Where we can show him or her all the things we liked to do. You know a small town up-bringing.”

  “Now that I get, and I agree. I have no desire to live in a big city permanently. Does that mean you want to live in my hometown?”

  “I think it’s best for now. How much can you travel with your job?”

  “A fair amount, technology being what it is.” She smiled. “Does this mean we can sneak on to set and have a little fun? I’ll admit to wanting to…” She cleared her throat. “Christen the desk in your office.”

  “I know a guy.” The dark gleam in his eyes made her panties wet. “How about a tour of the house ... starting with the bedroom.” The dampness between her legs spread as her core began to ache, a familiar predicament with Jett.

  “Sounds good to me, fiancé.” One moment he was seated beside her, and the next she was held tight to in his arms as he stood. He moved like lighting.

  “Say it again.”

  “Fiancé.” The world still felt foreign, but she liked what it implied, Jett being all hers for an eternity. Them being together and committed wasn’t the thing she had a problem with. The thought of standing in a church, saying vows while everyone looked on, and she was stuffed into a stifling, white gown made her skin crawl. Jett flicked his tongue across her lips, and the mental battle evaporated like water in the sun. Moaning, she tightened her arms around his neck, bringing him closer. Her stiff nipples pressed into his chest. She opened her mouth. Their tongues met, caressed, and reacquainted, in a slow, sensual, melding she felt down to the tips of her toes.<
br />
  She nipped his bottom lip and dug her fingers into his broad back.

  “Ugh.” The grunt went straight to her pussy.

  “I don’t think we’ll make it to the bedroom,” she croaked, her voice cracking.

  “Don’t have to tell me twice, beauty.” He turned and sank down onto the couch with her in his lap. Tipping back she held his neck and rubbed her pussy along the bulge in his pants. Her breath faltered, paused in her chest as she rotated her hips, grinding hard.

  “Shit, Kansas.” He seized her hips, stilling her movements. “I’m not coming anywhere but inside that molten pussy of yours.” Snaking a hand up her white dress he tugged at the bow at her hip.

  They’d come to a compromise about his mistreatment of her lingerie, and stocked up on the kind that tied. The right side gave away, and he made quick work of the second, yanking the material free. Moving her back to perch on his knees he freed himself from the constraints of his pants. He lifted her up, placed her above his tip and let her body weight and gravity take care of the rest. The turgid cock loaded her, bringing immense pleasure with a dash of pain as her muscles struggled to acclimate. She liked it best like this, when she was wet and not quite loosened up. Tensing her muscles she sealed up their connection.

  “It’s like a vise grip, Sas.” Placing her hands on his shoulders, she got to her knees, brought her legs up onto the couch, and planted her feet on either side of him. Grunts of pleasure fell from his lips. Eager to hear more she set a relentless pace, impaling herself over and over. Transfixed by the exquisiteness of his face while wrapped in the throes of pleasure, she couldn’t take her eyes off him. Walls fluttering she tilted her angle, determined to take him with her.

  “Are you going to come with me, Jett? Are you going to fill my pussy with your cum?”

  “Fuck yes.”

  A few more thrusts, and she was flying into the space where there was no pain, only she and Jett floating on a swell of ecstasy. Hot torrents of seed pumped into her, spilling over, dripping down onto her thighs and his lap. Slumping over to catch her breath she pressed against his chest, marveling at the way their hearts beat together in double-time. Yes, this was the man she could spend the rest of her life with. Did it really matter what venue they used to get to that point?

  ****

  Cleaned and refreshed after a short nap, he took Kansas to the store to do some shopping. The thought of her sleeping on anything he’d shared with Lis made his spine itch. A bed, comforter set, and clothing later they were back at the house, preparing to leave for dinner at his parents.

  “How do I look?” She spun in a circle.

  The knee length, soft pink dress, nipped in at the waist before it belled out, turned her skin into a tempting shade of milk-chocolate. Her hair was swept to the side, baring a long, graceful, neck. The only thing missing was a ring.

  “Absolutely stunning.”

  “Thank you. I’m ready.”

  “Let’s head out.” Hooking an arm around her waist they walked down the stairs from the bedroom and out the door to his black truck. He studied her in his peripheral vision as he drove. Highlighted by the fading rays of the sun she was a vision. Shifting in his seat as unease spread through his body, he rolled over a rapidly forming concept in his head. Every day that passed without a wedding made him more nervous. She was a skittish colt ready to take off if she was spooked. The love in her eyes told him she was ready, and his heart said it was right. I need to make this happen before something frightens her into changing her mind. Hell, her mother getting her alone would be enough to do that. It should be criminal to come at your child with a verbal battering ram and go to town.

  “The sky here is amazing! It’s true! Everything is bigger in Texas!” The childlike glee in her voice made him chuckle.

  “I thought you realized that the first time you saw me naked.”

  “Oh, Sweetie, careful. Your head won’t fit inside the cab if you keep that up.”

  How could I have thought anyone other than this woman was meant for me?

  “You’re amazing, Kansas.”

  He glanced over. The surprised look on her face angered him. For someone this incredible to not know their worth was unthinkable. I might not be able to hit a lady, but I’m sure Sky wouldn’t mind.

  “Thanks?”

  “I wish you could see yourself through my eyes.”

  “You know I already agreed to marry you, right?”

  “Exactly why you know I’m sincere.”

  A hush fell over the car, and she shifted in her seat. Time to change the subject.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Pretty good, not too much morning sickness today, I can only hope it’ll last.”

  Reaching out he squeezed her knee.

  Ten minutes later he pulled up onto the street he grew up on. The driveway was full, so he parked on the street.

  “How many people are here?” Kansas asked.

  “Mom, Dad, Scott, Sky, her husband Randy, and their two kids, Sandy and Brett.”

  “That’s a lot of people.”

  “Don’t be nervous. They don’t bite unless it’s warranted.”

  “Not as reassuring as I think you meant it to be.”

  “I’m telling you, they’ll love you.” Getting out of the car, he walked around and helped her out. “Come on, it’ll be fun.”

  His reassurance went in one ear and out the other as she remained stiff. He walked her around the side of the house to the back yard where everyone was situated.

  “Hey guys, we’re here.”

  “Jett!” The friendly chorus made him grin.

  “Oh isn’t she gorgeous, Jett!” His mom stood from her seat beside his dad and walked over.

  “Mom, this is Kansas. Kansas, this is my mom, Lorraine.”

  “Hi.” She stuck out her hand.

  “Oh we don’t bother with handshakes around here.” Lorraine pulled her into a hug.

  “Oh-okay.”

  “Don’t worry. You’ll get used to us Walkers soon enough.” She walked over to him and issued a fierce hug. “So good to have you home again. Usually we have to wait months in-between visits. I’m liking the effect she has on you all ready.”

  I hope you keep that attitude.

  His mom turned, and he sent Kansas a reassuring smile, grabbing her hand as they headed toward the rest of the family.

  “Hey everyone, this is Kansas. Kansas, this is my father, Harold, my baby brother, Scott, Sky, who you met earlier, her husband, Jonathan, and her two kids, Sandra and Brett.”

  “Hi, everyone.” Kansas waved.

  “Hi, Kansas.” The echoed sentiment made them both smile.

  “Mother, will you dish up food? Everyone can get to know Ms. Kansas while we put food in our bellies.”

  “Thank you for coming to dinner, dear.”

  “Thank you for having me.”

  “It was our pleasure,” his father said. The picnic table was lined with an airy, white, table cloth. Various foods were placed single file in bright colored ceramic bowls: baked beans, grilled corn, potato salad, and corn bread. His mouth watered. A flurry of activity and motion unfolded as his father moved to the grill, and everyone else rushed in to meet Kansas in person. As the night wore on Kansas began to relax, and her personality sparkled. Watching her laugh with Sky like they were old friends reinforced the fact Kansas was meant to be a Walker. He caught his father’s gaze over the table, communicating with his eyes he wanted to speak with him alone.

  “Jett, you want to help me bring out more meat?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  In the kitchen a few minutes later his father leaned against the kitchen counter.

  “You look as nervous as a long tailed cat in a rocking chair, son. What’s on your mind?”

  “I want to marry Kansas.”

  “Boy, that’s not news. I saw it in your eyes back before you brought her here.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Smitten is an understat
ement for what I see when you’re with that young lady. When will the wedding bells ring?”

  “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” Jett fidgeted. “As soon as possible. There are some … extenuating circumstances.”

  “Speak plainly, boy.”

  “She’s pregnant.”

  “I know your mother and I taught you better than that.”

  The disappointment in his father’s voice made him hang his head. “Yes sir, it wasn’t because we were careless. There was an issue with the condom.”

  His father nodded. “Well, at least you’re doing the right thing.”

  “She’s had a really piss poor example of marriage growing up, and she’s terrified. I want to put her at ease and make this into a positive thing.”

  “What do you think actually bothers her? I mean she agreed to marry you, so there’s some give?”

  “Anything traditional.”

  “And your time frame?”

  “I want to be married before I leave for shooting.”

  “You never did do anything half assed, did you?” His father sighed. “Let me think on it overnight. Can I tell your mother?”

  “Please. It’s like a weight’s been lifted off my shoulders. Holding this in was killing me.” The tension in his back eased.

  “How long have you known?”

  “Just a week. It took us both by surprise. She got sick, and I jumped the gun, took her to the hospital, and the diagnosis was more than either of us expected.”

  His dad chuckled. “I can imagine. I know this isn’t conventional, or planned, but congratulations. Being a parent is one of the most important jobs anyone could ever have.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  “I know you’ll make me proud. Now we should get back out there before they send in a search party.” His dad pulled a container of marinated steak out of the fridge, and they headed back outside.

  Seated beside Kansas he was happy. Things were falling in to place with time to spare. The thought of leaving to begin filming with nothing other than a promise to wed at some point between the two of them kept him up at night. Inevitably the truth would get out, and when it did, he wanted to be in a position to protect his family. Kansas was strong, but he knew how the public could rip a person to shreds, especially one with a major case of hormonal imbalance. Last night she’d cried like a baby over a cell phone commercial.