Chapter 5
Hanna
Of course, in wonderful dual family fashion, Kason’s family and mine connived dinner plans behind our back. Kason and I had only been back in town for a couple days, and already the Marx family was ready to cater an entire meal and throw a massive party in our honor. I told my parents that I came home all the time so there was no reason to include me in the party, but they wouldn’t have it. I really should've known better. My mother never needed a reason to throw a party, especially when she could team up with her best friend, Mrs. Marx.
My mom kept telling me how wonderful it was going to be, and Kason’s mom kept going on about all the food that would be there. With both our families combined and all the people who would eventually flood in to check out the spread, there would be a least forty people dipping in and out of this party.
Wonderful.
Stacey said she would bring Brad to relieve me of the circus fest, and I was thankful for it. I still hadn’t convinced Stacey to tell Brad about the pregnancy, and she’d sworn me to secrecy, so I’d told her that I would keep my mouth shut. I understood why she didn’t want to tell Brad right off the bat in case something went wrong in the beginning, but a part of me wanted to celebrate with them. I wanted to throw my arms around them both and whisper that this one was the one, that it was going stick and be okay. In seven months’ time, I would descend upon the hospital with blankets and toys and snacks for the new parents who had just ushered their child into the world.
Still, Stacy was my best friend, and I knew she needed my support, so I’d decided to go along with her wishes and let her handle the situation however she wanted.
People crowded into our joined backyard and beverages were poured quickly. My father had practically bought up the entire ABC store down the road. He made sure everyone had multiple drink options and enjoyed mixing various cocktails for his friends. Food was brought in by the truckload when Stacey and Brad finally showed up. Stacey complained about having a headache and blamed it on all the noise. I gave her a kiss on the cheek and watched while Brad ushered her back to the car. I told Stacey to call me later and we would talk.
So much for being rescued from this party.
My dad brought me a plate of food, and we stood off to the side together. I told him they really didn’t have to go through all this trouble, and he kept telling me they were celebrating something special: the Marx’s and the Rendon’s hadn’t had all their children together since Kason had left for San Francisco all those years ago. Now that everyone was home, we needed to celebrate and enjoy it. Up until this point, I hadn’t seen Marcus or Kason, and I figured they were off doing their own thing.
There was a part of me that was excited to see Kason again. I still wasn’t sure how I was going to seduce him, but I knew it started with tight clothing and a splash of makeup. So, I had found a dress that hugged me tight and put on one of my push-up bras. Then I’d slapped on a pair of heels that flexed my legs just right and painted my lips with a ruby red lipstick. Dad fawned over how wonderful his daughter looked, and Mom kept teasing me about how I was on the prowl even though I was supposed to be home to relax. What I didn’t tell them was that Mom was right. I was on the prowl, and the person I wanted was Kason.
After an hour and a half went by, I settled on the fact that they weren’t coming. I figured Marcus had pulled Kason off to some bar or something, not wanting to bother with the party at all. I was kind of pissed they hadn’t invited me. I mean, I couldn’t legally drink yet, but we all could’ve gone to get food somewhere or something.
Just when my disappointment hit its peak, Kason and Marcus walked around the house and into the backyard.
Kason looked absolutely stunning. Every inch of his 6’1” stature was painted with rippling, pulsing muscles. He was wearing another short-sleeved shirt that showed off the sleeve tattoo that cascaded up his arm. A few times, I brushed by him just to see if I could figure out what it was. His jet-black hair was styled with gel that glistened in the afternoon sun. When his light blue eyes caught the sun just right, they sparkled like diamonds set in a ring. His smile never quite bloomed fully, making it seem as if he had a secret he was holding back from everyone. Eventually, I tried to interject myself into his and Marcus’s conversation.
“Wasn’t sure you two were gonna show,” I said.
“Eh, we weren’t sure if we were at first, but we decided to come and leave our energy for tonight,” my brother said.
“Oh? And what’s tonight?” I asked.
“There’s a new speakeasy that opened up downtown. Marcus and I went a couple nights ago, but we’re thinking about heading back.”
Marcus smirked. “Yeah. Some bunny there likes to shove her tongue down Kason’s throat.”
A twinge of jealousy ricocheted around my stomach, especially when that dumbass grin Kason was dawning bloomed on his face. What woman was this? I wondered what she looked like. I bet I could have looked like her if I’d tried. She’d be a wonderful person to model myself after if Kason was chasing her.
“Oh? And what does this special woman look like?” I prodded.
“Oh, you know, the usual: big tits, short spiky hair, shorts that show her ass cheeks,” Marcus said.
“So she’s a whore,” I said in a matter-of-fact tone.
Kason choked on his drink, and I could feel Marcus’s eyes bore into my temple, but I didn’t shift my glare from Kason. I wanted him to know I disapproved, that he could do better, that he was so much better than that.
I wanted him to know he could have the likes of me if he wanted.
God, our babies would be so beautiful. They’d have my bubbly personality and his intense eyes. They’d have my smooth tongue and his tall stature. Maybe my chin and his strong jawline. They’d be gorgeous and well-off because of the money we could make together. They’d love me for the energy I had and the things I’d be able to take them to do.
I’d protect them and keep them safe, loving them with everything I had. The late nights would never tank the energy stores I could replenish in a hurry with how young my body was. Sick nights would always flow into days full of cuddling because I’d have the strength to hold them close to my chest. I wouldn’t have to depend on a bed to hold them like my mother had to with me.
Didn’t every child who came into this world deserve that kind of love?
I sure as hell thought so.
One by one, everyone left the party. The few of us who were left ventured inside for a few drinks, and I was kind of shocked that Marcus and Kason hadn’t left yet. The adults were talking in the other room, and a few of the straggling guests were pouring themselves another drink in the kitchen. I found Kason and Marcus in the living room, sitting around and talking.
Then Marcus got up to go do something and Kason was all alone.
He was sitting on the couch next to the empty fireplace, so I slowly made my way into the room and sat beside him. His body heat radiated toward me, and when he cleared his throat and crossed his legs, I knew I had him where I wanted him. He looked so sexy in the shadows of the room, and I just wanted to reach out and place my hand on his knee. God, his legs were so long and his arms were so strong. Part of me wanted to straddle his hips and plow my ruby red lips right into his. My heart rate sped up and my palms began to sweat. When I turned to look at him, I saw he was staring right at me.
His hungry stare puckered my nipples.
I moved closer to him and felt the fuzz of his hand against mine. I reached out my pinky and lightly brushed it against his skin. I was so close I could see the black of his eyes double in size. My legs grew weak and my body slowly collapsed into his. But just before I closed the gap between us, Kason shot up off the couch.
“Good talk,” he muttered before he turned and walked out of the room.
Good talk? Good... He hadn’t even fucking said anything! What did he mean ‘good talk’?!
I watched him walk out of the room and felt my heart drop to my feet. He called out for Marcus, probably eager to go find his floozy whore or something. When the front door opened and then shut, I knew exactly what had happened.
Kason had left and hadn’t even told me why he’d jumped away from me in the first place.
“Shit,” I murmured.
“Hanna, sweetheart?” my mother asked. “You all right? The boys left in a hurry.”
“Yeah, I’m good. They’ve got plans tonight, I think.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful! Best friends catching up. I hope they always stay that way. It’s good to have friends like that. By the way, how is Stacy? I didn’t get a chance to say hello before she and Brad were gone again!”
“She’s doing well, Mom.” I smiled tightly.
“Well, if you want to go do something, you can. You look fabulous, like you’re about to go paint the town or something!”
“Sure. I suppose I could go find something to do.”
“Good! Wonderful! Well, we won’t wait up!” she said with a wave of her hand.
“Great…” I sighed. I didn’t want to paint the town or whatever the hell she was talking about. I wanted to sit close to Kason and talk. I wanted to see how he was doing and ask him about his business. I wanted to learn about his hobbies and hold his hand while we walked through downtown Seattle together. I wanted to hang off his arm, doting on him and marveling at his intelligence.
Then, when that was done, I wanted to ride his dick and create the most beautiful babies this world had ever seen.
I didn’t want to paint the town. I wanted to paint Kason.