Chapter Fifteen
Anais spent the majority of Christmas Eve in the kitchen. Kyle, under the pretense of being her sous chef, did as well. He wasn’t very helpful. He did more sampling than actual helping. He called it taste testing. Anais wasn’t so generous with her terms. He was straight up eating. And she would have thrown him out of the kitchen, but she enjoyed his company. And he was so damned adorable when his eyes were shining with a mixture of mischief and joy.
For dinner, Anais prepared a simple meal of soup and sandwiches. Kyle was full from all his snacking and didn’t complain. Olivia and Ray weren’t thrilled but Anais pointed out that they would have a decadent meal the next day. They might as well save their appetites for Christmas. She didn’t mention that they’d shown up unexpected and uninvited, but she felt that her tone implied it all.
Ray and Olivia turned in shortly after dinner. Anais and Kyle watched Christmas movies until midnight. Kyle turned off the television. “Merry Christmas, Anais.”
They were curled up together under a blanket on the couch. All the lights were off with the exception of the Christmas lights strung around the tree. She smiled up at him. “Merry Christmas, Kyle.”
He stood and crossed to the tree. He plucked a small box wrapped in blue shiny paper off the pile of gifts. The box was topped with a white bow. “I was going to give this to you tomorrow, but that was when I thought we were going to be alone.” He crossed back to her and knelt on the floor next to her.
Anais glanced from the box to Kyle and knew instinctively that it was an engagement ring. She took the gift and opened it slowly. Inside was a distinctive blue box. She popped it open. The ring was simple but stunning—a cushion cut one carat diamond with small diamonds channel set along the band. “Kyle, it’s beautiful.” She swallowed. “I-”
He pressed his finger to her lips. “Anais, I don’t know if you took me seriously when I asked you before…or if you thought I was sincere in trying to convince you to marry me. We haven’t been together long, but I feel as if I really know you. And I don’t want to let you go. You’re…simply fucking amazing. I love you. Will you please marry me?”
She grinned so hard she thought her lips might split. “Yes!” She wrapped her arms around him and peppered his face with kisses.
Kyle blinked. “Okay, not that I’m not thrilled with your answer, but I’m confused. What was different this time from all the other times when I tried to convince you to marry me?”
“You said you love me, you idiot. You’ve never said that before. That’s all I needed.”
He frowned. “I didn’t?”
She rolled her eyes. “No, you didn’t.”
His brows rose. “And you haven’t said it back.”
“Of course I love you. I wouldn’t say yes if I didn’t.” She slid her fingers into his dark brown curls. “I love you so much. I’d do you under the tree if we didn’t have guests.”
“Is that so? I can’t wait until we’re alone again.”
“You can always just take me to bed,” she suggested.
Kyle stood quickly and folded the blanket they had been using. “You don’t have to ask me twice. Come on, woman.”
***
Kyle anxiously watched Anais open the present he’d bought her. She’d awakened him this morning with all the enthusiasm of a child on Christmas morning. He was barely awake, but he really hoped that she liked her gift. She sat under the tree and ripped at the paper. Her scream of joy almost burst his eardrums.
Kyle winced. He glanced toward the stairs, expecting to see Ray and Olivia come running down to save Anais from a would-be murderer. “Is that good or bad? The lady at the store told me it was the best. I’m sorry if you don’t like it.”
Anais grinned and hugged the box of her new Vitamix mixer. “I love it. I’ve wanted one for over a year now. Thank you so much.”
He released a relieved breath and smiled. “You’re welcome.”
She reached under the tree and shoved a large box at him. “It’s your turn. Open it.”
“I promise not to scream like a girl.”
“Don’t make your promise so hastily.”
Curious as to what she could have bought him, he squatted on the floor next to her and tore into the silver paper. Once the paper fell away, he fell back onto his heels, his mouth dropping open.
“Do you like it? Do you like it?” Anais asked, a knowing grin curling her lips as she practically bounced with excitement.
It was a drone. He’d wanted one for a while, but he’d never been able to justify the expense. “Anais, if I hadn’t already asked you to marry me last night, I would right now. Damn. I love you girl.”
“They said it should be ready to go out of the box. You can take it outside and fly it around if you want.”
He was prying open flaps before she finished talking. Anais bent and kissed him on the forehead. “I’m going to take my mixer in the kitchen. I’ve got to dress the turkey and get it in the oven.” She’d baked a ham, pies, cookies, and a cake the previous day. She had to be exhausted. Kyle felt obligated to help her. He knew she was doing most of this for him. She’d had this meal planned before she knew her mother and stepfather would arrive.
“I’ll help you,” he said, starting to rise.
Anais pushed on his shoulder to stay him. “No. You go outside and play.”
He choked on a laugh. “I’m not a child.”
“It’s Christmas. I’m going to play with my mixer. You go out and have fun.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
***
“You do realize that your white boy is outside playing in his pajamas?” Olivia asked as she poured herself a cup of coffee from the pot Anais had made earlier.
“Yes.” Anais opened the refrigerator and pulled out the butter.
“Is that engagement ring? What’s for breakfast?”
“Yes. Cereal,” Anais replied curtly. Two could play this game. She’d learned long ago that expecting normal mother behavior from Olivia led to nothing but hurt and disappointment.
“Cereal again?” Olivia shook her head. “Momma always said you should serve your man a good breakfast so that he’s prepared for whatever the day throws at him.”
Anais wasn’t going to bother mentioning that she’d cooked nonstop yesterday to make sure that their Christmas dinner was unforgettable. Nor was she going to remind her mother that she was a business owner as just like Kyle. Did that mean Kyle should take turns fixing her breakfast? She hadn’t even asked because Kyle didn’t make any demands of her. If she cooked, he was appreciative, but if she didn’t, he was happy with cereal or a protein shake. “And do you fix Ray big breakfasts?” she asked, already knowing the answer.
“Hell, no,” Ray said, strolling into the kitchen. Olivia reached into the cabinet and gave him a cup for his coffee. Anais noticed that they both took their coffee black without sugar. She suspected that they were both on dietary restrictions but she hadn’t asked and they hadn’t volunteered the information. “Livy, give the girl a break. She’s up early working on making everything perfect for tonight. Besides, she’s so pretty, no man is going to complain about the occasional missed breakfast.” He winked at Anais. “I bet Kyle is plenty satisfied.”
While it was nice he was coming to her defense, Anais wished he could do it in a manner that wasn’t so skeevy. “Indeed,” she said shortly. “Why don’t the two of you go on into the dining room and I’ll bring you whatever cereal you’d like?”
“Want us out of your hair while you cook, eh?” Ray smiled and sipped his coffee.
She had her spices lined up along the counter and the turkey sitting in a pan. She didn’t need the two of them loitering as she toiled. Nor did she feel like having to make conversation with them. “Yes,” Anais answered and tried to smile to soften her answer.
“She’s engaged, Ray,” Olivia said casually.
Ray blinked. “Well…congratulations, baby girl.” He put down his cup and came over to give her a hug. “We’re so happy for you. When is the big day?”
Anais pulled away. “We haven’t set a date.”
“Let me see the ring.” Anais held out her hand and he took it. “Absolutely beautiful.” He caressed her palm. “Nice ring, too,” he said with a big grin. “Kyle sure is one lucky man.”
Anais snatched her hand back. She barely managed to keep the grimace of utter disgust off her face. She didn’t even glance her mother’s way. She knew Olivia wouldn’t say anything about Ray’s flirting. Anais wondered if he always disrespected her mother this way. She didn’t know how or why Olivia tolerated it.
“Do you want me to give you away? I’d be honored.”
“Um…I don’t know if we’re going to have a big ceremony or anything.”
“But you have to,” Ray exclaimed. “You can’t deny your mother the chance to see her only baby getting married.”
As far as she could tell, Olivia wasn’t even interested in this conversation. “I’ll take that into consideration,” Anais said. “Now, the two of you go get settled and I can get this bird in the oven.” She shooed them out of her space.
Ray leaned back, patted his stomach, and made exaggerated moans of pleasure. “I can’t eat another bite. My boys are going to be so jealous when I tell them about your cooking, Anais. I wish your mother had your skills. Why a woman as beautiful and talented in the kitchen as you are wasn’t married years ago, is a damn mystery.” He glanced at Kyle. “If I were a few years younger, I’d give you a run for your money,” he said with a grin.
“And single,” Kyle added gruffly.
“What was that?” Ray asked.
“A few years younger and single,” Kyle clarified.
Ray laughed heartily, not taking offense.
Anais was sitting next to Kyle at the dinner table. Ray and Olivia sat opposite them. Kyle’s hand curled into a fist in his lap. Anais placed her hand over his. “I suppose that means that you don’t have room for dessert?” she asked in an attempt to turn the conversation.
“I’ve always got room for dessert.”
“What would you like?”
Ray’s eyes moved leisurely over her, his gaze lingering on her breasts. “What have you got, baby girl?”
Kyle growled. “I cannot believe this shit.” He glared at Olivia. “You’re not going to say anything? You’re just going to sit there while he hits on your daughter?”
Olivia sipped her tea and waved a dismissive hand. “Ray is just teasing. There’s no harm. And it’s certainly not your place to pass judgement on our family, young man.” She cut her eyes at Anais. “You need to teach your young man some manners. He’s poking his nose in places where it doesn’t belong.”
“If you’d-”
Anais put a hand on Kyle’s shoulder and shook her head. “Kyle, it’s okay. Let’s not-”
“No, Anais. I’ve only had to watch this sickening display for a couple of days. I can’t imagine how you’ve put up with it this long. I can’t watch you be treated this way, baby. And, by the way,” he added, sending a deadly cold glare in Ray’s direction, “I’m the only one who calls her baby anything from now on. Got that?” His tone was hard and brooked no argument.
Eyes wide with fear, Ray bobbed his head. “Yeah.”
“Now, you wait just a damn minute,” Olivia said. “Just because you put a ring on Anais’s finger doesn’t give you the right to talk to us in any way you choose.”
“Ma’am, I will treat you with respect when you deserve it.” Olivia released a loud, outraged gasp. Kyle continued as if he hadn’t heard her. “He’s deadly serious. Given the green light, he’d be all over her. But rather than ask him to stop harassing your daughter, you choose to let her suffer because this way you don’t have to do anything to upset him. Thank God, she’s not a teenager left in your care. Are you that desperate to hold on to a man? Even him?”
Olivia’s face darkened. Anais wasn’t aware that it was possible for a person of color to redden to such a degree. “Anais,” she snapped, “I will not remain in the same house as this person.”
Anais didn’t hesitate. “Then I guess you and Ray had better leave,” she said quietly.
Olivia’s second gasp was louder than her first. “You’re choosing him over your family?”
“In the short time that I’ve known Kyle, he’s done more for me than you ever have. He is my family now.” She linked her fingers with Kyle’s and kissed the back of his hand. She smiled at him. “And don’t hold your breath waiting for that wedding invitation. It won’t be forthcoming.”
With lots of grumbling, Olivia stood and tossed her napkin down onto the table. “Come on, Ray. Let’s leave.”
Ray didn’t make eye contact as he shuffled behind his wife. Anais burst out laughing when they were alone. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so cowed.”
“I’m sorry, Anais. I ruined your Christmas. I just couldn’t take it anymore. You deserve better.”
“You haven’t ruined my Christmas.” She turned in her seat so that she could cup his face. “You’ve made this Christmas way better than I could have expected under the circumstances. I lost my real mother earlier this year. Throwing that woman and her husband out…it was nothing. She’s never been a real mother to me. She doesn’t know how to be. I meant what I said. You’re my family now.”
He drew her out of her chair and onto his lap. His mouth covered hers, his tongue plunging deep. They didn’t pull apart even when they heard Ray and Olivia clumping down the stairs and slamming out of the house.