“Is Elle here?” Rowan asks.
I look around. “I don’t see her yet, but…” My eyes widen when they land on Dr. Wallen, her boss. “Oh my God,” I mutter quietly, and Rowan’s gaze follows mine.
“I thought you said he was bringing a date?” Rowan whispers, taking Rory from my arms when he starts to fuss.
“I-I assumed he was…” I have to pick up my jaw from the floor at the little girl’s hand he’s holding. “He asked to bring someone.”
“Elle’s gonna be so mad at you.” Rowan chuckles.
Kenzie comes over to us, and we fill her in. “Wow.” She eyes Connor up and down. “He’s somehow hotter now.”
“Kenzie, ew. He’s way too old for you anyway.” I scoff.
“Really? You gonna talk to me about age?”
I roll my eyes. “Shut up. I better text Elle and warn her.”
“Too late,” Kenzie mutters, staring at the front door.
“Shit.”
Elle walks in with a man I’ve never seen before, and he’s dressed in black slacks and a sleek black button-up shirt. He’s tall, with broad shoulders, and fit. He looks like a guy her mom would set her up with. Perhaps he’s a doctor from the hospital Aunt Emily works at, but nevertheless, things are about to get awkward.
“Maize…” Gavin comes to my side and brushes my elbow.
“I saw,” I say before he can speak. “Is that his…daughter?”
“Yeah, Olivia. She’s six. He shares custody with his ex-wife,” he informs me.
Well, fuck.
Elle spots us and walks over with a bright, friendly smile. “Hey, guys.” We exchange a hug.
“Hey, who’s your date?” I ask.
“This is Stephen. He’s a doctor and works with my mom.”
Nailed it.
“Hi, Stephen, nice to meet you.” I shake his hand. “I’m Maize, Elle’s cousin.”
“A pleasure to meet y’all.”
He shakes Kenzie’s, then Rowan’s, and Gavin’s hand next.
“You have a lovely home. Elizabeth’s informed me it was recently built.”
Elizabeth? I nearly cringe at the way he uses her full name, considering none of us do.
“Yes, well, it’s been a few months, but it took some time to finish. Plus, the Bishops love any reason for a party.” I chuckle because it’s true.
I turn to Elle, and my eyes widen. “Can I talk to you for a quick sec?”
“Uh—sure.” Just as we’re about to walk off, Connor comes over with a pointed glare as he holds his daughter’s hand.
Elle’s eyes bug out of her head as she stares at Dr. Wallen and the little girl next to him.
“Hey, Connor,” I greet sweetly. “I heard you brought a little guest with you.” Smiling, I lean down and take her hand. “I’m Maize. Thanks for coming to our party.”
“Hello, ma’am. I’m Olivia.”
“Oh my gosh, what a sweetheart,” Rowan coos.
“How did no one know you had a child?” Kenzie blurts out.
“Well, you never asked.” He shrugs. “Her mother lives in New Mexico, and we share custody. She visits over the summer and holidays. I picked her up early for our Thanksgiving celebration.”
That explains why he asked at the last minute.
“She looks a lot like you,” Elle says, breaking the awkward tension. “Hi, Olivia. I’m Elle. I work with your daddy.”
Olivia shakes her hand with a cute smile. “Nice to meet you.”
“Connor,” Stephen says curtly.
Dr. Wallen stands up straighter with furrowed brows. “Dr. Burk.”
“You two know each other?” I ask, waving a finger back and forth between them. I shouldn’t be that surprised, considering we live in a small town, and everyone knows everyone.
“We were friends in high school,” Stephen explains.
“Yeah, well…that was ages ago.” Connor takes Olivia’s hand. “Anyway, I’m gonna get a couple of snacks for her. It was nice seeing y’all.”
Before anyone can say another word, Connor walks away and heads toward the kitchen.
Rowan, Kenzie, and I exchange a look. “I’m gonna go say hi to Grandma and make sure she gets something to eat.”
An hour later, people are scattered throughout the house having a good time. Some are outside on the deck and admiring the views of the ranch.
“Hey,” Gavin whispers in my ear behind me as I stare out at the orange and blue sky. “You wanna sneak into the guest room?”
Chuckling, I glance at him over my shoulder. “Are you crazy? We have a house full of guests.”
“So? You used to like sneakin’ around with me.” He winks.
That causes me to laugh hard. “That’s true.”
I grab his arm and lead him down the hallway into the room. Once the door is locked, he latches his mouth to mine, and our tongues feverishly fight for control.
“Think you can stay quiet, baby?” he asks in a growl.
“If you cover my mouth.” I grin.
Gavin lifts my dress and moves my panties to the side, then plunges a finger into my wet pussy. I’m already aching for him, desperately needing his cock to fill me.
He wraps his hand around my head and slides his tongue between my lips as he finger fucks me hard and fast, building the orgasm until I fall over the edge. I moan out his name, and he quickly covers my mouth with his.