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Chapter Fourteen - Home Bound


One week later: Friday 20th December.


Hunter and I have flown out to Dallas, Texas to spend Christmas and New Years with his family. All of his family members are there and are under the impression that we will be arriving a day before Christmas Eve but he wanted to surprise everyone by showing up earlier. We're now in a car he had hired with a lovely driver called Joe who's chatty as ever.

His jokes and stories have managed to distract me for a while but now that we're twenty minutes away from the ranch I'm getting antsy. Butterflies flutter crazily in my tummy and not the good kind. I'm trying not to let it show how nervous I am but I think I've failed at that since Hunter has been consoling me the entire flight and drive through his sweet little actions.

Meeting the family is a big step in our relationship and I really want to impress them as someone who's worthy of their son and brother. Sighing, I lean against Hunter's side and rest my head on his shoulder. I'm overthinking it too much. He presses a soft kiss to the top of my head which puts a smile on my face.

I focus on his comforting voice as we drive through the city, listening to him talk about his childhood and teen years spent in Dallas. It's nice to see where he grew up and all the memories he has of the place. He has the biggest smile on his face as he gazes out the window before turning back to me with excitement as he points out something else.

Eventually we pull up to the ranch and enter through the gates. My eyes widen at the place Hunter calls home.

A spacious lawn stretches out around the house and is fenced in with the same wood that was used to build the house. There's a large patio and I can see another cabin at the back with a stable and barn nearby. Glancing to the side I see a pen with horses of different color and size trotting about. All in all, this looks like a dream for someone who loves being in the country.

"We'll be fine." Hunter's voice brings me out of my thoughts.

"O-Okay." I nod but I'm sure my expression doesn't mirror it.

"They'll love you, quit worrying." He chuckles as Joe parks the car before getting out.

I nod before smoothing the skirt of my green dress. "Do I look okay? I don't want to seem like –"

I'm interrupted by him gripping my chin and pressing his lips to mine, shutting me up effectively. His lips are soft and gentle against mine, as if savoring the moment. It feels like heaven as always and when he pulls away it leaves me craving for more.

"You look beautiful. Now, can you please stop panicking?" He smirks devilishly and I huff in annoyance.

"I want to make a good first impression!" I mutter weakly in defense.

"Come on." He pecks me again with an amused grin before helping me out of the car.

We thank Joe who tips his hat before driving off the property. I turn to see a familiar couple standing at the entrance of the house, seemingly in their forties. The woman is smiling brightly and her blonde hair is flowing in the gentle yet chilly breeze. She's wearing a baby blue jumper with a white skirt that compliments her stunning, blue-green eyes.

A man, who I assume is Hunter's father, stands by her with an arm wrapped around her waist. He has brown hair with emerald green eyes, a strong and muscular build yet his cheeky smile hints at a laid-back nature. He's dressed in blue denim jeans with a plaid button up and the cowboy hat perched atop his head brings a smile to my lips as we make our way over to them.

"Mom and Dad, this is my girlfriend Zoe Miller. Zoe, this is Michelle, my mother and Evan, my father." Hunter makes the introductions with his hand still intertwined with mine.

"It's nice to meet you mister and misses Jackson." I smile shyly but a loud squeak escapes me when Hunter's mother pulls me into a tight hug.

"It's lovely to finally meet you darling! Hunter's told me so much about you!" She exclaims which makes me laugh.

"Ma!" Hunter whines as his cheeks quickly become tinged with red.

"Oh, hush!" She waves him off before turning to her husband. "Please, call us Michelle and Evan."

"Nice to meet you, Zoe." Evan tips his hat before everyone starts making their way inside the house.

I follow everyone down the hallway before we reach a spacious yet cosy sitting room where five people are waiting to greet us. The feature that captures my interest immediately are the wooden beams hanging above.

The couches seem to be made of light brown leather with soft orangey-red cushions. Numerous picture frames are scattered throughout the room and the sight of a young Hunter makes me grin. There's a plain coffee table resting in the center and small tables to either side of the couches. A fireplace is made into the stone wall with a light oak wood cabinet to the side and an archway on the other. It's so homey and beautifully decorated.

Hunter introduces me to Ryder and Ella who are married. Ryder has dark brown hair and clear blue eyes with golden tan skin that I can only wish for. His features are sharp and angular and it's quite clear that he works out regularly. Ella, on the other hand, is the opposite of her husband. She's delicate looking with a slender body but she has a beautiful pregnancy glow. Her baby bump seems to be around six or more months as she looks ready to pop. Her brown hair is in soft waves and her emerald eyes are sparkling brightly at me as she steps forward.

"Hi Zoe, it's lovely to meet you!" She speaks in a slightly shy manner. I watch as Ryder smiles lovingly at her and it makes me coo mentally over how adorable they are.

"It's nice to meet you too, Ella. Congratulations! How far along are you?" I ask just as a young boy runs up to hug her legs. He's the spitting image of Ryder but has Ella's gorgeous eyes.

"Seven months." She grins as she runs her fingers through the boy's hair. "This is our son, Isaiah. Say hi, sweetheart."

"Hi!" He grins toothily and I crouch down to shake the hand he holds out.

"Hi, Isaiah. I'm so happy to meet you, how old are you?"

"Three!"

I chuckle before smiling at Roman who picks the boy up. He nods at me before Hunter introduces me to Theodore and Noah Jackson. Both smirk devilishly at the sight of me as they pull me from Hunter's grip. They proceed to praise me for calling Hunter an "egotistical moron," which I'm beginning to realize the Jackson family will never forget much to Hunter's dismay. He looks on unimpressed before pulling me back into his arms which only makes them tease the hell out of him for.

We're interrupted by the loud growl of a motorbike before the engine cuts off. Michelle and Noah cry out in excitement as they rush towards the door while Evan grumbles about how he had "told that boy to get rid of that damned death trap years ago!" I can only assume that Judah has arrived.

"How about we unpack, Zoe?" Hunter tries to push me down a hallway.

"Is that Judah?" I tease, faking excitement.

He glowers at me fiercely before huffing. "I will dump you, Red. Don't think I won't."

Just then a tall and muscular man walks through the door with a devilish smirk on his lips. He has the darkest brown hair out of all the brothers and it almost looks black. But his icy blue eyes contrast greatly with the darkness. As he takes off his leather jacket, he reveals a full arm sleeve and a half completed one on the other. Judah Jackson looks like the definition of bad.

"Wow." I breathe, very impressed and slightly jealous by the good genes of this family. "He's definitely a gang leader."

I look up to catch the small smile pulling at Hunter's lips. Chuckling, I nudge him with my elbow and wiggle my brows teasingly when he looks down at me. I watch as Judah greets everyone and catch him sneaking a chocolate bar to Isaiah which Roman shakes his head in amusement at. He's as tall as Hunter and basically pounces on him when he gets to us which makes me think that they're closer than the others. Then, he spots me.

"And what is someone like you doing with the golden boy?" He looks me up and down with an appreciative gaze before taking my hand and kissing it in mock fashion.

"I'm asking myself the very same thing." I bite my lip to stifle the laughter threatening to escape when I hear Hunter grumble under his breath and storm off.

Chuckling, Judah winks at me as he pulls me into a hug. "As long as you keep pissing my brother off, we'll have no problems. Welcome to the family, Zoe."

"Thank you. I better go and see if he's calmed down."

"Well, you have ten minutes to get his grumpy ass down here for dinner. Good luck, honey." Michelle rubs my shoulder before walking off to the kitchen.

I chuckle before Judah guides me to Hunter's bedroom upstairs. He tells me some ideas on how to make Hunter jealous which I immediately shoot down with an incredulous laugh. Eventually, he huffs jokingly before leaving as I knock on the door and peek inside. Hunter is sitting on his bed scrolling through his phone and doesn't even look up as I enter.

I glance around his room briefly as I close the door behind me. There's pictures everywhere along with medals from horse riding and sports competitions. Other than that, it's quite empty besides the king-sized bed, two armchairs by the window and an en-suite bathroom.

I walk over to him and take his phone before putting it on the bedside table. Straddling his waist, I almost bite my lip to stifle my laughter when his eyes widen comically. Pressing my lips to his I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him closer. He responds eagerly and deepens it before I feel him swipe his tongue across my bottom lip. I smile before opening and letting his tongue meet mine in an enticing dance.

"Better?" I pant as I eventually pull away.

"Sorry, I got a little jealous." His voice comes out muffled as he hugs me tightly.

"Remember what I told you at the bar that night?" I ask and feel him smile against my neck. "It's just me and you, Hunt."

"Me and you." He presses a kiss to my neck that has me shivering in pleasure.

"Now come on, give me a house tour at least! We only have a few minutes before dinner!" I hop off him when he tries to push me back on the bed.

"Can't we stay in here?" He whines and pouts when I shake my head.

"I can get Judah –"

"I hate you so much." I hear him mutter which makes me peek from the door.

"No, you don't!" I grin knowingly and watch as he smiles softly.

"You're going to be the death of me someday, Red." He sighs as he leaves his room and walks over to me.

"Pretty good way to die then." I wink but squeal when he shoves me playfully.

"Don't worry, Zoe! I'll save you!" Judah yells as he charges down the hallway.

"I'll give you a tour later." Hunter mutters before pouncing on his brother.

I pass by the wrestling brothers with an amused smile as I follow the scent of heavenly food calling my name. But as soon as I reach the kitchen I see Noah and Theo yelling at each other for god knows what reason while Ryder is arguing with Roman about something. Evan is scolding the lot but is evidently failing. I take a seat next to Ella who only rolls her eyes playfully in response to the chaos going on around us.

"Welcome to the Jackson family."






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