***
“That was some kiss.” Jean drawled, pointing a fist at Dean without looking at him.
Kayla’s eyes widen even more at the comment. And Dean, without looking at his brother too, met his fist with one of his own. Then both men turned their fists against each other’s as if they were locking something down.
Kayla turned to look at Dean, too shocked to be embarrassed by the kissing comment Jean had made. “You’re…”
“Twins,” Jean concluded with a wide grin, his arm back at his side. “I see my brother forgot to mention that tiny detail. Or is it that he wanted to see your reaction. Which is it, brother?” Jean finally turned to look at Dean, whose eyes remained on Kayla like all the others, taking in her reaction.
“Oh my God!” Kayla breathed with a nervous laugh. “You guys even dress alike.”
Everyone burst into laughter. “I have a confession to make,” Jean said to Kayla with a brilliant smile. “I saw how Dean was dressed when he got out of the car so I went to dress same…to shock and confuse you. How’s that working so far?”
“Oh, you’re good.” Kayla said dragging out the word ‘good’ and making everyone laugh even harder.
“I like her bro.” Jean laughed. “You did good. Come here, darling. It’s my turn to hug your brains out.” He said, pulling a laughing Kayla into his arms.
They all moved into a huge hall where four really pretty ladies, two teenagers, and four kids were obviously waiting for them. Three of the ladies were wives to three of the brothers, Josh, Sam, and Ron and the fourth lady was Alan’s fiancee. They welcomed Kayla and introduced the children, pointing out who was whose. They were indeed a happy and close family.
“Okay, food will be ready in thirty. In the meantime, drinks on the patio everyone.” Lucy Broody called out.
As they all filed out, Josh, the eldest brother hooked his arm around Kayla and steered her to the far corner of the patio.
“You know, I’m so glad to finally meet too.” He said with a smile.
“Likewise Josh. Dean has told me so much about you guys I feel like I’ve known you for years.”
“Except the fact that he’s a twin.” Josh laughed.
“Except that very important detail. I’m gonna get him for that.” Kayla said with a laugh, accepting a glass of wine from a smartly dressed gentleman. “How could he do that to me?” She gave a mock scowl making Josh laugh uproariously.
“Those two are the craziest pranksters in the whole of America. Watch your back, Kayla.” Josh warned in an amused tone, taking a sip from his own glass.
“Just those two? Not from what I heard.” Kayla drawled and Josh dissolved into peals of laughter.
“I said they are the craziest Kayla,” Josh said, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes. “Tell you what, I’ll watch out for you tonight. What do you say?”
Kayla turned to fully face Josh with a smirk on her face. “Like you watched out for Pamela?” She asked referring to the wife of Sam, who was pranked by the guys when she was brought to meet the family for the first time. Dean had told her the whole story. About how Josh had promised to look out for her but had rather ensured the brothers got her good.
“He sold us out, guys.” Josh bellowed to everyone’s hearing. “Dean has already given her a heads up.”
“What a douche.” Tyler, brother number three, shouted. “Spoiling the family tradition.” Everyone laughed.
“Take a leap guys.” Dean retorted and went over to where Kayla stood beside Josh. Then he slipped his arms around her waist from behind and nuzzled her neck.
Kayla turned slowly within the circle of Dean’s arms and slipped a hand into his hair to bring his face closer to hers. Everyone was watching them. Kayla kissed him on both cheeks and smiling up into his eyes, said in the sweetest of voices:
“Those were two kisses, just for you. Now, will you be a good boy and go fetch my boyfriend… Jean?”
The look on Jean’s face was priceless. The whole patio erupted into cheers and laughter. Everyone was screaming with laughter, with some clapping. Even the people serving were laughing. Kayla however looked incredulous, surprised they thought she would fall for that for even a second. Even without any of her senses, she would know if Dean was holding her.
“Fuck!” Jean breathed. “No one has ever been able to tell.”
“Yeah? Well, they must not have loved your brother like I do.” Kayla said with a chuckle.
“He loves you too Kayla,” Jean said solemnly. “He told me in six different languages. I’ve never seen Dean care so much about anyone woman in his life.” Jean had no doubt when he looked at his brother that he loved Kayla. “Don’t hurt him, Kayla. Please!” Jean’s eyes were suspiciously bright when he whispered his plea. “I’ve never seen him this crazy about anyone. If you hurt him, I don’t think he can recover.”
Kayla’s breath hitched in her throat. She reached out to put her glass on the table beside them and cupped Jean’s cheeks in her palms.
“You have my word, Jean. I won’t hurt him. I promise.” Then she drew Jean into her arms and gave him a tight hug, her hand pressed against the back of his head as she hugged him close.
The patio was quiet, with everyone drinking and watching the pair in silence. Kayla felt Dean’s hand on her back and drew back from Jean’s embrace. Jean stood upright and gave Dean a one-armed bro hug. He met Dean’s intense dark, blue-eyed gaze steadily with his identical ones, and then in a voice that was barely above a whisper, he said;
“She’s the real deal bro. Don’t fuck it up. And if you hurt her, I’m gonna have to kill you.” And with a slight tipping of his head to Kayla, he walked away.
Dean stared at the back of his brother for a while and then turned to gather Kayla into his arms. “Turning my family against me now?” He chuckled in her ear.
“Your family?” Kayla gasped with mock incredulity, “For a moment there I thought they were mine.”
Dean burst into laughter. “They’ll trade me for you in a heartbeat love. To avoid that, why don’t we share?”
“I love you so much, Dean. With my soul.” Kayla said with all her love shining in her eyes.
“I love you, Kayla. You are my soul.” He said right back and it felt good saying it.