“I am part of the founding family of Julumont. As the youngest male in my family, I am expected to serve ten years with our military. I will be completing that within the next few months. When my tour is finished, I will join the governing board and oversee the safety of our region,” Hunter explained as he passed a dish of fruit to Jesse. “As part of my family, you will all be expected to participate in many social functions.”
Jordan paled. “I’m not so good around other people,” she whispered. “I do better with books and learning than I do with people.”
Hunter chuckled. “It won’t happen overnight. I would never do that to any of you. Just understand that there will be times when you will all have duties outside our home,” he explained.
“So,” Taylor said, sitting back. “How many brothers and sisters do you have?”
Hunter gave Taylor a sharp tooth grin. “Three older brothers and two older sisters.”
Jesse sat stunned. She never thought of Hunter having a family. He had never mentioned any of them to her and so she had assumed, incorrectly it would seem, that he was an only child.
“Are your parents still alive?” Jesse asked nervously.
“Yes,” Hunter said with a nod. “You will be meeting them but not for at least another month. They have traveled to see my sister who has recently delivered her first babe. Her Amate is a scientist on a planet the Alliance is trying to cultivate.”
“Oh,” Jesse said looking at her sisters with dread.
“Jesse,” Hunter said.
Jesse looked over at Hunter. She placed her hand in his when he reached over to her. A shy, uncertain smile curled her lips as she waited for him to say what was on his mind.
“They will accept you as my Amate,” he assured her. “They will accept all of you as my family.”
“I hope so,” she murmured under her breath. “I really hope so.”
..*
Several days later, she was busy fixing lunch for Hunter who was working on the deck he was building outside of their bedroom. Jordan and Taylor were off with Charma who was helping them catch up on the language and culture lessons. Jesse worked with Charma and her sisters in the morning but preferred to have the afternoons free to do things around their new home.
“You smell delicious,” Hunter whispered, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her back against him so he could press a kiss to the mark he had left on her neck. “Good enough to eat.”
Jesse giggled as he rubbed his nose up and down her neck. “It is the stew I’m making,” she pointed out. “You are probably starving. You’ve been working like crazy building the deck. I finally convinced Charma to take Jordan and Taylor out for a bit and gave the other two girls that help out around here the day off. I wanted some us time.”
“I want to make love to you until you cannot move,” he said, turning her around. “When are your sisters due back?”
Jesse blushed. She still couldn’t get over how quickly he could fire her body up. She reached up and sealed her lips to his in a hungry kiss.
“Not for a couple more hours,” she whispered against his lips. “Charma was going to take them to her daughter’s house to meet some of her grandkids that were close to Jordan and Taylor’s age.”
“The stew?” Hunter asked.
“Needs to simmer for at least an hour,” Jesse said, reaching behind her to release the tie of the apron she was wearing.
“Almost enough time,” Hunter said, bending over and pulling Jesse over his shoulder.
“Hunter!” Jesse laughed as she got a wonderful view of his firm ass. “What are you doing?”
“Abducting my Amate! I am going to take her upstairs and ravish her until she can think of no other but me!” He declared with a flourish. “I will kiss her until she is breathless. I will love every inch of her body until she begs me to…”
“Put her down as the blood is rushing to her head?” Jesse giggled before letting out a squeal when he slapped her ass. “Ouch! That… oh lord!” She breathed out as he rubbed her offended butt.
“I am courting you,” Hunter growled. “You are supposed to say things like I am your true love and call me sweet names.”
Jesse’s breath left her as he lowered her onto their bed. She gripped his shoulders as he followed her down. She saw that while he was teasing, he was also serious.
“What brought this on?” She asked. “Have you been watching those movies from Earth again that Saber downloaded and sent to you?”
“I want you to be happy, my Jesse,” Hunter admitted. “I never want you to doubt my commitment to you or to your sisters.”
Jesse shook her head and smiled tenderly up at him. “I have no doubt about your commitment, Hunter. I just wish…” her voice trailed off as she looked down.
Hunter tilted her chin back up so she was forced to look at him. He had been right to sense there was still something holding his Jesse back. He had loved her and tried everything he could think of to make her happy but he sensed a sadness still inside her sometimes.
“What do you wish? If it is possible, I will get it for you,” Hunter replied.