Hey guys! How are you all doing?

I'm trying my best not to take too long to post, so here is the next chapter.

Hope you like it!

Thank you so much for reading. Feel free to leave your comments and review.

Happy reading and let's hope we get some Burzek moments in tomorrow's finale.

Xo

Nina

Disclaimer: I own nothing except my imagination.


I found myself standing in front of a white wooden door with a festive wreath hanging from it. The whole front yard was decorated with impeccable taste, it has Burgess written all over it.

My palms were sweaty and I did my best to rub the nervousness away in my jeans, but I think the only thing that could have actually helped me at that moment was a shot of whiskey. I couldn't believe how nervous I was, it's not like that was the first time I met the occasional girlfriend's family, plus I have already met Nicole and Zoe, but then again everything was different with Kim.

I took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.

"Hey!"

I sighed in relief when I saw her step out the door. "Oh, thank God it's you." I leaned into her and pressed my lips against hers.

"Of course it's me, I missed you." She looked at me from head to toe. "You look nice. You know? There was no need to dress up and there was definitely no need to bring anything." Now she was staring at the bottle of red clasped in my hand.

"It's just some jeans and a button down shirt." I stopped when I realized my choice of wardrobe and admitted in defeat that she was right. "and my jacket for special occasions. Ok, so I guess I wanted to make a good impression."

Her eyes rolled at me just before she replied. "My sister already knows you, so does my niece."

"Well, but it's the first time they see me as your boyfriend. There is a difference."

"Yeah, the difference is that now I get to have fun while I undo all those buttons tonight. I won't be able to save the wine though, Nicole is gonna keep that one hostage." She winked at me and I started to feel my spine tingling. "Come on, they're waiting for us." She took my hand and entwined her fingers with mine. It was the first time that we were doing that in front of other people, and it felt great.

"Hey, welcome. Happy New Year!" Nicole greeted me, making me feel at home. Her arms enveloped me in a loose but heartwarming hug, there was something so familiar to it, so Burgess.

"Happy new year, Nicole. Um, this is for you guys." I greeted back as I extended my hand and the bottle that I was holding. "I hope you like it. I know it's Kim's favorite."

"Thank you, you didn't have to. I love it, why do you think it's Kim's favorite? Did she ever tell you the story of when I first got her drunk on this?" Nicole asked as she pointed to the bottle which was in her hand now.

"No, I didn't and neither will you." Kim hissed at her sister.

"Fine." Nicole replied, rolling her eyes at Kim. "It's a fun story, though. Anyway, let me introduce you two. Honey, this is Adam. Adam, this is my husband Jordan."

"Nice to meet you, Adam." Jordan shook my hand, pressing it tightly.

"Nice to meet you too and happy new year."

"Take a seat, we were about to have some coffee, would you like a cup?" Jordan offered nicely, he came across as a good host.

"Sure, I'd love some." I agreed and took a seat on the couch Nicole was leading me to.

"Zoe! Come and say hello to Adam." Nicole's voice echoed through the living room.

"Coming mom! I'm getting the cookies ready." I heard Zoe's voice coming from a little farther away, the kitchen maybe.

"I'll go help her, and while I'm at it I'll bring the coffee." Kim volunteered to help her niece as she started to walk away from the couch.

"Do you need help?" Kim smiled at me as soon as she heard my voice.

"No, it's fine. I'll be right back." She came close to me and left a sweet kiss on my cheek while one of her hands squeezed my shoulder in reassurance.

"Be nice Nicky."

"Nice to you or nice to him?" The older Burgess asked with a playful smile.

"To both, I know Jordan has my back." Kim looked at her brother-in-law before walking away.

"Always little sis!" Jordan yelled out. It was nice to see the bond they all had. "So, Adam? The girls have been talking a lot about you lately." I opened my eyes wide.

"Good or bad?" I had to ask.

"Good, especially the Cubs fan part." I chuckled along with Jordan's smile.

"Yeah, hope you're ok with the hawks part too."

"Really? I love the Blackhawks." The excitement in his face couldn't be hidden even if he tried. "We should definitely get together and watch a game."

"Sure, I'm down for that."

"Am I losing both of you to sports already?" Nicole asked.

"Honey, you don't understand. It's so nice to have a guy around to talk about those things." He replied to his wife with a loving smile. His comment got me thinking though, hadn't Sean been around here before to talk sports with Jordan? I really wanted to ask, but I soon realized I wouldn't have the need to.

Nicky gave her husband a killer look before she turned to face me. "Kim tends to keep her private life away from us. I mean we've met her exes, but you're the first one she has intentionally introduced to us. It's nice to know that she feels like she can do that." Nicole's smile was comforting and so were her words, she had no idea how much everything she had just said meant to me.

"We really hope you appreciate that." Jordan's comment told me everything he wanted to express with it. It was way more than just the words, he was telling me how protective they all were of Kim. And yes, I appreciated all of it.

"I do." I was going to continue talking but the voices coming from behind made me turn around. Kim and Zoe were coming holding a tray each with the cookies and the coffee cups. The biggest and stupidest smile appeared on my face as soon as I laid eyes on her.

She was so concentrated looking at her niece's tray making sure everything arrived at the coffee table safely, there was a loose strand of hair hanging over her face and she was laughing at something Zoe had said. She was the most beautiful, purest girl I've seen and I just couldn't stop myself from smiling.

Her eyes moved from the tray to me. Yeah, I definitely looked like a teenager.

"What?" Her eyes darted from me to her sister and also Jordan. "What happened? She told you the story, didn't she?" Now she was looking at me again.

"No, she didn't. But I really want to know about that now."

"Yeah… no. That's not gonna happen, babe." Kim answered me as she shook her head and placed the tray she was holding on the table, Zoe followed after her.

"Hi, Adam!" Zoe ran to hug me. We have hung out quite a few times before, even when Kim and I were only friends. She knew Kev and I always let her get away with anything, I think that's why she was always happy to see either one of us.

"Hey kiddo! How's winter break treating you?"

"It's been fun. Too bad it's almost over and I have to go back to school in a couple of days."

"I thought you liked school."

"I do. But I also like sleeping in." Zoe said with a triumphant look.

"Just like your aunt."

"Hey!" Kim scolded me.

"He's right, though. But I must say I've always admired your ability to sleep through a tornado." Nicole added playfully. Although I didn't quite agree with her. I knew exactly what to do or where to touch Kim to magically wake her up, but I knew better than to share that.

Zoe's voice interrupted my thoughts. "Do you want a chocolate chip cookie? Aunt Kim helped me bake them, and we used her secret recipe." She offered, pushing a platter full of cookies closer to me.

"How can I say no to that?"

I took one and put it in my mouth with some doubt. I wasn't sure about the combination of a 10 year old and Kim in a kitchen, but I was surprised. The cookies were amazing.

It was nice to spend the evening with the Silvers. It was nice to get a glimpse of what being an actual couple would feel like. We stayed at their house for a couple of hours and headed back to Kim's place.

She opened the door and turned on the lights. The first thing I did as soon as I stepped in her apartment was leaving my work bag on one of the chairs.

"The only reason you were surprised, is that you assume that I'm an awful cook. Just because we always have takeout doesn't mean that I suck at cooking." She was playing with me.

"Then why is it?" I asked with a cocky smile on my face.

"You really don't believe me, do you? I'm gonna have to cook you dinner one of these nights." She took off her coat and scarf and left them on the clothes hanger that was neatly placed in the corner, next to the door. I just imitated her actions.

"I'd like that. I'd also like to take you out to dinner sometime and have a real date." The look on her face was strange. I could see that she was happy, but there was something else, something that seemed to dull the sparkle in her eyes.

"Yeah, sure. That sounds nice."

The past few days were amazing, and I decided I wasn't going to let my need to go public ruin everything we have achieved so far. I was gonna leave this issue on standby for right now and just enjoy the present. I really thought that was my best option at the moment. "But I really do want more of those cookies. I'm not sure that I can wait much longer, I'm already craving them."

She let out a soft chuckle that matched the smirk on her lips. "I can give you my secret recipe, that way you can have them anytime you like." I shook my head as I walked closer to her and grabbed one of her hands before beginning to play with it gently.

"You don't get it. I want you to bake them for me." The mischievous look in my face was completely giving me away, and she completely got where I was going. "I want you… in the kitchen…"

"Yours or mine?" She interrupted with a sexy and raspy voice that came out almost as a whisper.

"Mmmm..." I thought for a second. "Mine. The kitchen island." I explained my choice as I began to invade her personal space.

"Oh, yes. The kitchen island." She placed both her hands on my shirt and ran them up and down my chest so slowly, that just made me want to rip the shirt off myself only to feel the contact of her skin against mine. "And what exactly would I be doing there?"

"Well, you're there. Wearing only my favorite lacy thong." I kissed her neck, lightly nibbling on the delicate skin causing her to gasp for air.

"You mean the white one?"

"Yeah, that one." I whispered the confirmation.

"Can I have an apron at least?" Her question made me chuckle.

"Ok, but no bra, and the apron. And to answer your first question, you can be doing whatever you want. But as for me, I will be doing you on top of that kitchen island." Only the thought of it was making me burn inside and I guess she was feeling the heat too because she immediately pulled her blouse over her head revealing the navy blue bralette she had on. I could only bite my lower lip at that beautiful sight.

"Are you sure the island is steady enough?" She asked as she pierced my eyes with hers, I could definitely see the desire in them.

"I don't know. I guess we'll have to try and see." I stepped closer to her and wrapped her waist with one arm, that hand slowly began to travel down her back until it found its way inside the back of her jeans. After enjoying the contact of my hand and her skin, I flushed her against me.

"What do you say if in the meantime we just take this to my bedroom instead?" Feeling the rapid rising and falling of her chest brushing against my shirt as her breathing was getting heavier, was doing nothing except turning me on to levels that were unknown to all of humankind.

"Yes. I'd love that."

Her bedroom was dim, the shining of the bedside lamp illuminated the room allowing me to see just enough of her body.

Laying on our backs, panting, trying to even out our breathing and staring at the ceiling, all I could think about was how much my life has changed in the past months and how deep into my skin Kim was getting. For the first time, I felt I was in a real and mature relationship.

"Adam?" Her breath was a bit more steady now and her voice came shyly out of her mouth.

I turned my face to look at her and found her dazzling eyes observing every detail in me. She reached out her hand and gently scratched my beard with three fingers. I love it when she does that. "Everything alright?"

"Yes, perfect." She closed her eyes and the sweetest smile appeared along with a pink blush on her cheeks. I could tell that the memories from a moment ago were invading her mind. Her eyes fluttered open, this time she closed the space between us to leave a soft kiss on my lips, so soft it made them tingle with the desire for more. "I just wanted to say thank you for today. I know putting up with Nicole can be challenging and you just went for it. So, thank you for doing that."

"Kim, stop doing that." I shifted my body so that I was fully facing her.

"Doing what?" There was so much confusion on the tone of her voice.

"Acting as if I had just made a major sacrifice. Going to your sister's was nice, her family is great, had a great time with Jordan and seeing how happy you were, that was just the cherry on top." I sighed and she didn't say anything else, I knew I had to continue.

"A couple of weeks ago you were super honest with me, so now I'm going to be super honest with you. I've been in relationships in the past, quite a few in fact."

"Babe, spare me the details please." We both chuckled. It wasn't very often that she let those hints of jealousy pop out, but I sort of enjoyed them when they did appear.

"What I'm trying to say is that in the past I just did things to check out boxes, because I felt I had to, because it just seemed like it was the next step I needed to take.

With you it's different, don't ask me how because I don't think I can explain it, but it is. Everything about you is different. Us? We are completely different from whatever I've had before. Bottom line is, when we walked into your sister's house holding hands, that was an incredible feeling and I would do that a thousand more times. So you don't have to thank me. Today was amazing and I can't wait to do that again." I stopped for a second and just blurted out the next part of that sentence. "Maybe with my family, too?"

She smiled, her whole face smiled but she didn't say a word. Instead, she brought herself closer to me and slipped one leg between mine and kissed me hard, pulling my bottom lip with her teeth as she moved away. I saw the fire in her eyes and knew that they were reflecting mine.

"I need to cool off after all that just happened." She got out of bed and walked completely naked towards the bathroom. Her steps were slow as her hips swayed from side to side. She looked over her shoulder and talked to me again. Damn, she was so sexy. "I think there's room for one more in the shower if you want to join me." I didn't even have to think about it, my body had made that decision for me. I darted out of bed to catch up with her. When I was almost stepping on her heels I hugged her waist with one arm and covered her bare breasts with the other, leaving a kiss on the back of her neck. This woman was wrecking every bit of self control I had left.