Page 117 of Dangerous Encore
"What are you thinking, baby?"heasks.
"I think I want to invite my dad." I swallow hard. "Andmymom."
His voice is apprehensive. "Yourmom?"
"Yeah. I… I think I want herthere."
"Yousure?"
"No." I force myself to stare into his eyes. They're still full of concern. It's a bad idea. We both know it. But I can't talk myself out of it. "I think I should call themtomorrow."
"Lacey…"
"I should at least talk to her. See if she'sdifferent."
That apprehension spreads into every one of his features. It's not like Mal. He's usuallystoic.
"It's a big deal, gettingmarried."
Henods.
"If I don't invite her to this, that's it. She'll neverforgiveme."
"Do you want her inyourlife?"
"Maybe, but… this is the first step to us officially being a family. I want to know if that's going to include myparents."
He bites his lip. "It'sfair,but—"
"I'll sleeponit."
He nods, but his expressionstayswary.
I can't sleep with him upset nexttome.
Or with these thoughts running throughmyhead.
I need the two of usdistracted.
This is acheapmove.
But Idon'tcare.
I slide my hand under his t-shirt and press it against his chest. "I believe I held up my end of thebargain."
He archesabrow.
"The sexual bribery. It won't work in the future if you don'tdelivernow."
His smile gets wry. "Itwon't?"
Inod.
"I should test youonthat."
"And possibly lose some of yourpower?"
"I haveplenty."
