Page 51 of The Howl
“Something smells really good in here.”
Chapter Nine
I turnedto my mom with wide, panicked eyes.
“I have to live here when you’re gone and see the aftermath of your visit. Don’t do anything I’m going to regret.”
Her black gaze focused on me then cleared. She gave me a tender smile and smoothed a hand over my hair.
“I’ve forgotten how intense you can be. I promise not to do anything more to haunt you, Eliana. I’ve already done enough that you regret.”
I hugged her because I had to. My mom hated what she’d done to my dad because it had hurt me. However, she didn’t truly see anything wrong with it. Why should she, after all? She’d only been doing what was natural to her. What she needed to do to survive.
“Let’s just have a nice dinner, okay?” she said, pulling back. “There’s so much catching up we need to do now that I’m here.”
She led me to a table, and I did my best not to look in Fenris’s direction.
Mom’s face was hilarious as she plucked a menu from between the condiment containers in the center of the table.
“Well, this is quaint. And sticky.” She set the menu before her and glanced at the offerings.
As done up as she was, she should have looked out of place. But she didn’t. She just looked beautiful and commanding. I could tell from our neighbors that they appreciated the effort she had put into her appearance, too. The man was staring at Mom’s cleavage while his wife raptly gazed at Mom’s face.
“Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea,” I said.
“Nonsense. Sticky hands are something I grew used to long ago. It’s a side effect of having a really good time.” She gave me a quick smile. “Did you find something you like?”
I shook my head and stared at the menu while trying to scrub the mental image she’d just painted from my mind.
“I think I’ll try their steak,” she said. “It looks like it’s the popular item around here.”
I glanced at the other restaurant-goers and noticed most of them were eating either a burger or a steak. Neither appealed to me. In fact, just the thought of real food made my stomach twist. I could definitely blame that on Fenris’s mouthwatering scent permeating the air in the room. Of course, I’d rather have that.
“I’ll do the same,” I said.
Mom set her menu back in its place and looked around.
“Service here is a little different than I’m used to. Do we wait at the table or order at the bar?”
“Wait at the table,” I said.
“How was school today? Learn anything interesting?”
I relaxed into the typical, light Mom conversation we usually shared over the phone. It was weird talking in person, but nice. When the waitress appeared to take our order, Mom spoke for both of us.
“And two glasses of your best red, please,” Mom said.
Once the waitress left, Mom leaned in.
“Now that we’ve ordered, let’s get to the good stuff. I’m dying to know what you’ve experienced so far and what you’re curious about. Now that I’m here, I can help.”
I frowned, confused.
“Experienced?”
“Yes. Sexually. I’m sure you’re well past oral and regular intercourse. Have you progressed to toys yet? I found these cute tails online that are actually anal plugs. They’re adorable and feel great to wear, especially with heels. You’ll drive the men here crazy if you decided to sport a tail.”
My mouth dropped open, and a flush started just over my hammering pulse and spread upward to my face.
