Page 104 of Mated
“Nisha?” Mom asks. “Who is that with you?”
I grin. “Mom, say hi to Tanner. Tanner, say hi to my mom. Lydia Rawlins.”
“Hi, Mrs. Rawlins,” Tanner says with fake cheer as he glares at me.
There is silence then, “Well you don’t sound like a deadbeat that would keep my girl holed up somewhere for sex for four days without ever introducing yourself to me first.”
His face turns red and I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing.
He arches a brow at that. “Thanks. I think.”
“Well, Mom, we were going to go grab something to eat so—"
“Nisha. You bring that boy here for dinner and let me meet him.”
I stiffen and even Tanner has gone rigid in the seat next to me. “Mom—”
“No arguments, young lady. I’m making chicken and greens. Dinner is promptly at seven, do you hear me?”
Damn it.
“Yes, ma’am,” I mutter.
“Good. I’ll see you then.”
The line clicks and Tanner slowly lowers the phone back into the console.
I look at him. “I’m sorry, Tanner. She’s kind of old fashioned and—”
His hand slips into my hair. “Kitten, it’s fine.” The endearment washes over me and my stomach gives an odd flip at hearing him say it. “We need to shower and change, but you’ve met most of my people.” His thumb scrubs over my cheek. “I think it’s a good idea for me to meet some of yours now.”
I glance at him. “Really?”
He smiles and the motion lights up his face.
God above.
He leans over the console and his breath is warm over my ear. “Besides, that means we have to take a shower first.” Gooseflesh flows along my body and my nipples peak. “And I figure we can save time and water if we shower together.”
Heat spirals through me and I swear I have no chance when it comes to Tanner. I want him over me, under me, behind me. Just all the ways I can get all that glorious naked flesh against mine … I want it.
So I lick my lips and moan one word. “Yes.”
***
Tanner walks up the old stone steps beside me, his body clean and his dark, wet hair combed back from his face. The shirt over his torso is a short sleeve button up borrowed from Caine in black silk, and the jeans are damn near poured on.
He’s so damn mouthwatering that all the time we spent in the shower feels like days ago. I tremble and knock on the door.
Soft steps sound over the hardwood inside, the gentle creak of the old floors familiar.
The door opens and mom looks at me with a beaming smile before her gaze tracks to the man beside me and stops.
Her darker green eyes hit Tanner about mid chest and then flow up.
I wait, barely breathing, as a slight flush of color stains her tan face. “You’re a tall drink of water, aren’t you?” she finally manages.
Tanner extends his hand. “Tanner Faust, Mrs. Rawlins.”
