“You look so pretty tonight, Mom!”
“So do you, sweetheart. You are such a pretty girl.”
“Aww, stop. Where are you going, anyway? Do you have a date?”
She fluttered her eyelashes at me with a big smile, as if she knew something I didn’t.
“You don’t know?”
I shook my head slowly. I was starting to get a weird feeling. Like something was going on behind my back. I didn’t like that feeling.
I didn’t like it at all.
The doorbell rang and she gave me a wink.
“You’re about to find out!”
A liveried driver was waiting outside. I blinked. This is not what I was expecting. I glanced over his shoulder and saw a limo parked on the street.
What. Was. Happening?
He tipped his hat.
“Ladies, if you will come with me.”
“Both of us?” I asked incredulously.
“Yes, Ma’am.”
I frowned a little at being called ‘ma’am’ but took the arm he offered. Mom locked the door and took his other arm. We walked sedately down the front steps to the street like we were in an old movie and a musical number was about to start. He opened the door and Mom gestured me inside.
“You first.”
I looked at her and shrugged, climbing in.
There were champagne and two small bouquets of roses waiting inside.
“What the?”
“Scoot over!”
I slid across the seat to make room for Mom and the door was shut behind her.
“What is going on?”
“I think your new boyfriend is trying to impress us.” She picked up a bouquet and took a deep whiff of it.
“Us?”
“Well, he has to get Mama’s approval, doesn’t he?”
I looked at her, then back at the interior of the limo.
“Cain? Cain did all this?”
She nodded.
“He said he wanted to formally meet me and asked me to have dinner with the two of you.”
I stared at her.
“Big guy. Motorcycle. He asked you?”
“Well, it was all over the phone, dear. Does he really ride a motorcycle? I’m not sure I approve of that.”
I laughed, the tension I was feeling immediately dissipating. She was the least strict mother alive. But she did get protective about certain things. Apparently, motorcycles were one of them.
Boy, was she in for a surprise.
As soon as we crossed the edge of town, they surrounded us. This time it was four bikers. I squinted and realized I didn’t see Cain or his giant bike. He must already be at the mystery location. I wondered where they were taking us this time.
Twenty minutes later, I had my answer.
The limo pulled down a long driveway and stopped. I looked out the window and laughed. This time, I was glad to see he’d thought ahead, but only because I’d made it clear I was expecting the real deal for our second date.
We were at a different fancy hotel in a different town.
He really was sure of himself.
Only this time, he had the right idea. Well, other than the fact that my mother was here too! He’d better have an idea for how to be alone later or I was going to be pissed.
Really, really pissed.
Maybe not mad enough to skip having sex with him, but still, pretty close. Angry sex was a thing, right? Well, if he didn’t have sex with me, I was going to be really mad!
I was finally ready. It was time. Past time! I wanted to wake up tomorrow a mature, sexually experienced woman, dammit!
I’m wearing my red shoes, for crying out loud! There had better be some sex tonight!
I glanced at my mom, relieved she couldn’t hear my illicit thoughts. She would have been shocked! But I was old enough to be sexually active and make my own decisions. Plus, my mom was not a prude. She’d dated lots after our dad passed. I was fairly certain she put out a lot faster than I did!
The driver opened the door for us and helped us out. I looked up to see Cain standing a few feet away. He was wearing . . . a suit. It was meticulously cut and fitted to his powerful frame.
My eyebrows shot up.
Goodness gracious, the man looks good in a suit.
“Good evening, Alicia.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek and nodded to me. “Kelly.”
My eyebrows shot up even further, all the way to my hairline. He was trying to impress her. It was kinda sweet, but he was practically ignoring me in the process! I glared as he took my mother’s arm and then offered me his. He stared at me until I placed my hand on the substantial fabric of his jacket. Then he guided us into the hotel.
The maître d' whisked us to a seat by the windows without a word. There was a gorgeous swimming pool outside, with fountains and palm trees. The window was open and I caught a whiff of jasmine.
“This is lovely, Cain. Thank you for inviting me.”
My mother gave me a pointed look when I said nothing. I knew she thought I was being rude. But I was a little freaked out by what was happening.