Her eyes go wide and her mouth falls open with shock—which works out well because I take her mouth with a hunger that I’ve honestly never felt before in my life. I don’t care that we’re in the middle of a crowded restaurant, I could care less that I’m about to meet her family. If they make her this upset, they’re not worth my time. With any luck the ex-boyfriend will see me kissing her and understand it for what it is:
A stamp of ownership.
I make sure Tabitha knows it too. I thrust my tongue in her mouth, not with the intent to softly make her want me, I plunder her mouth, taking it over and owning it. It’s unlike any kiss that we’ve shared and any other kiss I’ve ever given. It’s meant to take her out of her head and make her realize that none of this shit matters, that she has me. When we break apart and that glassy look of panic has disappeared from her beautiful eyes and in its place is a heat that I can literally feel. When she brings her shaking hands up to her lips and touches them, her gaze never leaving mine I’m pretty sure I’ve done what I set out to do.
“Damn,” she whispers softly and it makes me smile. I like it, so much so, that I reach down and give her a quick kiss again. At least it was meant to be quick, one savory taste of Tabitha’s sweet mouth and the kiss deepens, much slower this time.
“Really you two, you’re making a scene! The last thing I need to have here is a scandal. Besides, this is your sister’s night Tabitha you should have more care and concern.”
I hear the woman hissing, I even hear her words, I just don’t care. What I do care about is that Tabitha goes stiff in my arms and her whole body tightens as she pulls away from me. I don’t let her go too far. Instead, I pull her tight into my side and turn to face the woman together.
Chapter Fifteen
Brody
“Mom,” Tabitha says, clearing her voice, her gaze not leaving mine for a long moment before she looks at her mother. Then she leans in and kisses her mother on the cheek. The mother’s eyes are on me and she’s barely paying attention to her daughter. I’ve see this type of woman before and it’s the same type that made me swear off women in the first place. She’s nothing like Tabby, I can immediately say that without even blinking.
“Aren’t you going to introduce me?” she asks Tabitha, her calculating eyes boring into me. “Honestly I tried to teach both of my daughter’s manners, but Tabitha would rather have her head in a book then listen and learn,” she says giving me a cold smile.
“I happen to think Tabitha is perfect just the way she is,” I respond, giving her a cool tone that has a bite to it, and clearly meant to be a warning.
“It’s so strange that we’ve never heard about you from Tabitha before all this came up, don’t you think Mr. Miner?” she asks and I immediately pick up a new tension in Tabitha and I immediately tighten my hold on her and put more of my body between her and her mother, as if to protect Tabitha.
What kind of mother asks these kinds of questions when she sees her daughter for the first time in probably months?
“It’s Dr. Miner,” I tell her. Normally I don’t give a damn, but this woman definitely needs to be brought down a peg or two. “And no I don’t think it’s strange at all. It’s probably my fault. I’ve kept Tabitha rather busy. Your daughter is special, as I’m sure you’re well aware of Mrs. Riley. I find myself monopolizing all of her time.” I answer, my voice grim. I don’t like her. I think she might be the reason Tabitha seems unsure of herself at times—which makes me like her even less.
“I see. How well do you know my daughter?”
“Mom, surely we can have this conversation some other time. We’re here for Hilary after all,” Tabitha says, stepping in.
“Of course. Too bad you didn’t feel that way enough to be on time,” the mother says as her parting shot as she turns and walks to the table where Tabitha’s family are gathered.
“Traffic was a little crazy,” Tabitha defends. She puts a tight smile on her face and I hate it. I have the urge to kiss her again, but instead, I just let my thumb brush back and forth on the inside of her palm. I don’t let go of her hand as she hugs her father, some Aunt named Harry and says a cautious hello to three others. She doesn’t introduce me, and I’m fine with that. They’re all looking at her strangely and with each one she says hi to, the tension inside of her becomes so tangible her hand quivers in mine. I’d understand soon enough. “Hilary, you look so beautiful,” Tabitha says as she bends down to hug her sister.