“No wonder Lief likes you.” Josefine looks at Hunter and I see more of Lief in the coldness reflecting in her eyes. “Be good and join the others so we can talk.”
Hunter looks at me for a moment and I nod. “I can handle a conversation, Hunt.”
“If you need anything, dorogaya.”
He strokes my cheek and tips my chin up. I accept the kiss on my forehead before he joins the others outside.
Josefine shakes her head. “They don’t always understand that women like to talk without them.”
“Rarely. If it’s not spelled out.” I feel the corner of my mouth pull up. “Lief says you and your husband work in the art world.”
“We do, but I can tell you plenty about that when the boys are back. I want us to be direct and clear. I love my son. He never gives his heart away easily and I worry that he has with you. I’m protective of him.”
“You’re a good mother.” I think of mine in the back of my head. “All I want is to make Lief, Hunter, and Chase happy. We work so well together. We went on vacation and Lief really opened up. He showed us places in Amsterdam where he stayed and grew up. I want to see more of him like that.”
I go on about Lief, about how much I love cooking with him in the kitchen, how we look up different facts to surprise each other with, the way I keep the guys from getting jealous and how badly I want to make them all happy, safe, and comfortable.
Josefine smiles gently and takes my hand. I can feel my teeth chattering. I’ve never been so open about my relationship. A siren in my head screams that I’ve said too much, but my shoulders finally drop.
“As a mother, that’s wonderful to hear. All I’ve wanted for my son is a woman who can provide for herself, but wants to be with Lief and see him for the wonderful man he is instead of a pawn to use. He’s attractive, smart, and well off and more than one woman has tried to take advantage of that.”
“I won’t,” I assure her. “We’ve only been together a few months, but I know that Lief is special. Just being with him makes me feel happy and supported.”
She pats my hand and orders more wine. “I know he’s practically an old man now, but a mother always worries. Now that we’ve gotten all that out of the way, we can call the boys back in and learn more about your doctorate plans and what the men have planned for the future.”
“What?”
“Oh come now. Two men in the Russian mafia and their bodyguard aren’t sitting around twiddling their thumbs when it comes to you. If you all have been together for several months, I’m sure they’re thinking about the long term.”
I start to cover for them, to try to get out of the mafia conversation, but Josefine holds up her hand. “No need to worry, dearest. We did our homework when Lief first stated who his friends in college were. He made his choices with his eyes wide open, as I hope you have.”
The rest of dinner is focused on Lief’s parents getting to know me. They learn I’m working as a counselor, that I’m getting my doctorate in Psychology and I see Roger light up. The more they learn, the more they seem to like me. But it’s exhausting.
I’m thrilled when they turn the questions over to Hunter and Chase. I see Josefine smile wickedly as she makes them dance around what they do for a living since they don’t know thatsheknows. It’s almost funny.
By the time we get home, I feel elated and exhausted at the same time. I flop onto the couch and pull a blanket around me. No wonder most people hate meeting parents. It’s stressful to be put under a magnifying glass. And I’m still in shock at how easily Lief’s parents accepted things. Accepted me.
My own mother couldn’t do that.
“Pet, are you well?” Lief asks.
I sit up so he can wrap himself around me from behind. He rubs my arms and kisses the top of my head. “You’ve been quiet since we left.”
“I like your parents,” I say as I meet his eyes. “Especially your mother. We had a good talk.”
“She likes you. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t ask so many questions.”
“They’re really wonderful people.” I rub his arms. “I wish my mother was better.”
“We can try just having a meal with your brother ... but later.” Lief nips my ear.
“Oh, do you want something right now?”
He motions to the stairs where there are a bunch of flameless candles leading up. “We all wantyouright now.”
Lief walks me upstairs, following the candles to where Hunter and Chase are already undressed and waiting. When I turn to ask Lief about this, he already has his shirt off. I shake my head at my men.
“You’re seducing me now?”