“Oh,” I say with a nervous giggle. Her hug tightens, and I admit, she feels nice. She smells good, too. She pulls away and smiles at me before she kisses both my cheeks.
“She’s as beautiful as you described,” she says without looking away from me.
“Thank you, Mrs. Richard—”
“None of that. I’m Haddie.” She taps my cheek. “Where’s my grand dog?” she asks while she looks around. Dax whistles, and the beast runs to Haddie. I make sure to step behind her to get away from that monster. “Hello, Finch.” She blows kisses at the thing. “Let’s get out of this garage.” She starts to lead me away.
“Oh, well, I can’t stay,” I announce. Everyone stops walking. Dax looks at me with an arched brow. “My mother just texted me.” I wave my phone around as if that’s proof. “She needs me.” I clear my throat before adding, “She’s in a wheelchair, so I help her out a lot. But I don’t want to interrupt your brunch. You stay, Dax, and I’ll get a ride share.” He rolls his eyes. “If you can let up the garage door, I’ll just skedaddle and get out of your hair.” I sound stupid even to myself. I nervously clear my throat again and hope no one calls me out on my blatant lie.
“Your mom is at her sister’s house with your father for Sunday dinner. Stop that, Bella. My mother’s been cooking all day.” He takes my elbow. “She’s shy, Mom.”
“Come on, sweetheart. No need to be shy,” Haddie says, and I’m grateful she doesn’t question me. “I’ve been looking forward to this for weeks. We’re going to eat and get to know each other. Dax never brings anyone home, so when he told me about you, I got really excited. And you’re so pretty.” She takes my hand, and Dax drops my elbow.
Haddie practically drags me up the stairs and into the house. We end up in a beautiful kitchen, where I assume her favorite color is blue. The cabinets are white, with white and baby-blue marble. It’s so pretty that I run my hand on her kitchen island.
“Dax had that flown in for me from overseas,” Haddie says.
Chapter 20
Cori
“Oh, sweetheart,” Haddie gushes. I sit a little straighter at the praise. “You are beautiful and talented. You will have to make a dress for me one day. Something with a long, flowy skirt. Preferably in baby blue or teal because they’re my favorite colors.”
She takes my phone and flips through my pictures. She finds a video of me explaining my vision for the dress I was working on. “And you don’t have any formal training?” Haddie asks. “That can’t be.”
“No. My grandmother taught me, and her mother taught her. Grandma says it’s in my blood because we come from a family of seamstresses.”
“Dax, honey, set the table while I chat with Cori.” She stands. “I have to check the food, and I’ll get us another drink, Cori.” She leaves the table, and I glare at her smug son. He whistles at his dog and lets her out in the yard.
“I’ll be back,” Haddie says before she leaves the kitchen, leaving me alone with Dax.
I ignore him, but I slide my phone in my pocket. “I’m just gonna run to the bathroom real quick.” I throw my purse over my shoulder and make a mad dash for the front door. He catches up with me, wraps a strong arm around my waist, and lifts me off my feet.
“Where are you going?” He spins me around and heads back to the kitchen, but I kick my legs.
“I’m leaving.” He puts me down by the kitchen island. “You did not have my permission to bring me here.”
He pins me to the island and looks down at me. He pulls down my lacy top and looks at my breasts. “I don’t need permission for anything. You should know that by now. And did I give you permission to investigate me?”
I shove at his chest, but he snatches my chin between his thumb and index finger and pulls my face inches from his. Our eyes catch, but I look away. He forces my eyes back to his, takes one of my hands, and puts it on his chest. He leaves it there and slides that hand down my side until it lands on my ass.
“You—” The words die in my throat, and I forget what I was going to say.
“Me what?” he asks. His voice is but a whisper. He studies my face, and I would do the same, only I can’t look away from his eyes. “What, Bella?”
“We can’t do this.”
“It’s already done, baby.” I want to ask him what’s already done, but I can’t seem to get my brain to make my mouth move. He leans down and presses his warm, full lips on mine. He pulls me into his body, and I capitulate. I can’t seem to fight it right now. Maybe later, but not now. Tomorrow, I’ll kick him out of my life for good.
The kiss is tender, not rough or commanding like many we’ve shared before. This is slow and sweet. He cradles me as if I might break. Those strong arms of his wrap around me, and for a brief moment, I feel safe.
The approaching footsteps don’t make us end the kiss. In fact, he pulls me closer. He kisses me as if it’s his right to do so, and for now, I’ll let him. I’ll allow myself to feel safe in a man’s arms.
“I’m going to make us fresh drinks,” I hear his mother say. “When we’re settled, I’ll call Josie so Cori can meet your sister.” Dax finally lets me go. Haddie puts her arm through mine, and we walk back to the kitchen. “I’m so happy to meet you, sweetheart. And I want you to be comfortable here and treat this like your home. You don’t need to wait for Dax to come over. You have an open invitation because I love girl time. Also, I’m not one of those annoying boy moms. If he gets on your nerves, tell me, and I’ll bust him in the head and set him straight. Are you looking for a model for your dresses?”
Chapter 21
Cori
