Page 68 of Rafe

“Ilsbeth. Now that’s a blast from the past. I bet big Grey can’t wait to see her.” Sebastian smiled.

A ding sounded from a panel on the wall. Skylar ran over to the console and tapped at the security screen, her face washing with panic. “Oh my God.”

“What is it?” Rafe listened. A car engine.

“Oh my God. Oh my God,” Skylar repeated. “You have to get out of here.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Greyson said. “Just give me a minute.”

“Who is it?” Rafe caught a glimpse of the white SUV rolling into the driveway, the sound of the garage opening told him everything he needed to know before Skylar had a chance to say another word.

Skylar’s eyes widened as she turned to Rafe. “My parents are here.”

“You coming?” Greyson asked Sebastian.

Thorn dematerialized into thin air, disappearing.

“Rafe. Stay,” she pleaded.

Rafe’s chest tightened at her request. He opened his mouth to refuse, when her fingers wrapped around his wrist. This was a mistake. A huge whopper of a mistake. Fuck, fuck, fuck. You need to go. You need to go now.

“Give me a few minutes,” he told Greyson.

“Come back in a car,” Skylar instructed.

“But he shouldn’t stay either.” Greyson began.

“Just do it.” Rafe’s expression softened as he looked to Skylar.

“Jesus Christ,” Greyson grumbled. “Humans.”

As the door handle jiggled open, the ancient vampire disappeared. Rafe looked down to the robe he wore, and inwardly cursed, aware he was about to meet her parents half dressed. Well shit.

“Mom! Dad!” Skylar’s voice filled with joy as she ran down the hallway toward them.

The wolf struggled not to smile, her happiness washing over him like cool rain on a hot day. Nothing in the moment mattered but Skylar.

My human. Mine.

12

“Mom.” Skylar hugged her, struggling to hold back the tears welling in her eyes. “What are you doing here? Where’s Dad?”

“He’s out in the garage. You know how he is about getting the suitcases out of the car. The world might stop if the car isn’t emptied properly.” Her mom pulled out of her embrace and smiled at the good-looking stranger standing in her kitchen.

“Oh Mom, sorry, this is, um, this is Rafe. Rafe Beaumont. He’s a, um…” Skylar stumbled over her words, teeming with excitement and embarrassment. Mom wasn’t born yesterday and could detect a lie a mile away. “A friend.”

“A friend? Really?” A broad smile broke across her face. “In a robe?”

“We, uh, we were going to use the hot tub,” she lied.

“I see.” Her mom’s eyes painted over Rafe.

Skylar’s heart raced as Rafe set his cup on the counter and approached her mom. Rugged with tousled hair, he looked sexier than ever. She bit her lip, shoving her carnal thoughts to the back of her mind.

“Hello, ma’am. I’m Rafe. Rafe Beaumont. It’s an honor to meet you.”

Skylar gave a small laugh as he extended his hand, and her mom grabbed him into a big bear hug.