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My weird feelings also didn’t vanish, though.
He kissed me slowly and passionately, and I kissed him back with the same fire, rising up on my tiptoes as he tilted my head to deepen the kiss.
After a few minutes, I pulled my mouth away from his and asked quietly, “Your mom’s here?”
“Both of my parents, and my brothers,” he confirmed. “We’re going to breakfast. The reservation’s in forty minutes.”
Shit.
I pushed hair out of my face again with a shaky hand. “Next time, wake me up before they get here so I can get my crap together.”
“Will do.” He kissed me again, briefly, and then sucked lightly on my neck. My eyes fluttered closed, and I tried not to let him affect me as much as we both knew he would.
“Your parents’ names are…”
“Anastasia and Eldrich.” He released my throat, reluctantly leaving it alone.
I repeated their names in my mind a few times, and then realized Rafael hadn’t gone anywhere. “You don’t need to wait for me. I have no problem finding something else to do while you guys go to breakfast.”
His eyes narrowed. “You and I are a packaged deal now, Tater-tot. I’m going, so you’re going.”
I grimaced.
There was no real way to argue against that.
I didn’t have anything I thought would look decent next to Rafael’s damnsports coat, so I told him to find me something to wear while I did my makeup. The only clothing I had for special occasions was a mini skirt and matching top that Brynn had talked me into buying a few years earlier, which obviously wouldn’t work for brunch.
The mascara and eyeliner went on in the fanciest way I knew—which wasn’t at all fancy—and then I tied my hair up in a bun and called it good.
Rafael was leaned up against the bathroom door with my clothes when I finished, so I plucked them from his hands.
The jeans and simple top would make me look ridiculous when I walked next to him, but even if I had an elegant skirt or dress, I wouldn’t have wanted to wear it. So, I needed to figure out how to embrace my casual self.
The other option was changing my wardrobe for a man, and I had absolutely no intention of doing that.
After getting dressed in the bathroom, I reluctantly let him tow me down the stairs. My socked feet padded against the tile, and my hand clutched Rafael’s.
Four sets of eyes were on us as we hit the bottom of the stairs.
His mother, Anastasia, was just as gorgeous as I expected. She had tan skin, straight, shiny black hair that fell to the middle of her back, and a killer body showcased by the tasteful black wrap dress she wore. Her eyes were bright, and her lips formed a half-smile that told me absolutely nothing about what she was truly thinking or feeling.
His dad, Eldrich, looked a lot like him and his brothers, but his skin was a few shades darker than theirs, and his hair was curly while theirs only had waves. His position was relaxed as he leaned against the wall nearest to the door. Though his gaze was curious, it wasn’t judgmental or accusatory.
“Mom, dad, this is Tatum. Tatum, meet my parents.” Rafael gestured toward them, and I forced my friendliest coffee-shop-smile to my face.
“Hi,” I said, feeling even more awkward as I did.
Rafael tucked me closer to his side, and I leaned against him a bit more in hopes it would ease the awkwardness.
And maybe, sell the charade a little better.
Anastasia’s smile widened.
I still wasn’t sure if it was genuine.
“Welcome to the family, Tatum. I’ve been waiting a damn long time for one of my boys to finally put an end to their eternal bachelor-hoods.”
Zander snorted.
