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“Are you pregnant?” I stare at my mother in shock. That’s her first thought? “Can he even do that?” Mortification hits me like a ton of bricks. It seems the shock has taken my mother’s filter and manners.
“Mom!” I shout. “I can’t believe you just said all that?” Mom shrugs unapologetically.
“Why else would you be jumping into marriage? How long have you even known him?” I glare at my mother in my anger. I knew this is how it would go, but a big part of me had hoped she would just be happy for us, and her behavior up to this point had bolstered those hopes.
“Because we love each other! The reason most people get married. And I’m not pregnant!” Jumping up from Luke’s lap, I throw my hands up in the air in frustration that I’m having to tell her this again. “Not that I owe you an explanation as I’m a grown woman and don’t need your approval, but we’ve known each other over a year. We were attracted to one another from the beginning, but we hadn’t acted on it until recently. We got to know one another during that time and became friends first. Just because you haven’t been privy to all the details doesn’t mean we are rushing into this.” Luke squeezes my hip in support attempting to calm me down before I say something I shouldn’t to my mother.
“I’m sorry, Marley,” Mom concedes, seemingly sincere. “I shouldn’t have thought the worst, but for me, this is all so sudden. I just don’t want you making the same mistakes I made.” I feel a bit chastised at her words. She’s right. This is a shock for her. I should have kept her in the loop with the progress of our relationship, but I knew she would be trying to talk me out ofbeing with him, and I didn’t want to fight with her about it. I’ve been living in my happiness not wanting anything to taint what we have. The terrorists trying to destroy me were more than enough to handle at the time, but she deserved to know.
“I’m sorry, too, Mom,” I whisper has I hug her to me. “I should have told you more about our relationship. This is the real thing, Mom. He loves me, and I love him more than I ever thought I could love someone.” Mom pulls back studying me intently. Having found what she’s looking for, she gives me a nod then turns to Luke.
“Welcome to our family, son,” Mom says with a smile as she leans down to hug him. Luke hugs my mom tightly.
“Thank you, Mrs. Morrison. I promise I’ll take good care of her.” Mom nods, wiping tears from her eyes.
LUKE
I’m relieved that Marley’s mom has accepted me into their family, but we still have to deal with my mother. She’s just called, demanding someone pick her up from the airport when she arrives. I’d already made plans with Enos for him to pick her up when her flight arrives, but mother loves to make demands. She has a need to be the most important person in the room at all times.
I’ve tried to prepare Marley for her arrival, but I don’t think it’s possible to get anyone ready for the hurricane that is my mother. Daisy was pissed when she heard our mother on the phone earlier. She, too, gave Marley pointers on dealing with Mom. Bo and Rosco have been in an ill temper as well. Enos and I seem to be the only ones who can tolerate our mother for any length of time. It’s going to be a long week.
Morris and another agent, Edward Collins, showed up a couple hours ago. Jim is pissed over my demands, but he will just have to get over it. I will keep Marley safe with or without their help, but I will not put her safety in anyone else’s hands. The men have made a survey of my home and security measures. I was pleased to see that they were impressed with my set up.
I’m in my bedroom waiting for Marley to finishing trying on the dresses in her mother’s room. Daisy, Marley, and Mrs. Morrison disappeared into the room almost two hours ago. How long does it take to try on dresses? I suppose they are chatting and getting to know each other, too. I huff impatiently, anxious to lay eyes on my woman again, feel her lips on mine.
The bedroom door opens. In walks my love, my everything. Marley is smiling so beautifully. She takes my breath. She closes and locks the door. Then she strolls toward me with a seductive sway of her hips, making my mouth water for her. I need to taste her, make her moan in pleasure. I move toward her, meeting her halfway. I grab her wrist and pull her to me. She sighs contentedly as she relaxes into my embrace. I kiss her tenderly, but I can feel the fire beginning to flare between us. No matter how many times I have her, the passion is as strong as the first time.
“Bed, baby,” I growl against her lips. She giggles, sliding from my lap to comply. I head to my side, shedding my shirt and loosening my pants to slip them from my body as I transfer to the bed. Marley is losing her clothes as she makes her way to the bed. My body already responding to seeing her glorious body in the flesh. She crawls toward me, tits swaying as I settle onto the bed. I pull her to me, devouring her mouth in a heated kiss. Her hands move over my chest, down my abdomen, leaving a heated trail. I need this woman like I need air.
“Luke,” she moans my name as my hands find her breasts and toy with her nipples, which harden even more at my touch. Her hand finds my stiffening length. She strokes me from top to bottom and back again. We spend the next hour enjoying one another in the most primal of ways. I feast on her sweet honey, bringing her to climax twice before she rides me to the brink of ecstasy and beyond.
We are lying in bed catching our breaths. Despite the heat we’ve generated, I still need to be touching her, holding her. I’ve never really wanted to cuddle after sex with anyone before her,but I can’t seem to get close enough, feel her skin against mine enough. She seems to feel the same. She’s draped herself along my left side, content to rest her head on my shoulder while her left hand is drawing circles on my chest and abdomen. Her right leg is pressed against my side and her left leg is thrown over mine. I have my left arm around her while my hand trails up and down her arm and bare back. I let out a contented sigh as I relish this precious, quiet moment.
“When is your mother arriving?” Marley asks after we’ve had time to get our breathing back to normal. My mother is the last person I want to be talking about right now.
“A couple hours,” I reply. “Enos is picking her up.” Marley nods. I can feel her anxiety. I don’t want her feeling nervous. “Everything will be fine. My mother can be unpleasant, but nothing she says or does will change anything between us. I love you, baby. You’re going to be my wife, soon.” Her arms tighten around me as she smiles so beautifully.
“Your wife,” she whispers reverently. “It feels surreal, but I’m so very happy. I just wish we didn’t have the threat of the terrorists hanging over us.” I nod because I wish the same thing. I’ve had Dalton and Kelvin deep diving in an effort to locate the terrorist cell in hopes we can shut them down before they make their move. They haven’t found the information we need, yet, but I’m holding on to hope they will be successful.
“We are going to get through this. I promise, Marley.” What else can I say? I have to believe it, and I need her to believe it, too.
Enos texts a few hours later to say they are on their way from the airport. Marley and I get dressed and prepared to meet Mom. Daisy and Ace have ordered food and have had it delivered. The FBI agents weren’t very happy with that, but they’ll just have to get over it. They ordered from Jay’s bar, and Jay delivered the food himself. He understands the situation we are in and is more than happy to help us out. I know Jay feels guilty that Marley was taken out from under his nose, just like I do.
Mom bursts through the front door with a flourish. We’re all waiting for her in the living room. Her eyes bounce from person to person in the room. “What’s all this Luke?” she asks after she’s scanned the entire room. “A welcome party just for me?” I shake my head. Leave it to my mother to make this all about her, as usual.
“No, Mom,” Daisy snaps. “This isn’t for you. It’s for Luke and Marley. If you weren’t out looking for a free meal ticket all the time, you’d know what is going on with your family.” Ouch! Daisy and Mom sure know how to cut each other to the core. Mom’s face pinches into a frown.
“Why are you here, Daisy?” Mom glares at her. “You don’t come around for years, and suddenly you’re here twice in a month? Did you get kicked out of the Navy?”
“That’s enough!” I growl, frustrated with all the bickering. “She hasn’t been kicked out of the Navy. I asked all of you to be here for a very special occasion. Mom, I’d like you to meet Marley Morrison. My fiancée. We’re getting married next weekend.” Mom’s face pales as my words sink in.
“What? You can’t be serious!”
“I’m very serious,” I answer calmly. Rosco and Bo move to stand behind Marley and me, giving us their support, which I greatly appreciate, though it isn’t needed. Perhaps it will keep Mom from being a complete bitch, but that hope is quickly dashed.
“Why?” Mom demands. “Is she pregnant? You know it can’t be yours, right?” I roll my eyes and beg God for patience to not murder my mother. Marley turns to me with wide eyes.
“Why does everyone assume I’m pregnant and that you couldn’t be the father?” she asks incredulously. “Do I look like a fat tramp or something?” I want to laugh at the ridiculousness of her statement, but I’m also angry that both of our mothers think pregnancy is the only reason we would want to be married.
