TEXTS

When we arrive back in Chicago, I update the girls and they both nearly bust my eardrums when they yell over the phone.

They want details.

Wynn screams, “I knew it! Finally we can talk about it!” and Rachel laughs and says she and Wynn had been having conversations that alternated between fretting about us and actually praying that we could make it work. Rachel says that soon after I left for the Hamptons, Saint returned home and urgently asked her where Tahoe could find me. In that instant, she says she knew—because Tahoe came with him—that it was clear that T-Rex wanted me no matter what.

“Something about the look in his eyes was so fierce, like he’d tear a building open to find you,” Rachel says.

I get a message early one morning that week from my parents.

Mom: So your father and I have been talking and we thought it would be a good idea to travel into town and finally meet this man you’ve been dating so we’re making it home for Christmas to meet Trent!

Tahoe shifts in his bed and bites my shoulder. “Who is it at this hour?”

“My parents. They’re probably in a very different time zone right now,” I whisper.

His fingers are callused, his eyes warm, as he strokes my hair and peers into my phone screen. He reads the text and raises his brows.

He leans back, fully relaxed and fully hot, as I text back my mother. I show him the text.

Me: Actually, Mother, I’m dating Tahoe now. :)

He laughs approvingly and reaches out to caress my bare arm. He raises his hand and tugs at a loose strand of my hair, his eyes loving. His hand slides up to stroke his thumb along the back of my neck. I exhale and close my eyes until my phone buzzes, and I read the text. I show Tahoe her reply.

Mom: What Tahoe? The Texan Tahoe ROTH?

He gives another rumbling laugh. And then there’s that twinkle in his baby blues. God, he rocks that dimple, that face. I’m probably one of thousands who have fallen for it, one of hundreds for sure.

Over a year ago I’d already been trapped, and he’s only ensnared me more and more, especially with those hot looks he gives me, like he wants me and only me.

Laughing at my mother’s panic, I kiss him. Set my lips right on his, then I smile. My father has always been a sucker for the who’s who in the business world; my mother a sucker for the who’s who in social circles around the globe. Why am I even surprised that they know who he is?

I text my answer and feel him grin as he nibbles my shoulder and sees what I write.

Me: The very one. He says he looks forward to meeting you this Christmas.

Mom: Regina men like that don’t settle!!!! Give me 5 minutes I’m calling!!!!

“She’s calling. Wow,” I say, looking at him in amazement. “Your reputation precedes you. Do you know how many times she’s actually called me?”

“Happy I’m good for something,” he smirks as he nibbles and bites my earlobe. I sigh and turn my head, kiss him softly. He drags his beard down my throat, my belly, down there—and he turns his face to my left inner thigh and nibbles his way to the center between both thighs. His lips stroke me, barely grazing my clit. Then his thumb circles me and dips inside my folds.

He lifts his head as he raises his thumb and shoves it into his mouth, licking me off him. His eyes shut, and he growls softly and lowers his head again to taste me at the source, the feel of his beard against my thighs tickling and arousing me.

He bites on my clit, and twirls his tongue in just the perfect way. And then his tongue dips inside me, then out, his whole mouth kissing and tasting me. His hands slide down my thighs to keep me open, to widen my legs apart…

And it takes my mom a little longer than five minutes to call, which is just perfect. By the time my phone rings, we’ve made hot, delicious love, and we’re both sated and relaxed in bed when I lazily answer. I tell her that I’m dating Tahoe and that he is exclusively dating me.

He laughs on his side of the bed, shaking his head over his reputation, then leans over and bites my shoulder again before taking the phone from me.

“Mrs. Wylde, I assure you, my intentions with your daughter are honorable. I’ve fallen in love with her, and nothing will give me more pleasure than meeting you both during the holiday.”

Well. He really knows how to charm just about anybody.

XMAS & NEW YEAR’S

We spend Thanksgiving with his parents, laughing and eating turkey, where I get to hear anecdotes of Tahoe as a mischievous little boy. Never content with anything. Even older ladies used to fawn over him and his dimple and his blue eyes.

For Christmas, we decide to stay in Chicago. My parents come and finally get to meet Tahoe over a delicious steak dinner at Chicago Cut.

I can tell that my parents were spending time at the beach. A warm glow shines on their skin as they head toward our table. “Come here and let me look at you,” my mother says, drawing me to her.

She lifts my arms and takes in my jeans and sequined sweater.

I’m embarrassed by the fact that it’s obvious my parents haven’t seen me in almost a year.

“So nice to see you, darling.” My mother finally hugs me, then sets me aside before excitedly asking, “And who’s the man?”

I glance at my dad, who’s grinning at me proudly. As if only now that I’ve found the approval of a man, I’m worthy.

“Tahoe,” I say, pointing at the Viking next to me as if they hadn’t already spotted him from the moment they walked through the restaurant door, when Tahoe and I stood up to welcome them.

Tahoe shakes their hands and greets them warmly.