“He’d ask just as many questions as the Quills.”
Then I understood.
Mom wouldn’t ask why we were wet. She’d think it was due to some kind of sexual play.
I dropped my head to Fenris’s shoulder.
“Maybe she isn’t here. Maybe we’ll get lucky, and she’ll be at the club, and it’ll just be Dad.”
“Yeah, I don’t think that’s the case.”
Lifting my head, I followed his gaze to the front door where Mom stood, beaming at us. At least, she wasn’t wearing something see-through.
Fenris opened the car door and got out with me in his arms.
“Sorry to arrive unannounced, but Eliana and I are looking for a place to change without too many questions involved.”
“Oh, my darling boy, of course. Come in.”
He had us in the living room before I could say a word.
“The guest room is down the hall. First door on the left. The bathroom is stocked. Shower and warm up. If you leave your clothes in the hall, I’ll wash and dry them for you.”
My eyes went wide.
“No, that—”
“That’s perfect. Thank you, Mrs. Howland.” Fenris strode down the hall with me in his arms, not giving me a chance to protest.
I glanced over his shoulder and saw Dad standing a few steps behind Mom.
“We’re not having sex, Dad,” I yelled as Fenris closed the bedroom door.
Fenris made a choked sound and continued to the bathroom.
“Do you want to shower first or would you rather hand our clothes to your mom?” he asked, finally putting me down.
“Neither. The only reason she suggested a shower was so we could do things we are not doing. Boundaries, Fenris, remember?” I grabbed two towels from the warmer and shoved one at him. “Change into that and don’t come out until I say it’s okay.”
Not waiting for him to answer, I marched out of the bathroom and shut the door behind me.
Peeling layers of cold, wet clothes off took longer than I anticipated.
“I can hear you struggling,” Fenris said through the door. “Want some help?”
“No. But I swear I’m going shopping for jeans that aren’t skintight. This is stupid.” With a grunt, I pulled my foot free and tossed the jeans on top of the pile by the door. Dressed in my bralette and underwear, I wrapped the towel around my torso.
“You can come out if you’re appropriately covered,” I said.
The door swung open, and Fenris strode out with a towel riding low on his hips. Covering his boy bits hadn’t done a thing to mute his mouthwatering appeal. The expanse of his muscled chest drew more than my gaze.
I realized what I was doing on the third step I’d taken toward him.
The corner of his mouth tipped up when I stopped.
“I was thinking the same thing,” he said. “That towel is teasing me in all the right ways.”
My vision changed, and my hunger stirred.
Mom took that moment to open the door. I didn’t think, I reacted. My head swung in her direction.
“Leave now, Mother.”
Her eyes went wide, and she immediately backed out of the room.
Fenris moved closer, his radiating heat warming my skin without a single touch.
“You’re cold and hungry,” he said softly. “Any chance you’d consider feeding?”
I stared at the door, refusing to turn my head and look at him. If I did, I’d lose any remaining control I had.
“I’m cold and hungry,” I said, echoing his words to acknowledge the truth in them. “Now might not be the time to push me, or you’ll find yourself alone in my mom’s house.”
Moving around him, I grabbed his clothes then mine. I didn’t try to tell him to stay, already knowing he wouldn’t listen. We’d come here for a reason, and he’d see it through. Hopefully, my sanity would remain intact until we were done.
Dad paused in the hallway when I opened the bedroom door. We both stared at each other for a few seconds before he held out his arms for the clothes.
“Your mom is in the kitchen. She would like to speak with you if you’re willing.”
Fenris cleared his throat lightly behind me. I barely refrained from rolling my eyes at his blatant demand for an introduction.
“Dad, this is Fenris. My boyfriend.” Those last two words were so hard to say. But, I hoped it would help speed along our visit.
Fenris’s hand extended around me, and Dad briefly clasped it.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Mr. Howland. I apologize for showing up unannounced.”
“Nonsense. Any friend of Eliana’s is welcome here.” Dad’s gaze shifted to me. “Fenris can stay with me if that will make you more comfortable while you talk to your mother.”
Given my reaction to her when she’d opened the door, I nodded in agreement.
“Let’s see if we can find you something more than a towel to wear,” Dad said, motioning to Fenris.
I made my way to the kitchen, my stomach twisting with my nerves and guilt. Mom waited at the table. She didn’t stand and hug me like she usually did. Instead, she looked at the table while she spoke to me.
“Baby, I’m so sorry. I never meant to interrupt you. I only…” She sniffled ominously, and I hurried to hug her.
“No, Mom, I’m sorry. I have no excuse for how rude I was just now other than it’s been a very stressful morning.”
Mom hugged me back hard.
“You weren’t rude, baby. You were glorious in your protection of what is yours.”
I flinched, and she felt it because she released me to look me in the eyes.
“I admit, I’m not sure what you need right now. Your reaction is a very typical reaction any succubus about to feed would give. While I don’t think you want to hear that or think about it, I can’t let you believe for a moment that I’m upset by that very natural display. But it does tell me that you’re very serious about Fenris, and I swear to you that I recognize your claim on the boy and that you have nothing to fear from me. Because he’s yours, I’ll view him as a son.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Unless he hurts you. Then, I’ll view him from the top of his grave.”
I couldn’t stop the surge of anger that erupted.
“You are glorious, Eliana,” Mom said, immediately looking at the table again. “I’m so proud of the woman you’re becoming and for finding your own way to become her.”
Her words calmed me enough that I could retreat a few steps.
“We shouldn’t have come here,” I said.
“Of course you should have. Your father is ecstatic to meet Fenris. Sit down. Tell me that he makes you happy and dislikes Adira as much as we do.”
The tension inside of me melted away, and I grinned at Mom.
“I don’t think anyone dislikes Adira as much as you.”
“I don’t know about that. Your father would tell you he is equally matched. Speaking of, he’s keeping Fenris away from me until you’re comfortable with them joining us.” She paused, her motherly concern peeking through. “Are you comfortable?”
“I would be more comfortable if we were both dressed.”
“Will this work?” Fenris asked from behind me.