Serena: I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.
* * *
Bentley nods to the phone in my hand when he reaches me. “I wasn’t gone that long.”
“Oh hush,” I raise my hand in the air so he can pull me up. “I wanted to make sure Hazel got home safely.”
“And did she?” He raises an eyebrow as he pulls me up.
“Yep.”
Somehow in all that he also waved the new key card in front of the door lock, and it flashes green. He turns the handle and pushes the door open. “I think we should pick up where we left off.”
Bentley’s arms wrapped tightly around is all the comfort I need. His breathing is soft and measured, and I’m almost certain he’s asleep.
I scoot over the tiniest fraction. Just enough to get away from the insane body heat he gives off. Seriously, no person should be able to produce that much heat. I don’t make it far, though. “Where are you going?” he whispers against my neck.
“You’re too hot,” I grumble as he pulls me even closer. “I even have my foot sticking out of the bottom of the blanket.”
“Fine,” he concedes. Even though it’s what I wanted, I miss the contact when he scoots away from me. He might be across the bed now, but he’s still on his side, and his finger runs slowly up and down my arm. The room is quiet, and soft light filters in around the curtain. “I have a question.”
My eyes were drifting close until he spoke again. “What’s that?” The words almost connected together.
“How do you feel about meeting my mom?”
That one small question has my eyes popping wide open. There’s no way I’ll fall asleep now. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” I take a deep breath. “I mean we haven’t really been together that long. Isn’t it a little soon?”
“I don’t think it’s soon at all.” He scoots closer and runs his hand down my arm until his fingers are intertwined with mine. “I’ve already talked to my mom about you. I kind of had to after she saw the cameras focused on us.” His hand squeezes mine. “I wanted to tell her sooner, but figured I should talk to you first. She’s really excited to meet you.”
My heart is hammering, and I’m not sure how to respond. I can’t remember the last time I met someone’s parents. It had to have been high school. I damn sure haven’t taken anyone home to my parents considering they basically cut me out of their lives. But I wonder if he’s ever taken anyone home. That’s a big step, and the insecure side wants to know this. “Have you taken anyone else home to meet your family? I just don’t know what to expect.”
I feel bad for even asking the question. He doesn’t need to justify past relationships to me. He’s never asked me to do it. I told him about Braxton because I wanted to. Because I needed him to know why I had the reservations I did. But he doesn’t scoff. He only pulls me close to him despite my earlier complaints about him being the equivalent of a space heater. “I’ve never taken anyone home to meet them. I almost did once, but she proved to be someone that didn’t give a damn about me. She only wanted the popularity that comes with being with one of the players on the team.”
“Didn’t your mom question why you never brought anyone to meet them?”
He nuzzles his chin against my shoulder and neck, and I relax in his arms. “Not really. I’ve always been a pretty private person. And they know that if I bring someone home…I’m serious.”
Serious. That’s what he means for us. He’s serious about me. I should have guessed considering he’s gone above and beyond what any other man has done. He didn’t give up on a date with me, sets things up virtually, and he’s there. Always. He’s definitely shown me how serious he is about me. “Ok.” I take a deep breath. “I’ll meet your mom.”
“And my sister,” he adds.
“And your sister,” I sigh. This is going to be very interesting. The worst they can do is not like me. “Now go to sleep. We have to get up early to get you to the airport.”
“But I want to do other things,” he pouts while his hand travels south.
“Nope. If we do that, we won’t make it to the airport on time.” I pull his hand back up until it’s resting on my stomach. “If you don’t stop, I’ll go sleep on the couch.”
“Yeah,” he strengthens his hold on me. “That’s not happening. You’re not leaving my arms until you absolutely have to.”
I guess there will be no space and I’ll be sweaty come morning. But that’s fine. At least I have these moments with him tonight.
Kisses on my neck are my alarm. Bentley pushes the hair off my face when he notices me stirring. I know it hasn’t been that long since we’ve gone to bed, but I won’t argue with how he’s waking me up. Mornings aren’t my thing, even when I have to go to work, but this is my own slice of paradise.
“I wish we could start the day like this every morning,” he mumbles in my ear. “That’s probably the best sleep I’ve gotten in ages and it’s only better because I get to wake up next to you.”
Cue the warm fuzzies. I’ve debated telling him I want to look for another job. Mostly because, well…we haven’t been dating that long and I don’t want him to think the change is because of him. I’m obviously not that sort of person. The one to derail my life for a guy. But, it’s time. I’m exhausted from all the travel, and if I could find a job that doesn’t require me to travel as much, then I’ll be happy. With, or without, Bentley by my side. “That could be a possibility.”
“What do you mean?” His lifts his head up and tilts it to the side like a confused puppy. It’s as adorable when he does it as when they do. “Did you find a different job?”
