Hell. Connor glanced at Frank and wished he hadn’t come to visit his parents. He took three steps toward the door.
“Don’t you dare leave.”
Connor froze.
Frank chuckled. “Take a seat, son. You’re not going anywhere until we talk about this.”
“I want to hear about this woman who has you tied in knots,” his mother said. “Besides, it’s nasty out there. Do you want me to worry about you driving home in the middle of a storm?”
He caved, sinking into the nearest chair. What had he expected? That he could drop his bombshell and escape without taking return fire?
“Dinner won’t be long,” his mother said.
“Do you need any help?” Frank asked.
“I can cope with cooking a few steaks,” she said. “You stay with Connor. Give him the talk.” She winked and the adoring look that passed between them made Connor feel like a voyeur.
“Have you talked to her about what you’re feeling?” Frank asked, getting straight to business.
Connor grunted, the sound containing severe irritation. “I’ve started to talk a million times but it’s…I keep wimping out.”
“I know it’s difficult, son, but the main thing is communication.” His eyes sharpened. “How do you know she wants you to spank her if you haven’t discussed the matter?”
Connor felt his cheeks heat, aware his reply wouldn’t show him in a good light. “She has a blog where she discusses spanking. One of our friends told me, so I’ve been reading it.”
“And she doesn’t know.” Frank picked up his wine glass and took a sip, his manner slow and purposeful. Thinking-mode, Connor realized, remembering Frank appearing the same way on numerous other occasions.
“She doesn’t know I read her blog.”
“Connor Grey,” his mother said, barging into the room. “I can’t believe you’ve been spying on this poor girl.”
“It must run in the family,” Frank said in a mild voice. “Gabby, I thought you were cooking the steaks.”
His mother ignored Frank’s quiet reprimand to focus on him. “Sweetheart, there’s a big difference between abuse and consensual loving.”
A vision swept his mind—one he’d rather not have. “Mum, I don’t want to talk about sex. Frank, what do you think about those All Blacks? Man, they choked in their last game against the Wallabies.”
His mother wrinkled her nose. “I know about sex.”
“Nah, you found me in a cabbage patch,” Connor said. “How do you think the All Blacks will go against the Springboks?”
“I should have told the stork to take you right back and bring me a little girl. I’m sureshewouldn’t resort to underhand behavior. Sweetheart, you need to talk to her, tell her what’s on your mind and why you’re having a problem with the idea. If everything is in the open, you’ll find your relationship easier. When can we meet her?”
“It’s early days,” Frank said, coming to his rescue. “Give Connor a chance. I’m sure he’ll bring his friend to visit when he’s ready.”
His mother nodded. “Personally, I think the All Blacks will give the Springboks a whopping and send them back to South Africa with their tails between their legs. We’ll win the rugby match by at least twenty points. I’d place good money on it.”
Connor grinned. “How much do you want to bet?”
“Twenty,” his mother shot back. “And a promise you’ll bring your young lady to visit.”
Connor’s grin faded as he acknowledged the problems lying between him and a future with Maggie. Lies. Lots of lies. A good man would’ve left well alone, but Connor admitted the truth to himself. He wouldn’t have done a thing differently. He and Maggie worked well together. They could have a future. All he had to do was prove it to her.
