“Sounds perfect.”
Lior
Silence reigned in the car on our way to the small coastal town of Cape Mary. I wanted to put the meeting and the new requirements from the partners behind me.
Noah’s quietness indicated that he didn’t want to talk about the impending family weekend either.
I’d tried to talk him out of introducing me to his family this weekend, but he was determined.
His brothers had both worked with me, and now that I’d delegated a lot to Charlie as I spent more and more time in the office, I no longer had a working relationship with Adam and Lex.
How would they feel about their brother being in a relationship with a man who was seventeen years older?
“Do you think our age gap is too big?” I asked.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Noah turn his head away from the window.
“Why do you ask?”
“Just wondering…”
“When I’m with you, I don’t think about our age difference. Never have.”
“Even the first time we met?”
He laughed. “Especially the first time we met. You don’t want to know the kinds of thoughts I had about you then.”
I risked a quick glance and found him staring. An easy smile graced his lips.
“What?”
“What’s made you think of that? Are you afraid my family won’t like you because you’re older than me?”
Yes…maybe… “No?”
“That means yes.” He chuckled. “Don’t worry. If they’re going to be upset at anyone, it’ll be me.”
I wasn’t so sure about that. A man with graying hair and pushing fifty was probably not the partner his parents had imagined for their eldest son.
“Why do you think that?”
“We’re a close family. Weekly lunches, regular calls. Hell, we all work together. Adam gave me a hard time this week about not being present for the family lately. He was pacified when I told him I was bringing someone with me this weekend.” He sighed. “But I know they’ll be pissed off that it’s you—not because it’s you, but because you’re a client.”
“Was a client,” I clarified.
“When they find out we’re actually married, my parents are going to be upset. I never wanted to hurt them or my brothers. I just…”
“I know…” I took his hand and brought it to my lips, planting a kiss on his soft skin. He wasn’t the only one with feelings of guilt when it came to family. My mother’s actions this afternoon weighed on my conscience. She truly believed Noah and I were happy and in love. She would be heartbroken when she found out the truth.
The hotel room turned out to have just one bed instead of the two I’d requested because, apparently, a family had neededa last-minute stay and the receptionist made the swap without asking.
“It’s not a problem. Is it?” Noah asked as we dropped our bags on the floor of the small room.
“It’s only one night.”
He scrunched his face. “I got us a room with one bed only at the vineyard. Adam had a room block booked, and I didn’t want to ask for a different room in case anyone asked questions.”
I took him to the bed and made him sit down. I kneeled in front of him between his legs.
