My mother, Lena, was in an upbeat mood and her eyes actually twinkled when she saw Capri. “Oh my, you are stunning. Are you dating my son?”
I groaned, but Capri yet again flabbergasted me with her response.
“Your son has been helping me with something very serious, but I can’t deny he is trying to woo me with his adorable dimples and his undeniable charm.”
Mom gushed, and it was the start of a very good visit.
I’d just wish it had stayed that way until we left.
Right before they came in to bring her medicine and we were about to leave, my mother’s demeanor changed. I was used to the ups and downs but I hadn’t wanted Capri to see it.
My mom started mumbling to herself, totally withdrawn at first and then started screaming. “She’s a whore trying to take you away from me! Please don’t let her take you away from me!”
When she got up out of the chair she was seated in and started toward us, I pushed Capri behind me, my protective instinct kicking in. I wasn’t sure what my mother would have done but multiple orderlies rushed in and took control.
I pulled Capri around to my front and into my embrace. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought you,” I murmured into her ear. “You don’t need this in your life.”
She was quiet and I knew I had screwed up.
Capri waited in the lobby while I made sure my mother was settled and then we walked out to head back home. I opened the door for Capri, but she didn’t get in. After turning to me, she placed both hands on my chest and leaned in and gave me a sweet, featherlight kiss.
“You said I don’t need this in my life.”
I nodded, remembering what I said and my heart beat faster knowing things were going to change drastically right then. I hadn't a clue that it was for the better.
“Your mother is a part of you, therefore she is part of the package, good or bad. You are an amazing son and man.”
Moving her hands to my face, she looked me dead in the eye.
“I need you, Pax.”
I felt like the luckiest son of a bitch in the world.
My hands came to my face and I placed them over the top of hers.
“Are you sure, darlin’?”
“I love when you call me that,” she said, breathlessly. “And,yes, I am sure.”
“Thank fuck,” I said.
And then I took her sweet mouth in a kiss for whoever to see right there in the parking lot.
ChapterFifteen
CAPRI
It wasa perfect day for a barbeque.
The August sun kissed my skin, warming me from head to toe while I sat out in Braxton and Jurnee’s backyard, the trickling sound of the river rushing through my ears as my mind wandered.
Another couple of weeks passed without incident and I began to wonder if it was merely a regular break-in at the bakery and had nothing to do with my past.
But Paxton said he had a feeling that we needed to keep as we were because his instincts said it wasn’t random. I trusted him, so our routine stayed the same.
I couldn’t complain when it meant Pax went to work with me every day and was in my bed every night. Even though all we did was kiss, cuddle, and sleep, it felt so natural. Sometimes I wanted to pinch myself to see if I was awake and not in a dream.
How I had gone from never wanting another man or trusting one, to not being able to imagine Pax not being in my life, was surreal.
