He grinned. “Or not. But they’re your family. And though overwhelming, your parents clearly love you.”
“Do you think?” Sometimes she wondered if they only approved when she did what they wanted, not sure unconditional love was a thing in her family.
“Yeah. I do think so. Now when you end up meeting my mom, you’ll see she’s different but the same. She’s sweet and open and shows her affection freely. But she also has a way of trying to manipulate her children into doing what she wants. I think it’s a mother thing.” After a pause, he added, “I’d actually love for you to meet my mom. She’s great with all my friends.”
Friends. Not girlfriends. Justine had to refrain from jumping in with aheck, yes, I’d love to go.It wouldn’t do to appear so eager to meet his mom. That was a total couple move, introducing each other to the parents. She’d only done so under pretense.
Now she was second-guessing Xavier’s part in her mess with the wedding.
“Are you sure meeting my folks was okay? I didn’t want you uncomfortable. I mean, we’re only pretend dating.”
“We sure as hell aren’t pretend fucking,” he said bluntly.
She blushed. “Xavier.”
“Sorry.” He didn’t look sorry. He looked a little peeved, to her surprise. “I mean, well, we’re friends, Justine. More than friends, obviously.” He looked her over, lingering on her breasts clearly unbound beneath her overshirt. “I’m trying not to make anything weird. But hey, I met your folks. It’s not a big deal unless you wanted to hide me.”
She matched his slow smile with one of her own. “Hide you? Why would I want to do that?” She looked him over, in lust with his strong frame.
“Now that’s better.” He flexed for her, making her laugh. “And just think. We might get to the point I’ll need you to get mymom off my back. She’s been suspiciously quiet about me getting married, and it’s because she assumes I’m going to start dating again. So save a date for me if I need a fake girlfriend. Deal?”
“Deal.” Justine felt better about last night’s dinner. If she ever did need to meet his mom to help him out of a jam, doing it as a favor was a lot easier to digest than wanting to cozy up to the man she wanted to claim as her own.
“I’d be happy to help you. Together, we can Mitch-slap anyone who gets in our way,” Justine teased.
Xavier laughed. “Mitch-slapped is totally now added to my lexicon.”
“Oh my gosh. What a word nerd. ‘Added to my lexicon,’” she said, imitating him.
“Word nerd?” He chortled, sounding like a cartoon villain, which had her chortling with him until they both broke down laughing and hugging each other.
Which soon turned back to kissing.
“You have too many clothes on,” he said as he nuzzled her neck.
“I do, don’t I?” She asked as she pushed down her shorts and whipped off the extra large tee-shirt. Then she hooked her fingers into the hem of his shorts and tugged them down, kneeling in front of him.
To her pleasant surprise, he was already half-hard. And when she put her lips on him and sucked, he thickened immediately.
“Justine…” He held her by the hair and started fucking her mouth.
She moaned, lost in lust and affection, needing more than they shared.
But she’d take the hot sex for now.
Because Xavier was nothing if not an equal opportunity pleaser.
CHAPTER 25
Saturday morning, when Xavier was trying to sneak back into his apartment, Benji happened to be standing out in the hallway, locking up his door. The sly grin he gave Xavier seemed out of place. Typically, Benji avoided interaction. Then again, they were friends, and he’d been a lot more open at Wednesday’s game night.
Benji smirked. “Walk of shame, eh?”
Xavier couldn’t exactly hide his bedhead or wrinkled clothing. He and Justine had shared the most remarkable Friday together. Mostly in bed, doing all manner of things. They’d gotten takeout, watched movies, and made love all day and night.
Tired but sated, he didn’t have the energy to do more than hold up his hands in surrender. “Busted.”
“I have a feeling you’re walking down from the third floor. Am I right?”
