I ran my fingertip over his bottom lip as I exaggerated my response. “Noooo. You? Intimidating?”
He bit my finger playfully and pointed at me. “That, right there. That’s what brings me out of my head. Sometimes I overthink.”
“I didn’t think you were nervous, but just in case, I wanted to set your mind at ease.”
Preston glared at me with pride and affection. “So, wise guy, are you going to answer my question now that you’ve tried to kill me?”
I laughed, loving the lightness between us.
“Yes, they all know you’re coming and can’t wait to interrogate you.”
He sighed, but I knew he wasn’t nervous. “Oh good. Can’t wait.”
After he started the car, we drove the rest of the way, listening to his favorite playlist and discussing books we wanted to read.
Preston was obsessed with traveling, even though he didn’t get to do it as often as he’d like. He was anxious to show me all his favorite places in New York.
“So this trip really isn’t just a way for you to get me into bed?”
He tilted his head from side to side. “I really think seeing the elements of these places will help you design our space, but as for the other, a man can hope. The romance of the city in holiday mode is indescribable. It’s like a fairy tale at Christmas time. I want that feeling in the new place. And it’s just the beginning of the things I want to show you.”
Preston reached over and laced his fingers with mine. I wanted to see the world through his eyes, but that was something that would have to wait. The precious time we spent together revealed we had more in common than we originally thought.
“Does that scare you?” he asked apprehensively.
I squeezed his hand. “Surprisingly, not at all.”
The depth of my feelings and the bond we shared were completely foreign to me. I’d never taken anyone home to intentionally meet my family, much less on a holiday. But everything was different with Preston. We hadn’t slept together yet, and even though we both wanted it, I was the hold-up. Blow jobs were one thing, but the intimacy of making love put things on an entirely different level for me.
While I liked dating and meeting new people, I didn’t fuck just for the sake of fucking anymore. I left all that behind in college. I’d made it a point not to get involved with anyone I couldn’t see a future with. There was no point in wasting what little free time I had or invest my heart in something that was not going to work.
While I considered myself to be a hopeless romantic, I wasn’t one to fall easily. But this pushy, compulsive, and sometimes obstinate man felt like he was the one for me.
“Don’t be nervous about meeting my family. They’re really chill. My mom will love having another mouth to feed, and will probably talk your head off with culinary questions. She loves to cook.”
Preston grinned. “I’d love that. But I wouldn’t be offended if they grilled me about my intentions with you. That just means they care.”
“Just be you, and you won’t have to work too hard.”
He squeezed my hand. “I can’t wait. Thanks for inviting me.”
I lifted our joined hands to my mouth and kissed his hand. “Thank you for wanting to come. They mean the world to me, and it would have been hell choosing between you and them today.”
When we pulled up in front of the two-storey house with tan siding, Preston looked at me with a serious expression on his face. “Babe, I promise you’ll never have to choose.”
I leaned over and kissed him quickly, then pulled away before I jumped him. “Let’s go before they all come storming out to meet you.”
Preston chuckled and opened the door. He reached into the backseat for the wine he’d brought. I should have known a chef couldn’t go without bringing food.
When he rounded the car, we walked up to the door, only to have it swing open and produce my kid sister.
“Nick!” she squealed and threw herself into my arms.
“Hey, Nickie. I’ve missed you!” I hugged my sister tightly and kissed her cheek. “Nic, this is Preston James. Babe, this is my sister, Nicole.”
He chuckled, obviously understanding the humor in our names. “It’s great to meet you, Nicole. Nick talks about you all the time.”
She beamed up at him. “You too, Preston. He talks about you, too. Come on,” she said, wrapping her arm through his. “The parents are waiting to meet you.”
