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He grips my hips lightly and gently breaks the kiss. “Are you sure?”

I quirk a brow. “Unless you want to leave?”

He pulls me close, kissing up my neck and along my jaw. Connor’s phone rings and he sighs against my throat. He reaches out, blindly grabbing for his phone off the bedside table as he continues kissing over my cheek.

“Hello?” His voice is low, his desire clear.

“Hi, baby boy!” A bright, kind voice comes through the phone. Connor’s eyes go wide, and he bolts upright, sending me flying back onto the bed.

“Hi, Mom!” His cheeks flush brighter than I’ve ever seen.

I bite my lip to keep from laughing. I grab the shirt he wore last night from the end of the bed and pull it on, but keep some distance between us. There is something oddly indecent about being nearly naked in bed with him while he is on the phone with his mom.

“How’s one of my six favorite boys in the whole world?” Her voice is muffled, but thanks to my fae hearing, the phone may as well be pressed to my ear instead of his.

“I’m great, Mom. It’s weird you call Dad a boy, though.” Connor laughs. Any trace of embarrassment has vanished from his face.

“He’s my first boy! You know he’s a big kid, especially when it comes to roughhousing with our babies!”

There’s something so endearing about hearing this conversation between them. It is so filled with familial love that I can’t help but be drawn in, and I shift closer to him. Connor wraps his arm around me and pulls me closer.

“So, uh… speaking of roughhousing.” Connor pauses, and I feel tension fill his body. “I need to tell you something.”

“Rafe’s missing,”

Connor’s mom says, and a pang of guilt spears through me. I should tell him I’ve seen Rafe and that he’s fine, but I can’t. I need to keep the agreement Rafe and I made this morning.

“Luke called me this morning,” his mom continues. “Do you need us to come to Avalon?”

“No, I can handle it.” Connor tightens his arm around me as if absorbing strength from me. “He’s fighting again.”

“I figured.” She sighs, and I can hear the burden entwined with the concern in her voice. “That sweet, perfect boy.” My brows draw at that. How can she think of him like that, knowing what he’s doing? He’s inflicting pain not only on those he fights but his family, as well. Is that what a mother’s love is supposed to be?

“Your father and I are planning a visit soon anyway since none of my perfect boys have visited us in weeks!” Again, I hear nothing but love in her voice, no lingering disappointment or hurt, only the desire to see them.

I wave, pulling Connor’s attention and mouth to him,“Do you want me to go?”

He shakes his head and pulls me closer. “Not too soon, Mom. I have to be official with Summer first.”

His mom squeals. “How are you both? You promised me a photograph of her for the binder! Is she beautiful? I bet she is absolutely stunning. And so kind. Just perfection. The best for my Conbear.”

My lips twitch at the adorable pet name, but discomfort squirms in my stomach at the rest of her words. How could I ever live up to such steep expectations? I am nothing more than an outsider, an interloper.

Connor looks at me, his blue eyes searching mine. “She’s gorgeous. But you don’t get a photo until she is officially my girlfriend.”

“Is she not wanting to be exclusive with you? I could talk to her! A lot of girls are just traumatized by men, Con.”

You have no idea, Mrs. Morningstar…

Connor laughs. “No, Mom, we are exclusive. She’s just a little shy.”

“She’s shy? How unexpected!”

Connor kisses my temple. “Not shy in that way, Mom. She’s just shy about committing. You know I’m a patient guy.”

“You are. My perfect, Connor. Fine. Your father and I will stop pushing about visiting, but remember, parent’s weekend is coming up! Please send me a photo. I want to know who my baby boy is so besotted with!”

“Farrah, my love, he will send it when they are ready,” a male voice gently interrupts. The affection and love in his voice make my heart ache.