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“Familiar with the area?” My brain’s not connecting. It must be the way his hands run up and down my sides, keeping me close, the fireworks sprinkling across my skin at every pass.

“The area where your parents live? We can take something sporty, or if it’s a longer drive, we can take the SUV.”

I raise my eyebrows as it dawns on me.

“You want to come meet my parents?” I almost squeak out, gobsmacked.

“Well, technically, I’ve already met your mom…” he says tentatively, watching me as a million different things race through my mind. I’ve never taken a man home to meet my parents. To be honest, I really like the idea of taking Connor. I’m hesitant, though, because in a few weeks, this love affair we’re having will be over. But as I start to smile, happiness wins out. I’ve spent weeks in his hometown, and I like the idea of introducing him to my dad.

“Unless you don’t want me to…” He pulls away from me slightly, looking conflicted.

“Do you even like dahl?” I ask him, quirking an eyebrow to tease him.

“I don’t even know what the fuck darrrrrllll is. But you love it, so I will too.”

I laugh at his exaggeration of the word.

“I just thought since the Jets were playing that you might have had plans to go to the game. To your suite.” I say, knowing that Trisha is working today and his love for football runs deep.

“Do your parents have a TV?” he asks, and my smile widens.

“Yes,” I tell him, nodding, the giddiness I feel almost overtaking any sense of preservation I’ve been holding on to. Meeting my parents isn’t casual, and I’ve given him an out that he hasn’t taken.

“Well, I’ll be fine. As long as your mom’s darrrrlllll doesn’t kill me.”

I’m giggling as he pulls me close, this all feeling too good and too perfect.

“Well, it’s spicy….” I say, leaving him hanging, and he grins.

“It can’t be any worse than that tea she made me at Sunshine.”

That interaction was just over a month ago, yet it feels like a lifetime.

“That was our aphrodisiac tea.” I roll my lips together so I don’t laugh as his eyebrows shoot up.

“Well, that explains it then…” he trails off, and I frown, waiting for him to continue.

“Explains what?”

“Why I’m totally bewitched by you and have been since the moment I first met you.”

Humming, I say, “Well, good to know that our tea actually works.”

“Oh, it isn’t the tea…” he says, suddenly looking serious. My body stills as I feel our conversation morphing into something less playful.

“No?” I ask, almost breathless.

“It’s all you, baby girl. Every inch of you, from your fantastic round ass, your perfect curves, your killer smile, your intelligence, and your humor. I could keep that list going if you need more convincing.”

My gasp is caught by his lips as he kisses me wholly, and I mesh into his hold, wondering how I’m ever going to recover from this man before he pulls back just a little to whisper.

“Your downward dog is pretty fantastic too.”

31

CONNOR

I’m smiling as we pull up to Daisy’s family home.