Page 26 of Hacking His Code

Today is the day that everyone is aware of, but no one mentions—my mother’s and aunt’s birthday. We’re forbidden from truly celebrating it because of the emotions it conjures. Still, Chet makes it a point to be here for the hard days.

Growing up, he was something of a fun uncle, but he’s come by less and less over the years. He refuses to even entertain the idea of giving up his bachelorhood, though he’s no longer the Hollywood heartthrob he once was.

“Chet,” my mother says as she walks into the room. “How good it is to see you again. It’s been…how many months?”

Chet envelops her in a hug. “Several. Time just slips away from us, I guess.”

My mother is dressed in old Hollywood elegance, a silver dress dripping in sparkling embellishments. I can’t remember a time I’ve ever seen her look less than perfect, from her intricately laid golden hair to her impeccable clothing, always tailor fit.

My mother’s eyes turn to my father, flooding with love and devotion. I’ve never seen my mother look at another man the way she looks at my father, which is hilarious because she’s beautiful and he’s a complete nerd.

Father takes her hand into his, lightly kissing her knuckles.

“Your son has a surprise for you,” he says.

Mother turns to me. “Oh?”

Fuck…why didn’t I think this through?

Arinessa being a warm body will be enough to make my mother fall in love with her, as ridiculous as it sounds. She’ll see her as her best chance at securing not just a friend, but a grandchild, shower her with kind words and gifts, and then, at week’s end, I’ll have to tell her that Ari and I just didn’t work out. Not enough in common is what I’ll say. She’ll manage a tight smile. It’ll break my heart.

My mother’s eyes light up. “Why, hello?”

I look over my shoulder, and my breath leaves my chest.

At first, I don’t even recognize her with her hair perfectly set, the messy strands seemingly tamed. Her eyes are what draws my attention next, sultry mystery replacing wide-eyed innocence.

The dress she has on highlights her perfect hourglass figure, her thin waist giving way to the dramatic curve of her hips.

She’s not the woman I met just a couple hours earlier. Oh, no. She’s somehow captured the ethereal elegance of an angel and the salacious mystery of demoness. The kind you sell your soul to in the blink of an eye so you can grovel at her feet.

I hear my mother utter out some formality, but it’s lost on me as I drink in the dramatic curves Arienssa has on display. Shapely legs, round hips, generous breasts—a fucking playground for a man like myself. What I wouldn’t give to take her back upstairs, tear that dress off, and bury my cock as deep as it will go—

“Hunter?” my mother’s voice finally breaks through my overwhelming fantasy, and I realize that all eyes are on me.

“Do you care to make an introduction?” Mother says pointedly.

“Oh, yes. Of course. Mother, Father, Chet, this is Arinessa Sylvan,” I gesture to the brunette beauty that is now standing by my side. “Arinessa, this is my father, Rand; my mother, Ernestine; and my fun uncle Chet.”

The hopeful look in my mother’s eyes is not lost on me.

“What a pleasure,” Mother says. “And why might you be dining with us tonight?”

“Hunter has apparently grown quite close to the lovely lady,” Father interjects, wanting to be the one to tell her the good news.

Mother’s eyes grow round as her head snaps in his direction. “And you didn’t tell me?” A playful hand slaps his arm.

“It’s still new,” I cut in, “and we’re taking some time to get to know each other.”

“He’s taking a week off from work while she stays here,” Father adds.

Mother’s hands fly to her mouth. “What fun! We’ll do brunch and go shopping. I can’t wait to hear all about you: where you’re from, what you do, how many children you want.”

She just couldn’t help herself.

Arinessa’s eyes grow round, understandably confused by the forward questions.

“Maybe we should get started on dinner,” Chet comes in with a save. “I’m starving.”