Page 74 of Resist

“Okay okay,” I surrendered. “I’ll go.”

Lucas mashed his lips to mine once more then pulled away. “You’re gonna love it. I promise.”

Unfortunately, I didn’t share his confidence.

I’d barely exited the taxiwhen the smell of roast lamb filtered across my nose. My stomach grumbled, but my guess was that the gurgle was more to do with protesting my pending introduction to Lucas’s family in T-minus thirty seconds than it was hunger. I hadn’t been this nervous since meeting the revue for the first time.

“Do I look okay?” I smoothed down my below-the-knee, floral, Dolce & Gabbana sweetheart dress.

“You look…” He dragged his eyes over my body, from head to toe and back up again. “I can’t even say what you look like without growing hard.”

“LUCAS!” I whacked his arm then glanced up at the white weatherboard house we were standing in front of. “Shh, your family might hear.”

He chuckled and placed his hand in mine, and I nearly tripped at the unfamiliarity. I hadn’t held a man’s hand in … well … I couldn’t even remember how long.

“You okay?” He squeezed my fingers with his.

“Yes. Just these damn heels.”

“Don’t curse those heels. They’re staying on later when everything else comes off.”

I whacked his arm again but smiled at the thought as we climbed the stairs to the front porch, a white timber lattice railing traversing your typical beach cottage style house. Lucas raised his hand to knock, but the flyscreen door was pushed open before he’d even had the chance.

“My baby boy! Come here and let me look at you.” Mrs Malone held out her stubby arms.

“Hey, Mum.” He let go of my hand and practically knelt like a knight before her.

She kissed his cheeks. “Oh my goodness! Stop growing. People will think I stole you and carried you down a beanstalk.”

I let out a laugh; I liked her already.

“And you must be Helena. I’ve heard so much about you.” She stepped around Lucas and held her arms out for a hug.

I welcomed her embrace. “Hello. Pleased to meet you.”

She held me at an arm’s length. “You weren’t kidding, Lucas. She’s beautiful.”

I blushed like a schoolgirl on her first date. It was ridiculous.

“Please, come inside and meet the rest of the family.”

Mrs Malone ushered us indoors while shouting for Tilly, Sally, Bec, and Fred to present themselves.

“Til’s here?” Lucas asked, surprised.

She gave him an impressed nod and Lucas returned the gesture.

He leaned in and lowered his voice. “Remember I told you that Til isn’t a fan of Fred?”

I, too, nodded my understanding.

We entered the kitchen/dining area, and I was greeted by three women, one of which was jiggling a toddler on her hip.

Lucas let go of my hand and lunged for the little boy. “Tyler, my little man.”

The blond, blue-eyed, dimpled bundle of extreme cuteness dove into Lucas’s arms.

“Have you got a high-five for uncle Lucas?” Lucas held up his hand and Tyler slammed his chubby little palm against it. “Nice one, buddy.” He turned to me. “Come and say hello to Helena.”