Page 133 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. Two

“Apologies for dropping by later than we normally do,” Kathleen says. “We had quite a busy day. But of course we had to tell you hap—” She stops abruptly when she sees me. Her expression sours before she plasters on an obviously fake smile. “Elliot, who’s this?”

“This is Wren.” Stepping back from his mother, Elliot tugs me into him and wraps an arm around my shoulders. “She’s our partner.”

Kathleen frowns as she looks me up and down, and it’s a struggle to not shrink into Elliot. That’s not the type of first impression I want to give, even if the guys don’t seem to care about her opinion.

With a smile, I say, “It’s lovely to meet you.”

When her only response is to purse her lips, her husband steps forward, takes my hand, and shakes. “Likewise. I’m Joe, and this is Kathleen, in case you didn’t hear.”

“Mom,” Elliot says tightly.

Again, Kathleen tries to smile, but it doesn’t mask the viciousness shining in her eyes. “Hello, Wren. It’s lovely to meet you as well.” Her gaze only lingers on me for a moment before she turns her attention back to Elliot. “A new partner. When did this happen?”

“About a month ago.”

“Oh, so you’re still just getting to know each other,” she says, her composure brightening. “Testing the waters and all that.”

All three of the guys tense. Rhett opens his mouth, and the look on his face tells me things are about to get ugly, but Elliot cuts him off.

“We’re well past that stage, actually.”

Kathleen shoots Elliot a disbelieving look. “It’s only been a month, darling. You can’t truly test the waters until you’re past the honeymoon stage. Isn’t that right, Joe?”

Her husband isn’t even phased. He shoots Elliot an apologetic look before patting Kathleen’s arm. “Elliot is an adult, dearest. He’s old enough to make his own decisions. Besides, I’d say they know their relationship much better than we do.”

“Right. I suppose I’ll withhold my judgment until I know you better. If only we’d met sooner! But how could we, since Elliot didn’t even see a need to tell his mother about you. How odd.”

This bitch.I’ve seen this tactic enough to know exactly what she’s trying to do. If she thinks she can sow seeds of doubt in my mind about Elliot’s feelings for me, she’s gravely mistaken.

“Sounds like he’s had more important things to do,” I say, my tone sickeningly sweet.

Kathleen’s jaw drops, and Oliver dissolves into a sudden coughing fit. Internally, I kick myself.So much for a good first impression.

Elliot releases a tired sigh, but his reassuring hold on me never loosens. “I know it’s a big surprise. We sort of knew each other before we got together, and life has been hectic ever since. Today isn’t the exception. We were actually in the middle of making dinner.”

Kathleen crosses her arms, and I can’t tell if the look of hurt on her face is genuine or if it’s an act. “Is that an invitation? Or are you really throwing us out?”

“Mom, don’t put it like that. We were planning on having a quiet night in, that’s all.”

With a huff, Kathleen whirls around to face her husband. “On today of all days. How could he?”

“Mom! Don’t talk about me like I’m not right here.” Finally, a hint of exasperation bleeds into Elliot’s voice. “I didn’t know you were dropping by, okay?We have plans.”

Throwing her hands into the air, Kathleen asks, “Do I at least get to hug my son goodbye?”

“Yeah,” Elliot says, almost reservedly. “Yeah, of course.”

Rhett goes stiff, and his hands curl into fists.

Elliot seems reluctant to let go of me. His arm slides from my waist at a snail’s pace. When he steps up to his mom, she throws me a smug smile. It doesn’t last, though, because when she turns to Elliot, she gasps in horror, her gaze fixed on his neck.

“Is that… is that ahickey?!”

Again, Oliver coughs into his elbow, although he keeps it to just one this time. He catches my gaze with twinkling eyes and a grin that’s barely hidden behind his arm.

Elliot only sighs. “Mom, I’m almost twenty-nine. I can do what—”

“Much too old to still be getting hickeys, at least where they’re visible,” Kathleen exclaims. “What’re you thinking? You can’t hide that at work! And what do you mean,almosttwenty-nine?”