Page 15 of The Tycoon (The Douglas Brothers #1)

Sutton

She is unfucking believable.

Gritting my teeth, I swallow a bitter expletive as my Mama stomps her way towards us.

Dolly attempts to slide from my lap, but I hold her firm.

I can feel her anxiety brushing against my aura, further adding to my annoyance.

How dare my Mama be so brazen? She knows better than to show up at my condo unannounced. We have protocols in place.

“Sutton, please,” Dolly begs.

Moving her hands under the warm water, she tries to ease my grip on her hips. I click my tongue in disapproval loud enough for her to hear. She halts her movement almost immediately, pouting her pink lips as I shake my head. Her body softens with my direction like the natural submissive she is.

“That’s my good girl,” I praise.

Lifting my lips into a reassuring grin, I release her bruised hips but keep my fingertips on her skin. Tracing phantom shapes to comfort her, I lean in to kiss her flushed cheek.

“Don’t worry, she loves you already. I promise.”

Letting out a disbelieving laugh, her eyes most likely roll behind her oversized sunglasses. I know she wants to retort to the contrary but my Mama arrives just in time.

“Sutton Andrew Douglas!”

Oh, I’m in trouble. She used my full goddamn name.

“Mama, how good it is to see you,” I reply, smiling up at her.

She pushes out a frustrated growl, the sound sets off her little demon Pomeranian. Sweetie responds to her vexation, growling and barking at me as if I have slighted her too. This damn dog. I swear, I’ve never wanted to punt an animal more in my entire life.

“There are children present, Sutton!” she hisses over her Sweetie’s canine tantrum.

Moving my head, I look around Dolly towards the kiddie pool thirty yards away. I count two babies and a toddler no more than two years old. Their parents are fully consumed in their adorableness, I doubt they have even looked our way.

Oh, the scandal.

“They’re babies, Mama. I promise you, no one has paid us any attention besides you. And if they did, I’m not doing anything more than kissing my soulmate. Which, by the way, Mama, please meet Dolly,” I reply.

Pressing her lips together, my Mama takes a moment to collect herself.

It isn’t long before she slips back into the pageant queen she’s been all her life.

She’s still madder than a hornet, but she knows how important Dolly is to me.

She will contain her rage until we’re alone. I could bet money on it.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Dolly,” she says, her voice almost eerily calm.

Even with my Mama’s change in demeanor, Sweetie continues to yip and yap. Bearing her sharp little teeth, she tosses her furry body around in my Mama’s hold.

Clearing her throat, Dolly fully turns her body towards my Mama. I allow her to move off of my lap so she’s able to create some physical distance between us. I don’t like it one bit, but I want my Princess to feel as comfortable as she can during this important introduction.

Lifting her mirrored sunglasses, she rests them on top of her head. Stepping to the side of the jacuzzi, she outstretches her arm to give my Mama her hand.

“Hi, Mrs. Douglas, I’m Dolly…Dolly Dixon. It’s so good to meet you.”

As soon as her melodic voice cuts through the air, Sweetie grows silent.

Her little body stops frantically jerking in my Mama’s arm.

Tilting her head to and fro, she surveys Dolly with what can only be described as an actual smile on her furry face.

Her reaction is odd to say the least; it causes both my Mama and me to look at one another in shock.

This puntable dog has never shown a lick of respect for anyone besides my Mama, and even then, the instances are few and far between.

Softening the rest of the annoyance from her expression, my Mama bends down to be at Dolly’s eye level. Taking her hand, she gives it a shake. Dolly has no clue, but she has just endeared herself to her for the rest of her life.

“It’s a pleasure, Dolly. And please…call me Mama,” she replies, letting go of her hand.

Blinking at her, Dolly huffs a tiny giggle. Glancing at me, I watch as her nervousness kicks into high gear. Folding her arms over her barely covered chest, she tries to hide the various marks I’ve left between the valley of her breasts and along her collarbone.

“Ok, Mama, I’m really glad I get to meet you,” she says, her voice shaking at the seams.

Mimicking her little dog, Mama quirks her head as she gazes upon my love.

She boldly reaches out to brush a strand of blonde hair from Dolly’s face, affording her a small bit of affection that she rarely gives to her own children or beloved husband.

Let alone a woman who is bearing the bite marks of her son.

“I’m so glad you’ve come into my Sutton’s life, beautiful girl. I didn’t think he would ever want to be shackled down.”

A genuine smile lifts Dolly’s lips; her gaze falls into the bubbling water. She shifts her weight, unsure of what to say.

Now that I’ve recovered from my erection, I move to stand behind her to give her some confidence. Wrapping my arm around her protectively, I gently pull her flush against my torso.

“Well consider me shackled, Mama,” I say, placing a soft kiss upon the crown of Dolly’s head. “Now why are you here? You know there’s something called a phone, right?”

Turning her head, Dolly looks at me with wide eyes. If she wasn’t trying to cover her love bites, I’m sure she would slap me.

“Sutton, be nice,” she whispers.

Shrugging my shoulders, I exhale through my nose. I didn’t mean for my question to sound so harsh, but if it wasn’t for her I would be inside my Princess’ perfect little pussy right now in this hot tub. I love my Mama to death, but I am just a little miffed.

Pressing her lips into a fine line, Mama shakes her head at me. Now I have two women that want to slap me.

“You are lucky Dolly is standing next to you, son,” she begins, her voice turning to ice.

“I'll have you know I have been trying to call you! I’ve sent you a million texts! You’re not answering me back, boy.

I knew you would be out by the pool eventually, and I need to work on my tan so, here I am.

But we have some important business to discuss.

Our dear friend Senator Murphy isn’t too happy with the…

contract we were trying to renegotiate. There are some amendments to it that we must adhere to. ”

My entire body stiffens; all the arrogance falls from my face. I was really counting on the amazing Kitty Douglas to sweetly talk her way out of my failure, but I suppose that would have been too easy. Karma has to nick me in the artery every now and then to keep things balanced.

“How close are we to losing this contract, Mama?” I ask.

She lets out an exaggerated sigh before standing to full height.

“We only have until this weekend to make good on our end of the deal.”

A wave of unusual anxiety flows over me from head to toe.

I suppose my plans of whisking Dolly away to Tuscany are now sufficiently snuffed.

I’ll have to reschedule it for after the meeting with the board of directors at the end of next month.

Murphy might be one of my family’s most loyal supporters, but I would love to throat punch him right this very second.

Keeping my covered gaze on my Mama, I attempt to loosen my rigid body language. As much as it angers me, I do need to get this sorted out as soon as possible.

“Sweetie really likes you, Princess,” I say, my voice tight despite my efforts. “I have some puppy treats for her in the kitchen. Why don’t you take her back up and give her some so I can sort things out. We won’t be long, I promise.”

Nodding her head, Dolly shrugs her shoulders. She probably has no interest in dog sitting the demon, but I think she can tell by the change in my demeanor that she doesn’t have much of a choice.

“Yeah, of course,” she replies, quickly moving to the stairs of the hot tub and climbing out.

Grabbing her towel from the concrete floor, she quickly dries off her curvy body.

I watch her from the corners of my eyes, admiring the way her bottoms are just a hair’s breadth from slipping off her hips.

She must feel my gaze, for she quickly reties the bow and wraps the terry cloth around her torso. Much to my chagrin.

Turning her attention from me to Dolly, Mama brings Sweetie in for a kiss.

“You be a good girl for Dolly, yes? Be a good girl? Aww, I know you will! I know you will!”

Curling my lips in semi-disgust, I watch horrified as Sweetie licks my Mama’s lips. I will never understand how people allow their dogs to lick their faces, especially their mouths. It makes me want to dry heave.

“Come on, Sweetie! Let’s go find you some treats!” Dolly says, her voice hitting an octave that I have yet to hear.

Carefully taking the dog from Mama, she holds the pup like it's the most precious thing in the world. To my shock, the devil dog doesn’t put up any sort of a fight. Not even giving Mama the courtesy of another look, Sweetie allows her to take her away.

“We won’t be long, you remember the code right, Princess?” I ask.

Turning her head, Dolly gives me a quick nod.

“I do, Sir. Take your time,” she replies before smiling at Mama. “I’ll take really good care of Sweetie, I promise.”

“Oh, I know you will, darlin’! We’ll be up in a few!” Mama replies.

Watching her as she walks away, I unabashedly have my fill of the sway of her hips. Whatever my Mama has to say better be quick, I need to make up for our lost time in the hot tub.

“Sutton Andew Douglas!” Mama hisses.

There’s my full name, again. I barely have time to look at my Mama before she bends down and begins whacking on my bicep.

“Hey, hey, hey! What, Mama? Damn!”

Giving me another slap for good measure, she pushes out an annoyed huff.

“That girl is covered in hickeys, Sutton! My God! Have you no shame?” she growls.

Holding in a laugh, I purposefully paste a look of faux remorse on my face.

“Don’t worry, Mama, I’m going to marry that girl. But if it makes you feel better, I’ll make sure she’s covered up from now on until they heal. She’s a good girl, it was all me. I just got a little carried away. I’m sorry.”

Her frown deepens, I know she isn’t happy with my actions one bit.

“I know she’s a good girl, Sweetie wouldn’t have let her take her away so easily if she wasn’t.

Just be careful from now on, ok? Speaking of…

please tell me you’ve been using protection?

Lord, I really don’t want to plan a shotgun wedding.

I mean I will, but Sutton, I swear, that girl is too pretty to wear a maternity wedding dress! ” she squeaks.

I can’t help but chuckle at her plight. I knew she would love Dolly, but I’m sure she wouldn’t be this over-the-moon with her if it wasn’t for her damn dog. I guess I’ll have to make sure Sweetie gets a really good birthday present this year.

“I suggest you call around to venues in Lake Como sooner, rather than later,” I reply simply.

Gasping sharply, she gives me another wallop on my arm.

My older brother, Dalton, had a child out of wedlock a little over a year ago and it’s been a sore subject ever since.

She actually had a conference call with the four of us where she made us promise that we would be properly married before we brought another Douglas into the world.

She’s ridiculous. I love her, but she’s ridiculous.

“Sutton! Gah! You are going to give me a heart attack!” she exclaims.

Letting out a sigh, I move to gently hold her upper arms. Nodding my head, I give her the smirk that has been disarming her since I was a child.

“Mama, everything is going to be fine, I promise. Now, can we please discuss Murphy?”

Straightening her posture, she gives me a curt nod. Easing from my hold, she folds her arms over her chest. Her businesswoman stance lets me know that this is serious. It causes the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up on end.

“His niece is still hangin’ on for dear life. But good news! One of the girls on your app has perfect markers. Better than Dolly’s, actually. She’ll be an excellent candidate.”

Staring at her for a long moment, my eyes narrow behind my sunglasses. I swear I hear the beast inside me lick its chops, but for once in my life, I don’t want to indulge the damn thing.

“Get Linc to do it,” I reply casually.

Shaking her head, she starts tapping her foot on the concrete.

“She’s been talking to you…or, at least she was talking to you.

I doubt she will want to talk to your little brother.

No, you have to be the one to do this, Sutton.

I’m sorry, but you have to do this. There will be serious consequences if you don’t.

You want to give Dolly the life she deserves, right?

You want to give your future children, my future grandchildren, the lives they deserve?

Well, then. You will do this little task, hmm? ”

Clenching my jaw, I fight the urge to rage. I am lodged between a rock and a hard place. I know l must do this, but I am terrified of Dolly finding out. Not necessarily about me killing this woman, mind you. I’m more scared about her finding out that I took another woman out on a date.

“When?” I ask, my voice dangerously low.

“Friday,” she replies.

Nodding my head slowly, I marinate on the timeline.

I will have to concoct an overnight business trip, but that’s easily done.

I’ll take her house hunting that morning and leave her on a high.

When I come home, we’ll go out on the town.

Murphy will be happy, my Mama will be happy, my Princess will be happy, everything will be copasetic.

“Fine. But I’m not doing it in Dallas. There’s no way in hell I’m risking Dolly finding out. Set everything up for San Antonio.”

“I had a feeling you would say that. Murphy will have his jet available so it shouldn’t be a problem,” she says, her body relaxing in relief.

“Alright then, San Antonio it is. I’ll let Harrison know.

And don’t worry about Dolly. I’ll take her out shopping and out to dinner. She won’t even miss you.”

Giving her the smallest smile, I climb out of the jacuzzi to kiss her cheek. It really is a good thing that I’m her favorite. There’s no way in hell she would distract any of my other brothers’ girls.

“Thank you, Mama. I love you.”

“I love you too, Sutton. Now, that was simple enough, wasn’t it? Let me grab my things and we’ll head inside. Don’t worry, I’ll grab Sweetie and head back home. I’m sure you want some alone time just…please, go easy on the hickeys, ok?”

Huffing a laugh, I offer her the nod I know she expects. But little does she know, I have my fingers crossed.