Total pages in book: 184
Estimated words: 188108 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 941(@200wpm)___ 752(@250wpm)___ 627(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 188108 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 941(@200wpm)___ 752(@250wpm)___ 627(@300wpm)
“What kind of conversation?” she asked.
“I was unsure if your family would love me,” Tamsyn told the other woman. “The guys told me that you all would.”
“Oh.” His mum looked up at her, then a smile broke across her face. “I’m sure we will. Again, I apologize for the other day.”
“It was my fault as well. I should have explained myself better, I just wasn’t sure what Salem wanted me to say. He has assured me that I’m to tell everyone that I belong to him.”
“Is that so?” his mum said.
Tamsyn moved forward and hugged the other woman. Salem didn’t let go of her hand for a start, so it was a rather awkward hug.
And then he drew her back. Which was even worse because she wasn’t finished giving his mum a hug. It had been rather nice.
“Oh, uh, right,” his mum said.
Obviously, she was overcome by what a great hug she’d just given her.
Tamsyn gave herself a small pat on the back as Roman helped Salem’s mum inside. Why he’d been standing behind Salem’s mum, Tamsyn didn’t know.
Alexei leaned into her. “You just patted yourself on the back for a job well done, didn’t you?”
Oh, drat.
He’d seen that?
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“You know exactly what I mean, Bunny,” he replied. “And I still want to know how you learned to break a hold.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” She smiled up at him even as her insides died a bit more at her lies. “I think that Salem was holding onto me quite loosely.”
“I guess he must have been.”
“Come on, you two,” Salem said.
“Shall I hug her again?” she asked as he took her hand once more to lead her into the warm house. They stopped in the small foyer and Salem removed Tamsyn’s hat, scarf, and gloves before taking off her coat and hanging it up.
Finally!
She felt like she couldn’t move with all those clothes on.
“Uh, no. I don’t think that’s necessary,” Salem said, giving her a curious look. “Strange, I didn’t take you for the hugging type.”
“I thought it was appropriate. Was it not? Oh no, I’ve messed up already, haven’t I? Shall I take it back?”
“How do you take back a hug?”
“I don’t know! Has anyone created time travel yet? Where’s Roman? He can look it up.” Her breathing was growing faster, and she twisted her hands in the nice, plain top that Salem had bought for her for tonight. His parents must like plain, boring clothes.
“Calm down.” Salem placed one hand around the back of her neck and squeezed.
It calmed her immediately.
She didn’t know how he did that. How could he calm her so easily? Of course, she’d never really gotten this worked up before she’d met them, so . . .
“Take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. And again. Good girl. That’s it. Nice, slow breaths.”
“We should go in,” she said. Would his family be wondering what they were doing?
“We’ll go when I think you’re ready and not before,” he told her sternly. “Now, I didn’t say talk. I said, breathe.”
Yikes.
So commanding.
And so arousing.
She pressed her thighs together.
“Our girl likes that,” Alexei said in a husky voice. “She likes being told what to do.”
She did.
And she was starting to think it was because she really didn’t know what she was doing most of the time. Give her a job and she was good. Tell her to infiltrate a gang and she was on it.
Take her home to meet the family.
No. Fucking. Clue.
“She does. But this isn’t about pleasure. This is about keeping her happy and calm and feeling secure. We are here with you, all right? You’re not alone. We are here. We’re not leaving you alone.”
“What if I do something inappropriate? Was hugging your mother wrong?”
“Of course not. Unexpected, but not wrong.”
“Although you might want to remember she’s five-foot nothing next time and not lean all your weight on her,” Roman said, walking back up to them. “I had to quickly catch her before you both toppled to the floor.”
Tamsyn groaned and leaned forward, placing her forehead on Salem’s chest. See? This is why she didn’t want to come in.
“Roman, I nearly had her calmed down,” Salem scolded.
“Oh. Sorry. I thought she was wanting feedback.”
“I was. I am. I’m sorry. Should I apologize?” she asked.
Salem rubbed his hand up and down her back. “Definitely not. I’m sure my mum loved that hug. It was enthusiastic and real. I’m sure she appreciated that.”
Right. Yeah. She wasn’t sure that his mum had really appreciated nearly being pushed over from a stranger’s hug.
This right here is why she needed to do some research first.
You’re an idiot.
“What are the four of you doing in here? First, you stand on the pavement giving the neighbors a show, now you’re all crowded into the entrance, surrounding that poor girl. She probably can’t even breathe. Big brutes are taking up all of her air. Come here, dear. Come with me and meet my husband, Salem’s father.”