Page 64 of Stroked Hard
Yup, and I led him on last night. Crap, What does he think of “us” now?
He’s probably already picked out my wedding dress and the song we’ll dance to for our first dance.
Fantastic.I just don’t get why. Why me?
***
“Hey Mom.” I answer my phone, putting it on speaker as I navigate my way home. “How are you?”
“Good. Just got off work and thought I would give my little girl a call. I was thinking about coming up on Sunday to see you. Are you available?”
“I think I have to style the devil in the morning but I’m free the rest of the day. By the time you drive up here, I’m sure I’ll be done.”
“Oh perfect. I thought maybe we could go get pedicures. My feet are looking a little like snaggle claws.”
I laugh, turning into my apartment complex. “What the hell are snaggle claws, Mom?”
“You know,” she pauses to think and then says, “like sloth toes.”
I laugh out loud. “That’s so disturbing, Mom. I don’t think I want to get a pedicure with you. The ladies will judge us.”
“Oh, let them judge. I’m sure they let their toes hang loose every once in a while.”
The light cheery tone of my mom’s voice puts me at ease. There doesn’t seem to be any awkwardness between us, especially after the last time I talked to her. I hate thinking my mom might be upset with me, as it puts me in such a crappy mood. It’s only ever been us.
I park my car, grab my bags, and pick up my phone, maneuvering out of my car like a pro.
“Do you want me to make appointments?” I ask, adjusting my phone so I take it off speakerphone and put it up to my ear.
“That would be great. But go somewhere cheap. None of those fancy places in Beverly Hills.”
I would never book us an appointment there because I know my mom wouldn’t be able to afford it, which cuts me in half. I wish I could take my mom to a fancy spa where we could wear white robes and drink champagne all day while people fawn over us. It would be a small sliver of what I could do to show her how much I appreciate her and everything she’s done for me.
“Don’t worry, Mom. We can go to my favorite place right down the block. It’s walkable so we can enjoy the ocean breeze.”
“Sounds wonderful, honey. Do you want me to bring sandwich makings so we can eat beforehand?”
Sandwich makings—her way of cost cutting and not having to go out to lunch. Always thinking of the bottom line.
I jiggle my keys in my hand and walk up to my apartment. “You know what, Mom, I actually—” I pause when I see a familiar frame standing by my door, a bouquet of flowers in his hand and a sexy-as-sin grin on his face. Shit. “Uh, hey can I call you back?”
“Sure, is everything okay?”
As I approach, Hollis steps closer, a wicked look on his face. Oh crap, what does he have planned now?
“Yeah, everything’s fine. Um, plan for me to take you to lunch and don’t argue with me. Love you, Mom. Talk to you later.”
I hang up just as Hollis reaches me. “Hey, baby.” His hand grips my cheek as he pulls me in for a quick kiss on the cheek. My stomach clenches from the intimate touch. “Talking to your boyfriend?” he asks with a smile.
“My mom,” I answer, putting some distance between us. “What are you doing here?”
His smile falters for a second from my abrupt tone. “Can’t a guy bring a girl flowers?”
The bouquet he holds out to me is stunning, a handful of beautiful white lilies. The smell of the flowers combined with Hollis’s signature cologne is intoxicating, making me feel silly drunk with lust.
“You going to take them, sweetheart, or are you just going to stand there and stare at me?”
Shifting my bags, I go to grab them but Hollis instead takes my bags, slings them over his shoulder and then wraps his arm around me, pressing his lips to the side of my forehead. For just one moment, I melt into his side and allow myself to bask in the man’s warm embrace. I can’t remember ever doing that, letting someone else hold me other than my mom. And it feels good. Too good. Like being held all night last night.Thatwas too good and can’t happen again. I can’t allow him to do that and keep him at arm’s length. But I loved waking up with him. Loved the warmth of his arms wrapped around me. Seeing his face first thing.Don’t go there, Mel. It’s not for you. Not your forever.
