Conklin's Foundation (Conklin's Trilogy) (20 page)

“Tyler!  You’re early!” s
he exclaimed, holding a wine glass in her hand as she pulled on his shirt to bring him down to her level to kiss his cheek. 

Tyler stiffened.  “Hi,
Mom.  This is-”

“Becca!  It’s so nice to finally meet you!  Nathan has told me so much about you, althoug
h it should have been Tyler!” she exclaimed, embracing me in a hug.  “Nathan told me you were blonde?” she asked confused, her eyes a bit hazy.  She had been obviously drinking.

Tyler rolled his eyes, embarrassed by his mother
’s statement.

“Recent change,” I said with a half-smile, tugging self-consciously on my sweater.  Uh, why did Tyler lie to me about how everyone would be dressed?

“Well you are beautiful, as a blonde or a brunette.  You’ve got yourself a looker, Tyler,” she grinned, looking me up and down.

“Thank you,” I
flushed, trying not to squirm as her eyes took me in.  The second her eyes were off me I darted mine to Tyler, hoping my death glare would penetrate his thick skull enough for him to know how pissed off I was.

Nathan walked over, his private joke playing in his head.  “I forgot you dyed your hair.  Good to see you Becca, brother,” he smirked, holding up his glass to Tyler.  Tyler met his smirk, walking over to set the bag of gifts on the counter.
  He wouldn’t meet my eyes.  I could feel his anxiety thick in the air, as it should be for not letting me change.

“Tyler, I forgot something out
in the car.  Could I have the keys please,” I asked overly sweetly.

He moved his eyes to my feet
and then slowly let them creep up my body as he reached for the keys out of his pocket.  His eyes flashed to mine quickly, enough to see I was irritated. 

Hah, now I will give him a heart attack.

I snatched the keys from Tyler’s hand, turning on my heel to the door.

“Tyler, walk her out to the car.  Or offer to get whatever she left in the car!  Where are your mann
ers!”  Mary scolded.

Tyler shuffled his feet then began walking behind me with his head
down.

By the time I reached the front door to turn the knob, Tyler’s hand was on the door next to my shoulder. 

“Don’t be mad about this,” he timidly said.

I spun around, holding my chin up
high, wishing I were 10 inches taller so I could meet him head to head.  “I can’t believe you would lie to me about something as stupid as how your family would dress!  Really, Tyler?  Is it that big of a deal to make me feel like an idiot in front of your family just so I didn’t wear a dress?” I whispered harshly.

Tyler rolled his head to the side giving me a
‘you’ve got to be kidding me’ look.  “You’re overreacting.”

I raised an eyebrow.  “Then it won’t be a big deal if I change,” I said as a matter of fact, opening the
doorknob with my hand and pushing it open with my behind.

Tyler glared at me with his head cocked.
  “Becca,” he warned.

A devious smile spread across my lips as I walked backwards to the car, never letting my gaze falter his.

I opened the trunk of the Lexus and yanked out the dress bag I had hanging in the back.  I was planning on wearing a nice, respectable black tea length dress, but since Tyler was going to not play nice, I thought I might spice things up a bit.  Quickly unzipping the bag, I pulled out a red cocktail dress, which was definitely respectable, but shorter and snugger than the one I was planning on wearing.  I would be lying if I said I felt comfortable wearing it, but it hugged my body nicely, and I knew Tyler would love it.  He would hate RJ to see my ass in such form fitting fabric. I held the dress in one hand along with a pair of Jamie’s silver stilettos, and reached for my curling iron and makeup bag with the other. If I was going to do this, I was going to do it right. 

See if he will ever convince me to dress down again.

Tyler was still standing in the doorway, watching with his chin low, eyes boring into me with his hands in his pockets.  “Becca, what are you doing?” His tone was menacingly low.

I gave him a sweet smile, nudgin
g him to the side with my elbow since my hands were full.

“Just remember you caused this,” I said as I breezed past him.

“Becca…,” he scolded as though I were a child.

I searched the large hallway for a bathroom, Tyler stalking behind me.  Once I finally found a bathroom, I stepped in and slammed the door in Tyler’s face.

I heard him groan, “Becca, stop it.”

“Go catch up with your mother
. I’m just going to freshen up,” I bit, plugging in the curling iron and ridding of my clothing.

I decided to
wear the beautiful diamonds Tyler gifted me.  They would help make the dress, and I really was becoming very fond of them.  I folded my clothes and put them to the side then pulled out the red cocktail dress and stepped into it.  Pulling it up to my chest and through the very short sleeves, I zipped the back and smoothed the satin fabric down my body.  It had a unique v-neck with a pleated bodice and it hugged my behind perfectly.  I touched up my makeup as I waited for the curling iron to heat up then quickly twirled my hair in big curls, even though Jamie was the only one who could make perfect curls.  Amazingly enough, 20 minutes did the trick.

I looked at myself in the mirror, making sure I looked presentable and not
too sexy.  I felt good about my choice and knowing Tyler would fly off the handle turned me on.  I wasn’t afraid of him; he asked for this.

I grabbed my things and placed them in the foyer before walking to find Tyler and his
entire family.  Nathan, Tyler, and Mitch were all standing with their backs towards me at the kitchen island while Mary and RJ were facing my direction.  Mary’s eyes lit up when she saw me.

“Sorry, but I wanted to freshen up a little.  Forgive
my travel clothing from earlier.” I crossed my arms over my waist.

Don’t get self-conscious now!

RJ took me in from head to toe, his eyes slightly widening and his Conklin grin slowly spreading across his face. 

Tyler flipped around, his eyes becoming as big as saucers.

“You looked lovely before, sweetie.  But you do look sensational now!” Mary grinned.  RJ’s fixation on me caught her eye, and she swatted him in the arm.  He grunted and shrugged his shoulders at her, a scowl forming on his face. 

“Wow, Becca.  You look hot in red,” Mitch
smirked. 

It was Tyler’s turn to hit someone in the arm.  Mitch rubbed his bicep, “What the hell, Tyler?”

He glared at Mitch then turned his heated eyes to me. 
Oh, he was pissed.

My breath
caught at his intense gaze, making my belly ache.  Pissed Tyler was
hot
. 

He reached for my hand
then pulled me to his side, wrapping an arm around my waist.  I felt his hand grip my hip, his head tilting backwards as though he was looking elsewhere then pulled me in front of him.

Nathan chuckled into his wine gl
ass.  He knew what was going on; he always knew what was going on.

“Tyler, I think it’s t
ime for us to go shopping again.  For the first time, Mitch is in better fashion,” Nathan smirked.  Tyler ignored him, pulling my hips so my back was touching his front.

I bit my lip, trying to stop a smile from playing on my lips.  How Nathan helped Tyler pi
ck out his clothes was adorable and softened my anger towards Tyler a little.  I loved how Tyler always tore off his work clothes the second we arrived at his place or mine and would jump into gym shorts and a t-shirt.  It made him look younger, hotter.  I loved how his snug white t-shirts hugged his pecks and arms.  I was getting hot and bothered just thinking about it.

“Why don’t you ever take me shopping?”  Mitch asked, taking a swig of his beer. 

Nathan raised his eyebrows, “You want to come?”

“Fuck no,” Mitch scowled.

“Watch your mouth, Mitchell!” Mary shouted, walking over to me.

“You have a lovely home, Mrs. Conklin,” I changed the subject, feeling weird for hearing her scold her 24-year-old son.

She waved her hand at me while lacing her other arm through mine
and pulling me from Tyler’s grip.  “UGH, PLEASE do not call me that.  Mary is fine, dear.  Let me get you a glass of wine.”

I walked with her, feeling slight
ly uncomfortable by how she linked arms with me and having Tyler’s eyes watch my every move.

She took a wine glass and put a charm around the bottom, filling the glass while topping off her own.

“Here, sweetie, you can have light blue.  Matches your pretty eyes,” she smiled, handing me the glass while giving me a wink.  I gave her a polite smile.

“Why didn’t I get blue?”  Nathan pouted.

“Because you’re not pretty,” Tyler teased, leaning against the counter.  “Besides…purple suits you.”

Nathan roll
ed his eyes and took a large swig from his glass.

“Your eyes are beautiful darling,” Mary said, walking up to Nathan and resting her hand on his cheek.  Nathan looked down at her adoringly.  She had
to have been barely five feet tall.  Nathan and Tyler towered over her.

RJ walked over to a cabinet, pulling out a bottle of dark liquid behind us.  I saw T
yler’s gaze shift from me to RJ and then his scowl darkened his entire face.

Tyler walked over to me,
standing directly behind me, again pressing his body against mine.

While Mary talked with Nathan and Mitch, Tyler whispered in my ear so no one could hear.  “This dress is fo
r my eyes only,” he growled through gritted teeth.

“This dress…
is not that bad,” I whispered back, turning my head so our lips were inches apart.  “Get over it.”  I bravely pushed him backwards and walked over to the other side of the kitchen island.

Tyler’s chest rose as his eyes followed me.

I was really beginning to like this game. 
How to rile Tyler’s feathers.

“Why don’t we all go into the sitting room
. Tyler, bring your gifts there, sweetie.  The tree is set up,” Mary suggested.

Tyler grabbed the bag and we all followed Mary down the tall hallway to the next room.
Tyler practically shoved Mitch to the side so he could walk behind me.  A small smile played on my lips as I felt his free hand find my hips once again, shielding my backside from any onlookers.  He was being protective and possessive.  I had never had a man act that way around me.  Even though it was annoying, it gave me a sense of confidence.

We
passed through a dining room, a black granite table set for 12 and a large crystal chandelier hanging over top.  The table was set with fine china and crystal glasses.  Once we were in the sitting room, we found a tree was set up, and a big black sectional couch that could fit 10 people circled the center of the room.

Tyler threw the bag of gifts under the tree
then pulled me to the couch, sitting down next to me.  He put a protective arm around me as I crossed my legs, holding the wine glass in one hand.  I was done being mad at him, at least for now.  I would be sure to bring it up later.  He had no right to tell me what to wear and what was for his eyes only.  I was the only one who could decide that.

“So, Becca… how did you manage to capture my son’s heart?”  Mary grinned, sitting in a large white leather sofa chair. 

“Umm…
we met at work,” I answered quietly, not sure how to answer her question.

“Becca is an architect in our commercial department.  She just started earl
ier this fall,” Tyler added.

Mary exaggerated an eye roll.
  “Tyler, how did you swoon her?” She spoke slowly as if Tyler was a child again.

“Kind of a personal question, wouldn’t you say, Mary?” 
RJ asked, taking a drink from his glass.

RJ stood in the middle of the room, dominating the scene.  Mary took a big chug of her wine. 

“Tyler doesn’t have to answer. I was just curious.  I have been waiting for one of my boys to bring home a decent girl,” Mary snapped at RJ.

RJ grinned, turning to me.

“That you are, Becca,” he smirked, holding his hand out for me to take.  I glanced at Tyler then took it, not bothering to stand.  He pulled my hand to his lips, giving it a kiss.

“I have brought girls home,” Mitch pouted, sounding offended.

Mary gave Mitch a look.  “A girl worth keeping, not a different one every time.”

Mitch shrugged his shoulders
then nudged RJ, giving him a smirk.  RJ smirked back.

“Well, since we are all here, why not open presents?”  Mary said, standing up from her chair.  RJ took a seat
near me on the sectional.  I was surprised he didn’t squish between us.  Tyler pulled me closer to his side, kissing my temple cautiously.  I leaned closer into him, enjoying the feeling of his body next to mine.  I put my hand on his thigh, wanting to smooth out his tense muscles as I did earlier in the car.  I couldn’t help but feel a bit bad. I, after all, was adding to his tense attitude with my wardrobe change.