Faith (Hades Angels #1) (13 page)
Read Faith (Hades Angels #1) Online
Authors: Elizabeth Hayes
“You know, eventually we are going to have to get out of this bed.” I rolled over so that I was face to face with him.
“Eventually, but right now I just want to enjoy this time with you.” He kissed the tip of my nose.
I smiled up at him, but my smile faded. “Shit.” I suddenly recalled that my parents were coming. I flew out of bed, checking my phone for the time.
“What’s wrong?” Bryce asked as he sat up. I turned around. The blanket had fallen down when he sat up, exposing his bare chest, distracting me for a second.
“My parents are coming by. They made dinner reservations at six and I completely forgot.” I slipped into a pair of black panties. “Oh, and you’re invited. But if you don’t want to go, that’s fine. I really wouldn’t blame you.”
“What time is it now?” he asked, getting out of bed, giving me a perfect view of his tight, muscled ass as he bent over to pick his clothes up off the floor.
“It’s four-thirty.” I continued to stare at his naked ass until he pulled his boxer briefs up.
“I will run home and change. Be right back.” He pulled his jeans up, buttoning them.
“Are you sure you want to meet my dad?” I asked. “He can be kind of an asshole.” I pulled on a pair of jeans.
“Your father doesn’t scare me, Laura.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I will be right back.”
I rummaged through my closet trying to find something to wear. I had plenty of hoodies and tank tops. I finally settled on a black V-neck short-sleeved shirt. I slipped it on and went into the bathroom to fix my hair. I checked the time when I was done. My parents would be here within a half hour.
I double-checked the cats to make sure they had plenty of food and water, and turned on the television as I waited for Bryce and my parents. I sat down on my couch and flipped through the channels when I heard someone at the door. I got up to answer it.
“Hello, Laura,” my dad said as he and my mom walked into my apartment.
“Hi, Dad,” I said as he glanced around my apartment.
“Laura, is Bryce coming?” My mom scooped Hansel up off the floor and into her arms.
“Yeah, he should be here any minute.”
“So, Laura, before he gets here why don’t you tell me a little bit about him?” My dad sat down on the couch. “Your mother tells me his name is Bryce, but that is all she said. Why have you not mentioned him before?”
“Well—” I heard a knock at the door. I let out a sigh of relief as Bryce walked in.
“Hello, Bryce. It’s nice to see you again.” My mother greeted him.
“Nice to see you again, Mrs. Walsh.”
“Please call me Deborah.”
“Bryce, this is David, my dad,” I said.
“Nice to meet you, sir.” Bryce held out his hand.
“Please call me David.” My dad shook his hand.
“Well, are we ready to go?” I asked, hoping to get through this dinner without my dad scaring Bryce off.
“Yes, shall we meet you there?” My mom set Hansel down.
“Sounds good,” I answered, and tried to rush everyone out the door.
We followed my parents to the restaurant. The closer we got, the more nervous I became. I stared out the window of Bryce’s Mustang, trying not to fidget too much when I felt his hand on my thigh.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” I covered his hand with mine.
We pulled into the parking lot, circling twice before actually finding a spot to park. I took a deep breath as Bryce turned the car off. “Ready?” I asked as I took my seatbelt off.
“Yes, but are
you
ready?”
I nodded and exited the car. I waited for Bryce before we walked inside where my parents were waiting for us.
“Walsh, table of four,” the waitress called.
We all followed behind the waitress as she led us to a booth. My mom and dad slid into one side, and we sat across from them. The waitress handed us our menus.
“I will be right back to take your order.” She gave Bryce a smile before walking away. I just shook my head as I began to look over the menu.
“So, Bryce.” My dad looked up from his menu. “What is it that you do?”
“I build computer software.” He looked over his menu.
“Are you ready to order?” The waitress interrupted us.
We all placed our orders and handed our menus to the waitress.
“How did you guys meet?” my dad asked.
I hadn’t even thought to come up with an explanation that didn’t include Hades’ Angels. Before I could open my mouth, Bryce answered for me. I stilled.
“We met at Cups. Laura was walking out the door as I was walking in and she spilled her coffee all over the place, just barely missing me.” He chuckled and squeezed my thigh under the table. “What is it that you do, David?” Bryce asked.
“Have you ever heard of the Walsh and Davis law firm?”
“Yeah, so you must be the Walsh. Congratulations are in order. I read that you won a big case recently.”
Dad’s eyes lit up. “Ah, yes, the Anderson case. That was quite a tricky one. We had our work cut out for us. But, like always, we prevailed. Enough about me. Why don’t we talk about you, Laura? How are you feeling these days?”
“I’m fine, Dad.”
“So, Bryce, since you are here with us I take it you know all about Laura’s health issues?”
“
Dad
.” I glared at him, hoping he would drop it.
“What, Laura? I only ask because I don’t want you to get hurt. You should know by now I only have your best interests at heart. I just want to know if he knows everything that is going on.” He paused. “I know you had a health scare recently.”
“He already knows, Dad.”
“Well, then,” Mom interrupted, trying to change the subject. “Laura, how are your cats?”
“Great, Mom.”
Our food arrived, but the rest of dinner was uncomfortable to say the least. We all sat in silence. Bryce would squeeze my thigh every so often just to make sure I was okay.
I picked at my food as I sat and waited patiently for everyone to finish eating. When the waitress brought the bill, I was already exiting the booth.
“It’s been great seeing you, Dad. We will have to do it again soon.” I plastered a fake smile on my face. “I’m getting tired. I’ll call you later, Mom. Ready, Bryce?” I asked him, already standing next to the table. He nodded and joined me.
Bryce reached for my hand as we walked to his car.
“My dad wasn’t too bad.”
“No, is he normally worse?”
“I could tell he wanted to question you more. I’m pretty sure if given a chance he would have grilled you for hours. Good thing my mom was there. She somehow manages to keep him in line.” I looked over at him and smiled. “We are really going to do this, huh?”
“Do what, Laura?”
“This whole relationship thing.”
“I know you’re scared, but there is no reason to be. I will be here as long as you let me. I’m not going anywhere. I promise.” He reached over and grabbed my hand, bringing it up to his mouth and placing a kiss on my knuckles.
This was it. He was mine and I was his. This was the happiness I never thought I would have. And to think it all started with Faith.
Acknowledgments
Stephanie Phillips and Donna Sabino, without the two of you I don’t think I would have ever put words on paper! You both have been a major support system for me, and I don’t think I could have done it without you. Thank you both so much.
Elisha Arguello, I couldn’t have done this without you either. We have been friends for over sixteen years. You are more like a sister than a friend.
Heather Nieto, you have been by far the best friend anyone could ask for. For over twenty-five years, you have been a major part of my life. I truly appreciate your support! XOXOXO
Laura Voss, you are awesome! What else do I need to say about that? You helped so much with this book.
Alexis Noelle, I just want to thank you for everything. I am grateful for your opinions and honesty. Thank you so much for your help.
About the Author
Midwest native, Elizabeth Hayes, spends many a cold day inside reading. Her love of books is the product of being dragged to the library by her mother at a young age. To relax, Elizabeth can be found reading or hanging out with her family at the town petting zoo. She has a love of all things books, cupcakes, and unicorns.