I can’t answer that, but for my mother, I’ll do anything, no matter how much it hurts me.
“When do you want me over? I’ll do dinner, but I can’t do a poker night where he’s drinking all night and acting a fool. I’ll be gone before that. It’ll only stress me out and have me hounding his ass to make sure he doesn’t get out of control.”
“Tomorrow night. I’ll cook your favorite meal and your father will be on his best behavior. I promise. He already knows I’m here asking you and he’s promised to behave and not give you a hard time.”
I sit for a few seconds, considering her offer, when my phone vibrates in my pocket. The idea that it could be Meadow, has me reaching in my pocket for it and unlocking the screen.
My mom looks down at my phone and smiles. “Who’s Meadow? Do you have a girlfriend that you’re keeping from me? Styx.” She playfully pushes my shoulder and laughs.
My heart speeds up with excitement as I scan over the message. I can barely hide the smile that takes over as my mother watches my face as I read the message.
It’s probably been forever since my mom has seen me as happy as I feel right now with this damn phone in my hand.
Meadow: I wanted to let you know that I’m home and ready when you are. Can’t wait to see you tonight.
I don’t even realize that my mother is reading over my shoulder, until she grips my arm in excitement and squeals. “I need to meet this Meadow. Ask her to come to dinner tomorrow night for tacos. It’ll be fun. I promise.”
The thought of bringing her around my father has my heart sinking and my stomach twisting up in knots.
“Not a good idea.” I shake my head and put the phone down on my lap. “Sorry, but I can’t do that. Not with that asshole there. You’ll just have to come over here and see her, mom.”
My mother’s face drops into a look of disappointment and I feel my fucking heart rip apart. I hate seeing her sad.
This woman raised me and is everything good in me. She helped make me who I am today and kept me sane growing up, when I thought all hope was lost. We protected and took care of each other. I can never hurt her.
Well shit . . .
Swallowing, I reach for my phone and stare at it in silence for a few moments, before typing out a message.
Styx: Come to dinner with me tomorrow night to meet my mother. You’re the first woman I’ve invited to dinner.
Looking pleased, my mother stands up and kisses me on the top of the head. “I have a lot of preparing to do. Dinner has to be perfect! These will be the best tacos of your damn life.”
“Where are you going?” I ask as she starts walking down the porch steps. “You just got here.”
“Out to lunch with Dana and then shopping for a nice outfit. It’s been a while and I miss her and your uncle Wes.” She winks. “I have to look good for the first woman that my son has invited to dinner. Love you, baby. Don’t be late.”
I find myself smiling from her excitement and standing up to watch her leave. “Love you too.”
Once I’m alone, I jump in the shower and begin thinking about all the bad shit that can happen at a dinner with my father.
I hate the idea of her meeting him, but my mother deserves more from me. Like she says, he’s been good for months now, so I can only hope that I won’t have a reason to kill him tomorrow.
If he acts up, then Meadow will see a side of me that I’m hoping to never have to show her.
When I’m drying off, my phone vibrates with a message from Meadow. So I drop my towel and reach for it, anxious to see what she has to say.
Meadow: I definitely feel special then. I’d be happy to tell your mother stories of your stalkerish behavior Count me in.
Styx: My mother would be proud that I’ve finally decided to find a beautiful as hell woman to stalk and spend more than one night with.
Meadow: Then she’ll love my stories and how I much I love that you want to spend more than one night with me.
Her text has me thinking, and before I know it, I’m walking around my house in the nude, thinking about how much of an ass I am for not making more time to learn things about her when we’re together.
How the hell am I supposed to give her a good date, when I don’t know the first thing about what she likes. I’d like to pretend that I do, but I don’t.
Styx: It’s occurred to me that I need to learn a lot about you. Hell, I don’t even know your favorite damn color. So I’m going to need you to fill out this quick questionnaire.
Styx: Question #1.
Boyshorts? Bikini? Or thong?
Styx: Actually, scratch that. I already know the answer and it’s hot as fuck.
Styx: Question #1, take 2.
Does size matter? ‘Cause if it does, then I’m good. But does it?
Meadow: LOL. Oh no. I don’t know what’s going on here or if I should be scared, BUT . . . Yes.
Styx: Question #2.
But yes, what? That I’m good? I thought I pointed out that I already knew this.
I smirk as I type out my next question.
Styx: Question #3.
How many times a night do you fantasize about me? Be honest. Even if it is 10 times or more.
Meadow: Oh you’re definitely good. And I’m going to go with at least twelve. And they’re extremely HOT. Next question.
Styx: Question #4.
What’s your favorite color?
Meadow: Turquoise. Did you toss this in there to throw me off?
I stop in front of my dresser and grab some clothes to throw on, unable to hold back the grin. Fuck, I love having fun with her like this.
Styx: Question #5.
A night on the town or relaxing on the couch with a movie? I can only be naked for one. Keep that in mind.
Meadow: Then definitely relaxing on the couch with a movie and then a night out under the stars with YOU. Any woman would be stupid to say otherwise.
Styx: Okay, for real now. Forget about my smartass comments. What do you truly love to do? I want to know.
Meadow: Please tell me we’re not going to go out and sit across the table from each other at a stiff ass restaurant and play 21 questions. What I love is spending time with you and not needing to talk, Styx.
Meadow: I love that all we need when we’re together is to just be close. You’re my relaxation and what I look forward to after a long day or week at work. I don’t feel like words are needed when we’re together.
“Holy shit. How did I get so lucky?”
I pull my jeans up and button them, while reading over her messages for a second time.
She knows just the right words to make me want her even more than I already do and suddenly I’m in an even bigger hurry than before to get to her.
Styx: Fuck. Will you marry me?
I’m not really asking of course, but damn, she’s definitely wife material. I don’t even know how a fucker like me got so damn lucky.
Meadow: Question #6.
I think you forgot that part ;)
Styx: Be ready for me in an hour. I’m coming for you.
Meadow: Oh . . . I’m always ready for you. See you soon.
My front door swings open loud and hard and then I hear the sound of Kash’s annoying voice coming from the other room.
“Come on, dick. Let’s get some food and beers before my shift. My ass is starving.”
Grunting, I walk out to meet Kash by the couch, where he’s now chillin’ and watching TV.
“Can’t. I’m making dinner for Meadow tonight.” Walking to the fridge, I grab two beers and pop the tops. “But I’ll have a couple beers so I can handle your presence before I kick you out.”
He snatches the beer from me, when I hold it over the couch for him. “No shit.” He takes a swig and watches me as I walk around to take a seat on the chair. “It’s that serious, huh?”
Smirking, I watch his worried face as he downs half of the beer. “Calm your dick, man. And stop worrying about the damn club and losing business. Cale can find someone else.”
“Don’t fuck with me, Styx.” He looks worried as he stands up and paces in front of me. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking about leaving
WOS
. I know that damn look and I don’t like it.”
I run my hands through my hair, but don’t say anything. Kash might just take it harder than Cale will.
“Fuck, man!” I watch as he tosses his beer into the trash and then slams the lid closed. “We started this journey together. You not being there just sounds too damn strange for me to be able to accept that right now.”
I stand up and walk over to pour the rest of my beer into the sink. “I’m not saying for sure that I want to leave, but I’ve been thinking about it for a while now.”
“Because of Meadow?” he questions.
“Nah.” I shake my head and grip the counter. “I had my fun in the beginning, but it’s all just old to me now. I have a gym to run and focus on. It’s time for my ass to grow up. I’ve been considering this before Meadow came into the picture so don’t hate on her for it.”
“I’m not, but shit.” He grabs another beer out and drinks it in silence. “My annoying ass roommate might just squeeze his way into the club after all. He’s been on Cale’s ass for weeks about getting in.”
“Like I said. The club will be fine if I leave. So cheer the fuck up and get out of my house. I have important shit to do and looking at your face isn’t on my list.”
Kash laughs and finishes off his beer. “Then you need a new list.”
He get’s ready to walk away, but I stop him, before he reaches the door. “Hey. Don’t bring this up to Cale until I think about it some more, alright. I’ll talk to him when I’m ready.”
“Yeah, I got it,” he grumbles. “I better go teach Colt’s ass some moves. He can’t dance for shit and I’m not having him embarrass me and ruin my good reputation at the club.”
“Actually, I need you to grab Stone, Kage and the other two fuckers of WOS and do me a favor first. Don’t complain either, because I do a lot of stupid shit when you guys need it. You dicks owe me.”
“Shit. What?”
I throw a wad of money his way and grin. “I need a gazebo set up in the back yard in the next forty-five minutes. The couch and the TV need be in it in and set up for movies . Got it?”
I can’t help but to smile as I watch him bitch his way out the door. I love the guy, but watching him sweat over shit always seems to put me in a better mood.
Probably because he’s been a pain in my ass since the beginning. Just about as much of a pain as Stone’s cocky ass.
I spend the thirty minutes preparing dinner, before I rush out to my motorcycle and head toward Meadow’s.
Fuck. I hope this night turns out right. This has got to be the most romantic shit I’ve ever done . . .
Styx
MEADOW LOOKS EXTREMELY SEXY IN the
Victoria’s Secret
sweats and tank top that she’s wearing and I’m happy that she decided to go with the comfortable look. I’m not really into the whole fancy restaurant bullshit and I’m glad she isn’t either.
My eyes wander over her body as she walks ahead of me, going straight for the front door. I’m trying to be respectful, but truthfully, I want to undress her with my damn teeth and skip the dinner.
I’ll be her dessert. She can have me anyway she wants me.
She laces her arm around my neck and smiles against my lips, when I stop her from walking into the house. “I smell something delicious. So the sexy alpha cooks.” She laughs when I smile against her lips and nod. I’m not gonna lie, I’m proud of my cooking abilities. “I love a man that knows how to cook. It’s so damn sexy. A huge turn on.”
I grip her hips and brush my lips over hers, trying my best to not just take her right here on the porch. But with her back against the door and my erection pressed against her stomach, it’s hard not to think of the possibilities right now. “Then get ready to fall in love. I’m a great fucking cook.”
“Is that right?” I bite her bottom lip and she moans into my mouth, while running her hand down the front of my body as if admiring me. “If you’re as good at cooking as you are at everything else that you do . . . then I believe it.”
She pushes my chest with her finger and then rushes to open the front door, before I can open it for her.
I walk in after her, smiling as she tilts her head back and sniffs the air with a moan. It’s so damn sexy. “Holy shit, Styx. It smells even better from inside. I’ve never had a man cook me dinner before. This is new and I love that you did this.”
“I’ll do a lot for you,” I say, while guiding her to the kitchen table and pulling out a chair for her to sit. Surprisingly she didn’t even notice that my couch and TV are gone. She’s too focused on dinner. That’s what I wanted. “I’m not going to lie. You’re the first woman I’ve cooked for. You’re becoming the first for a lot of things for me and it surprises the hell out of me.
You
surprise the hell out of me.”
She looks up at me, speechless, before she bites her lip and turns away as if she doesn’t want me to see her reaction. Too late. Hiding her face does nothing. Especially with the way she’s shifting in her seat and breathing so hard that I can hear it.
My confession made her nervous.
She’s falling for me just as hard as I’m beginning to fall for her and I have a feeling that it surprises her just as much.
I stuck the steak and homemade mashed potatoes in the oven, before I left to pick her up. So I pull them out and fix our plates in silence, giving her a moment to gather her thoughts.