Still, I can’t deny one thing. Amber’s right. I’m bent about the entire evening, sweat drenching my palms as Amber’s eyes flash wide open.
“They’re here!” she blurts, hastily fixing her skirt.
She jumps from the Hummer, her long locks swinging in tandem with her excited trot toward her foster parents as I smooth a jittery hand through my hair.
I step out of the Hummer and follow behind her, readying myself to meet the couple who’ve cared for the only woman who’s ever held a part of my heart. I take in Cathy, whose arms are wrapped tightly around Amber in a loving embrace as they geek out about reuniting. Her vibrant red hair stands out starkly against crisp green eyes and olive skin. There’s a gentleness to her as she murmurs something in Amber’s ear. Amber gives me a sweet smile and moves to hug the guy to Cathy’s left. Mark looks to be in his early fifties with salt-and-pepper-dappled hair, his tall stature causing Amber to perch up on her tiptoes to hug him. Warmth floods my chest as I stand back and allow them all a minute, loving every second of finally seeing Amber truly happy.
As I watch Amber, I notice a different side to her, one that intrigues the hell out of me. My girl’s a fighter. She’s had to be in order to survive. At times, it’s felt as though I’ve had to smash through her cement walls just to get a glimpse of what’s churning inside her head. However, right here, right now, there’s a tenderness to her, something she’s kept hidden from the world in an effort to protect herself from its ugliness.
Amber rears back and glances between me and her foster parents, an unusual shyness sprinkling the arches of her cheeks. “Guys, this is my boyfriend, Brock.”
Cathy and Mark offer me a gracious smile as I step forward, shaking their hands. “It’s great to finally meet you both. How was the flight?”
“You as well, Brock,” Cathy says, her easy voice filtering through the air as I pluck her bag from her hand. “Thank you. And it went well. Quicker than I thought it was going to be.”
“That’s great.” Amber moves toward the Hummer. “Any screaming kids this time?”
I open the trunk and set Cathy’s luggage inside as Mark does the same with his. “No, we lucked out.” He chuckles, turning toward Cathy. “It was actually relaxing, wasn’t it?”
“It was. I even caught a nap.” Cathy winks, a small grin tipping her lips.
Once in the car, I head to the hotel so they can drop off their stuff and check in. After putting on her seat belt, Amber twists her body toward her foster parents, who are sitting in the back. “Are you guys hungry? Brock made reservations at a killer restaurant down in the harbor.”
“I am,” Mark declares. “We haven’t eaten since this morning.”
Cathy nods in agreement.
As Amber and her foster parents go over this week’s plans, my gut begins to churn. It suddenly feels as though everything is spinning, what little sanity I do possess flying right out the window. I’m gonna see my mother, the queen of making anyone who comes in contact with her uncomfortable, myself included. When that happens, my girlfriend and the people she cares for are gonna endure the same torture. The whole night is a storm brewing, a hurricane waiting to step foot on land. I can’t control what my mother says or does, can’t control the way my parents treat Amber and her family. I can’t control the viciousness that—as sure as my next fucking breath—will spew from their mouths.
As we pull into the hotel valet, I realize I haven’t uttered a word since leaving the airport. Guilt hits, pummeling me to the ground. I don’t want to be the reason this evening goes to shit. I want everyone to enjoy themselves. However, I’m pretty damn sure that’s not gonna happen.
While Mark and Cathy greet the bellboy, Amber turns to me, concern marring her brows. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
I feign a reassuring smile. “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”
“Don’t hide from me, Brock. I know you better than that.” There’s a twinge of hurt in her tone that stings like a rubber band snapping at my chest.
Such a dick . . .
“Hey,” I whisper, capturing her face between my palms. I don’t want my issues to pelt her with the same anxiety I feel. “I’m fine. I’m just nervous, that’s all.”
The corner of her luscious mouth twitches in victory. “I knew it! You can never lie to me, Cunningham.” Understanding flits over her face, a twinkle of optimism dancing in her eyes. “You know what I think?”
“What do ya think, baby girl?” I ask, pressing my nose to hers.
“I think tonight might surprise you.”
Positive Amber . . . now, that’s different.
A chuckle dips from my throat as I graze my mouth over hers. “Let’s get a drink inside.”
“Okay, but before we go in, I want you to know something.” I nod as she gently nips my bottom lip. Heat floods my veins, my cock responding to her touch like the addict it is. “No matter what happens tonight, I’ll take care of you. Make it all better when we get back to your place.”
“Damn.” My pulse jumps, firing from her promise. “And I’m supposed to get out after you said that? I’m about to take you in the backseat. Give ya a little . . . appetizer before the main meal.”
“Tuck it in your pants, big boy.” Gaze hooded, her voice drops a few octaves. “But in the meantime, instead of mulling over the ‘what ifs’, the things you can’t control regarding me meeting your family, think of how good it’ll feel being buried deep”—she licks my nose, those green eyes sparkling with mirth as she gives my cock a squeeze—“so, so deep inside my pussy later tonight.”