me out and waltzed Duke right into the house. But on the other hand, I’m hungry, and I’m beginning to see how I might be able to use that flash of guilt to my advantage. Plus, I love my mom and can’t stay mad at her or Duke for very long. So I sit.
She grips the back of the opposite chair with both hands. “You’re right, honey. I went too far, and I’m sorry.”
I chew on my lip. I’m not completely over it, but I can’t not forgive her. She’s forgiven me many, many times. “I know, Mom.”
She sits and places her hand over mine. “What can I do to make this right?”
“I don’t know. You don’t have to do anything.” This is where I shamelessly use this situation to my benefit.
“Yes, I do.” She stands and moves to the fridge. “Do you want some juice? I have that nice orange juice you like.”
“No, thanks. But maybe …”
“What?”
I lower my head and give it a shake. “Never mind.” My finger traces the woodgrain of the tabletop.
She places her warm fingers under my chin and raises my face to hers. “Anything.”
“Well, it’d be nice if you’d come and see Wayland Estate.” I barely resist pouting. But considering I’m a grown man, that seems a bit much.
She narrows her eyes at me. There’s no doubt that she knows what I’m doing—that’s why I don’t have a ton of guilt about it. She also knows she deserves it. “Of course, honey.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes. I’d love to.”
“Really?”
“Yes, you tell me when and what time, and I’ll be there. Now, let me get you some breakfast.”
Suddenly, I’m worried. What if she hates it? Nervous anxiety replaces the hunger gnawing at my belly. I need to get back to the house and make sure Tiger has it looking the best it can for my mom. The chair legs scrape along the floor, as I push to my feet. “I just remembered something I have to do.”
She wraps me in a hug. And even though her head hits me mid sternum, I’m enveloped in her embrace. The scent of spring flowers and pancake batter fills my head. “I am sorry, baby.”
I return the hug and let her hold me. Sometimes a boy just needs his mama. “I know, Mom. It’s okay.”
Her chin rests against my chest and she looks up into my face. “Don’t be mad at Duke.”
“Yeah, don’t be mad at Duke.” The traitor in question leans a shoulder against the doorway between the living room and the kitchen.
That’s not something I can agree to. The fucker knew exactly what he was doing. I flip him off behind my mom’s back.
He laughs and blows me a kiss. “I love you too, sweetheart. Have your candy ass at the gym at ten for workout.” Then he disappears down the hall.
“Alright, Mom, I’m going to go, but I’ll call you later with the details.”
“Okay. Bye, baby.”
Once I’m in my car, I punch the accelerator. I need to make sure everything is as perfect as it can be for my mom’s visit. I also need to tell Tiger that I seized the vandal’s supplies last night.
Two things hit me at once when I pull my car to a stop at the house. First, there aren’t any vehicles parked in the drive, and second, Tiger Lyons in yoga pants is a sight to behold. But I can’t truly enjoy the sight of her butt wrapped in spandex because of the first thing. Where is everyone?
My feet hit the gravel path leading to the back porch where my project manager is bent into a downward dog position. “Morning.”
She rotates her head to see me, and her flushed face nearly knocks me to my knees. She’s sweaty, her naked face is red from the yoga position, and still, she takes my breath away.
“Oh, hey.” Her body curls up to a standing position. “What’s up?”
For a moment, I’m mesmerized by a bead of sweat that rolls down her neck and into her cleavage.
She crooks an arm on her hip. “Awww, there’s nothing like being objectified first thing in the morning. It really gets the blood pumping.”
“Huh?”
She points to my face then to her chest.
Pin prickles of heat sting my neck and cheeks. Crap, I just got busted, and that doesn’t sit well with me at all. Not that I got caught, but that she’s right. I was ogling her. “Sorry.”
One shoulder lifts and lowers, then she grabs a towel from the back of a nearby