Reign A Romance Anthology - Nina Levine Page 0,305

mother’s place. Sorry.” He turns to leave when my mother’s front door flies open.

“Dylan, is that you causing all this noise?”

Someone, please, take me away from this moment.

Cole has stopped and glances between Mom and me. “No, it’s me. We’re just discussing a few things.”

Mom’s scrutinizing gaze lands on Cole. “Who are you?”

There’s a beat of silence before I open my mouth to answer, but Cole interjects, “I’m Cole, Dylan’s boyfriend. We were having a discussion about how she’s always running away from her problems.”

My eyes go wide.

Is he serious?

Mom’s eyes light up like a Christmas tree, and the smile that brightens her face tells me all her birthdays and Christmases have come at once. Here we go.

“Why the hell did you say that?” I hiss under my breath so only Cole can hear.

He shrugs. “Thought it was a good idea at the time,” he whispers.

Mom rushes down the five stairs of her house. “Dylan, why didn’t you tell me we had an extra guest coming?”

Blinking a few times, I gape then turn to him with my eyebrows raised. “Umm…”

Cole clears his throat and replies for me. “It’s my fault. I wasn’t sure I was going to be in town this weekend or not. I travel a lot for work.”

Mom stops in front of us, her scrutinizing gaze dancing between us. Cole moves closer and wraps his arm around my waist and tugs me against him.

For some reason, it feels natural to have him close.

That’s weird.

I can’t think like that.

Obviously, my brain is telling me I’ve been missing a male connection in my life. Being single for so long is taking its toll on my senses. I’m craving Cole like I normally crave candy or chocolate.

Mom points to the helmet tucked under his opposite arm. “Dylan, please tell me you weren’t on the back of a bike. I’m not sure my heart could handle it.” The crack in her voice makes it sound like she’s on the verge of tears.

“No, Mom. I came in a cab. Like Cole said, I didn’t know he was coming, so I came after work,” I assure her.

Cole’s fingers rub against my hip. With that simple motion, my chest squeezes, so I hold my breath for a second.

“Oh, good. Now come on in. Still can’t believe you didn’t tell me about this handsome young man, Dylan.”

“Well, Mom, for all I knew he could have run off like the rest have. I tend to be the only female who turns men off with my occupation. You know this fact. I’ve told you numerous times.”

Mom waves her hand around, apparently dismissing my words. “Come on, dinner’s nearly ready. Like always, we’re still waiting on Jasmine and Ariel.”

Cole’s mouth comes close to my ear. “Do your parents have a fascination with Disney movies?” He waggles his eyebrows playfully, and I giggle.

“Obviously not for me. The movies I watched must have been their influence for the girls that came after me.” He grins, shakes his head, then releases his hold on me.

I want it back.

His touch.

His closeness.

It’s comforting in a way I haven’t experienced in a long time—not since college, at least.

We step into Mom’s place, and a familiar comfort relaxes me, even with my fake boyfriend beside me.

“Jackets off and come through.” Mom’s focus is solely on Cole, and I can already see the one hundred questions forming behind her eyes. Tonight is going to be an interesting evening.

Cole puts his helmet on the floor near the entry table and begins stripping off his leather jacket. My eyes bulge as he slowly slips off each sleeve and his tattoos appear. Both of Cole’s arms are covered, and they’re works of art.

“Shut your mouth, Dylan.”

My eyes spring up to meet Cole’s amused expression. “Sorry. I think my mom is going to freak out when she sees those.” I nod toward his arm.

He shrugs. “I’m not here to please her—or you, for that matter. But by the look on your face, you like them.”

He’s right; I do. And I want to touch and inspect them, ask him what each one means, and if there’s a story behind them.

“You won’t be around long enough to know exactly what I’m thinking,” I reply, unable to contain my snarky attitude. I don’t want him to know the kinds of things he’s making my body feel. “I’m still angry at you for laughing at me. So, you know what? You didn’t have to be here tonight. You could have easily been long gone. You