Page 79 of Shadow's Surrender
“You keep that up, and we’re gonna be fucking on this table.” He picked up a piece of toast. “Now that I think of it, we need to do that.”
“We have to save something for later, right?”
Their fingertips brushed, and as he moved toward her, the sound of her phone broke through the moment.
“Let it go,” he said, his voice thick.
“You’ll never make it to the warehouse,” she whispered before sliding from the chair.
“True …” He sat back and bit into the toast.
“It’s my mom.” She groaned after looking down at the screen.
“What does she want?”
“Wait a sec.” Scarlett skimmed the text. “Just confirming our late afternoon tea. My mom’s obsessed with having teatime in the afternoon. It’s kind of annoying.”
“Are her people from England or something?”
“Not at all. She’s got some French and German in her. My mom never talks about her background. She was an only child, and after her parents died when she was real young, she was brought up by a great-aunt. Anyway, she thinks having teatime makes her classy or something. It’s kind of strange.”
“Do your parents know about us?”
“I’m betting that they do and that’s why my mom wants to meet with me. At least we’ll be at the club. My mother would rather die than cause a public scene.”
Shadow nodded. “I need to talk to your parents.”
Panic shot through her. “No, you don’t. What the hell are you thinking?”
“That I’m not a fuckin’ pussy, and I’m not gonna hide behind you. I’m a man and I need to tell them how it is between us.”
“I appreciate your gallantry, but trust me, it’s better if I talk to them.”
“I don’t like it.” Shadow stood and took his plate to the sink.
“Let me soften them up first, then you can meet them, okay?” She cleared off the table. “Promise me?”
“Again … I don’t like it. I’ll play by your rules for a little while, butI amgoing to talk to them.” He slipped his arm around Scarlett’s waist and drew her back against him. “We’re in this for the long haul.”
Happiness spread through her. “We are,” she murmured, resting her head against his chest.
“Then I gotta meet your folks and let them know that I’m not going anywhere.” Shadow kissed the side of her face.
“I agree, but after I talk to them. After all, Idoknow my mom and dad. You’ll get your chance.” She craned her neck and looked up at him. Shadow pressed his mouth on hers and they kissed like they had all the time in the world. Finally Scarlett broke away. “We better get going.”
He swatted her butt, then helped her load the dishwasher before they gathered their things and walked out of the condo.
Pinewood Country Club was one of the oldest and most exclusive clubs in the area, and the Maroon Grille offered the members a warm, comfortable place to meet throughout the day for meals and conversation. The high ceilings and table linen gave it an air of elegance, whereas the stone fireplace and western paintings lent a casual and family-friendly feel to the restaurant. Beyond the dining area’s huge picture windows, an impressive golf course lay amid mountain peaks, making the view one of the best in the county.
Scarlett stirred her frozen daquiri with a red straw and looked up as her mother pulled out the chair opposite her.
“Sorry I’m late. Your father’s meeting went longer than he thought.” Pamela Mansfield waved the waiter over and ordered an Arnold Palmer with a shot of gin in it. “Have you been here long?”
Her mom looked cool and collected in a simple peach cotton shift; a strand of pearls rested just below the scoop neckline.
“I’ve been here for about fifteen minutes,” Scarlett replied. “Is your car in the shop?”
Pamela’s eyes widened slightly. “No, why?”
