Before We Kiss (Fool's Gold #14)(40)

Her violet-blue gaze was steady. She spoke quietly, as if only for him to hear. And he got the message. Because Taryn’s home life had been shit. She didn’t say much but he’d figured out enough to know that things had gone badly for her. That when she’d met Jack, she’d managed to put herself through college and graduate with honors, but she’d also been broke and practically living in her car.

In the scheme of things, he had it easy. His big complaint was that his family loved him too much. And his parents had sex on the brain. Poor, poor him.

“Good point,” he said, pulling her close and hugging her. She wrapped her arms around him and hung on. The contact was comforting. And siblinglike. There were no thrills when holding Taryn. No need for more, no burning hunger.

He stepped back and grinned. Probably for the best, he thought. Angel could so take them all. It wasn’t that the other man was stronger; it was that he knew how to fight dirty and wouldn’t hesitate to do whatever it took to win. Jack, Kenny and Sam had been raised with the idea of a fair battle and a code of conduct.

“You’ll be fine,” Taryn told him, just as a BMW X5 drove up and parked in front of the house. The doors opened and an attractive older couple stepped out.

Sam happened to know their ages, but he would guess that anyone else would think they were at least a decade younger than they were. His dad was tall, with dark hair and eyes. Lark was five-eight, with wavy dark blond hair and deep blue eyes. They wore jeans and shirts, like regular people, but Sam knew the disguise was simply to help them blend in. That soon enough they would show their true, weird colors.

But they were also his parents and, despite everything, he couldn’t help being pleased to see them. Maybe he was overreacting, he thought. Maybe the visit would be fine. People mellowed as they aged. They could be completely normal.

Lark reached Taryn first and hugged her. “My favorite almost-daughter,” she said, and stepped back to study her. “You’re so beautiful. I can see you’re having regular sex and it’s wonderful.” She tilted her head. “You’re in love.”

Taryn laughed. “Yes, I am. You’re going to meet him this weekend.” She held out her left hand where a large diamond flashed in the light.

“I can’t wait to hold him in my arms.” Lark stared, then sighed. “Wonderful. Reggie, look. Taryn’s engaged.”

“Congratulations,” Reggie said, hugging her tight. “He’s a good man?”

“The best.”

Lark smiled. “You know a good sexual relationship is the cornerstone to any marriage. I have some new techniques I want to discuss with you and your young man. It’s all about mindfulness and breathing. It makes a man last for hours. Reggie, my love, you’ll talk to Taryn’s friend about his end of things, so to speak.”

“Of course.” Reggie dropped a kiss onto the top of his wife’s head. “Depending on how shy he is, I’ll show him the video of what we’ve been practicing or just tell him.”

Sam hung his head. Yup, these were his parents, and from what he could tell, no one had mellowed.

Kenny slapped him on the back. “This is the best show in town.”

“Watch it,” Sam warned. “Or I’ll ask my dad to give you a private demonstration.”

Kenny winced. “Ah, no, thanks.”

Lark moved to Jack and hugged him. She studied his face. “Still not giving with your heart?”

Jack shrugged uncomfortably. “It’s always good to see you, Lark,” he said, and kissed her.

She sighed. “You’re emotionally elusive. We have to fix that.” She turned to Kenny and smiled. “You know, of all Sam’s friends, you were the one I thought would be most interesting in bed.”

Reggie rolled his eyes. “You tell him that every time you see him. Give the kid a break.”

Kenny grinned. “I like being the favorite.”

They embraced and then it was Sam’s turn. He braced himself, knowing the combination of love and space violation would leave him looking for an exit. The worst part was, he never knew which direction the embarrassment was going to come from so it was tough to prepare.

His father shook his hand, hugged him, then turned him over to his mother. Lark studied him for a long time before hugging him so tight his ribs ached.

“I love you so much,” she whispered. “I’ve missed you. You’re in my prayers every day.”

“I love you, too, Mom.”

She stepped back and smiled, then put her hands on his shoulders. “You’re in very good shape. I love that I produce beautiful babies. You’re still strong and well hydrated. I’m so happy you listened when I tried to teach you about the glory of drinking enough water. It keeps you regular, you know. You’re still too young to worry about that, but trust me, in a few years, you’re going to care a lot more about your bowels.”

“Listen to your mother,” Reggie said.

Kenny snickered.

“Come on inside,” he said. “You haven’t seen Sam’s new place.”

While Sam appreciated the distraction, he knew that it wouldn’t last for long. Nor would it help much. Because his mother never met a boundary she didn’t want to cross.

Sure enough, she wandered into the house while the guys brought in their considerable pile of luggage. As Sam, Kenny and Jack carried suitcases to the guest room, Taryn mixed drinks in the kitchen. Sam put down the two bags he’d been holding only to hear the familiar sound of drawers opening and closing. In his bedroom.