Colters' Daughter (Colters' Legacy #3)(50)

“Uhh.” Not that she minded being at her parents’, but no way did she want her and Max staying there. It would put a serious crimp in their sex life. “Anytime is good for us. The sooner the better. And we’re fine. Really. Max has a room at the motel.”

“Oh Callie. That motel is horrible.”

“We’re good, Mom. Now when do you want us up?”

“Tomorrow. Definitely tomorrow. I’ll have your dads fix a nice dinner. No, maybe lunch is better. Let’s plan on lunch and then we can spend the afternoon getting to know Max.”

“That sounds great. We’ll come up around eleven.”

“Terrific. We’ll see you then.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Callie?”

Callie put the phone back to her ear. “Yes?”

“Are you happy?”

Callie smiled until her teeth ached. “Yeah, Mom. I’m happier than I ever imagined.”

“That’s all I care about, then.”

“I love you, Mom.”

“Love you too, baby. See you tomorrow.”

Callie hung up and turned to see Max watching her from the bed.

“They want us up for lunch tomorrow. The entire family will be there. I have no doubt my mom is even now on the phone rounding up the rest of her brood and issuing orders to be there or die.”

Max chuckled. “She sounds like a tyrant. I wonder where on earth you got your personality from.”

Callie flopped down beside him and hit him with a pillow. “My mom is the sweetest person on earth, but yes, she still rules the roost with a velvet fist.”

Max wrapped his arms around her and then pulled her across his lap before she had time to respond. His hand settled on her jeans-covered ass and his laughter sounded wicked in her ear.

“Now, it seems I owe you a spanking.”

She went limp and white-hot desire sizzled through her body, prickling her skin. It amazed her how instantly aware she became around this man. A word. A touch. Just a look and she was putty in his hands.

“Better make sure I don’t scream,” she muttered. “My brother’s the sheriff, remember? Last thing I want is him breaking down our door because someone reported that I was being murdered in a hotel room.”

Max rubbed his hand over her behind. “Oh you’ll enjoy this one, dolcezza. I know I plan to.”

Callie was a nervous wreck. Why, she didn’t know. This was only one of the most important days of her entire life. Her family, who meant the world to her, was going to meet and stand in judgment of the man she loved more than anything.

Yeah, good reason to be nervous.

If only she hadn’t poured out her hurt to her family. If she’d only waited…they wouldn’t be coming into the meeting with Max with prejudice.

She sighed. Woe be unto the man who hurt her dads’ little girl. Her brothers weren’t much better. They’d probably all glower at Max the entire time.

“Quit biting your lip, dolcezza. You’re going to ruin that pretty mouth of yours.”

She glanced over to see Max studying her. He’d insisted on taking his car to her parents’, and she hadn’t argued. She wanted Max to feel comfortable and on equal footing.

“I’m just…nervous.”

“Yes, I can see that. You need to stop worrying so much. Your parents will see how madly in love I am with you. Isn’t that what every parent wants for their child? Someone to love them and take care of them?”

It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him that her family knew everything, but that would only make Max uptight and there was no sense in them both being on edge. Besides, Max probably knew. He knew how close she was to her family, and she and Max had been apart for several months. Who wouldn’t have come home and told their family what a scumbag he was?

By the time they pulled into her parents’ drive, Callie’s stomach was in knots. She rubbed her damp palms down the legs of her pants as Max parked beside her mom’s SUV.

She didn’t have long to contemplate whether she wanted to get out because her mom appeared on the porch, a wide smile on her face. Before Callie had her door opened, Holly Colter was down the steps and hurrying toward the vehicle.

Thank goodness for Max. He was out with a warm smile and hand outstretched while Callie still hung halfway out of the car.

“Hello, Mrs. Colter. I’m Max. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

Callie stumbled out as her mom enfolded Max in a warm hug.

“Hello, Max. And please, do call me Holly. It’s wonderful to meet you too.”

“Hi Mom.”

Holly turned to Callie and just as quickly pulled her into a bone-crushing hug.

“Mom,” Callie said with a laugh. “You just saw me a few days ago.”

Holly pulled back with a muttered hmph. “I don’t care if it’s only been a few hours. I’m entitled to be happy to see you. I have to make up for all the time you spend from home.”

Callie hugged her again and all her unease melted away in her mother’s embrace.

Holly pulled back and then grabbed at Callie’s and Max’s hands. “Come on inside, you two. Your dads are waiting to meet Max, Callie.”

Callie smiled over at Max who wore an expression that looked like a cross of awe and confusion. Holly dragged them both toward the door and all but shoved them through.