Gold (All that Glitters #2)(121)

God, he’s so amazing.

Her body arched as he thrust into her, pushing up and meeting her as she slammed down on top of him. She jerked a few times and then felt her body give out. She clenched all around him, and wave after wave shattered her calm.

She must have been loud because Eric clamped a hand over her mouth and pulled her backward against him. He jackhammered a few more times inside of her before coming hard.

They both relaxed, completely spent. After taking a minute to gather themselves, Eric pulled out, and they both put their clothes back on in euphoric silence.

He pulled her close and kissed her tender lips. “You know I love you, right?”

“You’d better.”

“How could I not with that attitude?”

“Exactly. We’re too perfect for each other.”

“I mean, how many other girls are going to let me f*ck them in the weight room after a football game with thousands of people on the other side of the glass?”

She arched an eyebrow. “Probably a ton of dumb sluts.”

He laughed. “Fair. But I only love one of those sluts.”

“Ouch. Such nice words behind that barb.”

“All in jest, my love.” He leaned down and dropped his lips on hers again.

“It’d better be because I love you, too.”

“You are everything to me, Bri. Everything. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Three Weeks Later

BRYNA STOOD IN FRONT OF THE SPRAWLING MANSION her mother considered home on the outskirts of Los Angeles. Her mother had only moved forty-five minutes away from her father’s house in the Hills, and Bryna realized that the last time she had seen her mother was the summer before her senior year of high school. That was two and a half years ago. It made her heart ache.

Luckily, her father was at her side. She didn’t want to admit that she was scared and thought about walking away right then and there. Not that she could. They had called ahead to let her know that they were coming, but she still thought about it.

“Are you ready?” her father asked.

She nodded and then reached forward and rang the doorbell. A minute later, her mother pulled the door inward. She was every bit as beautiful as Bryna remembered her. She was a classic Hollywood beauty with shoulder-length blonde hair, bright blue eyes, a porcelain face like a goddess, and a slender figure. She was dressed to the nines in a cherry-red dress with a narrow waist and high heels. Her makeup was subtle and perfect.

This was the Olivia Bendel that Bryna had grown up with.

She startled as if she were surprised that they had arrived even though they had called to say they were coming.

“Lawrence,” her mother said. Her voice crisp.

“Olivia.” He smiled even though Bryna knew this was hard for him. “Good to see you.”

“Likewise.”

“Hey, Mom,” Bryna said. She was dressed more casually in a tight-fitting chambray button-up tucked into white shorts and brown fringe booties.

“Bryna, come in. Come in.”

Once they were inside, her mother reached forward and tentatively hugged her. Her mother actually seemed to have more substance to her than the last time Bryna had seen her.

She seemed a little nervous herself about what was happening. “I have lemonade in the sun room. Lawrence, you still like a whiskey and Coke, I assume?”

“Lemonade is fine with me for now,” he said.

Bryna knew it had taken a lot of strength for him not to bite back.

“All domestic-like,” she muttered under her breath.

Bryna and her father shared a look. They both smiled at the same time. This was the relationship she was completely used to.

Her mother busied herself with pouring lemonade and then taking a seat. She played the part of the entertainer well. Bryna would never have guessed that her mother’s life wasn’t as perfect as it seemed. Last she had heard, her mom was banging the cabana boy, drinking heavily, and on coke.

“So, how can I help you?” she asked politely. “This visit is most unexpected.”

“You don’t have to pretend with me, Mom. I’m your daughter.”

Olivia pursed her lips. “What’s all this about?”

Bryna looked at her dad, and he nodded his head.

“I want a relationship with you, Mom. I’ve had a rough couple of years. It was hard, not having you around.”

“Well, if you’re here to guilt-trip me—”

“I’m not,” she interrupted. “Things are finally good with Dad again, and I want that for us.”

“Of course,” Olivia said slowly. She glanced between the two of them. “I’m not surprised you reached out to your father first. You always were a daddy’s girl.”

“Olivia, it’s not a competition,” he said sternly.

“Of course not. You’ve already won. Hotshot directing job. Big house in Beverly Hills. Harmony Prep. How could she say no?”

“Stop!” Bryna cried. “It’s like I’m back in high school. I can’t stand you arguing, and that’s not why we’re here.”

“Then, why are you here?” her mother asked. She’d lost all her poise in that question.

She looked like Mom again. It made Bryna smile.

“Dad wants me to have a relationship with you. In fact, this was his idea.”