“Rylan, behave yourself.”
“Bryn, this is my mother, Kadie. You already know my father.”
“Bryn, I’m so happy to meet you,” Kadie said, stepping forward to give the girl a hug. “Pay no attention to my husband. He can be a bit of a jerk sometimes. Come, sit.”
Bryn sat on the sofa beside Conor. The paranormal power in the room was almost over-powering.
“You look troubled,” Kadie said. “You’re not afraid of us, are you?”
“Well...it is a little, um, I mean....” Bryn clutched Conor’s hand. “I’ve never been in a room with three...vampires.”
Kadie smiled at her. “It can be a bit frightening, but believe me when I say you have nothing to fear. Can I get you anything?”
Bryn blinked at her, unable to hide her surprise at being offered refreshment. Good grief, they weren’t offering her blood, were they?
Conor and Saintcrow exchanged glances then burst out laughing.
“Bryn, love, relax.”
“Oh, dear,” Kadie said, stifling the urge to join in the laughter. “It’s just pie and coffee.”
Bryn felt her cheeks grow hot with embarrassment, wishing with all her might that she had never suggested coming here.
Conor slipped his arm around her shoulders. “Hey, it’s all right. I should have prepared you better. I should have known Mom would want to have something to offer you. And warned you about the house.”
“I’m sorry if we’ve made you uncomfortable,” Kadie said. “We don’t have many...ah... guests.”
Bryn nodded. Took a deep breath. And grinned when she saw the humor in the situation.
When Saintcrow winked at her, it somehow made everything all right.
~ * ~
“Well, I’m glad that’s over,” Conor said as they returned to Bryn’s apartment later that night.
“I had a good time with your parents,” Bryn said. “Eventually.”
Conor chuckled. “I’ve never taken anyone home before. I didn’t know what to expect. My folks have a lot of interaction with...” He paused. “With people. Employees, guests,” he said, with a shrug. “But they don’t invite any of them up to the house.” He pulled her into his arms. “I love you.”
“I know.”
“Tell me,” he said.
“I love you, too.” She slipped her arms around his neck. “Will I see you tomorrow night?”
“Count on it.” Drawing her closer, he kissed her, long and slow, his tongue dancing with hers, his hands sliding restlessly up and down her back. “You’re driving me crazy,” he murmured. “I want you so bad. In so many ways.”
“I know. I want you, too.” She could feel the evidence of his desire, see it in the depths of his eyes.
“Marry me, Bryn.”
She drew back a little, her gaze searching his. “We’ve only known each other a few months.”
“Time has nothing to do with love.”
She was drowning, she thought, drowning in the midnight-blue of his eyes, in the longing in his voice, in her own desires.
“Think about it,” he said, his voice husky. “Promise me you’ll think about it.”