Marie Harte - Bending the Rules

“I told you.” His mother nodded.

“Yeah, well, Nat and I are taking it slow. I was thinking we could do a family dinner this weekend if that’s okay.”

“That’s perfect. What should I cook?”

Of course his mother would cook. No eating out at a fancy restaurant to impress her son’s girlfriend. No sirree. He swallowed a sigh and prayed that Nat wouldn’t be scared off by his family’s closeness, no matter what she’d already said about liking his ties. She tended to veer on the reserved side when it came to feelings, and his mother didn’t know the meaning of the word.

“She likes ribs, greens, chicken—all the usual that you cook. Oh, and red velvet cake. My sugar has a thing for sugar.” He grinned. “She also loves my potato salad.”

“Well, I’ll let you keep that recipe. How about I make us ribs, green beans and a cornbread casserole?”

“Perfect.”

“I promise to be nice. I swear I won’t ask about grandbabies. Well, maybe once.”

“Momma.” He groaned.

“Teasing.” She smiled and blew him a kiss. “I’ll have to make my best red velvet cake. We want to keep your girl, don’t we?”

“Yes, I do.” I do. Two words he’d detested for years, yet since making things work with Nat, he had a hankering to say them for real. Too soon, he knew, but he had a feeling this relationship with her was something different from what she normally had.

They’d talked and laughed. Sex with Nat got better every time. And she’d slowly started to come out of her shell, even sharing stories about her family with him. He had to not blow it. So he was careful about everything, feeling as if he walked on eggshells at times. But to keep Nat by his side, he’d move heaven and earth to make things right. There had to be real trust between them before they had their first major argument. Granted, he and Nat could disagree like professional debaters, but their opinions on things that really mattered seemed to be in line.

“Rex?” His mother raised a brow.

“Sorry. My mind wandered. What’s that?”

She smiled. “Nothing, honey. Go on to your girl. We’ll see you on Saturday, around four, okay?”

“Thanks, Momma. I love you.” He left his untouched cobbler on the counter and leaned closer to give her a kiss. Then he took off, wanting to see Nat again.

Sue Samson watched her son practically race out the door. Part of her was thrilled. She’d never seen Rex so excited about anyone before. Not his first girlfriend, his crushes in school or his casual dates had ever made the boy glow.

Yet Natalie Wielder turned him into a nervous nelly. The boy hadn’t finished his cobbler. Rex always finished his desserts. At least, the ones made by her.

The boy was in love. She’d pegged it that night she’d seen them dancing. And lo and behold, he was bringing her home to meet the parents.

She shook her head as she walked back to Harry’s office. He’d just put the cell phone down when she entered his office.

“Come here, lovely.” He patted his lap, and she thanked her lucky stars she’d broke off with Jeff Kinsey in time to go to the senior prom with Harry all those years ago. Perfect timing had led to the perfect marriage. Her husband was no saint, but they’d made it past the rocky parts, and they continued to fall deeper into love as the years passed.

Sitting in his lap, she put her arms around his neck and kissed him, a rush of love filling her from head to toe. “The boy’s a goner.”

“I know.” He smiled at her, his eyes twinkling. She could see why Natalie would find her son attractive. He’d grown up to be the spitting image of Harry, a man who still took Sue’s breath away. “I hear good things about her. She’s smart, aggressive and pretty as hell.”

Sue sighed. “They’d make pretty babies, that’s for sure. I’m just worried for Rex. He’s in love with this one. I’d hate to see her break his heart.”

“Same here. But love ain’t worth a thing without a little risk.”

“True.” She smiled at him. “Well, now that our little bird is flying the nest, how about we celebrate with some hot wax?”

“And chocolate. I’ve been dying to try out that new body paint you’re hiding in the bedroom.”

“Oh, you. You weren’t supposed to look.” She laughed as he tickled her, then dashed into the back room. She knew her son thought them a staid, if happy couple, settling into their dotage. But some things a mother just didn’t share with her little boy.

Harry entered the bedroom and started stripping down.

Sue laughed to herself. They were happy and anything but boring. She could only hope Rex had found the right someone to keep him young through the years.

“This cake is amazing, Sue.” Nat savored every bite. She’d been nervous about meeting Rex’s parents in a more intimate setting. But after insisting she call them by their given names and sharing some embarrassing moments of Rex in his baby years, they’d done the impossible—gotten her to relax. Judging by the smug grin on his face, Rex was thinking I told you so. She’d make him pay for that later.

Sue and Harry Samson were anyone’s ideal parents. A handsome, successful couple who doted on each other and their son, the Samsons lived life to the fullest. Just the way she imagined one day being, if she could accept the fact Rex actually loved her, with a capital L.

When he’d said he loved her in the throes of passion, she hadn’t thought much of it. Guys said a lot when they were about to come.

But he kept saying it, casually, as if an I love you, Sugar was normal between new lovers.

She still got goose bumps when he said it, as well as a surge of irritation because he hadn’t insisted she say it back. It was like he knew she loved him but was afraid to say it. No insecurity or fear that she didn’t return the sentiment, not from her bratty boy.

He licked the icing off his fork, and her mind went straight to all the dirty places it normally dwelled when thinking about Rex and his magic tongue.

“This was your best ever, Momma. Thanks!”

Sue beamed. Harry rolled his eyes. “Boy, you know there’ll be no living with her now.”

“Well, she deserves it.”

Nat agreed. “I’m going to have trouble walking away from the table, I’ve eaten so much.”

Harry chuckled. “Natalie, you’re just the prettiest thing. You want to gain a few pounds, you go right ahead.”

“She’s got a high metabolism, Daddy. It won’t stick.” Rex winked at her, then gave her upper body an approving onceover. They’d discussed what they liked about each other. To hear Rex tell it, he wouldn’t change a thing about her. Not even her on-the-small-side breasts.

And damn if his gaze didn’t zero in on her hardening nipples. Thank God she’d worn a short-sleeved sweater to camouflage the signs that he’d once again aroused her without trying.

She glared at him and did her best not to smile at his innocent look. “What can I say? I work for the city. I run on nerves and caffeine.”

“I hear you,” Harry said. “Those bureaucrats would drive me to drink. No offense.”

“None taken.” She grinned. “I hear you know the mayor pretty well. ’Nuff said.”

Harry grinned. “He’s an ass, but he’s looking out for the city.”

“If not his wife,” Sue muttered. “Don’t know how Elaine tolerates his roving eye.” She turned to Nat. “Would you mind your boyfriend or husband stepping out on you?”

Nat turned and gave Rex the stink eye. “I’d carve him up like a turkey, then toss him back in that ugly cesspool of available bachelors. If my guy can’t be faithful, I have no time for him.”

“Good answer.” Rex leaned close and kissed her on the lips. He wasn’t supposed to do that in front of his parents.

She blushed.

“Isn’t she cute, Momma?” Rex cupped Nat’s chin. “So feisty. But she and I are on the same page. Cheating isn’t a Samson trait.”

“Or a Wielder one,” she added. A small fib. But her mother had been mostly separated the first time she’d stepped out on her father…while her father had been busy doing his secretary. So good that they weren’t together anymore.

Harry mentioned Rex’s next trip to Charleston, and they talked about the city Nat had always wanted to visit but never had the time to see.

“You’ve never been there?” Sue asked.

“Nope. I moved to Augusta fifteen years ago, and I’ve been working my tail off ever since.” She blinked. “Landing this job was a dream. I can’t remember the last time I had a vacation.”

Rex shook his head. “Sadly, I can believe it.”

“What? I work. I can’t be gallivanting all over the country like some people.”

Harry smothered a grin. “She has you there, boy.”

Rex frowned. “I work too. I’m my own boss, so I set my own hours. I also happen to be opening another brewery in Charleston and am looking into Florida, so you know, I kinda have to visit. For work.”

She shrugged, pleased at his irritation. She liked to needle him, and the easy-going Southerner was fun to rile. “So you say.”

He deliberately turned away from her. “So, Daddy, tell me about your dealing with Mooring. Did he give you the percentage you were asking for?”

The conversation continued, and Sue winked at Nat. When the table needed clearing, Nat was surprised to see everyone offer to help. No wonder Rex was no slouch when it came to cleaning after himself. His parents had taught him well.

“You two sit,” Harry ordered her and Rex as he took away their plates. “Your momma and I have this.”

“He’s awfully bossy,” she murmured to Rex. “I wonder…”