Chapter 7
CHAPTER 7
T he brunch spot Margaret picks is one of those cozy Denver cafés with exposed brick walls and the kind of warm lighting that makes everything feel intimate. The scent of fresh coffee mingles with homemade cinnamon rolls as I stir my mimosa and try not to fidget. Margaret has been looking at us weird ever since we arrived.
KC sits next to me in the booth, our thighs brush every so often, and he’s holding my other hand under the table.
Across from us, Margaret sips her coffee, her sharp gaze flicking between the two of us. “Something’s changed between you two.”
My fingers tighten around my fork. Does she suspect that we’ve slept together? Or that I’m falling for this man quicker than I should be? I definitely dove into the deep end of the pool without a life jacket.
KC doesn’t even blink. “What do you mean, mom?”
Margaret tilts her head, studying us the way only a mother can. “I can’t put my finger on it, but I feel it.” She narrows her eyes slightly. “You two just seem… different.”
I force a laugh, but it feels brittle. “Maybe you’re just getting more used to seeing us together.”
She doesn’t look convinced. “Mmm. You two didn’t have a fight, did you?”
“No, not at all. We’re the happiest we’ve ever been,” KC reassures her. He’s not lying. If happy means waking up and having an orgasm first thing in the morning and then having another one before bed, then yes, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. KC is the most attentive lover. I’m getting used to his bossy ways and the way he slaps my ass every time I bend over. He’s been inspiring my creative side, too. My heroes will definitely have more depth added to them.
“I see.” She looks at me as if she’s wanting confirmation.
I give her a quick nod and take a quick sip of my mimosa to avoid her gaze. Nope. Not going to say a word. Thankfully, Margaret lets it go—for now—and moves on to something safer. “I meant what I said the other night, RJ. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you.” Her voice is warm, genuine. “You’re a remarkable woman.”
The unexpected compliment catches me off guard, and I swallow past the strange, tight feeling in my chest. I shouldn’t care so much about KC’s mom’s opinion, but I do. The feeling of guilt settles heavy over me. I hate lying to her. Especially now. Now that I am indeed her son’s girlfriend. We might not have had the define the relationship conversation yet but based on how KC has been acting and the words he spoke the night he came over…
“Thank you,” I manage, my voice softer than usual.
Margaret reaches across the table, giving my hand a small squeeze before turning to KC. “You did good with this one, son.”
KC makes a sound in his throat, something between a chuckle and a hum. “Yeah,” he says, voice unreadable. “I know.”
I don’t dare look at him.
Margaret’s phone buzzes, and she glances down before smiling. “Oh, and Tiffany wanted me to remind you, RJ, that she’s waiting for your call. She’s taken a real liking to you. She wants to join your book club.”
I grin. “I like her, too. I’ll call her soon.”
Margaret nods approvingly before checking the time. “I guess we should get going. Don’t want to miss my flight.”
And just like that, the moment is gone. I push down the ridiculous pang of sadness as we leave the restaurant and head for the airport.
The drop-off area is chaos; honking cars, families saying their goodbyes, travelers rushing to their terminals. As per usual, uniformed police officers are prodding people along, not letting anyone park for more than a minute or two. Drop off and pickup only. No waiting. KC pulls up to the curb, and I hop out to grab Margaret’s bag from the trunk.
She turns to her son first, patting his arm like only a mother would. “I expect you to keep me updated,” she says. “And bring RJ around next time you come home. I’m sure the rest of the family would love to meet her.”
KC smirks. “Yes, ma’am.”
Then she turns to me, and before I can even process it, she pulls me into a hug.
“Take care of him, will you?” she murmurs.
I swallow hard. “I’ll try.”
"And take care of yourself, honey! I'll be back before you know it! Have KC give you my number and call or text anytime." She pulls back with a smile, then grabs her bag. “Alright, I better go. You two behave yourselves.” After she enters the airport, she turns and waves. I muster up a grin and wave back, fighting the lump in my throat.
I let out a breath as we climb back into the car. The second KC pulls onto the highway, I turn to him.
“She knows something’s up.”
KC keeps his eyes on the road. “Yeah.”
“She’s got that mom radar you told me about.”
“She does. She’s always had a radar on her. She’s known when we’ve done something wrong before we ever got caught.”
I sigh, leaning my head against the seat. “I really like her. She’s a good person. I feel bad lying to her.”
KC lets out a low chuckle. “You’re not built for deception, RJ. I’m glad though, I wouldn’t want to date someone who could lie and deceive people without feeling bad about it.”
I shoot him a look. “So, should we just tell her?”
KC’s jaw ticks. “And say what? ‘Hey, Mom, we were pretending at first, but now we are together and not lying anymore’?”
I huff. “Fair point.”
Silence stretches between us for a beat before KC speaks again.
“We stick to the original plan.”
I turn to him. “So… at what point in the original plan did we decide to actually fall for each other? To start sleeping together? I mean, that wasn’t in your plan, was it?”
KC’s grip tightens on the wheel. “No. Of course it wasn’t. But now… with what’s happening between us... I don’t see any reason to tell her.”
I study him. “And what exactly is happening between us?”
KC exhales sharply, glancing at me before turning back to the road. “I told you last week exactly what would happen. You’re mine.”
I chew on my lip and stop myself from calling him a caveman. “It’s a good thing I like being around you.”
KC’s lips twitch. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. And I like the way you—” I stop myself.
“The way I what?” His voice drops an octave, sending a shiver down my spine.
I clear my throat, but I’m not the type to back down from a conversation. “The way you are with me.”
KC is quiet for a long moment.
Then, without looking at me, he asks, “You ever dated a guy like me before?”
I frown. “Like you how?”
His fingers flex on the wheel. “You know what I mean.”
I think about it. “Military? No, never.”
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”
I do. I know exactly what he’s asking me. “No. But I’m not scared to date someone like you either, if that’s what you’re getting at.”
KC lets out a humorless laugh. “You should be.”
I arch a brow. “Should I?”
He finally turns to me, his gaze dark, unreadable. “I’m not a pushover, RJ. I’m not the kind of guy who lets things slide. The other night was a small sample.”
A delicious heat coils low in my belly. “You mean the whole… dominance thing?”
KC doesn’t flinch. “Yeah.”
I tilt my head, studying him. “Have you always been like that? I mean, is it just how you are, or…?”
KC is quiet for a moment before answering. “It’s not a phase. It’s who I am. Always has been. It makes me a good soldier. But not all women can handle it. I’m not easily manipulated.”
I tap my fingers against my thigh, considering. “You think I can’t handle that?”
KC exhales through his nose. “I think most women think they can handle it until they realize it’s not just a game to me.”
I roll my eyes. “You do realize I write about this kind of thing for a living, right?”
KC smirks. “Writing about it and living it are two different things. It’s all fun and games right now but what happens when you really do something wrong, and I spank your ass for real?”
I narrow my eyes. “You really think I’d back down that easily?”
KC’s gaze flicks to mine, something dark and amused dancing behind his expression. “I think you like pushing me and we don’t know what will happen when you push too far and you don’t like my response.”
I smirk. “Maybe or maybe it’ll turn me on the way it did the other day.”
KC shakes his head, muttering something under his breath. “You really are trouble, aren’t you?”
I grin. “You have no idea.”
KC chuckles, and for the first time since we left the airport, the tension in the car eases. “Listen, baby girl, you have no idea what kind of ride you are in for. The spanking the other night was merely foreplay.”
“Guess it’s a good thing you always make sure I’m buckled up.”
“Guess so.”