Page 113 of The Masquerade: Room 2

“What did I do to deserve you, little one?”

“Something really, really good,” she says with a cheeky grin.

“I’m sure.” I capture her mouth with mine, unhurried but with a promise of what’s to come when we get home tonight. “Now, let’s get ready for dinner before I lose what little self-control I’m holding onto.”

Dulip is packed tonight. It always is. The hottest restaurant in town and almost impossible to get a reservation unless you know the owner, who frequents Venom. The second I called Ryder and told him about meeting Freya’s mom tonight, he ensured we’d have the best table in the house. I’m sure whoever he bumped from the reservation they had for the last six months will be pissed as hell, but my need is greater than theirs.

My jaw is so tight it starts to tick as we await Ms. Perrington’s arrival. Freya glances toward the entrance every few minutes, her hand resting on my thigh. “Stop holding your breath. It’s going to be fine. I promise.”

I hate that she knows how tense I am. I never want to look weak. As a Dom, it goes against everything I stand for. Since the day I realized I wasn’t going to get my happily-ever-after family, I’ve gone to great lengths to become the stoic man I am today.

From the moment Freya danced into my life, she’s been tapping my harsh armor, slowly chipping away at it. The second she broke through the façade, she’s held my fragile heart in the palm of her hand, and I didn’t realize I’ve been holding my breath, waiting for her to make a fist and obliterate me.

Tonight may not seem like a big step when we’re already engaged and in a Dom/sub relationship, but I can’t help thinking this could make or break our relationship.

“There she is!” Freya jumps from her seat with glee, and my chest swells, knowing she has a parent who inspires such joy and love in her. I hate to admit that my happiness for her is tinged with sadness for the boy I once was. That I still am in moments like this.

They embrace like no one is watching, the woman I love recognizable in the features of the older woman whose eyes find mine. Nerves take flight in the pit of my stomach. I don’t think I’ve been this on edge since the day I sat my MCATS.

When Freya finally relinquishes her tight hold on her mom, she grabs her hand and drags her toward our table. I adjust my suit jacket as I stand to greet her. I swallow past the lump in my throat in an attempt to quell my nerves.

Holding out my hand, I channel my inner Dom. “Ms. Perrington, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Pierce.”

She ignores my hand and pulls me into a hug. “I’ve heard such good things about you, Pierce. Call me Daphne.” I wrap my arms around her, lost for words as realization dawns—Freya is the only person who has hugged me since my mother died. I fight back tears, quickly trying to regain composure.

When she pulls back, I take in her features—a warm smile, eyes that resemble my soon-to-be wife, and the same raven black hair, but with a little gray woven through. She’s elegant like Freya. But what gets me most is the way she looks at her daughter. There is awe and adoration in her gaze.

I wait until both Perrington women are seated before taking mine. “Can I order you a drink, Daphne?”

“A glass of red wine would be lovely. Thank you.”

“Of course.”

I signal for the waiter and order a bottle of Châteaux Lafite, then I think better of it. I want to make sure she likes it, but I’m going to seem like a pretentious asshole for ordering the best bottle in the restaurant.

“So, Pierce, my daughter says you’re the best neurosurgeon in the country. How do you find dating your student?”

“I…” Shit. I can remove a complex tumor from a patient’s brain, and yet my own is failing me at this moment. Freya squeezes my thigh under the table, centering me before I make a complete fool of myself. “It’s not without its challenges. I’ve broken every rule when it comes to your daughter.”

“Really?” Her eyes soften, giving me a degree of comfort.

“I never date co-workers, especially not my residents. Your daughter and I came across each other at a masquerade ball.” Freya’s grip tightens, and it makes me chuckle. Does she really think I would divulge all the details of how we met?

“How fun.”

“It was. Freya was a vision in lilac. At first, I didn’t realize who she was, and by the time I did, she had already enthralled me. I’ve been a goner ever since.”

“Love at first sight,” Freya says wistfully as my eyes meet hers.

“Yes, it was.”

“Oh, I like him already, Freya. The way to a woman’s heart is through loving her daughter the way she deserves to be loved.”

“As I’ve told Freya, I will spend every day of the rest of my life trying to be worthy of her… with your blessing?” It’s a question rather than a statement.

“I’m sure you know I raised Freya as a single mother. I always wanted her to know that you shouldn’t settle for anything less than true love. I was the mom and the dad.”

“You were everything I ever needed, Mom,” Freya interjects. “I never felt like I lost out on anything. My father didn’t care to know me, and I have never wanted to know him.”

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