Page 28 of Starts With a Bang

And with that, I made up my mind. I killed the engine with grim determination. The interior lights came on as our cue to exit the vehicle, but Sven stopped me before I could reach for my door handle. He crooked his finger to beckon me closer, and I leaned toward him as if pulled by an invisible string. I didn’t get very far because I’d forgotten to remove my seat belt.

Sven chuckled as he pushed the button to free me, and I pulled the belt across my chest. “Just one kiss,” he said an instant before our mouths met.

His lips parted, and I deepened the kiss. I hadn’t meant to linger long, but the first glide of slick tongues made me hungry for so much more. Angling my legs toward him, I cupped the back of his neck to hold him in place, leaning into the moment instead of thinking about my next step. Or the one after that. I didn’t think at all. I just felt. Sven slid his hands into my hair and massaged my scalp. A breathy whimper filled the vehicle, and it took me a few seconds to realize it had come from me. God, his hands were magic. I couldn’t stop myself from imagining his skilled fingers in other places.

Next thing I knew, I was cupping his ass and hauling him halfway over the console. Sven growled and nipped my bottom lip to rev me up more. And that’s when a car horn started going off. One short beep followed by a long wail. Someone was really laying into that thing, and it took me too long to realize I was thesomeone. Sven pulled my arm back from the steering wheel and collapsed back into his seat in a fit of giggles.

“Sounds like…” His voice trailed off as he lost his breath. “Like you’re expecting them to…” Sven lapsed back into another round of laughter. “Come out and greet us.”

I looked back toward the chateau in time to see a group of people step onto the porch. “Fuck me.”

My cursing only made Sven laugh harder. “That’s one way to break the tension.”

“It’s still here,” I said, though a silent laugh rumbled my body.

Sven wiped his face and reached for the door handle. “Let’s get this weird part over with so we can retreat to our room before dinner. You know, to unpack.” He waggled his brows suggestively.

I pushed out of the SUV and walked around to the back to get the luggage. A quick glance at the porch revealed only two people had remained. I recognized and adored those silhouettes. Mom and Dad lit up brighter than the house as we approached with our luggage. I was grateful the others went inside so we could share this moment in private.

“Mom, Dad, this is Sven,” I said.

My mom threw her arms around Sven and squeezed him tightly. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

“Me too,” Sven said, and I could tell he meant it.

Dad moved in on me, wrapping me up in one of his famous bear hugs. “It’s not too late for all of us to make a break for it. Your SUV is big enough, and I don’t care about my clothes and stuff inside.”

Mom let go of Sven and swatted Dad. “Dominic, stop that. You’ll give the boys the wrong impression.”

“That John is on his high horse about his latest corporate conquest or that Janet is on her second bottle of wine?” Dad asked. “Don’t even get me started on Christian and Emerson.Those uptight assholes who are just spoiling for a fight.” Dad turned to me. “Don’t you dare oblige them. Kill them with kindness.”

Sven nudged me with his elbow. “I told you I didn’t want to be an accomplice to murder.”

Dad cackled and opened his arms to Sven for a hug. “Sven, I am delighted to meet you. Dom talks about you all the time.”

Sven lit up like a Christmas tree. “Is that so?”

“No,” I said.

“Sure is,” my parents countered in unison.

Sven hummed appreciatively as he sized up my dad. “I can see where Dom gets his good looks and strength.”

Dad cackled. “Luckily, he gets his smarts from his mother.”

“And his sense of humor.” Mom looped her arm through Sven’s and led him toward the front door.

“Hey!” Dad called out. “What about the luggage?”

“You big, strong men can handle a couple of suitcases. I want to talk to Sven.”

I suspected our detour to the bedroom would have to wait.Damn it. I grabbed the handles for the largest bags and said, “Might as well do what she says. We won’t win an argument, and she’s taken my boyfriend hostage.” I halted for a second, shocked by how easily the word rolled off my tongue.

“Janet!” Mom yelled loud enough to raise the dead.

The entry was open to the second story, with an enormous antler chandelier overhead. That bastard had to weigh four hundred pounds. I hoped like hell it was bolted properly because Mom’s shouting might cause it to break loose. Beyond the monstrosity was a double staircase winding up toward the second floor. A moderate sitting room was to the left of the entrance, and a study or small library was to the right. Mom and Sven walked under the staircase and moved farther into thehouse. She seemed eager to lead Sven straight into the lion’s den, so I picked up my pace.

“Let’s leave the suitcases by the stairs, Dad. Sven and I can take them up once we know which room is ours.”

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