Page 64 of Promiscuous Lies

My father returns with a glass of water and hands it to Bentley. “Here. Your mouth will get dry with all that food,” he says to Bentley, who smiles up at him.

Posie shoots a glance my way, and I can tell by the way her muscles are bunched that she’s minorly freaking the fuck out. I’ve seen it before, but it’s only now that I realize how protective she is of her son. Of course, it doesn’t sit well with me that she feels she needs to protect him from my family… or me.

The more I feel her placing that wall up between us, the more I want to shatter it because I know mine has been lowering around her for weeks now. And there’s nothing I can do about it.

CHAPTER 33

Posie

Idon’t like that I like his family. In fact, I feel so comfortable around them that it makes me want to run. His father made me feel awkward the first time I met him in Dutton’s office, and now he’s getting my son a glass of ice water so his mouth doesn’t go dry from the burgers.

It’s weird. And they’re nothing at all like Dutton.

Where Dutton is cool and calculated, his mother and sister are full of life and shine so brightly that it’s almost intimidating.

Everything I’ve read about this family paints them in a bad light, yet I like them.

I also find it interesting to watch how other people act around Dutton. Most are wary of him, which is expected, but his family is clearly the exception. Even as his sister talks with him, he acts as if he’s indifferent, but I can tell he’s listening attentively. She’s lecturing him about something, and he’s indulging her, and when he looks at her, his eyes are filled with love. He might not understand what it’s like to have a child, but he certainly isn’t unfamiliar with doing anything in his power for his family. This is obvious since he dragged me here just because his sister asked him to.

“So, we meet again,” Dawson drawls as he stands beside me. Honey is building a card tower with Bentley. Despite hosting a party for their daughter, it appears Bentley is getting most of their attention.

“We do,” I say as we watch his wife and my son play together. I glance at Dawson and admire the way he stares at Honey. There’s so much love in his gaze, and I almost envy it. It’s how my parents used to look at each other.

Although their son might not know how to act around children, it’s very clear his parents adore them.

“Any update with you and my son? Have things changed between the two of you, by chance?” he asks with a too-innocent smile. And I can’t help almost smiling back, because I realize behind the businessman, there might be a man who has a little bit of cheek in him, just like Dutton. I imagine not everyone gets to see this, not from these powerful men who have built their reputation on being ruthless. But I’ve seen how Dutton cares for his employees and ensures their safety, especially the women. I suppose it’s because of this man that he learned those values.

“He’s still just my boss,” I reply.

Dawson’s smile curves wider. “Ah. Yes, of course. I was my wife’s boss once upon a time as well.”

Honey looks up at him as if knowing he’s speaking about her. She’s beautiful beyond measure. I can tell where his sister gets her looks from; she strongly resembles her mother. And while Dutton takes more after his father, I can also see Honey in him.

“It’s not like that,” I inform him.

“Yet here you are, at a family function. Want to know how many women Dutton has ever introduced to us?”

“Not really,” I mutter, which makes him laugh. “And it was more like I was dragged here by your son. Not that I’m not grateful to be here,” I add that last bit so I don’t seem rude.

“He’s brought none.” I turn back to him to see him raise a brow. “We wanted to meet you. And although we admittedly had to apply some pressure for him to agree to bring you, it doesn’t take away from the fact that he did, in the end, bring you… and your son. Dutton sometimes needs a push in the right direction.”

I laugh at that. “With all due respect, Mr. Taylor, you don’t know me. You don’t know if pushing him in my direction is the right thing. I’m a single mother, focusing only on her son and his future.”

“Yes,” Dawson agrees. “Which is precisely why you’re perfect for him. For all my son’s achievements, he needs to focus on something other than himself and his empire. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone take his attention like you have, and that speaks volumes, whether you or he want to admit it.”

I go to speak but can’t find the right words. The pressure of it makes me want to run the other way. I can’t outright tell his father we’re only having casual sex because it feels like it’d only offend him.

Dutton excuses himself from his conversation with Billie, and when Dawson notices, he turns to his wife and Bentley. “Now, Bentley, how about some ice cream?”

“He’s allergic to nuts,” I’m quick to say.

“Good to know,” he replies as Bentley hops down from the chair, and Dawson offers him his hand. Out of habit, I immediately reach for Bentley to protect him. But Bentley smiles big at Dawson and practically skips over to him, then slides his hand in Dawson’s. Just as they walk off, Dutton is back at my side. He makes no attempt to touch me. Slowly but surely, this man is learning to respect my boundaries.

“He’s safe. My father is many things, but kids love him, and he loves them. He was a great father.” I look at him then, taking my eyes off Bentley as he and Dawson go to the front of the restaurant to order the ice cream.

“You don’t need to sell me on anything,” I say.

“Sell you on anything?” He gives me a quizzical look.

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