Page 156 of Sin With Me

And as she held me, I realized that other than David’s, I’d never met my boyfriend’smother.

“Eric’s been going on about you since the day he met you in New York. It’s so good to see him finally take a liking to someone. He’s never brought a girl home before. Welcome to our little nest, Emma.”

“Thank you.” I didn’t dare to ruin her good mood by telling her I was here only on a job. Besides, Eric had asked me to pretend. Only… was I pretending?

And that’s when I felt my body jolt forward as a German shepherd jumped up to lick myface.

“Down, Max!” Eric ordered. “I’m sorry. He’s old, but friendly.”

“Hi, Max.” I scratched the graying dog under his chin. “That sure was one heck of a welcome.”

“Go on, boy. Lead the way.” Mrs. Waters patted him on his head as Max led us toward the house.

As soon as I stepped over the threshold, the click of a lock sounded, sending chills up my spine. I found it odd that Eric’s mom would do that – especially since there was no other neighbor in immediate sight. Eric discreetly drew his finger to his lips, asking me not to say anything. The house was beautiful and newer than I expected, but the sense of tight security didn’t escape me. From double locks on the doors to strong hinges on the windows, this home had better bolts than many metropolitanones.

“It’s been like this since the kidnapping,” he whispered when his mom turned away. “My parents built it for greater security.”

“Eric says he wants to show you around the farm before going back to the ranch. Please make yourself at home while I get going on lunch.” The dishes began clinking and Mrs. Waters started humming under her breath. It was as if new life had been fused into her body the moment we arrived.

“Thank you. You have a beautiful home here. Eric tells me the farm has been passed down for generations.”

“The farm has been in the family for at least a hundred years. The old house in the back is the one I grew up in. We have direct access to Peacock Lake behind there.”

“I’d love to seeit.”

“Oh, you don’t want to go in there, dear. It’s all dusty, and God knows what kinds of creatures live there. It’s so nice to have you here, Emma.” A man whom I assumed was Eric’s dad entered the doorway and, just like his wife, took me into hisarms.

“The pleasure’s mine. I meant that I’d love to see thelake.”

“Well, that I’m sure Eric can arrange. I need to wash up before I show you the solar panels.” He pointed to his soiled clothes. “Once we get those installed, we’ll be saving energy at home and in the sty. And after that, I’m all yours, kids.”

“We’ll see you soon.” Eric waved to his parents and guided me outside. The press of his hand felt surprisingly natural.

Eric led me to the side of a sty. I took a long whiff and didn’t get the scent of manure I was expecting.

“What are you sniffing?” Eric laughed.

“The pigs. I can’t smellthem.”

“That’s because most were sold last week. There are only two sows left at the moment. They’ll have their babies in a month, and the cycle will begin again.”

“You’re not going to show me the barn?” I asked as we kept walking past the building beside thesty.

“Baby, you’re not ready for the barn.” A wicked smile grazed his face, making me wonder what he meant by the comment.

“Why not?” I stopped, pulling on hishand.

“Well, let’s just say that in these parts of the country, barns are not for good girls.” The grunt of his voice pulsed through my body, igniting it with impatient longing. I drew my finger down the middle of his chest, along each button of his plaid shirt.

“Who’s saying that I’m good?” I bit my lowerlip.

“You’re a tease,” he laughed. “It’s tradition in this town that a man takes his woman in abarn.”

He swiveled on his foot and grasped me under my back dipping my entire body back as if we’d just finished a dance. His lips were less than an inch away, pursed and deliciously swollen. Moisture glistened at their edges and it took all my strength not to kiss him, because I needed my answers.

“So, how many girls have you taken here, Cowboy?” I asked in a whisper, feeling a sudden rush of endorphins overwhelm my bloodflow.

“This one doesn’t count. It’s my parents’ farm. It’s sort of like, you use your parents’ for practice before you bring the girl to your own.” Eric pulled me back up, guiding me toward the old house.

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