Page 17 of Daddy's Naughty Author

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?”

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