Page 94 of Crossing Lines

I capture her lips with my own, claiming her in every way, as my own orgasm overtakes me. When I come down from my high, I drop my head to her shoulder and say, “You’re so fucking amazing.”

“No, you are. I take back everything I said about your ability to please a woman.”

I chuckle and?—

The front door slams shuts, and I shoot off Nina, grabbing the pepper spray in the side table. No one is allowed in the house besides the approved list of people security has. Is it Zeki? Elodie? Another intruder?

I place my fingers to my lips to indicate that Nina needs to stay quiet. She nods, eyes wide with fear.

“Evren?Nerdesin?”

I relax, recognizing that it’s just my mom. Wait, my mom? I freeze. My cock, my mouth, and myfingers are covered in Nina and my mom ishere? It doesn’t matter that I’m an adult and have a sex life, my mom doesn’t need to know that.

“Who’s here?” Nina whispers.

“My mom. She’s asking where I am.” I yell in Turkish, “I’ll be right there. Meet you in the kitchen in a few minutes.”

Shit, shit, shit. I wasn’t ready for this. I spring into action. “I need to shower and meet her, then you can come down when you’re ready?”

“I don’t have to meet her if you don’t want me to.” Nina pulls the sheet up to her chest, looking unsure.

I cross to her side and tilt her chin up so that she looks at me. “Oh, you’re definitely meeting her. I’m just shocked she came all the way from Miami without telling me. And I’m sorry that she’s bursting in on us.”

“It’s okay. It’s cute that she cares enough to visit you.”

My heart twists at the sadness in Nina’s tone. It’s clear her mom has never made an effort when it comes to her. But I’ll make sure she never feels that way again. I kiss her quickly on the lips before taking the fastest shower of my life.

“Annem,” I say, kissing each of my mother’s cheeks in greeting. Even in her late sixties, she still wears her dark hair pulled back in a sleek chignon every day.Today, she’s in a tailored pantsuit and the string of pearls Dad gave her around her neck. “I thought I asked for a few months.”

“And I was getting bored waiting.” She pulls out aplate and starts uncovering the containers filled with homemade food. My mom is an amazing cook and never leaves home without something she made to share with the people she visits with. “So where is Nina? Can I meet her?”

“I think she’s getting ready.”

“Perfect. Let me make her a plate, then.” Mom plates up a slice ofbörek.“I brought everything needed to makemenemen.”

“My favorite,” I say, leaning against the counter. “How are you doing?”

“I’m good, just missing you and I hear now Zeki is moving here?” She glances at me as if to confirm it.

“He’s staying in the city, and he’s helping me out with the team.”

“And? Do you think he’s finally ready to settle down?”

“I don’t know,” I say slowly. “I think this is something you should talk to him about.” If I’ve learned anything in the past couple months, it’s that I don’t want to take on a father figure role with Zeki. I much prefer the relationship we’re developing now.

“Hi, Mrs. Kaya,” Nina says. I turn and smile when I see her wearing a bright blue floral dress. “I’m Nina.”

“Hello,” Mom says formally before grabbing a pan and opening the containers she brought full of cut peppers and tomatoes for themenemen. “Do you cook?”

“Not at all,” Nina says, standing next to me. “Do you?”

“Of course. Who doesn’t cook these days?”Anneshoots me a look that drips with disapproval.

“Nina’s a designer,” I say, stepping in before Nina can respond. “She’s busy helping me renew the women’s apparel line for the team.”

“You’re working together?” Mom asks, her eyebrows raising, gaze lingering on Nina for a beat too long.

“We are,” I say.

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