Page 124 of Point of Contention

And so…normal.

When I reached up with my napkin and swiped at his mouth, Cabot rolled his eyes. “Sorry.” I shrugged. “I’ll leave it next time.”

He grunted as he shoved the rest of the dog into his mouth, then wiped a napkin across his lips.

He was more relaxed than I think I’d ever seen him—especially out in public. But we hadn’t had any run-ins with rabid reporters, which helped tremendously. Although, I had spotted a couple burly dudes in suits following behind us throughout the evening, which looked remarkably like the men who guarded the church for Professor Clements’ funeral. They kept the reporters at bay then and, I assumed, they were doing the same now because they were hired by my beautiful, intense and endearing Dom.

I pushed up on my toes and puckered my lips, but Cabot shook his head. “Not a chance, my love.”

Frowning, I pushed toward him, but he gripped my biceps and held me at arms’ length. “You have mustard on your lips.”

I licked them, then wiggled my eyebrows. “Not anymore.”

He grimaced and gave his head a quick shake. “I detest the stuff.”

Narrowing my eyes, I propped my hand on my hip with a huff, then walked over to the vendor and pumped another line of mustard onto my hot dog, watching Cabot as I ate it dramatically, moaning while I finished my late-night meal.

He looked at my mom, bemused. “Was she always like this?”

Mom laughed, tossing her head back. “Headstrong and annoying? Yes.”

“Hey,” I grumbled as I wiped my face and washed my food down with a long chug of pop. “I’m not annoying.”

“Okay, honey.” She and Cabot shared a look, then chuckled, and my heart grew three whole sizes.

I fucking loved this man, and now, so did she.

Next up, Greer.

But I’m wasn’t pushing my luck with that one anytime soon. She scared me.

“So, where do my girls want to go next?” Cabot said, looking back and forth between my mom and me.

My lips twitched on a smile, so I rolled them together. He was being so sweet; I didn’t want to deter him, even though it was late and we both had work tomorrow. The responsible thing would have been to head home, but…

Responsible is boring.

“Mom really loves wine.”

Her eyes widened. “Heavens, you’re going to make the man think I’m a wino.”

“She is,” I whispered, laughing when my mom tried to swing at me and missed.

Sobering, I looked at Cabot expectantly. “Wine?”

His eyes narrowed as he considered, then he nodded and slipped his arm around my waist, pulling me close. “I know just the place.” He kissed my temple briefly, then walked me to the curb as Cole opened the door to the limousine. While my mom and I climbed inside, he instructed Cole where to go next. We each took a seat near the center of the car, then Cabot slid into the backseat and closed the door, settling into the center of the frontward-facing seat and stretching his legs out in the open space, all lean and seductive without even trying. I let my gaze travel up his frame from his designer black and white sneakers to his snug black jeans, lingering briefly at—

He cleared his throat softly and I lifted my gaze, then he smirked as he read my mind. He cut a quick glance at my mom sitting across from me, and I imagined his voice in my mind.“Behave.”

But then he pulled out his phone and, as he dropped his gaze, his brows furrowed with focus, and his fingers moved furiously over the screen, I knew we’d lost him for a bit. But he’d already given me—us—so much of himself tonight; I couldn’t expect him to completely check out, even after hours. Especially with all he had going on.

Focusing on my mom sitting across from me on the opposite seat, I smiled. Having her here in New York had been so special, but this night, sharing her with Cabot, meant more to me than I could put into words.

As if following my thoughts, she reached across and patted my knee. “I like him,” she whispered.

And I sank back with a sigh, my shoulders relaxing as a smile split my face.

“You were worried she wouldn’t like me?”

---