Page 75 of Hide From Me

“No.”

They speak in unison and I raise my hands in surrender.

“I tried to save you from them.” A large hand clasps down on my shoulder. The sudden voice makes my fists ball at my sides, resisting the instinct to turn and knock the hell out of whoever it is. Raylen lets out another laugh, which helps to relax my shoulders.

“Sorry, I got sidetracked with the Marlots. I swear they never stop talking,” the man says, stepping around me until he’s a barrier between me and my—“Joseph, but you can call me Joe.”

This time, I don’t hesitate to take the hand extended in my direction. It’s a bit odd feeling his palm, which is almost as calloused as my own, but it’s refreshing as well.

“Moe Madden,” I introduce myself, smiling. He returns the smile and throws his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer.

“Yup, this one is a good one,” Joe exclaims, causing my chin to tilt up in the air.

I shoot Raylen a wink.

She growls. “You hardly know him.”

Why was I worried about meeting the parents again? I can hardly remember why. Maybe it was the warmth of the room or perhaps the alcohol, which eased the tension in my shoulders and created a sense of welcome. Joe shakes my shoulder before letting go and walking over to Raylen's mother. I couldn't help but focus on how he bent down to kiss her head. A dusty pink colored her cheeks, reminding me of how my mother would react when my father did the same for her. I drift toward Raylen, bracing a hand on the back of her chair.

“Don’t you even think about it,” she muttered. I glance nervously between her and the people surrounding the table, managing a light laugh.

“No dancing on the table here?” I tease, confused. A small grin pulls at the corner of her mouth, but she covers it with her glass.

"That too," she shrugs before taking a drink. I can only assume she doesn’t want me to kiss her, so I set my flute beside hers as soon as she places it on a coaster on the table. It's tempting; I would love to remind her who's really in control and grab her by the cheeks, kissing her until she can't breathe. However, my father worked hard to teach Caspian and I how to be proper gentlemen, even if he didn't instill the best morals in us.

“Yes, ma’am,” I murmur.

The older ladies excuse themselves.

“So, Moe, what do you do for work?” Joe asks as he moves over to where the women were just sitting and straightens the cloth. I focus on his movements, doing my best to hide a smile as he picks up the champagne glasses and sets them on some coasters. I often wondered if Raylen's neatness came from some type of OCD or if it was a learned behavior from a woman in her life, but maybe it's a habit she gained from her father. One day I'll have the answers. Baby steps, though.

“I help with my family’s business,” I say, slipping a hand to the back of Raylen’s neck, fingers brushing under her hair to calm myself.

Joe lifts a brow. Raylen steps in. “He travels.”

“You’ve always wanted to travel!” Raylen's mom cuts in excitedly before straightening her shoulders and clearing her throat. “My apologies, how rude of me. I’m Tessa.”

I nod in acknowledgment, opening my mouth to say something, but Raylen speaks up again. “I don't travel with him, Mom.”

“It’d be good for you, though, and besides, it’d be a good way for you to relax with—”

“Mom,” Raylen says softly, her head darting in her mother’s direction so quickly that her neck pops under my grasp. I smooth my thumb overthe spot, brows furrowed, everything in me aching to push and ask what that was about, but the opportunity is right there, and I can't just let it pass by, so I speak without thinking.

“Don’t let her lie to you,” I joke, rolling my eyes. “I have a trip to Australia coming up, and she’s coming with me.”

“I wha—”

Those eyes. That look.

She’s not mad. She’s stunned in awe, like I just handed her the world.

“Surprise, baby,” I mutter, thankful that she finally lets me press a kiss to her head.

“Don't worry, Rayray. I’ll get a hold of Miss Fae, and I can work out an off period,” Joe begins, but Raylen shakes her head, despite my nose being buried in her hair.

“Please don’t get involved,” Raylen's voice softens, prompting me to pull back. The motion catches her off guard, her body jolts like my touch was a live wire making me hesitate but then she looks up at me with pleading eyes.

There it is.She wants me close.