Page 26 of Do Me
He studied her. She was right in a way, but not for the reasons she most likely assumed. “That’s not it at all. I just don’t want you to be uncomfortable. Remember what I told you at the wedding?”
“About your mom trying to marry you off? Yes.”
“My sister is the same way and they both can be a little…overzealous. I’d rather be the one to decide the direction of my relationship with youwithoutany interference from my family.”
A small smile curved her lips. “And have you decided the direction of this relationship?”
“Yes, and I’d be more than happy to show you anytime you want.” Despite his sister watching from the porch, he leaned over and slanted his mouth over Londyn’s in a deep provocative kiss, willing her to feel just where he wanted them to go. “Any other questions?”
She cleared her throat. “Oo-kay. Um…so no. We should probably get out before your sister comes over.”
Braxton sent an unhurried glance over to where Debra stood. Thankfully, the darkness and his tinted windows prevented his sister from seeing them clearly. “You’re right.” He went around to her side to help her out and then started up the walkway. He kissed Debra’s cheek. “Hey, sis. This is Londyn. Londyn, my sister Debra.”
“It’s really nice to meet you, Londyn,” Debra said with a bright smile.
“Nice meeting you, too.”
“You guys come on in.” She held the door open.
“Surprise!”
Braxton froze. He met his mother’s smiling face and wanted to flee.
“Happy birthday to you,” the group standing in his sister’s living room sang boisterously.
“I am so gonna get you,” he whispered to Debra.
She merely smiled and kept singing.
He glanced down at the amused smile on Londyn’s face as she joined in the refrain. Loud applause and whistles sounded as the last note faded away.
“I take it today’s your birthday. Happy birthday.” Londyn gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.
“Yes and thank you. I’m sorry, I didn’t know she was going to do this.”
“It wouldn’t have been a surprise if you did,” she said wryly.
“I like you, Londyn,” Debra said, laughing. “Come meet the family.”
Debra—” Braxton released a deep sigh when Debra whisked Londyn off.
“Happy birthday, old man,” Cole said, his arm firmly around Malaya’s waist.
“Happy birthday, Braxton,” Malaya repeated, leaning up to kiss his cheek.
“Thanks.” Braxton hoped the fact that she had come with Cole meant that things were changing in his friend’s favor.
Axel clapped Braxton on the shoulder and smiled. “Happy birthday.”
He eyed Axel and Cole. “How is I talked to both of you last week and neither of you mentioned this?”
“Hey, your mom and sister promised bodily harm if we said anything,” Axel said, raising a hand.
He grunted. “I thought you guys canceled the Friday night get-together because you had something else to do?”
Chuckling, Cole said, “I did. Coming to your surprise birthday party. Is that Londyn?”
“Yeah. We were supposed to go to the movies.” Braxton shifted his gaze to where his sister stood introducing Londyn to their mother.
