Page 25 of Teased By My Roommate

My bottom lip began to tremble uncontrollably. "Hawk," I whispered, "My mother. She's just so…" He waited patiently, patting my knee. "Vicious. I had to be so perfect around her. My hair, my nails, the arch of my eyebrows. I couldn't eat pizza before she needed me to attend a function because I might bloat."

Hawk's eyes grew huge as he waited for me to continue.

"I was her puppet to play with. The supposed proof that her system of being the perfect woman really worked. She was angling to get a book deal, then end up on talk shows."

He slipped an arm around me, cuddling me against his shoulder. "I'm so sorry, baby. Knowing that, I'm even more convinced that my plan will work."

"I'm not going out in public tonight." My head rested against his shoulder.

Hawk heaved a dramatic sigh, then turned to face me head on, placing his finger under my chin. "If you don't come with me tonight, I'm going to contact your mother and tell her exactly what you saw when we first met."

"You wouldn't." A giggle bubbled out of me, but he remained serious.

"I absolutely would. Hell, I'll send photos. I'll tell her that you're living with a man, and love taking bubble baths in front of me."

"Hawk, I appreciate your sense of humor, but I—"

He gently clapped a hand over my mouth. "Look, this is the last time I'm going to play the man of the house card, but it's important. Come to this party with me. If it doesn't work, I will help you move anywhere you want."

"You don't have that kind of money," I muttered against his palm.

"Yes I do," he said, raising an eyebrow. "And as soon as you're dressed, I'll explain."

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