Dr. Perfect: A Contemporary Romance Bundle

by Oliver, J. P.

  “It’s because they’re the same person,” I offered, then flinched when Dad kicked me under the table.

  I smiled at him. “What? They were going to find out sooner or later, and if you two are going to make this last, we should get the awkward stuff over now.”

  “I can’t believe you,” Dad said, shaking his head. “Is nothing sacred?”

  “The truth is…” I ate two more bites, then took a drink of the amber liquid that bubbled in my wine glass. It was still glorified soda.

  Then I looked at my grandparents and my aunt and said it again, making it as clear as I could. “My dad is dating the dad of the kid that beat me up at school." I laughed. “You can’t make this stuff up.”

  “Does he work at the school?” Grandpa demanded, as if that was so important.

  “No,” I said. “He owns a medicinal herb shop.” Dad sucked in a quick breath.

  “What the heck is that?” Grandma asked.

  “He sells alternative medicine, and—” my dad’s voice quieted. “Medicinal marijuana.”

  The table erupted. “Tell me you’re joking,” Aunt Charlotte said.

  “So he’s a weed head?” Grandpa asked.

  “They’re called potheads,” I corrected.

  “He’s not a pothead!” my dad said, shouting to be heard over everyone else and giving me another angry look. “He’s a business owner, and he’s very knowledgeable. He’s also a good dad.”

  “We don’t do drugs in this family,” Grandma said.

  “I don’t do drugs, Mom,” my dad said.

  I finished my meal and my drink. All the adults were talking at once when I stood to clear my plate and walked away from the mess I’d made.

  I couldn’t help but smile. My dad had told me so many times that the truth would set me free, but he was the first one to keep uncomfortable things from our own family.

  Grandma and Grandpa were still talking loudly when my dad appeared in the kitchen, taking my arm and pulling me into the hallway where it was quieter. “What the hell, Eddie?”

  “You told me to tell the truth, no matter the cost.”

  “Okay, but you had to know this wasn’t going to go well.”

  “Wouldn’t you rather get it over with before they meet Arthur and Leo?”

  He stopped, his lips parting slightly as he considered what I was saying. I decided to keep talking while I had him.

  “Eventually, you’re going to want to them to meet Arthur, and we can’t just leave Leo at home. Do you really want Grandma and Grandpa to do this—” I gestured to the other room—“in front of Arthur? What will he think?”

  “That our family is crazy." He thrust his fingers through his hair. “They are crazy.”

  “You know that, and so do I. I think they should get their crazy out now, don’t you?”

  He smiled, giving me a playful punch in the arm. “This is happening all too often,” he said, grinning ear to ear.

  “What is?”

  “You are leading the way and reminding me how things are supposed to be. I’m proud of you, Eddie.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  He gestured toward the dining room, where Grandma and Grandpa were still lamenting about the bomb I’d dropped about Arthur. “Come on, now. We have a fire to put out.”

  15

  Arthur

  The chime over the door sounded and I looked up, thankful to have a customer finally. When I looked into Jonas’s hazel eyes, my breath caught in my chest. “Hi,” I said.

  “Hi,” he answered, stopping to stand in front of me. Only the counter separated us as he looked around. “Where are all the customers?”

  “Thursdays are always slow. Most people get paid on Friday, so money is tight, and the midweek rush happens on Wednesday, then Friday and Monday are pretty busy. I really should just close on Thursdays.”

  “You should,” Jonas said, his scent swirling around me. “You could be having a lot more fun right now.”

  His playfulness caught me off guard. “Is that why you’re here?”

  “Sort of. I came to ask invite you to family dinner.”

  My heart skipped in my chest. “At your house?”

  “No. At my parents’ house on Wednesday. Eddie and I eat there every week, and now that Eddie’s let the cat out of the bag, they’re dying to meet you.”

  “How did that go?”

  He laughed. “My parents are very conservative, and Eddie was very forthright.”

  “Oh boy.”

  “That’s an accurate description.”

  “Maybe I shouldn’t go.”

  He took both my hands in his, leaning on the counter and looking into my eyes. “They want to meet you. And they’re good people. They’re going to love you.”

  “What about Leo?”

  “They’ll love him, too." He kissed my palms, sending shivers up and down my spine. “Trust me, they’re going to adore you both. Just give them a chance.”

  “Okay,” I said, trying to concentrate on the dinner invite when all I could think about was what those hands had done to me in his living room that night. My mouth went dry, and I cleared my throat. “If that’s what you want, I’ll do it.”

  “That’s not the only thing I want,” he said, then looked around the shop and sighed. “But I guess that will have to wait.”

  My eyes went to the door behind the counter, and I smiled at him. “Not exactly." I engaged the front door lock from the panel on my computer screen, then pushed the buzzer on the swinging door that kept the customers on the right side of the counter and grabbed his hand. “You haven’t seen my office yet,” I said, tugging him behind me.

  I unlocked the door and pulled him inside, closing it behind me and turning the lock just in case. He pulled me into his arms and kissed me roughly. I could feel his hunger with every moan that vibrated against my lips. Maybe he hadn’t come here for this, but I knew he wanted it as much as I did.

  He pulled me into his arms and held me close. My cheek was pressed against his chest, his heart beating so hard that I could feel each pulse. “I can’t stay long,” he said. “I just wanted to see you.”

  “I’m glad you came,” I said.

  I untangled myself from his embrace and backed across the room, leading him over to the overstuffed chair that sat in the corner. I plopped down in the chair and grabbed his hips, pulling him forward, then unzipped his pants and slowly lowered them.

  He held his breath, shaking hands resting on my shoulders as I pulled his boxer briefs down. He was already hard, the smooth skin tight on his swollen shaft.

  I stroked him with my fingers, enjoying the way his erection jumped at my touch. He was trembling now, standing there and holding himself together with his last stitch of control. “I’ve been thinking about this for a long time,” I said. “You’re beautiful.”

  His hands were in my hair. “It feels so good when you touch me.”

  “What about this?” I covered him with my mouth, drawing him all the way in and sucking hard.

  “That’s amazing,” he moaned.

  My hands held his hips still, forcing him to let me stroke him with my mouth, my rhythm achingly slow. I wanted to savor this time with him, and the complete control I had over him while I held him in my mouth. I could tell he was struggling to keep still, and that drove me to love on his cock even harder.

  I slid my hands around until they cupped his round ass. I squeezed and pinched, and he moaned in response, his hips moving when he couldn’t take it anymore. I held him, pulling him closer as he rode my mouth.

  His breath was coming in tiny gasps now, hands quivering against me. He said my name over and over, like a song on his lips. A mantra to help him hold onto the last little bits of his sanity.

  Then he stiffened and spilled his heat inside of me. I swallowed, then released him from my lips, pulling him into my lap as his legs started to shake and he collapsed against me.

  He let out a sigh and leaned into my embrace, his pants still pool
ed on the floor. I had one arm wrapped around him, the other in his lap, my large hand covering his package as he struggled to catch his breath.

  “That was wonderful,” he said. He wrapped his arms around my neck and kissed me. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

  “Neither was I. But this was my favorite unexpected visit so far.”

  He chuckled. “I hate to go, but I have a meeting at work.”

  “My work meeting was a resounding success, I’d say,” I teased, squeezing his cock one last time, then watching him as he got his clothes back on. “I’m glad you came.”

  I winked at him as he was heading toward the door and he stopped, rushing back for one last kiss, then hurried out with a smile on his face. I released the door so he could leave and watched him walk away, imagining him naked in my room, with nothing in the world to do but me.

  My heart fluttered, and I locked the door again and went back to my office chair, taking care of my own needs while the store was deserted and I could still taste him on my lips.

  By the time I made my way back to the sales floor and unlocked the door, he was long gone. I wrote dinner with his parents into my schedule, fighting back the panic that threatened. It was going to be all right, and his parents were obviously lovely people to raise a son like Jonas. Besides, even if they were a nightmare, it was worth it.

  I would do anything to make Jonas happy. Now that I had him, there was no way I would ever let him go. Even if it meant an uncomfortable dinner with his family every Wednesday night for the rest of my life.

  I smiled when I realized that it sounded so appealing despite my fears. I was ready to settle down, and Jonas was just the man to soothe my lonely heart.

  16

  Jonas

  I pulled into the driveway, making sure to leave enough room for Arthur to park his car beside me. When I let out a heavy sigh, Eddie patted my leg reassuringly.

  “They’re going to love him,” he said.

  “You’ve been saying that all week.”

  “It’s the truth. And I talked to Leo at volunteering. He’s going to be on his best behavior.”

  I snorted. “What did you offer him?”

  “Twenty bucks.”

  I shook my head. “You’re something else.”

  “I want this to go well." His smile was sweet, almost shy when he looked me in the eyes. “Like I said, I’ve never seen you as happy as you are with Arthur."

  “I sure don’t want to go back to dumping everyone by the third date.”

  He scrunched his nose and laughed. “Did anyone make it to the third date?”

  “Point taken. Come on, they’re getting out of the car. Let’s get this over with.”

  “It’s going to be fine,” he said. “It’s just Wednesday dinner.”

  As we waited for Arthur and Leo to join us, and I saw the look on Leo’s face when he took in the ostentatious mini-mansion my parents called home, I wondered if it really was going to be fine.

  But then Arthur took my hand and squeezed it. He leaned in, kissing me on the cheek and whispering in my ear. “We’ve got this.”

  And just like that, I knew whatever happened at dinner, we would be just fine.

  My mom answered the door before we knocked, the smile plastered on her face, a glass of wine in her hand. “There’s my favorite grandson,” she exclaimed.

  “I’m your only grandson,” Eddie said, then motioned to Leo with his head. “This is Leo.”

  My mom took a quick swallow of her wine, then smiled at Leo. “Nice to meet you finally,” she said.

  I shook my head and rolled my eyes at her. “Something smells good,” I said, to break the tension and redirect her. “Can we help with anything?”

  She blinked, then smiled. “No,” she said. “I’m just happy you’re all here.”

  Mom stepped to the side and let us in, and as I walked by her, I took her glass and gave her my sweetest smile. “I was thinking that tonight, we could all stand a bit of sparkling cider.”

  I didn’t wait for her answer, just walked into the kitchen and dumped the last bit of her wine down the drain. My father was pulling a chilled bottle out of the fridge when he saw me, and in one smooth move, turned and put it back in the fridge as elegantly as if he were dancing.

  “We’re sticking with the sparkling cider,” I said. “Nice fancy bottle without the drama.”

  He laughed. “Charlotte isn’t going to like that. She’s still in a tizzy about the CBD shop.”

  “His shop is open on Thursdays,” I said with a wink.

  “Maybe she should pay him a visit,” my dad said with a chuckle.

  At least one person in my family is on my side, I thought, hugging my dad warmly, then helping him carry the dark green bottles of sparkling cider and grape juice out to the table. Charlotte took one look and rolled her eyes, hand going possessively around the base of the glass she’d already poured herself. I ignored her, sitting down between Arthur and Leo.

  Eddie sat down on the other side of Leo, and I realized I was holding my breath, waiting for the sullen teen to say something crass. When he opened his mouth, I almost stopped him, but then I saw Eddie nod his encouragement. My boy has something up his sleeve, I thought.

  Leo was almost timid when he finally spoke, the rolls in the basket in front of him. “Should we say grace before we eat?”

  My mother’s eyebrow shot up in shock and appreciation, and my father cracked a smile and stepped right in. “Of course, son. What a great idea. Is it all right if I lead the prayer?”

  Leo nodded, and I saw he and Eddie give each other a discreet high-five under the table. My Eddie knew what his grandparents liked, and he’d managed to make miles of progress for Leo with one well-placed question.

  I bowed my head and waited until my dad had finished, murmuring “amen” at the appropriate time, then handing the lasagna tray to my father so he could serve my mother, as he had for as long as I could remember. When he set it down, Leo started to reach out, but Eddie stopped him. They waited until the adults had filled their plates, then Eddie handed Leo the tray before taking his own piece.

  Arthur patted my leg under the table, and I knew he’d seen them, too. Eddie was a natural leader, and Leo was doing his best to earn twenty bucks. It wasn’t my ideal, but it would work for this first dinner with my parents.

  “So, Arthur. I hear you grow pot,” Charlotte said, her wine glass already drained before her first bite.

  I leaned forward, about to shut my sister down, when Arthur patted my leg again and chuckled.

  “I’m sure it seems that way, but medical cannabis products are only part of what I do. I carry a wide array of products to help people live better and reduce their stress. Everything from yoga mats to essential oils and herbal teas.”

  “Why not sell those things without the drugs?” Charlotte pressed.

  “CBD is not what makes you high,” Arthur said, his voice warm and completely non-confrontational.

  He patiently laid out all the facts, answering Charlotte’s questions and even a few from my mother, never letting them ruffle his feathers. I listened in awe, only half paying attention to the boys beside me, who were having their own side conversation and working on their second helping of dinner.

  When he was done, Charlotte smiled, and I knew it was coming before the snark left her lips. “Have you thought about getting a real job? You know, a respectable job, like Jonas. You can’t really sell herbs for a living forever, can you?”

  “My dad owns a business, lady,” Leo said, giving Charlotte a withering look.

  Charlotte’s cheeks turned pink, and she cleared her throat, then looked down at the table. “What I meant was—”

  “You meant that you think my dad is a loser,” Leo said. He jumped, then glared at Eddie. “Don’t kick me. Your aunt is a snob. She thinks she’s better than my dad, and that’s crap.”

  “She doesn’t think that,” Eddie countered. “She’s just over-protective of her little brother.”
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  “Boys,” I warned.

  To my surprised, both Eddie and Leo hushed immediately, but my mother was already simpering to herself, as if I couldn’t hear her judgmental little hmmm under her breath.

  We ate the rest of our meal in silence, and when the last plate was clean, I went to stand up to clear the table, but my dad held up his hand. Then he motioned to my mother and Charlotte and smiled. “The guys are our guests tonight. Let’s take care of this, and we’ll have dessert in the family room.”

  They left, grabbing plates as they went, leaving the four of us at the table alone. Eddie nudged Leo and tilted his head toward the hallway. “Wanna see my room?”

  “You have a room here, too?”

  Eddie shrugged. “Why not? They have like fifty rooms, and only Charlotte and Dad.”

  “It’s not fifty, Eddie,” I said, then turned to Arthur. “There are eight rooms.”

  “Eight or fifty, it doesn’t matter,” Arthur said as the boys raced down the hall and out of the dining room.

  I looked around to make sure we were still alone, then leaned close and kept my voice low. “You don’t have to pretend to be someone you’re not just to make them happy.”

  He pulled back, surprised. “I’m not pretending to be anyone.”

  “This isn’t you. You’re funny, and a little bit of a hippie. You’re not all science facts, and peer-reviewed studies, and calm, concise arguments. You’re fiery and passionate.”

  When I leaned in for a kiss, he put his hands on my shoulders to stop me. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I can be both. Come on, Jonas. This is what I do. You think your sister is the first person to ask me those exact questions?”

  “You just sound so smooth and educated.”

  “I sound smooth and educated because I am. I put a lot of research into everything I sell. People trust me. Yes, I use CBD from time to time when I need it. But I’m not the loser you seem to think I am.”

  “I’m sorry.” I sighed. “I mean that. I just meant that I don’t want you to think you always have to be on point when you’re around my family.”