Her Protector

by Rianna Campbell

  And he wasn’t even going to think about why that made him so damn happy.

  “What time are you expecting your Ma?” He asked.

  “Well, I told her 6:30, which means she’ll probably be waiting when we get there.” She replied with a wry smile. “My mother is practical to a fault. She always leaves early enough to account for any conceivable disaster, which means when no catastrophe befalls her, she’s inevitably early.”

  “And here I thought most women ran late.”

  “According to my mother, on time is late.”

  “I’ll make a note of that.” He’d again been joking, but the idea of meeting her mother didn’t bother him. In fact, he half hoped she’d ask him to stay.

  ✽✽✽

  Alexandra was nervous that her mother actually might be waiting when they arrived, but she wasn’t. Connor escorted her in and waited while she disarmed the security system. He looked a bit lost, as if he wasn’t sure if he should leave right away or if he could stay for a bit.

  “Beer?” She asked. He smiled and nodded, looking a bit relieved.

  “You want me to help you start dinner before I take off?” He asked.

  “No, but you can keep me company for a while.” She didn’t want him to leave, though she didn’t want to scare him off by subjecting him to her mother’s inquisition. She’d already admitted to buying him a gift for a holiday almost two months away, if she invited him to stay and meet her mother he was going to think she’d already started planning the wedding and picking out baby names.

  She shouldn’t be ready to think about holidays or meeting each other’s families. There was still a good chance that in another couple weeks he’d be sick of her issues and he’d eventually break it off. Or possibly that once the contract was terminated, he’d simply… drift away. I mean it had been all of a week. She must be out of her mind.

  She busied herself setting water to boil and browning italian sausage while the pasta sauce warmed on the stove. She preheated the oven and pulled out the other ingredients she would need to put together her lasagna.

  Connor sat and watched her, saying nothing as she minced garlic and melted butter and sliced bread. He was silent as she diced tomatoes, basil and mozzarella and tossed them with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, parmesan and a pinch of salt.

  “So I talked to my Da this morning.” He said, finally.

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah. He invited me to come for Christmas.”

  She looked up from spreading garlic butter on the bread and studied him. He sipped his beer, looking casual, but his eyes were anxious.

  “That’s nice of him. How long has it been since you’ve seen him?”

  “About six months, give or take.” He’d begun peeling the label off his beer bottle.

  “That’s a long time.”

  “Yeah.” He nodded. “He invites Angel every year, too, but she never wants to go, so I usually end up staying here.”

  “That’s nice of him. Why doesn’t she want to go?” She asked, paying close attention to her sauce.

  “Guess she just doesn’t feel comfortable. She’s only met him a few times. She’s not keen on flyin’ anyway.”

  “I can understand that. Still, it’s a shame you can’t have your whole family around for Christmas.”

  He took a considering sip of his beer while she tossed pasta into the boiling water.

  “I was thinking of asking them to come here. Stay with me for a couple weeks.”

  “That’s a great idea.”

  “And I was thinking that way you can come round and meet them.”

  She paused in stirring her sauce.

  “You want me to meet your dad?” She was impressed with how casual she sounded.

  “Yeah, I do.” He said slowly as if he didn’t know quite what to make of it either.

  “Oh.” She smiled to herself. “Okay. That sounds good.”

  He beamed at her as she assembled the lasagna and put it in the oven and sliced a loaf of bread.

  “That smells amazing.” Connor groaned. Alexandra decided, in light of his invitation, to return the favor.

  “You can stay for dinner, if you want.” She shrugged. “If you don’t mind answering a million questions from my mother.”

  “Really?” His face lit up like a child on Christmas and butterflies began aerial acrobatics in her stomach.

  “Yeah.” She couldn’t help smiling at him.

  “Brilliant.” He stood and kissed her, swift and hard. “I’ll set the table.”

  Alexandra smiled to herself as she popped the bread in the oven as well. She couldn’t believe how… easy Connor made everything. All the things that she agonized over and fretted about, Connor smoothed over with an easy smile and an affectionate gesture. He wasn’t dismissive, he was… understanding.

  The anxiety and fear about being stalked, her panic attacks and past trauma-- he acknowledged them and was sympathetic, but undeterred. The quick progress of their relationship, and the idea of meeting their families-- no trepidation, no beating around the bush, just a simple request.

  He was such a steady presence. Honest, upfront and open. He’d mentioned some of his own issues in a very manner of fact way, but she’d seen so little uncertainty or hesitation in him, and what there was had been brief. He always seemed so sure of himself. She trusted him on a level she wouldn’t have imagined just a couple weeks ago.

  “Alright?” Connor’s low voice in her ear surprised her and sent a frisson of pleasure down her spine. He circled his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder.

  “Yes.” She said quietly. She reached a hand up and wrapped her hand around his nape. “Quite alright, actually.” Connor made a low hum and nuzzled into her neck. His breath tickled her neck and she let her head fall back against his shoulder, feeling content.

  “You smell so good.” He murmured, placing warm gentle kisses along her neck. Alexandra felt all the tension in her body melting away. She closed her eyes and focused on the feeling of his strong arms around her and his lips moving across her skin. It was wonderfully intimate, but not strictly in a sexual sense. She felt close to him.

  “I’d better change before they get here.” Alexandra said, though she felt no desire to move.

  “Need any help?” He drawled. She could feel his smile against her shoulder and she laughed.

  “I don’t think that would be wise.”

  “No, but it would be fun.”

  “Get thee behind me, Satan.”

  “I’m already behind ye.” He chuckled.

  “True. Further behind me, then.”

  Connor sighed and backed away, tucking his hands in his front pockets, no doubt trying to camouflage his rapidly growing-- and very impressive-- arousal.

  The doorbell rang, preempting any further flirtation, and a moment later Amanda followed Alexandra upstairs. Alexandra changed into jeans and a sweater and ran a brush through her hair while she got Amanda up to speed.

  “You haven’t said anything to mom, right?”

  “No. You told me not to on penalty of torture if I recall.”

  “I hardly think withholding paella constitutes torture.”

  “Withholding it forever certainly does.” Amanda protested.

  “Fine.” Alexandra replied. “So as far as mom is concerned, Connor and I are just dating.”

  “Are you, though?” Amanda narrowed her eyes.

  “That’s what we’re telling people. I don’t want anyone to know unless they need to. You know how mom will react if she finds out.”

  “You’re evading the question.”

  Alexandra blinked at her sister. “Who’s the lawyer here?”

  “Please answer the question, counselor.”

  Alexandra rolled her eyes and turned away to hide her smile. She was seriously turning into such a schoolgirl.

  “If you must know, it’s not exactly a lie.”

  “I knew it.” Amanda bounced where she sat cross legged on the b
ed, clapping her hands together. “He was practically eye fucking you all through dinner last week.”

  “Amanda Rennee Hughes. Watch your language!” Alexandra scolded with a blush.

  “My, God. It’s not as if you haven’t heard, and said, worse.”

  “Hush.”

  “So?”

  “So, what?”

  “Details, woman!” Amanda huffed. “I’m way too busy at work to do more than fall into bed at night exhausted and dream about the scrumptious Parker. You have to give me something.”

  Alexandra tucked away that information for later and debated what she could comfortably share with her sister.

  “He’s... funny. And he’s surprisingly sweet at times, and… intense at others. It’s still really new and a little confusing.”

  “What’s confusing about it? Hot, funny, sweet guy who’s totally into you. Seems simple enough.” Amanda shrugged. “Unless he’s no good in bed.”

  “Would you shut up, you pest? What if he hears you?”

  “So, tell me I’m wrong so he can hear that instead.”

  Alexandra hesitated but decided to try it out and see how it went. Amanda wouldn’t have much time to pry for details before their mother arrived, so any humiliation would be short lived and, at least by Amanda, quickly forgotten.

  “You are so, so wrong.” Alexandra gave her sister a grin.

  “I knew it! God I hate you sometimes.” Amanda glowered. “Mom and Dad’s favorite, super fancy, successful lawyer, and now sexing it up with one of the hottest guys I’ve ever seen.”

  “Oh, shut it. You know you’re the favorite. You’re the baby, afterall, and a very talented chef who makes them all the goodies they could ever want.”

  “That is true.” Amanda conceded, examining her nails.

  There was a knock on the door. Three prim, evenly spaced raps, not too soft, but not too hard.

  “Remember, keep your mouth shut.” Alexandra hissed as she hurried down the stairs to open the door. Connor was heading that way, and had just entered the living room on his way to the foyer.

  Alexandra checked from the window, though she didn’t need to, and then opened the door for her mother.

  “Hi, Mom.” Alexandra greeted her, giving her a quick hug and a peck on the cheek before closing the door and locking it behind her.

  “Hey, Mama.” Amanda added, giving her a hug and a kiss as well.

  “Hi. It’s so good to see you both.” Her mother stepped back, taking them both in. “I still can’t believe how beautiful you two are. It seems like just yesterday--”

  “We were in braces and pigtails.” Alexandra and Amanda finished in unison, rolling their eyes.

  “Yes, yes, I know. I’m getting repetitive in my old age. I sound more like my mother every day and it’s truly frightening.” Their mother gave a mock shudder and a wry grin.

  “Mom,” Alexandra interrupted, lest her mother launch into a recap of all the family gossip that usually commenced at this point. “This is Connor. Connor, this is my mother, Susan.”

  Connor stepped forward, extending a hand and treating her mother to a warm smile. Her mother, to her credit, covered her shock well enough, and managed to smile and shake his hand.

  Here we go.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Alexandra’s mother was a beautiful woman who appeared to be in her late 40s, though she was probably closer to mid-50s. Her long hair was blonde, like Amanda’s, though a shade darker and subtly streaked with silver. Her eyes were blue like Amanda’s as well, but Connor could easily see the resemblance.

  Susan Hughes was shorter than both Alexandra and Amanda, and was rounder in the hips, but she was still an attractive and fit woman. He could easily imagine her on Richard Hughes’ arm at a gala or dinner. They must have made a handsome couple. She was dressed casually in jeans and a red sweater, both of which fit her well without being too tight. In short, like Alexandra, she was a woman who was beautiful without trying.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Connor said. “I can see now where your girls get their looks.”

  “Hmm.” Susan raised an eyebrow in an appraising look. “You’re quite the smooth talker, Mr…”

  “MacLachlan.”

  “And to which of my good-looking girls do you belong?” She added with a knowing smile.

  “That would be me.” Alexandra volunteered with a barely suppressed grimace. Anxiety washed through him again. Had he muscled his way into something she wasn’t ready for? Was this too much, too soon?

  “Alexandra?” Susan whispered. It was then Connor, understood. Her mother’s eyes were a mixture of shock, sorrow and hope that made even Connor want to grimace. She looked as if she might cry for heaven’s sake.

  “Surprise.” Alexandra deadpanned. “Would you like some wine?” She added casually, steering them all toward the dining room.

  Her mother cleared her throat. “Yes, thank you.”

  Connor, remembering his manners, pulled out a chair for Alexandra’s mother and received a small appreciative smile as she sat. He would have done the same for Amanda, but by then she had seated herself with small snort of laughter, the sound much like one Alexandra occasionally made.

  Alexandra returned with a bottle of wine and, blessedly, a bottle of beer for him. She gave him an apologetic glance as he pulled out a chair for her. He’d seated Susan, and Amanda had seated herself, on the side of the table closest to the living room. He seated Alexandra across from her sister, and took the chair directly in front of her mother himself.

  “So, Connor,” Susan began, sipping her wine delicately. “What is it that you do for a living?”

  “I run a security firm, ma’am.”

  “Please, call me Susan.” She patted his hand in a way that only mothers can. For a second it made his chest ache. He couldn’t remember his mother ever making such a small gesture of comfort.

  “Alright. It’s a bit of a habit I haven’t completely broken yet.” Connor gave her a small smile.

  “Former military then?” Susan asked, cocking her head to one side.

  “United States Army. Twelve years.” He nodded.

  “Not Scottish military then?”

  “No, m-- Susan. Don’t let the burr fool ye. I’m an American. Brooklyn boy, actually.”

  “Ah, that’s interesting.”

  “Connor’s father is Scottish and he lived there for a while when he was young and visited frequently while growing up.” Alexandra interjected, sipping her wine. He appreciated the way she’d abbreviated the story while still telling the truth.

  “Oh? What part of Scotland is your family from?”

  “Me Da lives in Glasgow, now, but he’s from just south of Inverness, so every summer we used to spend a few weeks there and a few weekends in between.”

  “Beautiful country up there.” Susan nodded. Alexandra and Amanda gave her a simultaneous and identical look of confusion. “Your father and I went to Scotland on our honeymoon before we went south to England and France. You know your great grandfather was Scottish, don’t you girls?”

  “Yes, I remember.” Alexandra nodded, sipping her wine.

  “So I guess that means we’ve all got a little Scottish in us, though some more than others, obviously.” Amanda deadpanned, though her eyes were dancing at the innuendo. Alexandra’s face flushed and she glared at her sister while stifling a smile.

  Connor covered his laugh with a cough and sipped his beer.

  “I’ll go check on dinner.” Alexandra sighed.

  “I’ll help you.” Connor all but choked.

  The evening went well. Susan was politely curious and Connor answered her questions with as much honesty and good humor as he could. She didn’t so much grill him as ask him questions that implied a genuine interest, and perhaps a little confusion. It was obvious that Alexandra didn’t introduce “boyfriends” to her family very often, and it was likely her mother was trying to figure him out. She was trying to see if he deserved the honor of meeting th
e family.

  Or maybe that was him being a little paranoid. All in all, he wasn’t upset by it. It showed that her mother genuinely cared about her, and with what Alexandra had been through, it made sense that she’d be cautious about any man involved with her daughter.

  At the end of the evening, keeping in mind the potential danger, of which Alexandra’s mother was apparently unaware, Connor offered to walk her to her car. Alexandra probably thought he hadn’t noticed her concerted efforts to make sure that he and her mother weren’t left alone together, but Connor had noticed, and he was more curious than anxious about why.

  “You really didn’t need to walk me out.” Susan said, though she still took the arm he offered her and led the way to her pricey sedan.

  “I wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to take a wee stroll with a lovely lady, would I?” Connor remarked with a half bow.

  “I can’t tell if you’re being a gentleman or a smart-ass.” Susan smirked. He could see where Alexandra got it from.

  “A bit of both.” He shrugged, and to his relief, Susan chuckled.

  “You remind me a bit of Alexandra’s father that way.” She sounded a little sad, and perhaps a bit wistful.

  “Is that good or bad?”

  “A bit of both.” She sighed. “He was a charmer when we first met. Still is when he puts his mind to it.”

  “I’ve met him.” Connor replied. This was delicate territory and he didn’t want to overstep.

  “He met you first?” She asked, clearly a little hurt. She covered it quickly. “I suppose you met him at the office.”

  “Yes, ma’am. He seemed decent enough.”

  “Decent, yes. Driven, focused, workaholic-- definitely. And a good father.”

  He was struck by her fairness. A lot of divorced people, men and women alike, wouldn’t be able to think of a single good thing to say about an ex. His mother certainly hadn’t.

  “This might be out of line, but my parents divorced when I was young.” Connor frowned. “Mum would go off about my Da often enough that I could list every single thing he’d done wrong when they were married. He was-- is-- a good father, though. All her finger pointing and blaming him didn’t make me think any less of him, but it did make me think less of her. I know divorce is hard, but it takes a good, strong woman not to turn that hurt into bitterness and put the children in the middle.”