Kyle
The flight had been long, and it felt like I’d lost half my mind in the air. Fatigue had kicked my ass and fried my brain like a chicken nugget. Seriously.
There was no fanfare when we got to her house. In fact, her parents were nowhere to be found. I tried convincing Tiff we should take a nap, but she declined. Instead, she made me a black tea and we were out the door soon after. Having decided to take advantage of the nice weather, we headed outside to enjoy the rest of our day as soon as we’d unloaded our luggage.
London kicked some major ass.
Tiff showed me her favorite spots in the city, and I fell in love with everything about this place. The pubs, the architecture, and the Tower Bridge were amazing to behold. We even rode the London Eye. She made the day incredible with no effort. Her smile, the sparkle in her eyes, everything about her shone like diamonds. All her worries seemed to have vanished, which I thanked God, or whoever was watching over us, for.
She kept glancing at her ring and grinning. If I had known a bauble would’ve exacted such a change, I would have gotten her a diamond. I hadn’t for fear of it being too much too soon; I wanted to keep things simple for now.
We ended up meeting her mom out in town while she ran last minute errands. Now I could see where Tiffany’s good looks came from. Her mom was an older version of Tiff, and they were both beautiful. Even though I knew she was American, hearing her speak without an accent kind of surprised me. We hit it off right away; Clary made the coolest mom list in my book. Especially when she asked me to tattoo her. It was a bit awkward, but from the emotions on her face when she saw her daughter, how strong she held Tiff in her arms, I knew right off that Mrs. Evans was a good mother. Tiff could be worried about the past, but I doubted her mother would ever hold anything against her. Besides, although Tiff had been through a lot and wasn’t in a good place with her thoughts and heart when she left her hometown, she hadn’t had issues with her mother.
Continuing our stroll around town, we held hands and stole kisses here and there. We were relaxed, and everything felt natural between us while we shopped and enjoyed snacks at some of her favorite spots.
It was late afternoon when we got back to her parents’ house. Her mother had been busy cooking a lamb roast dinner, and the smell made my mouth water. The three of us were talking about our day when Mr. Evans appeared out of nowhere in the kitchen. He welcomed his daughter, and then asked to speak in private with me before tea was served.
My appetite vanished while my brain screamed, Shit!
While Clary and I had clicked right away, with Tiffany’s father, it was going to be harder. There would be many questions to answer before having any hope of his approval. Not that I sought one, but having it would make everything easier. Sure enough, Tiffany’s father questioned me for a relentless half an hour. Everything from my job and family to my plans for the future and even Cassidy seemed fair game to him.
Having had enough, I rose from the office chair ready to make a point. I wasn’t some teenager in the peak of puberty whose intention was to use and toy with his daughter. I was almost thirty years old; the time for frivolous play had long gone.
“Look, sir, I understand your concerns about Tiffany. She’s been unlucky with her past relationships, but I’m nothing like the ignorant cold-hearted bastards she was with before. I know the tattoos can be intimidating, but I’m a business owner, and I’m not playing any games. I take care of Tiff and put a roof over her head, making sure she has a comfortable and safe place to stay. We have a good circle of friends, strong and protective, and, well, I love her. We all do. She’s well-cared for her back in Seattle is all I’m trying to say. Your daughter is happy. You can trust me, or not, that is your choice, but know that I love Tiffany and I’m not going anywhere.” The decision was his. I couldn’t be any more honest with him. My life had been numb and meaningless long enough, Tiff gave me hope for a better future. There was no way I was going to let him stop me from loving her, approval or not.
Mr. Evans wouldn’t look me in the eye, instead, his gaze burned holes in my chest. I waited to give him a chance to say something but he appeared to be speechless. Shit.
Turning around, I left to find Tiff so I could hold or touch her. To calm down.
“Hey, babe. Everything okay?” She murmured in my ear when I wrapped her in my arms a few minutes later.
“He was a challenge.”
“Did my husband give you a hard time, Kyle?” Mrs. Evans asked, a worried hand touching my forearm.
“What do you think, Mum?” Tiff groaned, none too happy.
“Give him some time. You know he just wants what’s best for you, and besides, it went well.”
Her eyes widened as she challenged her mother, “How can you say that?”
“The proof is that Kyle is standing in front of us, alive,” she said with a cunning smile.
“It’s okay, beautiful. Don’t worry about it. You’ll be okay. Time is the key.” What I’d said to him should make him understand I was serious. I hadn’t stood there looking defeated, I’d confronted him and made a statement. I loved Tiff and wouldn’t let him, or anyone else, put a wall between us.
Her father didn’t return until dinner was served about an hour later.
“That’s not very polite, Klint. We have guests.”
“I had to make a call for work. I’m sorry, dear.”
It took a few minutes, but the atmosphere between us all loosened up. My appetite crept back and I was able to indulge in the lamb roast dinner.
“So, how long have you two been living together?” Klint asked looking straight at me.
So, he had been listening to what I’d said, and latched onto the tidbit that his daughter already lived under my roof.
“Honey, I don’t think that’s suitable talk for dinner.”
“I don’t see what the problem is, Clary. We’re all adults here, having an adult conversation, right?”
“A few weeks,” Tiff cut into their argument. “Kyle has a very nice place. I love it there. It’s much better than the studio I was in before.”
“We have a nice place, Tiff. It’s not just mine now, remember. It’s yours too.”
Klint started to laugh. “You kids act like newlyweds.”
“We will be, someday,” Tiff said after shooting me a hesitant look and hiding her hand underneath the table.
Klint stopped laughing at once while Clary looked between the two of us, awe written all over her face.
“I hope you will, it’s a beautiful celebration,” Clary said trying to divert from her husband’s reaction.
As the evening went on, Klint started to chill, and by the time we said our goodnights, I felt like I had him under control. For now, anyway, everything was fine. Considering I was making it to bed alive, I chalked it up as a good first day with the future in-laws.
Jet lag and the time difference, plus pure physical exhaustion from the day of touring, it was all too easy to fall asleep. As my back touched the mattress, Tiff curled up against me, and then it all went dark.
Soft music tickled inside my brain, drawing me from my dreams until I woke up, disoriented and grumpy.
“Good afternoon, babe.” Tiffany’s voice indicated she was in the room somewhere.
“What’s that smell?” I asked covering my face with my pillow. “And did you say afternoon?”
“Nail polish. I just did my nails. And yes, it’s one o’clock. You should get up now if you don’t want to waste any more of our day.”
I groaned like a caveman, not feeling rested enough. The mattress dipped next to me and I knew Tiff was coming to get me out of bed. She straddled me, right on my manhood, and I coughed.
“Tiffany!” With a huff I tried to lift her off me, but she resisted, making it impossible.
“What about now? I think you’re ready,” she teased.
“Your father can barely look me in the eye as it is, we are not about to do this under his roof. Hell, no. Move, please, before you break my dick in half.”
“Kyle, be serious.” She eased upward, resting so I could feel her heat on my belly.
“I am being dead serious, beautiful. Nothing will happen until we get home. Your dad is a great chastity belt.”
Giggling, her fingers traced the lines of my tattoos. “I’m a bit disappointed,” she said with a pout.
“So am I… so am I.” I sighed. “Look at how beautiful you are.”
“You’re not too bad yourself.”
I watched her watching my tattoos, her long eyelashes creating shadows on her cheeks, her dark hair falling on her face, I would never get tired of appreciating her beauty.
“What’s the plan for today?”
“If you want to play tourist again, we can. Or we can stay in...” Her fingertip brushed against my lip, she was still trying to tease me.
“Tiffany, you are driving me crazy.”
“That’s the plan. Crazy about me,” she said and leaned forward to catch my lower lip with both of hers.
Giving in, we made out while kissing like hormonal teenagers until I knew I couldn’t keep it together anymore and jumped in the shower. I needed time alone or else I’d cross a barrier I couldn’t cross. Yet.