Dad’s eyes bulged. “You’re moving in with him?”

I put down the tea towel I held and gave my father a look. “Yes, and I don’t want you going on about that all night, okay? I’ve invited you for dinner so you can all start to get to know him.”

“You’ve just met the man, Monroe. Why on earth would you think it’s a good idea to move in with him so soon?”

We’d been going back and forth about Hyde for a good ten minutes while Dad drilled me before he arrived for dinner. Both of us had gotten worked up, but this question calmed me down. I smiled at him and gave him the best answer I had. “Because I just know.”

Dad frowned. “You know what?”

“That he’s the one.”

Dad drew a long breath. I knew it was one of his stalling moves when he grew frustrated. I hated it when we argued like this, but I wouldn’t back down from this disagreement.

Mum placed her hand on Dad’s arm as she joined in. She knew he was reaching his breaking point, too. “What makes you so sure, honey?”

“I know you just see his roughness and what he shows the world, but there’s a whole other man underneath all that. He’s thoughtful, and caring, and giving. He accepts me for who I am and doesn’t try to change me. He puts up with my demanding side and doesn’t complain. He listens to what I have to say about things. He stands up to me and fights me on the things that are important to him. He admits when he’s wrong, and he tries to be a better man. He’s a good dad. And he gives me the fireworks I’ve always wanted.” There were so many other little things about Hyde that I loved. And I knew there would be a million more things I’d discover along the way. People could think we were moving way too fast, but they didn’t know what we already had, and they sure as hell didn’t know what was in my heart.

Mum’s face lit up while I shared my thoughts. “I like him, Col. I saw the way he made Monroe sparkle. I think you should look for that tonight rather than focusing on Hyde so much. Look at your daughter and see that this man makes her feel good about herself. At the end of the day, it’s not whether we like him so much as how he makes Monroe’s life better by being in it.”

Dad looked at her. “You just quoted your mother, didn’t you?”

Mum nodded. “Remember how much my father disliked you when you two first met? That’s how you’re acting now. Think about that before you give Hyde too much hell tonight.”

He shook his head. “You’ll be the death of me, woman.”

She grinned. “I do my best, darling.” I wanted to high five my mother, but a knock at the front door distracted me.

Butterflies swarmed in my belly.

Hyde.

Today had been a write-off at work thanks to him. I’d planned on tackling tax stuff but hadn’t been able to concentrate after he’d bossed me into moving in. Not that he really had to do much bossing. I just let him think he did.

His intense gaze captured mine the minute I opened the door. I was surprised to find him on his own.

“Where’s Charlie?”

His hand curled around my waist, and he pulled me outside. Drawing me close, he bent so he could speak against my ear. “She asked me to drop her at the service station around the corner, so she could buy some drinks, which means I’ve got you alone for a good few minutes. I’ve been thinking about those lips of yours all fucking day.”

“I like your thinking.” I really freaking liked it. I needed this time with him before venturing back inside where my father lay in wait.

He captured my mouth in a kiss that took my breath away. “Fuck, sugar, you make a man wanna dedicate days to you.”

Happiness hummed through me. I loved his desire for me. Looping my hands around his neck, I hit him with a sexy smile. “How about dedicating something else to me?”

“Why do I suddenly feel like I need to be careful about what I agree to here?”

“I have no idea.”

He ground himself against me. “Okay, hit me, but I’m not saying yes until I know what it is.”

I pouted. “You’re no fun.”

“Spit it out, Roe.”

“Well,” I started, “I was thinking it could be fun if you got your cock pierced.”

He stared at me like I had two heads. “You’re fucking shitting me, right?”

“No. The sex would be so good.”

“That’s easy for you to say when you’re not the fucker who has to stick a fucking hole through your dick.”

Even though he was grumbling, I knew I had him. It would take me some time to coax him, but he was using the tone that told me he’d do anything for me.

My sister walked up my front path. “Did you just say you’re sticking a hole through your dick?” she asked Hyde.

“Fuck no,” he said, his eyes firmly on mine still. “Your sister is trying to convince me, though.”

“You won’t regret it,” Savannah said.

Hyde moved away from me so he could look at her. “You’ve fucked a guy with one?”

Savannah smiled. “No, but Roe has. She told me how good it—”

Hyde cut her off with a growl. “Stop talking. I never want to hear about Monroe fucking another man again.”

Savannah’s brows lifted. “We’ve got a possessive one here, I see.”

I took a step towards him and patted his chest. “You have no idea, Sav.” I caught Charlie coming down the street out of the corner of my eye. “Ooh, I love her hair, Hyde.”

“Yeah, just don’t mention that it’s blonde. She’s touchy about that.”

I frowned. “That’s not blonde. It’s balayage.”

He shook his head and swore under his breath about fucking women and hair. I ignored him and greeted Charlie, “Hey, girl, I love your hair!”

Her beautiful smile filled her face. “Thanks, Roe.”

Putting my arm around her shoulder, I guided her inside, leaving Hyde with Savannah. “Come in and meet my family. Well, my brother and his wife aren’t here. You’ll get to meet them another time.”

I smiled as I heard Savannah grilling Hyde about me moving in with him. Unlike my father, she’d been excited when I’d told her the news. I loved that she threw a million questions at Hyde, though. He could do with an inquisition from her. It’d keep him on his toes.

“Oh my God,” Charlie exclaimed as she looked around my kitchen. “I love your style! These colours are amazing in here.”

I glanced at the teals and reds in my kitchen. “Yeah, we’re gonna have to add a lot of colour to your dad’s house. That white and grey he’s got going on is yawn-worthy.”

I made all the necessary introductions before saying, “Right, let’s get the food on the table and then see if we can all get along.” I stared pointedly at Dad as I said this. He nodded, and I breathed a sigh of relief. It didn’t mean he’d go easy on Hyde, but it did mean he’d give him a chance.