Traffic was a nightmare today. I didn’t even finish my last errand but if we’re late for dinner, we
won’t hear the end of it.”
She closed the bedroom door and Dane stood there frowning. They were not off to a good
start. Bayleigh had barely acknowledged him. The last time she reacted like this was the week after
he confessed his feelings for her along with the desire for a relationship. After last night he expected
more from her. Dane made his way toward her bedroom and knocked on the door. Seconds later
Bayleigh opened it a crack.
“Yes?”
He raised a hand to push the door until it opened completely, then stepped into her
bedroom. Bayleigh stood there in her blue jean skirt and lacy bra that almost distracted him from his
purpose. Before she could speak again, he pulled her into his arms, then lowered his mouth to hers.
His hands gripped her waist, holding her to him the same way they had last night. Having her curves
against him reminded him of the feel of her, of her touch, and the effect it had on his body. Yet he
forced himself to release her. They were on a time constraint.
He just wanted to show her she could no longer ignore him. Staring down into her face, he
was satisfied that he had done so. Her eyes were still closed and a satisfied smile was on her face. A
simple kiss was all it took to send his desire for her into overdrive. Dane resisted the temptation of
walking her a few steps backwards, toward her bed, settling for another quick kiss instead. Releasing
her waist, he stepped back.
“Now that I have greeted you properly, you can finish getting dressed.”
Her eyes opened and he read the obvious shock there. He turned, then walked back toward
the door, closing it behind him. Dane chuckled when he heard her growl from the other side.
Just when he thought he experienced it all, Bayleigh was quick to remind him he hadn’t
experienced anything yet. Before he met Bayleigh, he felt like his life had been in order. He had a
decent place to live, a good job, and a family who loved him. Everything had been good. Dane
hadn’t imagined he needed anything else to make it better. Then Bayleigh had come along turning
everything inside out.
As their friendship grew he started to realize he was missing the companionship of a good
woman. The urge he’d felt to settle down increased. It took him three years to admit to himself that
he was only going to find it with her. Now he wanted more from every minute of the day. To simply
exist wasn’t enough anymore. What he craved could only be found when he had Bayleigh in his
arms.
His dilemma seemed to be breaking through to her. The more time he spent with Bayleigh,
the more she opened up to him, yet she was still holding back, keeping her emotions hidden. As
much as she trusted him it wasn’t complete. That was a barrier he hadn’t been able to penetrate. It
was as though she expected him to screw her around like some of the men in her past had. Dane
knew he had to remain patient, give her a little more time, but it was difficult. The last two years
with Bayleigh had given him all the time he needed to figure out what he wanted with her.
He made his way back to her living room, taking in the new additions to her apartment. It
didn’t take him long to wonder over to her picture shelf. There were the typical family photos,
pictures of her over the years. His favorite of her was the high school picture of her with braces and
glasses. She was so beautiful. Dane guessed no one had noticed. Otherwise some other lucky bastard
might have snatched her up. Setting the picture back down, he looked at the other photos, several of
them with Bayleigh and her girlfriends on vacation and various outings. When he came upon the last
handful of pictures, he paused. They were of him and Bayleigh. He picked up the photo of them at
the Dallas Cowboys game. She wasn’t a fan of football, but she went with him anyway when Isaac
hadn’t been able to go.
He’d had fun trying to explain the game to her and she picked it up quickly. Now she would
come over during football season and watch a game or two. Just one more of the many good
memories he had with Bayleigh throughout their friendship. Memories he hoped to add to. The
sound of her bedroom door opening made him put the photo down.
“Are you ready to have dinner with my wild family?” Bayleigh asked as she neared him.
that hugged her every curve. The scoop neckline revealed just enough to remain tasteful but
tempting. His gaze slid lower to find the skirt of the dress showed off her beautiful legs. He stepped
closer to her. “Right now I’m ready to take you in your room and have my way with you.”
Bayleigh did a side step to avoid his arms. “Later. Right now we have to go or we’ll be late.
And I will be sure to place the blame squarely on you.”
Dane sighed dejectedly. “If we must.”
Grabbing her purse off the counter, she laughed. “Yes we must. Whatever you do, don’t
mention baseball,” she said as she walked toward the door. “From what Tasha says it has been a
disappointing season and daddy isn’t happy about it. Also don’t mention the new statue mom
purchased. It could lead to a discussion about fertility that you just don’t want to hear.” She paused
for a quick breath. “Don’t let Lynden bait you into—”
“Bayleigh.”
“—a pickup game of basketball in the back—”
“Bayleigh.”
She turned to look at him. “Yes?”
“Everything will be fine. I have met your family before. I have also eaten dinner with them.
I’ll be okay.”
“I didn’t say—”
Dane put a finger to her lips. “I know.”
She sighed, her shoulders drooping slightly. “Sorry, I’m just nervous. This dinner is different
since you’ll be coming as my…”
He pulled her into his arms as her sentence trailed off. “As your what Bayleigh? Your date?
Boyfriend? Lover?”
Bayleigh blinked slowly before a small smile spread across her mouth. “Well…yes.”
Dane grinned. “Good because I am all three and more.”
Before she could speak, he placed a kiss on her temple, then pulled back. “Now let’s get
going. I don’t want Tasha screaming at us for being late.”
* * * *
Bayleigh looked over at Dane. His focus was on the road. Even though Dane had met her
family numerous times, she was still nervous. The last man she brought home was Erwin. It had
almost been a disaster. Afterwards she never took Erwin to another dinner. That should have been
the first clue things wouldn’t work out. The second was that Erwin didn’t mind.
This time everything was different. Dane had a history with her family. If this didn’t go well,
nothing would be the same. Nothing was going to be the same as it was now. With Tasha’s recent
marriage, her parents her turned their sights on her. They made it know they were ready for her to
walk down the aisle next. Her parents wanted to see her married and working on grandkids. After
tonight, her mother might start planning the wedding. Her relationship with
Dane was new and even though her romantic feelings for him were starting to get stronger,
it didn’t mean marriage was next. They were a lon
g way away from that discussion. Last night’s
conversation about love had her jittery enough.
What seemed like an eternity later, he pulled into the driveway of her parents’ home. He
turned off the ignition smiling when he looked over at her.
“We’re here.”
She released a nervous breath. “Now the fun begins.”
“Don’t worry. If anything goes wrong we’ll make a quick break for the door.”
Dane climbed out of the car, before walking about to her side. Bayleigh was starting to regret
inviting him. This would be another step in forcing her to face her feelings. She wasn’t ready to do
that yet. The subject of her anxiety opened the door, and she stepped out with his assistance. He
held her as they walked up to the house. When they reached the porch she looked up at him.
“Are you sure your eye is okay?”
swelling had gone down. Unfortunately, he would be wearing his badge of honor for a little while.
Dane nodded raising his hand to ring the doorbell.
“It’s fine. Doesn’t even hurt anymore.”
Bayleigh wanted to tell him she didn’t believe him. He winked at her with his good eye,
squeezing her hand.
“Take a deep breath. It’s show time.”
Surprisingly some of the tension actually left her when she did as he suggested. The door
swung open and her mother stood there smiling.
“Bayleigh!”
Her mother gathered her into her embrace, forcing Dane to let her hand go. “Right on time.
I was hoping I wouldn’t have to restrain your sister.”
Bayleigh laughed. Her sister’s obsession with punctuality could be nerve wrecking. “Well,
you won’t.”
Her mother pulled back glancing at Dane. She stared at Bayleigh with raised eyebrows. “I
thought you said you were bringing a date.”
Bayleigh rolled her eyes at her mother’s lack of tactfulness. She was surprised she hadn’t said
anything about Dane’s eye. They still had a few hours to go.
“Mom, Dane is my date.”
Bayleigh could hardly contain her laughter at the look of shock on her mother’s face.
Fortunately her mother recovered quickly, pulling Dane into her embrace. “I don’t believe it. It’s good
to see you again Dane.”
Her mother pulled back, looking back and forth between the two of them.
“Your father is going to be thrilled.”
“I’m sure he will be,” Bayleigh murmured as she recalled her conversation with Tasha last
weekend.
Dane looked puzzled. Bayleigh gave a slight shake of her head. “I’ll tell you later.”
Bayleigh followed her mother inside the home she grew up in. The home had more pleasant
memories than bad. Her mother interlocked arms with her before offering the other to Dane. He
accepted it and her mother led them to the dining room.
Her family’s response astonished her. After the initial shock, her father and brother greeted
Dane warmly. Jarvis stood back, doing his best to control the hyped up Tasha. Bayleigh watched the
events before her play out, wondering if she was still asleep in Dane’s bed with his arms wrapped
securely around her.
As usual he interacted with her family like he had been a part of it since birth. She followed
her mom and sister into the kitchen, once she was certain Dane was okay. In all reality she was the
one about to suffer heart failure. Dane was completely at ease.
“So, Dane is the mystery man that had you so flustered a couple of weeks ago?”
“Yes, Mama. He is.”
Her mother smiled. “Interesting.”
Bayleigh shared a look with her sister at their mother’s monosyllabic response. She focused
her attention on moving the food from their pots to serving dishes. Tasha stepped closer to her.
“Are you okay?”
Bayleigh gave her sister an appreciative look. “Yes I am, now that I see a war isn’t going to
break out.”
Tasha giggled. “The night is still young.”
“What are you girls whispering about?”
Bayleigh rolled her eyes at Tasha before responding. “Nothing, Mama.”
Their mom shook her head. “Bayleigh, go tell the men dinner is ready while Tasha and I
carry the food to the dining room.”
“Okay, Mama.”
Bayleigh quickly left the kitchen not minding the reprieve. She had expected inquisition but
it hadn’t come yet. Then again as Tasha said, the night was still young. Bayleigh made her way into
the dining room where Dane, Jarvis, her father and brother where watching the sports channel. A
gasp escaped her when Dane reached out to pull her into his lap. She gave him a look of warning
and her father chuckled. Reaching out she touched the slight discoloration under his eye. “You sure
it doesn’t hurt?”
“No.” He shook his head. “My hand is fine as well. Your ice packs did a good job.”
Bayleigh felt heat travel up her neck at the images his words brought to mind. And it had
nothing to do with ice.
“Yes. Dane just filled us in on how it happened. Just so you know any man willing to protect
my daughter’s honor has my approval.”
Bayleigh grinned. “Dane has your approval anyway, Daddy.”
Her father smiled. “True, but it helps.”
Bayleigh smiled. “Yes, well let’s just hope he doesn’t have to continue breaking noses to do
so.”
Her brother’s mouth dropped open. “Breaking noses?”
Bayleigh place a gentle kiss under Dane’s eye. “Did he leave that part out?” She eased herself
out of Dane ‘slap. “Well if mama will allow it at the dinner table, he can tell you about it.”
Jarvis turned to look in her direction. “Dinner is ready?”
She nodded, smiling as all four men stood, her father turning off the television. There was
nothing like her mama’s food that could bring her family running to the table. Dane pulled her chair
out and she thanked him. Her father blessed the food. When she opened her eyes her gaze met
Dane’s. Her heart gave a hard thump in her chest. There was something about him so fascinating it
was scary.
Up until now she had always erred on the side of caution, done the right thing. Then she
came up with the idea to do one impulsive thing, now she sat next to a wonderful man who made
her feel like there was nothing more important than she. If she had learned anything from her new
attitude, it was giving into her impulsive side could be a good thing.
In a way she couldn’t help but to wonder if a horrible event would happen to ruin it. Yes,
she had come a long way, broken through a few of the boundaries she had. However, she still had a
long way to go be she was able to stop second-guessing herself completely. When she sat at the
dinner table next to Dane it wasn’t hard to do. For the first time, she wasn’t constantly concerned
about rejection and ridicule.
The more she thought about it, the more she realized she and Erwin hadn’t really had
anything in common. Bayleigh forced enjoyment in his interest. Pretended they were compatible
when they weren’t. Why had she done that? What made her act in such desperation? And to hang on
to a man she forced herself to care about. When she looked back at her previous relationships, she
noticed she was
the one who always changed to make the relationship work. Was she so afraid of
being alone? Enough to settle for any man, including one who hadn’t make her happy?
In some ways she thought she was in love with the idea of being in love. The relationship
her parents had might have disillusioned her some. Yet, the more time she spent with Dane, the
more content she felt. Never could she recall feeling like this before. The emotions he evoked in
her were real. She tried to deny it every step of the way, refused to let her emotions be any part of
this. But it had become difficult to protect her heart. Somewhere along the way she had let her guard
down.
Bayleigh wanted to be disappointed in her carelessness but she was unable to. She was too
happy. Yes, she was normally a loser when it came to love, when it came to a man who treated her
with respect or finding a man who accepted her for who she was. When it came to Dane, she
believed her luck had changed. He was transparent. Bayleigh couldn’t detect any dishonesty in him.
Dane was of good character and had been the entire time she had known him. In previous