Snake's Addiction(39)
“I’ve no intention of going to the beach in a bikini, Ana.”
The midwife smiled. “You’ll be able to go to the beach one day. Take care.” Ana turned to look at Lexie. “And you should be resting. That baby is going to pop out at any moment. You’re going to need your strength.”
“I’ll see you out,” Lexie said, chuckling. “What have I told you about talking like that in front of Devil?”
“He’s got the right head on him that man.”
Their voices faded away. Judi moved toward him. “Can I have him?”
“Sure. He’s beautiful.” Snake handed Paul back to his mother.
“Shouldn’t you be leaving?” Judi asked, smiling up at him. He winced, thinking about the upcoming date. “Are you scared already?”
“No, I’m not scared.”
“I’m sure they’re not man-eating parents, just concerned ones.”
“You’re all getting a laugh at my expense, and it’s growing a little old.” He glared at all of them. Feeling the back of his pockets, he made sure he had his wallet, keys, and cell phone. “I’m out. Take care.”
He waved at them all, flipping several brothers the bird who shouted out names to him. Climbing into the car, he looked toward the clubhouse to find June sitting there smoking. She gave him a wave, and he smiled back at her.
Once on the road, his doubts started to fade away. Jessica was waiting for him outside. She gave him a wave, and he didn’t bother to get out of the car. She wore a deep blue dress with plain black pumps.
“Thank you for this, Snake. I really appreciate it.” She slid into the passenger side. Her hair was curled in ringlets down her body. She looked breathtaking.
“I wish we weren’t about to meet your parents.”
“They’re not exactly excited about meeting you,” she said. “I spoke to them a couple of hours ago.”
“You’ve not told me their names.”
She pointed ahead, and he followed the directions she gave him.
“My dad’s William Stickler, my mom’s Bethany, and my brother is Sean.”
“William. Bethany. Sean. Got it. I’ll remember the names.”
“Don’t be worried about this, Snake. It’s nothing to worry about. They, erm, they already know who you are.”
He didn’t like the sound of that but wasn’t about to worry over something he had no control over.
The hotel was fancy all right, and the valet stood waiting to take his car. Climbing out, he watched as Jessica ran around the car. She slipped her arm through his. “I want you to remember that it doesn’t matter what happens here, I love you.”
“I’m not going to take too much shit off them, Jess. I love you, and you’re my woman. I’m not going to jump through any hoops.”
“Just a warning, they’re going to act all tough and make it hard for you. Please, try to keep your cool. They just want to unsettle you.” She tightened her hand on his arm.
“Have a little faith.” He cupped her cheek, kissing her lips.
They walked toward the restaurant.
“Hello, I’m under the reservation ‘Stickler’,” Jessica said.
The maître d’ looked him over.
“He’s with me.”
Glancing around the room he saw he was the only one wearing jeans. He wasn’t going to be dressed in a suit, not now, not ever.
“They’re waiting for you, miss.”
The man led the way through the restaurant. “Do you have a problem with my jeans?”
“No, your jeans are hot,” she said, whispering the words back.
He spotted the table. Three people, two men and a woman sat together looking over the menu. There were two seats left.
They looked up the moment they approached the table.
“Hey, Mom and Dad,” Jessica said. Snake waited while she gave each of her parents a kiss on the cheek.
“Not one for me?” her brother asked.
“I don’t know where your cheek has been,” she said, kissing his cheek anyway. “I want you all to meet Snake.”
“We know him, Jessica,” William said.
“It’s nice to meet you all.” He helped Jessica into her chair, glaring at the maître d’ to back the fuck off. No one was going to touch his woman while he was present in the room. Once she was seated, he took a seat himself, staring at all three. William and Sean were glaring at him while Bethany smiled.
“I have to say I was shocked that Jessica was dating.”
“He’s a biker, Mom.”
“Sean, shut it.”
“He’s not exactly the kind of man for you.”
“This coming from the guy who dates supermodels with no brain cells. You’re a doctor.”