Good Girl Gone Wild: When Lust Turns to Passion... (Good and Wild) by Dominica Dark

to
why a strange woman was skulking in the shadows of his son’s condo.
    “You
must be Christine,” he said, holding out his hand. Christine took it
automatically. He pumped it twice, then took her arm, steering her towards the
living room. “I’m Daniel St. Claire, Nick’s father. I’m glad you were able to
make it after all.”
    Christine
murmured agreement although she didn’t know what he was talking about, and
before she could think of what to do, they were in the living room, and she was
being introduced to Nick’s mother, Monica.
    She
was a woman who must’ve been at least in her late forties, but she looked much
younger. She had red hair and green eyes that reminded Christine of Kate, and
she had the same good-humored twinkle. She was shaking Christine’s hand, and
Christine was conscious of Nick’s burning eyes as she murmured “how do you do”.
    “Nicky
here was telling me that you weren’t going to be able to make it on time, but
I’m glad you did,” she said, leading her to the sofa.  “I’ve been dying to meet
you, Nick talks about you often.”
    Christine
sneaked a look at Nick, who had composed his expression to a neutral one.
“Really? He talks about you all the time, too.”
    Monica
St. Claire gave her son a playful look. “Did he tell you that I’ve been
badgering him to bring you over to the house?”
    Christine
shook her head, blushing faintly. She had a no-parents policy, and it suddenly
occurred to her that she had been the one dictating to him throughout their
relationship, She felt deeply ashamed, and wondered wildly when she had become
such a control freak..
    “Well,
I have, and it’s a shame we have to meet under such circumstances,” Monica
continued, and as Christine threw her a stricken look, she looked suddenly
thoughtful. “Nick didn’t tell you? We’re on our way to the airport for an
extended tour of Europe, and we just had time to say hello.”
    “Oh,
he didn’t mention it,” Christine said.
    Daniel
St. Claire glanced at his watch. “Speaking of which. If we don’t get a move on,
darling, we’re going to miss our flight.”
    Monica
rose, and Christine stood up as well. Monica gave her a kiss on the cheek,
patting it lightly. “Well, we’ll see each other when we get back,” she said
reassuringly, “and we’ll have a long chat then, okay? Nick, bring her over for
Christmas,” she commanded, giving him a quick peck on the cheek before bustling
away. Daniel merely shook her hand, but smiled warmly as he said goodbye. Nick
stood up to escort his parents to the door.
    Christine
sank down on the sofa, her knees suddenly weak. Too many things were happening
too fast, and her head was in a whirl. Nick came back into the room and
regarded her from afar, his face unreadable. She didn’t look at him; she didn’t
know how. She also had no idea what she was going to say.
    “What
are you doing here, Christine?” he asked, his voice harsh.
    Her
lips began to tremble, and she bit them to stop it. She had never heard him use
that tone with her before. He was angry and she couldn’t blame him. She had to
get out of here before she made a total fool of herself by crying.
    Nick
had his own difficulties. He had spent a hellish afternoon considering his
bleak future, walking for hours.  He had finally gone home, knowing his parents
would be there soon, and not knowing how to tell them they wouldn’t be meeting
their future daughter-in-law after all.
    He
had decided two months in their relationship that he wanted to marry Christine,
not just live with her. The sex was as good as ever; better even as they came
to know each other better. He loved her slow smile, her placid disposition
(when they weren’t making love), and her easy acceptance of all life had to
offer. He wanted children with her, and that would gladden his parents’ hearts
as well. In the end, he lost his courage and made up some excuse for her
absence.
    And
now she was here, and he didn’t know what