Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 115525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Mike’s heart hammered in his chest as he fidgeted with the hem of his shirt. He didn’t know why he was nervous, but Rayne meeting Mama was pretty big. He’d never brought anyone to meet her except Slick, not even the woman he’d lived with for a year before he found Rayne. No one had been worthy enough.
He heard Rayne rustling with his grocery bags in the kitchen before he appeared at the back door, his smile sweet and only for Mike until he noticed the scary men in all black, and his smile fell faster than Satan fell from grace. Mike gave Rayne a reassuring nod and gestured for him to come and join him.
When Rayne was close, Mike pulled him into his chest and hugged him as if he hadn’t slept beside him all night. He buried his face in Rayne’s throat, absorbing the quiet peace and warmth that emanated from his soul as he introduced his guy to the only parent he’d ever had.
“Rayne. This is my mom—you can call her Mama like everyone else. Mama, this is Rayne.” Mike grinned. “The sweetheart I’m living with.”
“Oh my, you sure do know how to pick ’em, son,” Mama said, staring at Rayne like most did when they first met him. Even dressed down in a pair of ripped jeans, flip-flops, and a basic white T-shirt, he looked edible.
“It’s wonderful to meet you. An honor, really. I’ve heard Trent and Wood talk about you quite a bit, mostly about your amazing cooking.” Rayne held out his hand for her to shake, and Mama pushed it away and embraced him like she’d done Mike.
Watching his mom hug and accept Rayne the way she did made a strange sensation tighten his throat. Rayne was the epitome of sophistication, beauty, and charm, a combination that made Mike proud to claim him as his. He believed the heat he was feeling might be the stirring of a deeper affection.
“You’ll have to tell Mike to bring you by the club soon. I’ll make his favorite.” She smiled in Mike’s direction, making his empty stomach growl in anticipation.
“And do tell what that is.” Rayne leaned into Mike’s side and wrapped one toned arm around his waist. He smelled faintly of honey and citrus from his bodywash, but the scent of sweat from his workout was closest to the surface, and Mike wanted to bury himself in all of that manliness and inhale until it was embedded in his senses.
“Oh, dear, he’ll move heaven and earth if I made smothered fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and collards with sweet cornbread.” She watched Mike’s animated reaction as she ticked off his list of favorites.
“Oh, and don’t forget the—”
“Bread pudding with rum raisin sauce,” she finished before Mike could, earning a laugh from Rayne.
“I’m not the best cook in the world, but I do try to feed him,” Rayne said, seeming to impress his mom even more. “I’d love to get him off of that fast food altogether.”
“Rayne, I love you already, shuga,” Mama said, gazing at Mike as only a mother would. “He looks well… happy.”
“I’ll do everything in my power to keep him that way, always,” Rayne promised, again causing Mike’s heart to pound behind his rib cage.
Mama nodded, seeming to have said what she needed to.
Mike whispered in Rayne’s ear, “Go inside. I’ll be there in a minute.”
“Okay. I’ll get the groceries put away.”
“I hope you got something with fat in it this time,” Mike teased, knowing how healthy Rayne liked to eat. And Mike wouldn’t admit it, but some of that nutritious crap tasted pretty good. He’d never thought he’d actually eat a salad with strawberries and oranges in it, but he had.
“Mama, it’s pretty warm out here. Can I get you a glass of water? Or I made fresh strawberry lemonade this morning with lemons from Mike’s tree.”
Mama’s voice was soft when she answered, “No, baby, I’m fine.”
“Guys, you want anything? Water, lemonade?” Rayne offered Mama’s oversized security men. “A rack of lamb?”
Mama laughed a joyous sound, and a few of the men hid their smiles at Rayne’s joke as they waved their hands to decline—well, all except the Bus.
“Sure, I could use a lemonad—”
Mike’s glare at Buster made him shut the fuck up real quick. If he was thirsty, then he could drink when he wasn’t working.
“Son, I like him. I can see you got yourself a good one there.”
Mike nodded, feeling relieved. “And he’s good for me too.”
“I can tell. Which is why you need to keep him close to you.” Mama was looking toward the patio door.
“What have you heard?” Mike got straight to the point since the pleasantries were over. Now they could get to the bad part. There was always a bad part.
“I’ve heard a lot. Too much,” Mama said, her expression turning serious. “Not two days after Bishop and Trent were at my place celebrating his engagement and Bishop passing some big test at school, out of nowhere, Ivy shows up at the club asking me questions.”