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MARIA’S MIND CONTINUED to wander back to Derrick and the night they had spent together. The morning had dragged on as she shuffled through paperwork, trying her best to focus. Yet, every time she moved to a new task Derrick’s sexy body filled her thoughts. Her whole body ached, but then Derrick’s face filled her mind and somehow, she was ready for more. I think I’m in trouble. If I completely fall for him, what will I do about my job?
Maria turned on her phone to find at least three voicemail messages and more than a dozen texts from her mother. Last night had been the first time she had missed dinner and game night with her parents since she had moved out, but she hadn’t expected her mother to flip out so badly.
Maria’s desktop computer dinged but before she managed to click on the message from Kate, her mother burst into her office.
“What is going on? I missed one freaking night, mom.” Maria stood. Her mother leaned against the desk.
“Your brother is coming home tonight and you will be there,” she demanded with a force Maria wasn’t used to. What was her deal?
“Ok,” Maria said with her hands raised to hopefully calm her mother down. Her night of straddling Derrick just flew out the window.
“Where were you last night?” Her mother raised her eyebrow.
“I was with a friend.” A part of her wanted to spill everything to her mother but another side feared her reaction. Werewolves were an off topic in her mother’s house.
“Well then invite your friend over too. I would like to meet...”
“I’m sure he would like to meet you.” Maria tried to multitask and read something on her computer when she said the words and regretted them the moment they left her lips.
“He?” She placed her hands on her hips. Maria knew that look all too well, hence the reason she didn’t say anything else while she shook her head.
“Um, no we are not doing this now. If you want me there I have to get back to work.” Maria placed her hands on her mother’s back and slowly steering her toward the door. “Go home and cook and we will be there at 5:30, if he wants to join.” Maria kissed her mother’s cheek.
“See you tonight.” She kissed Maria on the head then walked out. Maria leaned against the closed door and took a big breath.
“What the hell did I just do?” Maria hissed. She wasn’t ready to introduce Derrick to her family. She wasn’t even sure how she really felt about having a possible mate, she certainly didn’t want to add any potential problems. Maria’s stomach growled. A light tap on the door behind her made her jump.
“Who is it?” Maria called out.
“It’s Derrick.” His sexy voice came through the wood door. Maria’s heart sped up, she needed to ask how they completed the bond but her hunger clouded her judgment. She shook out her body before she opened the door. Today he wore a pair of jeans so tight they might burst at the seams. His cotton T-shirt made him look more at ease while it showed off his muscular arms.
“Would you like to go get lunch?” Derrick slowly slipped into the room and closed the door. Maria looked up into his blue eyes, there was a sense of calm she hadn’t seen before. She wondered if he was truly so cocky in his everyday life.
“Sure.” Maria pushed down her nerves and clenched her fist. “My mother wants to meet you. I didn’t tell her we imprinted. I sort of told her you were my friend, which is true, but not true at the same time.” Maria shook out her hands. “Sorry, rambling again. What I’m trying to ask is, would you like to meet my family tonight for dinner? I mean you don’t have to go if you don’t want to.” She stared down at the floor. Dang it, I don’t like to mumble. Maria cursed herself for being so damn un-professional.
“I’d love to meet your family.” Derrick lifted her face to meet his gaze. “You don’t need to be nervous. It’s your choice if you’d like to keep us a secret.” Derrick’s shoulders tightened as he spoke.
“It’s not that I want to keep it a secret. My mother is as protective as my two older brothers.”
“I can deal with your brothers. I’m an alpha remember.”
“Oh, I remember.” Maria bounced her eyebrows. Images of him on top of her flashed back into her mind but she pushed them down. “I don’t know exactly what will happen between us.”
“It’s your choice on how you want to introduce me.” Derrick kissed her. “How about we go eat?” Maria nodded. Her mind racing with what her mother might say when she told her about Derrick.
“Hey I forgot to ask, how do we complete the bond after we imprint?” Maria grabbed her bag and turned to him.
“We can talk about it tonight.”
“Is it bad?” Maria bit her lip but he shook his head.
“What would you like to eat?” Derrick asked. She noticed him trying to change the topic and she let him. Part of her enjoyed the time she spent with him and didn’t want it to end. She was still on the fence about being bound to Derrick and knew that if she wasn’t the mayor now, there wouldn’t be anything holding her back.
She enjoyed getting to know the lonely alpha. When they were at his house she saw a more patient man. One who listened to her stories without appearing annoyed. The thought of telling her parents that she could be the new alpha female seemed to make her stomach tighten though.
Derrick grabbed her hand bringing a sense of peace to her frazzled brain. Maybe everything will work out. Or maybe everything will go to hell! She prayed to whatever God might listen to bring the first scenario to pass.