| |
I had a new routine. After I finished work for the day, as long as Dean wasn’t on a night shift, I’d go over to his place. I spent more time there than in my apartment. We’d take King for a walk on the beach, and I’d do some photography, part of a new series I was creating. Then we’d spend the night together. It was good, but part of me waited for the other shoe to drop.
Dean urged me on regular occasions to move in with him, but I wouldn’t. Not yet. I was too conscious of the clock counting down on his secondment. He’d requested a transfer to one of the Wellington fire stations, but they rarely came up, and he was supposed to return to Auckland soon. It had to be playing on his mind, but he didn’t seem stressed.
We spent a good chunk of time hanging out with his watch mates, and I seemed to be accepted into the wives-and-girlfriends group. Even Mona was friendly now. Along with Paul, Dean was given an award for bravery in trying to rescue Cory and Aaron. I was so proud of him.
We’d been invited to a barbecue tonight, at Tim and Leanne’s house. I had to remember to check if Jacques had any cheese scones I could take with me. They were eternally popular. Whoever told me firefighters treated each other like family was right, but they were a more close-knit family than I’d ever known before. If we split up when Dean moved back to Auckland, I’d miss these new friends too.
I wanted to slap myself for these thoughts. Fretting about if he moved, if we broke up... It wouldn’t do anything except build on my anxiety levels. I was doing well at the moment, thanks to a combination of meds, yoga, clean living, and Dean. He underpinned everything.
He completed me in a way I would never have imagined.
I was surprised to see him turn up at the café at lunchtime. It was his day off, and he’d been helping Sam with some things in one of the beach properties. That was another friendship that snuck up on us, and we often met Sam for pizza or for the occasional Sunday lunch at Dean’s place.
“Hey.” I gave Dean a peck on the cheek as I walked past him. “You need a caffeine fix? While you’re here, would you take the scones with you for tonight?”
“Yep. I can take the food, and I’d love a coffee. Thanks.” He hesitated. “I need to talk to you for a minute.”
The old me would have immediately started worrying, but now I coped better. I trusted Dean. He probably wanted to talk about our plans for the weekend or something equally benign.
With Lou covering for me on the coffee machine, I took Dean’s flat white outside and joined him at the courtyard table. “What’s up?” I asked.
He caught hold of my hands. “You know how we talked about going up to visit my parents sometime?”
I nodded.
“Well, they’re coming down to Wellington. Dad surprised Mum with a trip to her favourite winery, a last-minute deal he picked up, and I figured it was a great opportunity to meet up.” He watched me carefully. What was he not saying?
“When?” I asked.
“This afternoon. I suggested they stay at my place tonight, and they’ll head up to Martinborough tomorrow.”
This afternoon? Was I ready to meet them? Trepidation pinged in my chest. What would they think of me? “Wow. That’s kinda sudden.”
“My dad’s always been spontaneous. Apparently, they went to Martinborough on their honeymoon.”
I couldn’t help smiling. His father was a wonderful role model for Dean. “That’s sweet. What are we going to do about the barbecue? Should I tell Leanne we can’t go?”
“Nah. We’ll take my folks. They’ll love it.” He squeezed my fingers. “You don’t mind? You’ll have to be a bit quieter in the bedroom tonight. I’m not sure how thick the walls are.”
I laughed. “As I recall, you made a fair bit of noise yourself, last night.” My butt still tingled from the spanking he gave me. Thinking about it made my face warm.
Dean quirked his eyebrows. “You’re talking about my snoring?”
I leaned over the table and whispered, “If snoring is code for turning my ass the colour of those petunias, then yes.” He snorted with laughter. “I love you, little sandy girl, and I promise you they’ll love you too. On that note, I’d better go tidy up before my mum arrives.”
They’d be here in a few hours. They might already be at Dean’s house when I came home from work. He hadn’t seen them in a couple of months, and they’d want some time to catch up. Maybe I should shower and change here first, and then meet up with them at Leanne’s?
Instinct told me to hide at my place and wait until the last possible minute to go meet them. On this occasion though, I tried to sift through my complex emotions, instead of taking the knee-jerk reaction. I tugged my phone from my pocket and tapped out a quick text to Dean.
What time should I come over to meet your parents? X
He replied seconds later.
Come as soon as you finish work. PS - I forgot to take the scones.
Okay. This settled that debate. It didn’t make me any less nervous.
*
An unfamiliar Mazda sedan was parked outside Dean’s house, and I gave into another bout of nerves. “They’re here,” I told King. “I hope they like me.” He butted my leg as if replying. “I know they’ll love you,” I said. “Everybody does.”
I couldn’t delay any longer. I lifted my chin, straightened my shoulders, and walked up to the front door. “Hi,” I called as I went inside. “It’s me, Steph.”
“Well, duh.” Dean came out of the kitchen, a grin on his face. “Who else would it be?” He swept me up in his arms and claimed a kiss. “We’re out on the deck. Come and say hello.”
With my hand securely held in his and King trotting at my side, I followed Dean outside.
His father looked like an older version of Dean, with silver hair whispering across his temples, while his mum was petite, her dark hair piled loosely on her head. Lapis lazuli drop earrings glittered in the afternoon sunshine, and her smile was wide. They both seemed friendly, and not as though they were about to interrogate me. The way they looked at me was universes apart from the way my parents did.
First impressions count. I fixed a smile on my face and stepped forward, to shake hands. “Hi,” I said. “I’m Steph.”
“I know. I’m Pam. It’s so lovely to meet you,” said his mum. “Can I give you a hug?”
“Uh... okay.” I found myself enveloped in her arms, a soft sandalwood fragrance drifting from her. “Nice to meet you.”
When she released me, she made a huge fuss of King, while I shook hands with Dean’s dad, Brian. They were quick to ask about me and how I liked living in Peka Peka, and to talk about my art. Dean had sent them some of my postcards from the exhibition, and Pam wanted to commission me to create some sand art to use on her website. She was a jewellery designer, which was pretty cool, and it was easy to talk to her.
I left them catching up while I went for a shower, and when I came out of the bathroom wearing just a towel, Dean sat on the bed waiting for me. “Hey.” He looked very pleased with himself. “There’s something else I need to tell you.”
“What? Is the rest of your family coming down as well?”
“Ha ha. No.” He beckoned me closer and placed his hands on my waist. “I just took a call from Tim.”
“Is he cancelling the barbecue?”
“Guess again.” He eased me closer.
I stood between his thighs, with his hands roaming across my terry-covered ass. “I don’t know.” I loved it when he was in a playful mood like this.
Dean dropped a kiss on the tip of my nose. “Cory has officially moved to a desk-based job in Wellington, and that means there’s a vacancy for a Station Officer at Peka Peka.”
His words sank in, and my heart leapt. “You?”
“Would you like that? If we could stay here, instead of moving to Wellington?”
“God, yes.” I searched his face, the emerging grin and the delicious stubble across his chin. The crinkles around his eyes. “I thought you hated living here,” I said.
“Eh, it grows on you.” He kissed me, a light teasing with his lips. “Is that a yes? Tim wants to announce it tonight, but I wanted to make sure you were happy with it first.”
“It’s a hell yes. I can’t believe it. We’ll need to find somewhere to live when this lease runs out.”
“Aha. Does that mean you’re finally planning to move in with me?”
I gave him a mock glare. “Maybe.”
In reply, he lifted me and swung me to lie face down across his lap. “I think you earned yourself a spanking, little sandy girl.”
I squealed, but it was in delight. “Not while your parents are here.”
Dean sighed. “I guess.” He helped me stand again but kept me in his arms. “I love you, Steph. You make every day better.”
When he looked at me like that, I melted at the heat in his gaze. “It works both ways. I was broken when I arrived here. You helped put me back together,” I said.
He claimed a kiss that made my head spin. “I’d better go and tell my folks. They know I don’t plan to go back to Auckland, but they don’t know about this.” He stood and snagged my hand, before kissing the fingertips. “We leave for Tim’s when you’re ready. Maybe forget to put your panties on?”
“Maybe...”
He smirked. “You’ve definitely earned a spanking.”
And I’d love every second of it.
~ * ~
Her Fiery Fix is the fourth in the Love at the Beach series. If you’re new to the series check out His Private Fix (Love at the Beach #1) and see where it all starts.
––––––––
~ * ~
To see what else Sofia Grey writes, click here to subscribe to her newsletter – and get three FREE stories.
––––––––
Please help this author’s career by posting an honest review wherever you purchased this book.
––––––––