Mommas boy, p.1
Momma's Boy, page 1
Copyright © 2020 by Mandy Harbin
MOMMA’S BOY
ISBN: 978-1-941467-42-8
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Copyedited by Katie Kenyhercz
This book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any existing means without written permission from Mandy Harbin, M.W. Muse, Penning Princess Publishing, or Mandolin Park, LLC.
This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The characters are products of the author's imagination and used fictitiously.
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Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Epilogue
Also by Mandy Harbin
About the Author
For my son…Mommy wuvs you.
(Yeah, yeah, you’re not a Momma’s Boy. *eyeroll*)
* * *
Take two:
* * *
To all the Southern men out there raised to treat their women with respect without losing sight of her individuality and independence. Thank you for understanding those aren’t mutually exclusive.
* * *
Better? Good. Now, go fix your pregnant wife some breakfast and rub her feet. Mommy wuvs you.
Chapter One
“Why is your skinny ass eating nothing but lettuce?” Taylor asked Morgan as they sat at the bistro around the corner. “Hell, your man finally proposed. Not like you need to reel him in with toothpick thighs.” She was only partially joking. The glow on Morgan’s face couldn’t be ignored, and Taylor was just giving her some fun ribbing. But seriously, the woman could use a steak or twelve.
“Oh hush. There’s also cranberries and feta in this salad.”
“It’s not a salad unless there’s dressing involved.” Taylor picked up her gourmet sandwich filled with shaved turkey, seasoned tomatoes, and loads of melted mozzarella cheese and took a bite. It was like a margarita pizza, but on a buttery roll with meat.
“I have dressing,” Morgan said, slightly affronted.
Taylor snorted. “It’s still in the cup beside your bowl.” She shook her head. “Seriously, girl, it’s not like you need to lose weight before your wedding.” She looked up, one eyebrow raised. “Which will be … when exactly?”
Morgan shook her head slowly. “Oh, no. We’re not announcing anything until after Hannah and Lucas tie the knot.”
“At least tell me it’ll be a theme wedding straight out of the Victorian period.” Her friend apparently had an odd fixation with petticoats. “I’m totally getting an authentic corset if you do.”
Morgan snorted. “You’ll have to wait and see.”
Taylor pouted. “You’re no fun.” She took another savory bite of her yummy sandwich.
“Like you’re one to talk.” Morgan smirked.
Taylor dropped her sandwich. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Oh, come on. Bryson’s taking you to Texas to meet his family. Don’t tell me you haven’t been thinking about what this means where wedding bells are concerned.”
“Not any more than the next girl.” Taylor paused and thought about that for about two seconds. “Present company excluded.”
“I know. I know. I wasn’t too keen on the idea before.”
“That’s putting it mildly,” she muttered.
“But there wasn’t a big flashing sign warning me it was imminent.”
“Okay. A, you’re the only woman I know who equates a proposal from the man she loves with ominous caution lights.”
“Ha. Ha.”
“And B, this isn’t some romantic getaway. I already told you it’s a just family reunion. Nothing special. They do it every year. It has zero to do with making plans for the future.” Gah, she couldn’t even say the word marriage when it represented her. She loved Bryson dearly. He may even be the one, but it was still too soon for talk of that. Morgan was just all caught up in her own recent engagement.
“Mmm-hmm, just tell yourself that. Don’t be surprised if he drops to one knee beside a horse or something.” Morgan waved her fork at her before taking another bite of her bird food.
“You don’t know Bryson. He wouldn’t do something like that.” Taylor was sure of it. Marriage hadn’t been on his radar, either. She was a smart woman, and he’d never been able to get anything by her. Before last Christmas he’d dropped hints for weeks without meaning to. She still acted surprised when she opened her gifts. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings, and he’d been so excited. None of the gifts had been romantic, but all were things she’d still needed and loved. Bryson was a caring and generous boyfriend. But she knew beyond any shadow of doubt that the man hadn’t given one thought to their future together.
She was okay with that. More than okay, actually.
“Don’t be surprised. That’s all I’m saying.” After another bite, she said, “When are you two leaving anyway?”
“He’s picking me up at two o’clock. We should get there by dinner—his words, not mine.” She chuckled, relieved by the subject change.
“You all packed and ready?” Morgan pushed her half-eaten salad away and moaned as if she’d just eaten a cow. Taylor rolled her eyes.
“Yeah. Took the day off to finish this morning. It’s just for the weekend, but it’s freaking hot, and they have a lot of outdoor activities scheduled. I had to make sure I stashed enough for necessary wardrobe changes.”
“Totally understand that.” Morgan sighed and checked her phone. “I have to get back to the office. Not all of us took the day off to pretend this weekend wasn’t significant to our relationship.” She winked.
“So not listening to you.” Taylor shook her head and waved for the waiter to bring their tickets.
After they both paid and hugged their goodbyes, Taylor rushed back to her place to grab a few things she’d forgotten to pack that morning.
When her phone chimed a text message notification, she didn’t have to look at it to know it was Bryson letting her know he was on his way. He always announced his arrival before he showed up. She chuckled. Bryson had his little quirks, but he liked his routines. She wasn’t one to complain about that. She’d dated some real slackers in the past.
Bryson was different.
Besides knowing what he wanted and never shying away from it—which was freaking sexy just by itself—he was strong, dependable, funny, charming…
And gorgeous.
Damn, but the man had a body cultivated from his years growing up on the ranch. His brown hair and puppy-dog eyes just added to the total physical package.
Hell, no physical about it. He was the total package.
A knock sounded, but she didn’t answer it. He always knocked before using the key she’d given him about six months ago, after they’d been dating a year. She’d told him he didn’t have to knock, but he also had this shy, gentlemanly quality about him.
Not in the bedroom, though. He definitely knew how to rock her world. If he were a chick, he’d fit that lady on the streets, freak in the sheets description. Lucky for her, he’d been born with a penis.
“Hey, baby,” he said, walking into her bedroom as she zipped her suitcase. He took it from her when she started to lift it off the bed, and put it by the door. “Wow, I can’t believe you didn’t use a bigger one. This is carry-on size.”
Taylor rolled her eyes. He was joking with her because he absolutely knew better. “Oh, please. The other two are in the bathroom.”
His eyes danced. “There’s my girl.”
“Your one and only.” She winked.
Heat flared in his eyes, and he moved toward her, taking her mouth in a hot kiss, his hands grabbing her ass.
She chuckled against his lips. “We don’t have time for this.”
He groaned. “I know. Just a couple of minutes.”
This was cruel, she knew, getting him all hot and bothered and not being able to finish, but since he’d started it, she was willing to play. Besides, it’d give them something to look forward to later tonight. She angled her head for deeper penetration and allowed her hands to coast down his chest. His breathing spiked, and heat shot down to her core. She reached his dick and grazed over it before squeezing. He moaned, thrusting into her hand, and fisted her hair. He took a step, and she knew he was trying to walk her to the bed.
“No time,” she gasped, but he didn’t stop his sensual assault. He started kissing down her neck, playing dirty. Fine then. She let go of him and shoved her hand down his loose shorts, giving him direct skin-on-skin contact with his cock.
“Fuck, we can make time.” He lifted her slightly and took a couple of steps toward the bed. When he dropped her to it, she rolled to the other side and stood up, smiling.
“You were the one who said we didn’t have time. And I’m not meeting your parents smelling like sex. If I let you strip me and fuck me until I’m screaming— ”
He growled. “You’re being a tease.”
“I’ll have to shower,” she continued over his words, “fix my hair, and reapply my makeup. Now if we have time for that, big boy, take your pants off. Otherwise, let’s hit the road.” She dropped her voice lower. “And tonight you can hold my mouth shut to keep me from making any noise as you fuck me good.”
She could see his cock twitch
“Vixen,” he breathed.
“You love it.” She giggled and turned for the bathroom.
“Tonight, you’re paying for that, baby. Gonna make you wait until you can’t stand it anymore before I let you come,” he called out after her.
She peeked around the bathroom door, smiling, and said, “Promises, promises.”
His muttered words were intelligible, making her laugh quietly to herself as she picked up her accessories bag. When she reached for the other suitcase, Bryson appeared behind her. He smiled at her through the mirror, kissed the top of her head, and then slipped the bag off her shoulder and gripped the other suitcase.
Her big gentleman.
Chapter Two
The ride to Bryson’s parents’ house was filled with sexual torture. Taylor had accidentally touched his dick no less than five times, fluttering her eyelids like some virginal damsel each and every time. He’d threatened her with, “You’re gonna get it,” each and every time.
When they’d finally hit dirt roads, she’d dialed back the playful behavior, and his erection finally began to ease. By the time they pulled up to his family ranch, he noticed she kept looking around and playing with her hands, and he felt like a prick for not picking up on her teasing as her way to hide nerves.
After parking the car, he turned to her and stroked her face. “They’re gonna love you. Just like I do.”
Her shoulders relaxed a little then she smiled crookedly. “I hope not just like you do. Be kinda weird.”
He chuckled and kissed her swiftly before getting out and walking around to her door. She waited on him to open it, and he was pleased by that. Only took her four months to realize he was serious about wanting to do that for her. She’d thought it was funny at first then had gotten irritated, saying she felt like he was a chauffeur and she a spoiled little girl. She’d even gotten affronted, spouting off feminism comments. Bryson had no problem with any woman’s political stance. Equal rights? Hell yeah. But he’d grown up in a household where the men held doors open for women. All women. It was too ingrained in him to just stop.
Plus, he didn’t want to. He liked doing it. It was respectful and how he was raised.
He pulled her with him to the door, wanting to get the introductions over with before he brought the bags in. If he tried getting them first, half his family would come outside and he’d have to put everything down and do the formalities out here in the heat. He heard Bo barking as soon as he knocked. Not waiting on an answer, he pushed the door open and saw his dad coming down the foyer.
“Hey, son.”
“Hi, Pop.” Bryson kept hold of Taylor’s hand and gave his dad a quick one-armed hug.
“Glad you could make it.”
“Always do.”
His dad pulled away, saying, “Your mom did something to the computer. Keeps getting the pop-ups.”
Bryson chuckled. He was the IT geek in the family. Didn’t matter that he was a programmer. Where his family was concerned if it pertained to the computer, then he could handle it. “I’ll take a look at it before I leave.”
He stepped back and gestured toward Taylor.
“Dad, this is my girlfriend, Taylor. Taylor, this is my father, Butch Reed.”
She stuck out her hand and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Reed.”
“Oh nonsense.” He politely pushed her hand away and gave her a quick hug. “Call me, Butch, now, you hear?”
“Yes, sir.”
Bryson bit his lip to keep from smiling at Taylor’s uncomfortable appearance. She returned his dad’s hug, but it looked forced to him. Not that his dad would ever comment about it.
“Come on. Let’s get you introduced to the family.” He looked down at Taylor and kept his arm around her. He pulled her toward the living room, but she frantically looked over her shoulder at Bryson as she complied. He smiled after her and fell into step beside them.
The ruckus died down when they entered the main living area. Taylor’s gaze flew to his, and he took her hand, twining their fingers together. He could tell she was nervous, but he knew her. No one else here would be able to read her uneasiness.
“Glad you heathens can show some manners,” Dad grumbled.
His mom walked out of the kitchen then, wiping her hands on the apron tied around her waist. “Butch, can you—oh!” She gasped when she noticed Bryson and smiled brightly before rushing up to her youngest son and hugging him tight. “I’m so glad you made it.” She pulled away and patted his cheeks a few times. He always hated that, but she’d been doing it for as long as he could remember.
“Mom, I’d like you to meet Taylor.” He cleared his throat and added, “My girlfriend.”
His mom looked at her and the air locked in his lungs when the warmth she’d just shown him didn’t automatically extend to Taylor. After a few tense seconds, she finally smiled and hugged her. “I’m Joanie. It’s so nice to meet you. I’m glad you were able to come.” When she pulled away, she glanced at her son. “Wondered if I’d ever get the pleasure to make your acquaintance or not.”
Bryson felt a damn blush creep up, so he bent his head and rubbed the back of his neck.
“Oh, now it’s your turn, brother.”
He knew that voice. It had been the one to torment him since the day he’d been born. Bryson turned to face him. “Can it, Brent.”
Their mother turned to the middle child. “Just because I meet all your women doesn’t mean you stick with any of them.” She shook her head and faced Taylor. “Boy thinks he should sow his oats all over town before he settles down.”
Dad barked out a laugh. Brent groaned, shaking his head. “Nice to meet you, Taylor,” he said, waving his hand. “I’m going outside now to escape the madness. Come find me later if you need a break, too.”
She laughed. “I’ll do that.”
“Oh, no you won’t,” Bryson said automatically.
She quirked an eyebrow at him, but said nothing. Didn’t matter, he could read her thoughts just by the smirk on her face. He didn’t care if she thought his little display of possession was cute. He was just glad she was beginning to relax.
The introductions kept coming. She met his older brother, Brandon, and several of his aunts, uncles, and cousins. By the time his cousin, Tucker, stuck out his hand and offered an intro, Bryson felt exhausted himself and knew Taylor couldn’t be faring too well. Just when he was going to suggest they get their bags and a moment of quiet—a rarity for the weekend of family-filled fun—his mother announced dinner was ready and ushered everybody into the dining room.
Lasagna and salad were served since the rest of the weekend would be cookouts and catering. Tomorrow even more people would arrive and the real festivities would begin. He loved that his family got together every year like this. No matter where everyone was in their life, all made a serious effort to come back for the long weekend.
After forty-five minutes of eating, talking, laughing, and visiting, Bryson was ready to get their things, shower, and crawl into bed. He was tired, but sleep wasn’t the first order of bedroom business.
Once Brent excused himself, Bryson stood, following his brother’s lead.
“Taylor and I still have to get our bags.”
“Butch,” his mom said, nudging his dad’s shoulder. “Go help them.”
“Yes, dear.” He stood.
“No, Dad, I can get it. We don’t have much.”
His mom pushed against his dad’s back, and Bryson chuckled, knowing his dad would be helping whether he needed the assistance or not. Oh well, they could do it in one trip.
Taylor put her napkin on the table and pushed her chair out. Bryson immediately grabbed it to pull it the rest of the way from the table.
“Oh, no, no. You don’t need her help. She can stay with us,” his mom said.
His girlfriend’s gaze shot to his, her eyes pleading. She wasn’t ready to be left alone with his mom, and he complete understood. It was a lot to take in, but he was sure by the end of the weekend, she’d be completely at ease hanging out with anyone here. “I’m not letting her carry anything.” He reassured his mom as he looked down at Taylor. “Come on, baby.”
