Well, he might’ve had a point with her.
But the rest of the family was going to be fine. I had an insane number of alpha brothers and cousins, and they were going to love Tanner. My parents were both betas who’d somehow ended up with six alpha sons. I’d had a science teacher in high school try to explain that it wasn’t statistically possible, but I’d just rolled my eyes because my family was living proof it was.
We’d all decided fairly young that my mother had been trying for a girl, but that the universe had a dry sense of humor and kept giving her male alphas just to make her nuts. It’d worked. She’d adapted, though, and had found her passion in fighting for omega rights and volunteering different places. It’d given us some space from her hovering and her some space from all the insanity.
“Are you sure we didn’t need to bring something besides flowers and drinks?” Tanner turned to look toward the trunk. “Maybe we should have brought dessert or something like that.”
He was going to give himself an ulcer.
Or maybe give me one.
“It’s going to be fine. Simon said we were bringing drinks.” They knew I wasn’t the most accomplished cook, and I had a feeling they’d assumed Tanner was raised with a chef, so they weren’t expecting much from him either.
Which was probably right.
I’d never seen him do much more than microwave something at lunch, and that was usually something his housekeeper had made. But since expecting an omega to be the good little house spouse was about as taboo as him wanting to be a sub, no one thought much of it.
“And my mother will love the flowers.” When he’d asked about bringing her flowers, I’d assumed it would be one of those small bouquets from the grocery store.
Nope.
They were huge…and expensive. But it was his way of trying to be polite and show her I was important to him, so I was just lucky it hadn’t been jewelry or a vacation house somewhere. I’d seen what could pass as simple thank-you gifts in his circles, so I was glad he’d restrained himself somewhat.
I was assuming I had one of his friends to thank for that, because over the past week it had been nonstop calls between them. I was starting to think I shouldn’t have given him two weeks’ notice about the barbecue. Next time something stressful came up, I was just going to spring it on him.
I knew once he saw their acceptance of our relationship he’d calm down, but in the meantime, I wasn’t sure how to relax him. Austin had winked at me as he’d left the office earlier saying he was sure I had some fun toys that would keep Tanner distracted. At the time I’d thought he was joking, but now I wasn’t so sure.
I probably should have asked more questions.
That was turning into the story of my life. Assuming Tanner wouldn’t want to date me. Not questioning why submission was so discouraged. Not questioning why an alpha wasn’t supposed to dominate no matter what he wanted. Yeah, more questions would’ve been a good idea.
As we pulled in down the street from my parents’ house, I parked then reached over to rest my hand on the back of Tanner’s neck. Squeezing gently, I massaged the tense muscles and watched as he took a deep breath.
Tanner leaned against me and forced a smile. “I like the idea of meeting your family, but the reality is more nerve-racking than I expected.”
I chuckled. “It’s going to be fine. Better to meet everyone at once than spend the next six months making the rounds. This way you’ll see that everyone loves you and they’re happy for us.”
My family could be overbearing, but that was generally after they got to know someone. I was expecting their best behavior today simply because I’d made it clear he was important to me. The fact that I’d never brought someone home should have been a hint, but I hadn’t even squirmed under my mother’s barely veiled questions about weddings.
I just hoped she was smart enough not to mention that to Tanner yet. He didn’t need anything else to worry over. Between meeting the family, the fact that we hadn’t found a contractor yet, and the occasional worry that I’d find his submission to be too much, his plate was full.
I was just hoping I could take a few things off that plate very soon.
“And even if they hate me that won’t matter, right?” Tanner gave me a look I thought was supposed to be teasing, but I could see the fear beneath it. “The money makes people nervous sometimes.”
“It won’t matter at all because I’m head over heels for you.” I leaned around the flowers and gave him a kiss. “They might make jokes about it, but the money isn’t going to be important.”
I slowly stroked a finger down his neck. “Austin said I should use toys to distract you. I’m starting to think he was right.”
Tanner barked out a laugh. “He’s evil. Ignore anything he says.”
“I don’t know. He probably had some good ideas about how I could help keep your mind occupied.” I leaned in again and nibbled on his ear as he started to squirm. Dropping my voice lower, I did my best to keep him distracted. “I should have plugged you and even used that cock cage I bought. This would have been the perfect time.”
I’d thought he’d been teasing, but no, he just knew Tanner.
“I’d have died. Your family would have known.” His husky response said he didn’t really think that was so terrible.
“They’d have never known.” I nibbled on his ear again before flicking my tongue around the shell just to turn him on more. He smelled so good. “Most are so…how did Austin say it…vanilla that they’d never think about something wicked like that.”
