"Are you sure we have to do this?" Archer said in a voice that was a touch whiney. Thistle would have been surprised he could whine if he hadn't been doing it constantly for the last few days.
He was nervous, she understood that. That was clear before he had arrived at five a.m. to wake her up. And in turn Melody who was much grumpier. Melody had taken over daily management of Carnal. Which she promptly used as an excuse to crash at Thistle's whenever she wasn't with Archer. Even on the days she didn't work. Sometimes it led to bedroom fun but it always led to Melody sneaking into Thistle's bed to sleep. Thistle for her part just rolled with it.
The pair of them worked together to get Archer to relax to a degree, which was a win for dealing with him. They had made breakfast and eaten together. They even kept him contained until nine a.m. without resorting to using sex. Long enough for Thistle and Archer to hit the road at a reasonable time. Melody for her part said she was going back to sleep and she would lock up. Again, something to just roll with.
"Yes, and you know why." She answered as matter of fact as she could while focusing on the road. Traffic in the city was bad and she needed to make up some time.
"Explain it to me again."
"One, it's part of being a couple and comes with me calling you love. And two it's going to be a big thing this dinner with your parents so going to meet mine is a good test of the waters."
"Or." He replied his hand rubbing her thigh. "I can see if you wore a treat for me under that outfit." He was determined to try and get out of this it seemed.
"If I wanted to do that, I would call Melody. With all the horny messages I've been getting from her and pillow talk. She even offers to dine and date me before fucking. Maybe I should have brought her today. Doubt she would complain as much."
"Perhaps you should have. You two would make a good couple." She looked at him to see the joke, but he had a serious look.
"We would?"
"Of course." The whine had left his voice. "I thought about it since she teased about us being together. And after the night out we had together."
"And?" She asked curiously. Plus, it stopped his complaining so double victory.
"Before you most of the pack joked that me and her were like a married couple. Hell, we probably would have been if she liked men. So, as I see it, all three of us being in a relationship could be fun. Besides she basically lives in your bed now. And I'm not complaining. But In the end, that's all you if you want to pursue that."
"Oh um." She stumbled over her words, trying to think about that and driving. She drifted over the line and quickly adjusted with a curse.
"I don't need to be flustered before today." She finally answered.
"Did it work? The idea you will have to do this again with her?"
"Fuck you. Was that whole thing a ploy get me as jittery as you?" She glanced over to see him smiling.
"Partly to distract me and just something I thought needed to be said."
"Well, thanks now I can be distracted by that instead of helping you."
"Distracted enough to back out of this?" He was still trying to worm his way out of this.
"Look, do this and I will do anything sexual you desire as payment." She offered, trying the carrot now over the stick.
"I'm your master I can just order-"
"Be a normal boyfriend and agree." She shot back cutting him off.
"Fine. What are your parents like anyway? Anything I need to know about?" He asked, starting his fidgeting again.
"Besides bad dad jokes and my mom questioning you worse than an interrogation? No nothing major."
"Right, questions. Truth or not about how we met?
Thistle rolled her eyes. It was weird being the responsible one. "How do you think that would go? Besides we came up with a cover story, Mr. Overplanner."
He shrugged. "It can be seen as romantic. I swooped in saving you from a creep. You swoon and do a big dramatic display of your feelings toward me. And we build a relationship of communication and common ground before dating."
He is clearly sleep deprived.
"Communication and common ground while I was your sex slave? Which I still am. And there is a third person in that which may become more. Very romantic."
"You are a person with so much love in your heart. See pet, it's all about branding not facts."
"Speaking of branding, should I show them the marks you bit into me?"
"Maybe not that part." He answered before going quiet. He didn't have to worry, she was a gracious winner.
"That's why I am the smart one." Okay she was a sore winner at best.
He gave her one of his trademark stares. "I'll make sure to give you a quiz next time your slobbering over my cock. Every answer you get wrong I add clothes pins to your nipples."
Luckily, she had no more time to dig herself a hole as she pulled into the gravel driveway of her parents' home. The lawn was perfectly cut, her dad's work. And the flower beds were stunning, her mom's. As a kid she saw her parents yardwork as the beauty love can create. Though she was a shit gardener and she doubted Archer was any better.
She also noticed her sisters blue SUV in the driveway.
"Looks like my sister is here too. Meaning her husband and kids will be as well most likely."
There was a time she couldn't imagine Archer panicked, but he certainly looked it now. She grabbed his hand, stroking the back with her thumb.
"I'm being ridiculous, aren't I?" he asked softly. "Who gets this scared of meeting their girlfriends family?"
"No offense but those fears are valid given the history with your family. No judgment here, just love."
"Right." He took a deep breath and she could see his face turn. He had put his mask up. The one few people got to see behind.
"I'm ready. I don't even need background checks."
