Free Dangerous for You by Anna Antonia

saying that because I’m her son either. Family doesn’t get an automatic pass with me, just so you know.”
    I kissed his cheek. “How can I be nervous when you’re right here with me?”
    Surprised that I’d initiated the PDA between us during office hours, Gabriel considered me with a thoughtful frown. “Hmm.”
    “Don’t ‘hmm’ me, Gabriel. Not when I broke my own rules and kissed you in front of my office.”
    “Well in that case…I think I’m in need of another kiss, baby. How about right here this time?” He tapped his mouth for good measure.
    I leaned forward and pecked him quickly. “How was that?”
    “Stingy, but I’ll take it.”
    And with that we took the elevator to the garage so that Gabriel could drive us to the restaurant. Traffic was heavier than usually but we still managed to get there within ten minutes. Hopefully we’d be served quickly because I really didn’t want to have to run out on my very first meeting with Mrs. Gordon.
    “You sure you’re not nervous?” he asked once again before we entered the restaurant.
    “Of course I am. But this is important to you both so it’s important to me.”
    “You don’t think we’re moving too fast? I mean, I am introducing you to my mother.”
    “I don’t know. I’ve never met anyone’s parents.” I wished I’d bitten my tongue instead of sharing that particular tidbit. I really wasn’t ready for Gabriel to know I’d never had a boyfriend until now.
    “Really? How rude of your past lovers.” Although he said it lightly, I could hear the thread of irritation in his voice.
    I smiled the mysterious smile of my gender, saying everything and nothing all at once.
    Gabriel gave me a sharp glance before letting his expression melt. I suddenly wished I hadn’t kept my lackluster love life a secret—all for two seconds.
    He’d never let me live it down. He’d swear I was pining for him for seven years. Which might have been the truth, but this is one thing he doesn’t need to know. Really.
    I squeezed his hand once. “Ready, Mr. Gordon?”
    “Absolutely, Ms. Adams.”
    We were shown to our table, only to see Mrs. Gordon was already there. Still stunningly attractive and dressed in a figure-forming white dress with a fitted black jacket, she looked as if she could be Gabriel’s sister and not his mother. Her eyes were the same light shade as Gabriel’s and I suspected he also got his smile from her.
    His mother looks like a little doll. She’s so, so pretty.
    She stood up with a genuine smile, confirming my suspicion of where my lover’s devastating grin came from, and reached out to hug her only child, leaving the faint imprint of a kiss on his cheek. “Gabriel! I’m so glad you could fit me into your busy schedule.”
    “I’m never too busy for you, Mama.”
    I was surprised to hear the sweet title for his mother because I called mine “Mom” for as long as I remembered. It just went to show how obviously close they were with one another.
    Gabriel’s petite mother turned to me with a wide smile. She reached out and held my hands in hers. “Emma, I’m so happy to meet you. Truly.”
    “It’s a pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Gordon.”
    “Please call me Marie.”
    When the name rolled off my tongue a little hesitantly, Marie’s eyes glittered merrily. Nervous, I tried again. “Thank you so much for inviting me to your lunch with Gabriel, Marie.”
    “It’s my pleasure, Emma. After all, my son has been madly in love with you since he was in high school. I can’t even count how many times I heard your name. It’s only about time that I finally get to meet you.”
    “Mama! Please wait to embarrass me until we’ve all at least sat down!” Gabriel groaned comically.
    “Then I suppose we should take our seats then?” she answered all sugar and spice.
    Gabriel gracefully pulled back our chairs at the same time, obviously wanting to give both of us respect but not at the loss of the other. Admittedly, I felt the