Free The Billionaire's Mistress Complete Series: Alpha Billionaire Romance by M. S. Parker Page B

a teasing leer.
    Mom had already been at it, telling me, then him, that we really should stop trying to pretend we were just friends. Tao had playfully told her he was waiting for her to wise up and leave Tyson. I’d been more blunt, telling her I was just using Tao for sex. She thought I was joking, but after a lifetime of getting comments that became less subtle with every turn, I was fed up with trying to explain us.
    “I’ll just tell her you met the love of your life,” I quipped. “You’re meeting him tomorrow to start making wedding plans.”
    “Don’t.” Tao looked at me, eyes going wide as he tried to figure out if I was serious. If Mom pushed me hard enough, I might do it, just to get some peace. I’d done crazier things.
    “Hey, for all you know, he could be the love of your life.” Ruffling Tao's hair, I turned away and walked off while he shouted threats after me.
    “Yeah, yeah. I’m shaking in my shoes.” I was laughing when I came to a stop by the picnic table where my mom was sitting, watching Tyson and TJ throwing around a football. She caught sight of my smile and arched a brow.
    “You look happy.”
    “I’m amused,” I signed as I spoke so she could read my hands and lips. “With that idiot, Tao.”
    Her gaze slid to him, and I saw the speculation there, could see the thoughts forming.
    I frowned. “Don’t start, Mom. Not again.”
    “I just want you happy…both of you. You’re so good together.”
    “Because we’re friends.” Anger tried to rise, but I pushed it down. “Can’t we go one day without you trying to force this? He and I are never going to fall in love.”
    I didn't even want to try to explain how I wasn't looking for love anyway. That would lead to me having to tell her why, and that wasn't a discussion I wanted to have. We avoided all mention of my biological father unless absolutely necessary.
    Looking away from her was petty, but I didn’t want to get into this debate again. I took the bottle of pop from the table and refilled my drink, then Tao’s. I looked up as he sat down next to where I was standing, and prepared myself for a volley of comments meant for both of us.
    To my surprise, he looked over at her without looking at me. “ Did Allie tell you I’m meeting a new guy tomorrow? I’m kind of nervous about it. I like him a lot. That usually means things will go straight to hell.”
    Mom looked from me to him, not saying anything for a moment. When she finally responded, it wasn’t with words. She reached over and covered his hands with hers and squeezed. No matter how frustrated I could get with her for trying to push Tao and me together, for the usual mother-daughter issues, I knew I was loved, and that she loved Tao too. That made everything else seem insignificant.
    A moment later, TJ collided into me, his arms going around my waist in a tight hug. “ Can you and Tao go around the park with me? Dad’s too tired.”
    “Sure.” I smiled at him and glanced over at Tao. Up for a walk?

    * * *
    “ S he’ll get the point , sweetie.” Tao and I watched as TJ bent over the railing, staring down in the churning waters of the river. “Sooner or later.”
    “You think?” With a dry laugh, I shook my head. “I’m starting to doubt it. She’s been at this since we were teens. And she’s getting worse.”
    “It’s because she wants to see her baby settled down and happy, producing cute little babies that she could cuddle and spoil.” He wrapped his arm around me and hugged me. “That’s all. And you know we'd make adorable babies.”
    “I know she wants what she thinks is best for me.” I crossed my arms over my chest as a sharp wind came blowing off the river, threatening to cut right through me. I snuggled back closer to Tao. He was always warm. “I bet if TJ was my age, she wouldn’t nag him like this.”
    “Daughters are different, I think.”
    With a glum sigh, I said, “Maybe. Doesn’t mean I have to like it. She still pops her