Bear Strength: Reverse Harem Romance by Lilly Wilder

Author:Lilly Wilder [Wilder, Lilly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hewlett-Packard Company
Published: 2024-11-23T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

Adrian

We reach Dominick’s home quickly. He gets off the bike first. He takes off his helmet. The smile on his face tells me he’s happy. He likes spending time with us. He doesn’t say it, but it shows. He speaks of his mother on occasion. There is tenderness in his voice when he says her name, her title. They are close. As it should be.

He runs to the door and unlocks it. She isn’t here. I feel a pang of disappointment that I don’t get to give her the book in person. It’s nothing really. Not a gift in the real sense of the word. I don’t know when her birthday is. Some cultures celebrate name days. We don’t, but, maybe she does. It doesn’t matter. It’s not Christmas either. It’s just another day. A Saturday.

Dominick told me about her love of reading. My home library is scarce. I’m sad to say that. I miss the books that burned down with the home we previously lived in. It’s difficult traveling on a motorcycle with books. Moving, too.

“Come on in,” Dominick tells me, when he sees I’m standing in the doorway. “If you’re a vampire, I just invited you in and you’re free to feast on me.” Dominick laughs.

He told me that his mother read Dracula to him last year. He also told me they both liked it. Of course they would. It’s a classic. His mother has good taste in books. People with good taste in books are good people. They aren’t judgmental. Evil people can’t like good books.

I walk into the house. It smells like fresh flowers. I turn to my left and see a purple, glass vase filled with a garden bouquet. A pair of gardening gloves and shears are resting next to it. A big, broad-rimmed sun hat rests on the coat rack.

“My mom’s into gardening,” Dominick adds, seeing me watch those items. “You hungry?”

“No, thank you,” I shake my head. “When is your mother coming back?”

“Probably around 9,” he tells me.

I look at the wall clock. It’s close to 8 pm.

“I wanted to give this to your mother,” I tell him, holding the book in my hand.

“What is it?”

“It’s a signed copy of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.”

“Wow,” I hear him whistle, impressed. The sensation brings me joy. If he’s impressed, hopefully, she will be as well. “She’ll love it.”

“Do you think so?” I ask.

“I’m sure,” he nods. “So, you like my mom?”

He sits on the couch, and opens a can of Coke. He drinks it thirstily, then places it down on the little coffee table. I notice there are no coasters. Maybe his mother doesn’t mind.

“She is a lovely woman,” I say, confused. How does one say this to a child? Is this even a conversation the two of us should be having?

“Do you think she’s attractive?” Dominick continues. I see he’s smiling.

“Yes, she is very attractive,” I nod again. “But, I don’t think it’s a topic I should be discussing with you.”

“Fair enough,” he agrees. “Wanna play?”

He grabs the PS console and throws one at me.

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