The Playboy's Crush By Deborah A. Olaleye

NINETEEN

"Calm down, Lara." Shane placed his hand over Lara's folded ones as they were driven in his limo to his parents house. "Don't be nervous."

She sucked in her lip ring. "I can't help not to." Her chest heaved, and she squared her shoulders with a light shrug.

He raised her slender fingers to his mouth and planted a kiss on her knuckles. "You look beautiful. They won't be able to resist loving you, I promise."

She held his gaze briefly and nodded. "Okay. I'm trying not to be nervous, alright?"

"You are still not relaxed yet. You're all tensed up." He slipped an arm behind her lower back and massaged it gently. "Better?" 

Lara rolled her eyes. "Worse. You are turning me on."

Shane choked on an amused laugh at her bluntness.

"It's probably because it's my first time and they are people so important that I must not make a mistake to mess things up around them."

"No one's placing expectations on you, Lara. Just be yourself. They will love you for who you truly are."

"But there are expectations." Lara scoffed. "I'm getting overly anxious, am I not?"

Shane nodded in the affirmative. "I will be with you every step of the way."

Lara pressed her lips tightly together and nodded.

The car pulled to a stop a few minutes later.
Lara's breath caught in her throat as Shane helped her down from the car, observing the elegance of her surroundings.

It was profoundly breathtaking.

The magnificent estate house stood proudly on the waterfront, its white marble exterior gleaming in the sunlight. A grand entrance with a double staircase led to the front door, which was flanked by two large, arched windows. The windows offered stunning views of the water, and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore could be heard from inside the house.

The interior of the house was just as impressive as the exterior. The floors were made of polished marble, and the walls were covered in expensive wallpaper. The ceilings were high and coffered, and the rooms were filled with beautiful furniture. The living room was a spacious room with a large fireplace and a comfortable seating area.

Shane placed his hand lightly on her lower back as they met his parents in the living room. He had felt Lara stiffen in another bout of nervousness beside him as she saw his parents.

"Mom, Dad, and..." He glared at his brother, who was unabashedly ogling her. " Nicole." His tone was one of deep warning as he called his brother's name. "Meet Lara, my woman," he said to them, his gaze on Nicole.

His brother grinned at his glare with a knowing glint in his eyes.

Ignoring the brothers with an amused shaking of her head, Shane's mom rushed to meet Lara and pulled her into a warm hug.

"Oh! Dear," she said when she pulled back from the hug, holding her lightly by the shoulders with her face beaming with smiles. "I've longed so much to meet you since Shane told me about you. 
I can see why he's so smitten with you. Darling, you are captivating."

Lara smiled shyly at her, hiding her surprise at Shane's mom's reaction.

It was the stark opposite of what she had been bracing herself for, despite how much Shane had assured her that her parents were actually cool.
His mother was beautiful and classy; one could hardly tell she was old unless one took a closer observation of her features.

She had caramel brown hair that matched the dark brownish shade of her eyes, dazzling eyelashes, and a contagious smile.

And she was warm and friendly; Lara liked her immediately.