by Karen Renee
My eyes caught his. “You do?”
“Lot of people have told me not to give into this asshole or your ex-husband.”
I leaned up. “You aren’t breaking—”
He put a finger to my lips. “Let me finish, Zee.”
As I lowered myself, I kissed his finger. “Fine.”
“But since I’m not letting either of those bastards run my life, I’m sticking with you.”
“Good,” I said, a little more forcefully than I intended.
He chuckled. “I need to know if you have a plan?”
Confusion washed over me. “What do you mean?”
“Your girl needs to understand how much—”
I leaned up again. “Oh! Of course. Well, her December camping trip was canceled, which means she spends Friday night with Caleb. Unless something changes, I won’t have her back until Saturday, but I was thinking we’d let her know then.”
His hand rubbed my back. “All right, well, I’ll probably be working during the day but I’ll make it a short day so there’s still daylight for her first ride.” He paused, then asked, “Do you need to let your lawyer know that I’m officially meeting Aubrey?”
I shook my head. “Not unless you’re moving in with us, no. Though, I’ll probably send the paralegal a message, just to keep everyone on the same page.”
After two slow nods, he gave me a hard look. “You’re sure you want me around her?”
My mouth fell open with my exasperation, but I pulled myself together. When I went to sit up, he let go of my hand and wrapped his arm around me, then rolled so he loomed over me.
“Don’t get huffy, woman. It’s a valid question.”
I pushed on his shoulders. “It is not. It’s a way to give yourself an out.”
His eyes widened and I knew I’d touched a nerve.
I slid my hand along his cheek. “If I didn’t want you around my daughter, there’s no way you’d have sat next to me at Thanksgiving. So, your question is bullshit. Of course I’m sure I want you around her.”
The anger in his eyes evaporated, only to be replaced by an emotion I couldn’t put my finger on. He stared at me for a long time, and as much as I didn’t want to break the moment, I said, “Are you gonna kiss me or what, handsome?”
Brute
AT FOUR O’CLOCK THE following Saturday, Brute pulled his bike up the drive and parked it next to Kenzie’s Subaru. He couldn’t believe what a mess he was as he dismounted his bike. His hands were sweaty, his stomach was in knots, and he couldn’t breathe deeply enough.
Christ, he hadn’t been this nervous since he was sixteen.
“She’s a six-year-old. Pull yourself together, man,” he muttered to himself.
He left his helmet on the seat and sauntered to the front door. From the corner of his eye, he saw movement and just caught the top of Aubrey’s head ducking down from the windowsill. He chuckled.
His knuckles were an inch from the door when Kenzie opened it. “Hi, there. Someone said you were here.”
“I noticed,” he said, starting to lower his lips to hers, but he stopped himself, not knowing how they were going to treat this.
She gave him a shy smile as though she knew why he stopped. “Aubrey, how about you say hello.”
At Thanksgiving, he hadn’t allowed himself to compare mother and daughter. Now he did. Aubrey’s eyes weren’t as bright a shade of blue as Kenzie’s, but the blue-grey was striking against her darker blonde hair. She had Kenzie’s button nose, and pouty lips. Add Aubrey’s tomboy nature to the mix, and he had no doubt Kenzie would have her hands full when Aubrey became a teenager. The boys wouldn’t be able to stay away.
“Hi, Mr. Brute,” Aubrey said from beside Kenzie.
He stepped inside the foyer and squatted. “You can just call me Brute, Aubrey.”
She glanced up at Kenzie.
“If he says so, honey.”
A tentative smile crossed her face when she looked back to him. “Do I get to ride on your motorcycle today?”
Yes, Kenzie would have her hands full one day.
He smiled and tipped his head toward Kenzie. “If she says so.”
As he stood up, Kenzie said, “Making me the bad guy already, are you?”
“Never, but I brought a kid’s helmet with me.”
Aubrey gave an excited shriek. He looked at her. “Our time is limited because the sun’s setting. Once it starts getting dark, no way. It’s dangerous riding in the dark, and I’m not putting you in danger, short stuff.”
She looked out the window and back to him. “Can we go now?”
Kenzie tipped her head back and sighed at the ceiling. She looked at him. “If you don’t mind, we should get this out of the way, or we’ll never hear the end of it.”
“Got your phone?”
“Do I need it?”
He nodded. “You might want to video it.”
She grabbed her phone. “Maybe just a picture.”
He shook his head. “Nope. Thinkin’ you need video of this. And not just for the memory of it, if you know what I mean.”
Realization hit her and she nodded. “You got your shoes on, pumpkin?”
“I’ll be quick, Mommy!”
Brute lowered his voice. “You get all of it on video, he can’t accuse me of being reckless or any of that.”
“Good idea,” she whispered.
Ten minutes later, he thought his ear drum would split from the pitch of Aubrey’s excited yell. Not only was her enthusiasm infectious, it reminded him of the first time Stephie rode with him when they were young. He hadn’t smiled so much on his bike since taking Kenzie out for lunch last month.
To be safe, he kept the ride limited to the length of Kenzie’s street.
Aubrey tapped his shoulder when he pulled the bike into the drive. “That was too short, Mr. Brute.”
He put the kickstand down with a chuckle. “Sorry, darlin’, but it’s getting dark, and I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry.”
Kenzie helped Aubrey off the bike. “I did not hear you complain after Brute took you for your first ride, did I, missy?”
“No, ma’am. Thank you for letting me ride your motorcycle, Mr. Brute.”
Off the bike, he unstrapped his helmet. “You’re welcome. Need help with the helmet?”
Her fingers fiddled with the strap one more time, and she turned reluctant eyes to him. “Yes, please.”
The skin under her chin was even softer than Kenzie’s, which shouldn’t have surprised him, but it did. He took the helmet off her with a grin. “You have fun?”
“Yes! I want to go again!”
He gave Kenzie a baleful look as he stood. “Sorry, Zee. Think she got bitten.”
Kenzie arched a brow. “What do you mean?”
“Pretty sure Steph said the same thing when I brought her back. Though, my dad reaming my ass stuck with me more than her excitement.”
“Miss Stephanie, who was here on Thanksgiving?”
They nodded.
Aubrey looked between them. “I want to be like her when I grow up.”
Kenzie laughed straight from her belly. “I’ll be sure to let Miss Stephanie know that, pumpkin. Are we ready to get pizza? I just have to grab my keys.”
AFTER THE SERVER LEFT with their pizza orders, Aubrey said, “I have a question.”
“What is it, honey?” Kenzie asked.
Aubrey’s gray-blue eyes looked between them. “Why did Mr. Brute drive your car, Mommy?”
They were seated at a square table. From the corner of his eye, he watched Kenzie’s body shake with silent laughter.
After a moment, she said, “He’s a little domineering, honey.”
He glowered at her. “I’m not domineering.”
“What does that mean?”
Kenzie’s expression went serious. “Never mind that, honey. I was kidding. Actually, Mr. Brute is...”
She trailed off, searching for the right words, but as he suspected her daughter knew what wa
s up.
“He’s your boyfriend. But I would never let a boyfriend drive my car, Mommy.”
Brute asked, “Why wouldn’t you let a boyfriend drive your car, Miss Aubrey?”
She shot a stern look at him, and he fought laughing. “Because I’ve seen how Raymond treats his toy cars. He wouldn’t treat my car like you do Mommy’s.”
Kenzie gave Aubrey a sideways glare. “Raymond? What happened to Dominic?”
Aubrey shook her head. “He plays with Emily now.”
“Good,” Brute muttered.
Kenzie gaped at him. “You haven’t even met these kids.”
His lips tipped up. “Don’t need to.” He turned to Aubrey. “What are you going to be when you grow up?”
Kenzie nudged his leg with her foot. He glanced her way to see her appreciative smile.
“I’m going to be a doctor like Doc McStuffins.”
Brute dipped his chin. “Have no idea who that is, darlin’, but I bet she doesn’t hang out with boys named Raymond or Dominic.”
She pouted for a moment. “Well, they’re more fun than playing with Emily and Jaylee. But Mommy says I have to study to be a doctor.”
“Don’t you forget it,” Kenzie muttered, as the server brought out their large pizza.
Ten minutes later, Aubrey said, “Mr. Brute, you eat fast.”
“Aubrey!”
He chuckled. “Babe. She speaks the truth and I’m not offended.”
He winked at Aubrey. “You want the last piece?”
She tilted her head, again reminding him of Kenzie. “We should let Mommy have it. She eats slow.”
“If you want it, honey, you can have it.”
He put the slice on her plate and missed the devious look in her eyes.
“Are you going to live with Mommy, like Ronnie lived with Daddy before getting married?”
The serving spatula hit the pizza tray with a clatter, her question caught him so off-guard.
Kenzie chuckled. “No, pumpkin. He’ll be around, but not living with us.”
She nodded. “Will you have sleep-overs? Corbin says his daddy has sleep-overs.”
Under her breath, Kenzie said, “I’ll just bet he does.” She sipped her iced tea and swallowed. “I’m not planning to have a sleep-over, pumpkin.”
He nudged her knee with his.
She looked at him and back to Aubrey. “At least, not right away, and you don’t need to worry about that.”
“If Mr. Brute spends the night, can I get a longer motorcycle ride in the morning?”
With his head tipped back, he roared with laughter.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Spell It Out For You
Kenzie
Call me crazy, but I always believed if the month of December were brought to life, it would take the form of a cranky toddler. It started out sweet and mellow, but a week in and things turned hectic and overwhelming. The only thing making the tumultuous craziness bearable was the promise of a respite at Christmas. Also like a toddler, December had a way of starting out slow, but running away from me in the blink of an eye. So, here it was the Friday after having pizza with Brute and Aubrey, but I had to work late.
The only upside was that Caleb’s parents always came to town early in December to celebrate their anniversary. Subsequently, he’d taken the day off and picked Aubrey up on a Friday rather than wait to get her on Saturday.
I’d texted Brute that I would be child-free tonight, and he was coming by for dinner.
Even though we’d informed Aubrey of our status, I’d meant it when I said I didn’t plan on sleep-overs any time soon. It wasn’t that I didn’t want Brute around, it was that I was too nervous about it. At the same time, I didn’t want to sneak Brute in or out of my house because that felt wrong, too.
My cell rang as I walked inside my home. I was so tired, I didn’t even check the display when I answered. “Hello?”
“There you go killin’ my ego again, Zee.”
I smiled. “Sorry, honey. I didn’t see who was calling, and I’m just walking in.”
“I’m half a mile away. Do you want me to pick up anything?”
“No. I mean, unless you want something special. It’s been a long day and I was going to doctor up and bake a frozen pizza. Unless you’re not down with that.”
“I’m good with that. See you shortly.”
Ten minutes later, I tried to push Brute onto my sofa while simultaneously making out with him.
He broke our kiss, his eyes smoldering. “Like where you’re heading, babe. But no joke, I am starved. Let’s eat.”
I’d put the pizza in not two minutes before Brute arrived. He followed me to the kitchen and the timer indicated another eight minutes. I pulled an Abita out of the fridge for him. While he popped the top, I topped off my wine.
“Your ex know Aubrey met me?”
I bit my lip. “It didn’t readily come up. Though, I suspect Aubs will let it slip at some point in the coming week.”
He swallowed. “Sure that’s a good move?”
I shrugged. “Maybe not, but with his parents there until Tuesday, she might be distracted enough it doesn’t matter.”
The timer went off and I donned my oven mitts. I set the baking sheet on a couple of trivets. The pizza looked done. I transferred it to a cutting board and ran the pizza cutter through it one time. As the two halves separated, I realized it wasn’t done in the middle.
I exhaled as quietly as I could, fighting to keep my temper in check. Seemed I would never learn. Even with a minute over the recommended cook time, the center still wasn’t fully warm and melty.
Brute sidled up to me. “What are you mad about babe?”
I looked up at him and tried not to glare. I might have failed. “Nothing. I’m not mad. I promise.”
He dipped his head so he could examine my face. “It’s okay to be mad, Zee.”
Well, that was a first.
The first frozen pizza that didn’t come out right (even though I’d followed their directions) I’d got irritated, and Caleb had acted like I shouldn’t have a reaction to it. Yes, it was just a pizza. Yes, I should have probably let it go, but things like that pissed me off. Yet, I seriously didn’t want to overreact in front of Brute.
In a controlled, quiet voice, I said, “I don’t think the middle will be very warm, Brute. I’m sorry.”
He turned so his side was to the counter and he leaned his hip against it. “This happen before?”
I nodded. “And it shouldn’t make me angry, I know it shouldn’t, but —”
“You cook it according to the directions?”
“Yes, even gave it longer than it said.”
“And it isn’t done?” he asked, his voice rising.
My eyes began to narrow. “No. Are you... getting upset?”
His eyes widened. “Not ‘getting’ baby. I am upset. We cooked a damn pizza for over twenty minutes and it isn’t fuckin’ done, what is that?”
It started at my heart. I felt it bubbling up, but I couldn’t let my lips give it away.
He caught my quivering lips. “And you’re gonna laugh at me? We got pizza that isn’t cooked in the middle. Who made this? Tell me the brand name. No, fuck ‘em all! They need to get their shit straight.”
I choked on laughter. “Brute.”
“What? This is outrageous! No. It’s a travesty.”
My head bent and I wheezed with laughter. “A travesty!”
I loved this. Loved it. Caleb never let me just have my reactions to things. And here was Brute, taking my reaction and going above and beyond it to make it hilarious.
When I raised my head, his brown eyes were earnest. “Don’t, baby. Don’t ever bottle it up, okay? Not things like this. Let it out so you’ll let it go. Then move the hell on. Are we ordering from Pizza Hut or the joint down the street?”
“The joint down the street. Gotta support the little guys.”
He grinned. “Damn skippy.”
IT HAD BEEN A G
OOD ten days since Brute and I had sex, but he made up for that with the most exuberant sex I’d ever had. He’d arranged himself in my bed while I cleaned up. Yet again, he’d left me a single pillow and piled the other four behind him. I debated putting on a nightie, but I much preferred sleeping naked next to him. From my side of the bed, I rolled toward him, my leg cocked to put on top of his, but I hesitated. Opting to put my leg on my own instead.
His chin tipped toward me, a cocky grin curling his lips. “Don’t be shy now.”
“I’m not shy. Especially considering how I’m laying next to you.”
He moved his leg closest to me. “You’re acting bashful. First night we were together, I woke up to find you wrapped around me. Now, you’re gettin’ hesitant for no good reason. Be who you are with me, honey. Always. Now, gimme that leg, Kenz.”
I withheld my leg, but he reached down, grabbed the back of my knee and put my leg on top of his, grinning.
“Well. Aren’t you arrogance personified.”
His eyebrow jumped. “Not arrogant when it’s the truth.”
I could argue that with him, but I was too busy enjoying the feel of his leg between mine. His other arm snaked under me, and I curled one arm under me, still uncertain what to do with the other. Finally, I rested it on his chest. My eyes flicked up to him. That grin had grown to a gleaming smile.
“I—” my voice was croaky, but that wasn’t why I stopped. The words I wanted to say weren’t words I should say. Even though it had been close to six weeks, it was too soon, and a man like him, I wasn’t sure if it was right.
“You what?” he asked, squeezing me.
“Nothing,” I whispered.
“What’d I just say? Be who you are. Part of that is saying what you mean,” he whispered back.
After a long moment, my eyes meeting his, I said, “Pretty sure, I love you.”
He kept his face neutral, but I caught the stillness. My stomach dropped and not in the good way it normally did around him. His lips came to mine and he kissed me. It was a long kiss, but it seemed sorrowful and I knew he wouldn’t return the words. Which was okay in its way because I was right, it was too soon.