by R. Linda
“I don’t know. There again.” She answered a question with hesitation. “I’ll let you know later. Okay. Bye.”
She hung up the phone and stared out the window, picking at the nail polish on her fingers while we drove silently toward home.
I watched her more than I watched the road. Bad idea, but it couldn’t be helped. She was an angel in spiked boots and a leather jacket. Her hand rested on the console next to mine but not touching. I slid my pinkie finger across and caressed hers. Her sharp intake of breath told me that simple touch affected her more than I thought it would. She shifted in her seat, once twice, three times. Uncomfortable.
The scent of her perfume filled the car, tantalising my senses, making my mouth water. I pulled the car to a stop after what felt like an eternity behind the wheel and got out.
Kenzie climbed out and walked up the stone steps beside me, her shoulder bumping mine with every step, our hands brushing. I fumbled to get the key in my lock and struggled to turn it. It suddenly weighed a tonne. Everything weighed a tonne. This moment. The realisation of what would no doubt happen the moment I opened the door.
It would be epic.
Life changing.
Soul shattering.
Chapter
Nineteen
Kenzie
I expected my nerves to be shot. I knew what it meant when that door opened. I felt it at the roadhouse. And in the car. I saw it in his eyes. Sensed it in his featherlight touches. All the teasing, the flirting, innuendos had led to this moment. This one pivotal moment that would either make or break us.
And I wasn’t nervous at all.
What was with that?
I was about to sleep with a guy for the first time in almost seven years.
I was ready.
I was more than ready.
I was primed.
Roaring to go.
And, it seemed, so was he.
Jeremy opened the door and stepped inside. I followed and allowed him to take my bag from my hands, where he dropped it to the floor and kicked the door closed, before sliding the chain across the door to lock it. I really needed to get one of those too.
He pinched my chin between his thumb and forefinger, a gesture I was beginning to love, and placed a chaste kiss on my lips. I pouted. That was not the heavy, passionate, mind-blowing kiss I had imagined.
Dropping his hand from my face and taking a step back, he held my gaze and pulled his shirt over his head. Licking my suddenly dry lips, I let my eyes trail over his torso, his pecs, the tattoos, down over his abs, all eight of them, and followed the V that conveniently pointed down into his pants.
His fingers worked his belt loose, while I stripped off my clothes too, throwing them into the growing pile in the middle of the living room floor. There was nothing graceful about it at all. We were both hurried and rushing to shed as many clothes as possible in the shortest amount of time. Kicking his shoes across the living room, he pulled a condom from his wallet and slid his jeans down his legs and discarded them with his shirt, so he was standing before me in nothing but his boxers, and they were soon lost as well.
I reached behind my back and unhooked my bra, pulling it off and throwing it at Jeremy’s face. He caught it with a growl and dropped to his knees in front of me. Hands on my hips, he peppered wet hot kisses along the waistband of my underwear.
My hands combed through his silky locks as his fingers hooked into my underwear and dragged them down my legs. His hands ran up my thighs to my hips, and he pulled me down to him. My arms around his neck, chests pressed together, I crashed my mouth to his. Needing his kisses. Wanting more. Craving everything. Falling hard.
Fallen.
Completely.
His tongue danced with mine as his hands explored my body. I was alight with need, desperate for his touch, his warmth, his everything. Our breaths were heavy, and I wasn’t sure how much I could take. Reaching around blindly on the floor, I found the condom and handed it to him to put on.
Our mouths met with soft, light kisses, my tongue darting out to lick his top lip. With a groan, Jeremy shifted beneath me, angling my hips as he thrust his up into mine. My head fell back, and I moaned. My skin tingled, and I trembled. I lost all control of my body. It was entirely in the hands of Jeremy as he rotated his hips with mine and trailed burning hot kisses along my neck, collarbone, mouth. It was messy, intense, and mind-blowing all at the same time.
And I knew there was no going back from that. There was never really a chance. Not from the moment he called me babe.
We collapsed on the floor in a sweaty, blissed heap.
“Told you I didn’t need a bed.” He laughed, wrapping an arm around my waist and pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
“I might let you tie me to a bed, though,” I teased, tapping my fingers in time with his heartbeat.
Jeremy cursed. “Get dressed. We’re going furniture shopping. Now.”
I laughed. “It’s Sunday in Blackhill. There are no furniture stores open.”
“Dammit. But I’m holding you to that statement. The very first thing I’m doing when I buy a bed is tying you to it.”
“Can’t wait.” I wiggled my eyebrows and pressed a kiss to the center of his chest, right where the rose tattoo was inked into his skin.
“You’re going to be the death of me.”
“But what a way to die, huh?” I rolled on top of him and spread my hands across his chest.
“I wouldn’t complain,” he said and kissed me again.
***
I didn’t have to go to work on Monday, because school was starting back, but it also meant Bailey was back to work as well, since she was a teacher and all. I also didn’t have anyone to look after Cole for the first time in as long as I could remember. Everyone was working or at school.
“Let me take him for the day?” Jeremy offered as he handed me a cup of extra strong black coffee. I was definitely going to need the caffeine after he kept me awake most of the night.
“I don’t know.” I winced.
“You don’t trust me with him?” Jeremy frowned, his eyes dropped, and he paid extra attention to the toast he was buttering.
“Of course, I do. But don’t you have to work?”
“No. I quit on Friday.”
“What? Why?” I took a sip of the scalding liquid, savouring the smooth, velvety taste. Heaven.
“Because I was taking over the roadhouse.” He looked at me like I was an idiot.
“But you didn’t know if Johnny would agree then.”
“Come on, was there ever really a chance he would say no?”
I guessed he was right.
“So, what are you going to do today?”
“Install new locks on your door, so you can bring Cole home, finally. He can help me.”
“Are you sure? It’s a big responsibility.”
“Positive. Got to get in good if I want to keep his Mumma around for a while longer.”
“Just a while?”
“A long while.” He smirked and tore off a piece of toast with his teeth like an animal.
“You really know how to make a girl feel special. Okay, fine, but you call me if there are any problems.”
“Of course.”
I picked up my bag from the floor and pulled Jeremy in for a kiss. “Thank you.”
“That’s what neighbours are for.” He slapped my ass as I walked to the door.
I was looking forward to bringing Cole home, but I had to be sure Chace had left town. Who really knew with him? He was so off the rails, it wouldn’t surprise me if he’d dropped out of uni to come back here and scare the shit out of me.
I sent a quick text to the only person I knew who’d be able to tell me if Chace had gone.
Kenzie: Hey, handsome ;)
Jack: Flattery will get you everywhere, doll face. ’Sup?
Kenzie: Can you keep an eye out for the douche and let me know if he’s back at school?
Jack: Oh, he’s back, all right.
; Kenzie: What does that mean?
Jack: He’s my new roomie.
No freaking way.
Kenzie: What? No!
Jack: I could have a lot of fun with the dick. *pun intended*
Kenzie: Just be careful. He’s crazy.
Jack: I know, sweet cheeks. Don’t worry. I’ll be your eyes and ears. Got to go x
Kenzie: Thanks, Jack xo
I was relieved Chace was back at uni and no longer hanging around town. It meant I could bring my baby home. But Jack and Chace being roommates scared me. Chace was unpredictable, and Jack was a sweetheart. I’d hate if Chace did anything to hurt him.
The feeling of relief, knowing Chace was long gone, was a welcome one, even if it didn’t last long. I was walking into my second class for the afternoon after having stopped for more coffee when my phone rang. My heart sank. It could only mean one thing. Something was wrong.
Cole.
My heart stuttered. I told Jeremy not to call unless it was important.
“We have a problem, babe,” Jeremy said the moment I answered the call.
“Cole?”
“He’s fine. Great, actually. That’s not why I’m calling.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I know how Chace saw what we were doing.”
I leaned against the wall and held my breath. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.
“Cameras in the vents in the ceiling.”
“What?”
No way. How? When? Why? I had a million questions running through my head, and none of them had a reasonable answer.
“Yep. Me and my little buddy were changing the locks when he got bored and laid on the floor. He was staring up at the ceiling and asked what the little red dot was. I got up there to have a look, and fucker has put cameras in every room of your apartment.”
“Oh. My. God.” My stomach rolled. He’d been watching through cameras. How long had they been there? My hands shook, and I slumped against the wall.
“Police are on their way now.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“No, stay. I’ll handle it. You go and get smart. We’ll see you tonight.”
Who the hell did that?
He was a dead man.
I’d fight tooth and nail for my son and get Chace out of our lives once and for all.
Chapter Twenty
Jeremy
I knew better than to expect Kenzie to stay and finish her classes for the day after dropping that on her. It took all my control not to hunt the sick bastard down and finish what Ryder started years ago. But the cops had it handled. They came, they asked questions. They left. It was all very fast. Detectives and investigators were coming at some point to dust for prints and take the cameras back as evidence, but being the small town it was, the un-fucking-efficient PD had to outsource their crime teams. Could be a few hours before someone got there, maybe tomorrow, then who knew how long it would be until they arrested and charged Chace with stalking, breaking and entering, spying, and whatever other charges they could come up with.
Cole was sitting on my living room floor watching TV—because I yanked him out of that apartment the instant I noticed the cameras—when Kenzie showed up. She came rushing through the front door and swept him up in her arms and pressed kisses to his head.
“Thanks.” She gave me a small smile.
“For what?” I tucked my hands into my back pockets.
“Everything. Getting Cole out of there. Changing my locks. Finding the goddamn cameras and calling the police.” She stood and walked over to me. “I’m glad you were there.”
“Nowhere else I want to be.” Could I sound any cheesier? I rolled my eyes at myself and reached for her but hesitated. Glancing over her shoulder, I shot a cautious look at Cole, but he was too engrossed in whatever kids’ programme he was watching on TV to notice me leaning in toward his mother. Kenzie smiled at me.
“What?” I asked, placing a hand on her hip, sliding my fingers under the hem of her shirt.
“You being all careful around Cole.” She lifted her hand and placed her palm on my chest.
“Well, I’m still trying to make a good impression. And I don’t want him to think I’ll catch girl germs. Then he won’t want to be my friend.”
Kenzie tipped her head back and laughed. “We wouldn’t want that, would we?”
“Absolutely not.” I tugged her over to the sofa and sat down.
Curling up beside me, she rested her head on my shoulder. “What did the police say?”
“Not a lot. Wanted to know why I was in your apartment first. Then I explained the entire situation and told them if they’d done their damn jobs properly and gave you a restraining order against him, this wouldn’t have happened. They didn’t like that very much.” I chuckled. “But they said detectives would be here at some point to go through your apartment and to talk to you. In the meantime, I’m trying really hard not to lose my cool and do something stupid.”
“Like what?” Her hand brushed my forearm, tracing the ink on my skin and leaving goose bumps.
“Find Chace.”
She shook her head. “Don’t. The police are on it now. Hopefully, it’ll all be over soon.”
“How can you be so calm?” I was puzzled by her reaction. She didn’t seem to be freaking out. I pictured her coming home a mess, on edge. But she just shrugged like she expected it. I was climbing the walls, itching to go beat his head in, and Kenzie just sat there watching her son watch TV.
“I’m not. I’m terrified of what he’s capable of. Of what he’s done that we don’t know about. But I can’t afford to break down. I don’t want Cole to see me fall apart. I feel sick knowing he’s been in my apartment at least twice without my knowledge. Who knows how many other times he’s been lurking in the shadows? But I need to put on a brave face for Cole. He can’t know anything is wrong. “
I wrapped an arm around her and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “I kind of like you, you know?”
She smiled up at me. “Kind of?”
“Yeah. I kind of like the way your biggest concern is your family first. Cole, Ryder, Bailey. I kind of like the way you look at things with a level head. Anyone else in your shoes would be crazy right now. I kind of like the way you take care of everyone.”
She closed her eyes, her lips tugging up at the corners. “What else do you like?”
“I kind of like the way you smell. Like raspberries. Your crazy wild hair. The way you don’t take sh—” I caught myself before I cursed. “Crap from anyone. Your sassy attitude. The way you think.”
“Go on.”
“I kind of like your scrubs. And your ass too,” I whispered so Cole wouldn’t hear.
“Only kind of?” She arched an eyebrow and smirked.
“Kind of a lot.” I pinched her chin between my fingers and darted my gaze over to Cole. He was still staring at the screen, completely oblivious to us, so I lowered my head and captured her mouth.
“I kind of like you too,” she said, pulling back and smiling.
And together we sat on the sofa watching Cole until Ryder and Bailey arrived to pick him up.
“What the hell happened?” he growled the moment he walked through my door and rushed to Kenzie. “Are you okay?”
“I’m okay. A little shaken, but okay.”
Bailey crouched down and kissed Cole on the head.
“He’s a dead man.” Ryder began pacing my apartment, ruffling Cole’s hair each time he walked past.
“Don’t be an idiot, Ryder. Promise me,” Kenzie demanded, standing in front of her brother and making him stop.
He looked at her with a clenched jaw.
“Promise me,” she repeated.
“He promises. Don’t you, Jones?” Bailey smiled sweetly, folding her hands in front of her.
Ryder shot Bailey a look of disbelief. He didn’t promise anything. “I can’t make any prom—”
“He. Promises,” Bailey said again through clenched teeth
.
Ryder laughed. “Oh, really? And why should I?”
“Dammit, Ryder.” Kenzie punched him.
“Because there’s too much at stake now.”
“I don’t care if I get arrested, B. It’d totally be worth it, just to have a crack at him one more time.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about.” She shook her head slowly and bit her lip. “You can’t get arrested because I need you.” She paused, flattened her hands on her stomach and continued. “We need you.”
Everything went quiet. Ryder pinched his bottom lip and tilted his head, watching his girlfriend curiously. Kenzie gasped, and Bailey just stood there smiling.
“Cole, buddy. Block your ears for a minute and sing a song,” Ryder said.
Cole turned and frowned but did what he was told, inserting his fingers in his ears and singing the lyrics to Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog.”
I shot Kenzie a look, but she just lifted one shoulder and turned back to look at her brother. This kid was possibly the coolest kid ever. What other five-year-old knew who Led Zeppelin was?
“No fucking way!” Ryder exclaimed before dropping to his knees in front of Bailey and kissing her stomach. “I’m gonna be a dad?”
“Yeah,” she laughed.
“I knew it,” Kenzie said.
He jumped to his feet, wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her in a way that should be saved for the privacy of their bedroom. “I fucking love you,” he said and fell to his knees again and whispered, “And you too,” to her stomach.
“You little witch. You knew the other day, didn’t you?” Kenzie wrapped Bailey in a hug, followed by Ryder.
“I wanted to go to the doctor to be sure first, but yeah.”
“This is incredible. Congratulations. I’m going to be an Aunty. Cole!” She leaned down and tugged Cole’s fingers out his ears.
“Oh, man, I was just coming up to a good part in the song.” He frowned, causing everyone to laugh.