From Your Heart

by Shannyn Schroeder

  “So what’s up?” Sean asked as he sat on the stool beside Kevin. Tommy took the stool on the other side of him, and they both stared.

  “I wanted to ask you guys something and figured this would be a good time.”

  “Shoot,” Sean said.

  Kevin drank from his bottle and tried to figure out how to frame the question so he wouldn’t sound like an asshole.

  “God, how bad is it?” Tommy asked.

  “It’s not bad. It’s about me and Kathy.”

  “You fucked it up already, huh?” Sean reached around him and pushed Tommy. “You owe me twenty.”

  “What the fuck? You guys bet on whether I’ll fuck up my relationship with Kathy?”

  “Not whether. When.” Tommy shrugged. “It’s kind of a given.” He fished in his pocket, but Kevin stopped him.

  “First, I didn’t fuck it up. We’re still very much together. Second, you’re both assholes for betting against me. I can’t believe I wanted your advice.”

  “Come on, man. What is it?” Sean asked.

  Kevin thought about his other option, Jimmy, which didn’t sound any better. “I fucked things up with her before, and she doesn’t trust me. I get it. I deserve it. But I need to figure out how to get her to trust me.”

  “Dude, I got this. I might not know much, but this I do know. You can tell her all you want, but you need to show her you can be trusted.” Sean leaned his elbows back on the bar and looked like he’d just answered all of life’s questions.

  “How do I do that?”

  “Show her she has nothing to worry about.”

  Tommy leaned forward. “Right after Deirdre and I got married, an old friend called and Deirdre answered my phone.”

  “Ouch,” Sean said with a smile. “I think Emma would’ve removed a body part if that had been me. Probably a part I really like.”

  “Deirdre’s not like that. But she was hurt. It was all over her face, man. I would’ve done anything to make sure I never saw that again.”

  “What’d you do?” Kevin asked.

  “I called Chrissy back in front of Deirdre. Offered to put it on speaker so she could hear the conversation. Then I let Chrissy know I’m off the market.”

  Kevin laughed. “I already tried that. I made general announcements to everyone that I was off the market because Kathy was my girlfriend. She told me I was being over the top.”

  “But she still doesn’t trust you,” Tommy said.

  Kevin shook his head.

  Tommy added, “I deleted all other contacts from my phone. The only women left are clients, friends, and family. I did it without Deirdre asking. It just felt right. Like I said, I never want to see that look on her face again.”

  Kevin shook his head. “I don’t have the numbers of random hookups in my phone. I use my phone for work too much. I only have family in there. I’m always at work. When could I possibly cheat on her? I’m lucky to steal time for her. I can’t find time for another woman.”

  Sean smacked his shoulder. “But she doesn’t know that. She just knows that you say you’re at work.”

  Kevin drained his bottle. What was he supposed to do? Set up nanny cams in his office so Kathy could see him working?

  “Emma doubted my ability to be responsible. I finished the coursework for motorcycle repair, and I’ve been at the same job to show her I can. If you need to call Kathy from work to let her know where you are and what you’re doing, do it. It’s a fucking phone call. I know you. You don’t do that.”

  “How the fuck do you know what I do?” He set his empty bottle on the bar and waved the bartender over to order another round.

  “Because ever since you moved out, you’ve focused on your life. You’re only in our lives when you’re with us. When you’re at work, you’re there a thousand percent. No one else crosses your mind.” Sean scooped up the fresh bottle and gulped.

  “I’m supposed to be paying attention when I’m at work.”

  Tommy took his bottle. “But you don’t forget other people exist. How many dates have you broken?”

  Kevin opened his mouth to argue and realized that he couldn’t. While he didn’t think Kathy held the broken dates against him because she understood why he’d broken them, he still broke them.

  “Like Jimmy always says, man. Priorities. Get ’em.” Tommy took his bottle and slid off his stool. “I’m gonna go talk to the guys before we head out. Good luck. Thanks for the beer.”

  “Anytime.”

  He spun on his stool and braced his arms on the bar. “Did I really neglect you guys after I moved out?”

  Sean shrugged. “We were grown, so I wouldn’t say neglect, but you had no idea what was going on, and then you got all pissy that you were in the dark.”

  Sean was right. He had felt out of the loop a lot recently. Looked like he had a lot to remedy in his life. He slid his untouched bottle of beer in front of Sean. “Enjoy your night. Thanks for the advice. I have a lot to think about.”

  “Anytime. Especially if you’re buying.”

  Kevin smiled. He’d missed having his brothers around all the time. He just hadn’t realized how much. Time for him to figure out how to find balance in his life. First for Kathy, then for his family.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Kathy needed a quiet night at home. After everything that had happened with Kevin the other night, her head had been spinning. She’d wanted to just blurt out that she loved him too, but she wasn’t ready to be that vulnerable. She couldn’t quite figure out why she was still holding back, though. Kevin was a changed man. He’d done nothing to make her think he’d cheat.

  She sat on her couch with a glass of wine and a Lifetime TV movie where she was guaranteed a happy ending. Unfortunately, while she’d hoped for a light, fluffy movie, she’d gotten stalker-of-the-week thriller. Just as the bad guy lurked outside the heroine’s window, Kathy’s doorbell rang.

  She jumped and yelped. Laughing at herself, she went to the door. Kevin stood on her doorstep.

  “Hey, what are you doing here?”

  “I know we didn’t have any plans, but I need to talk.”

  “Come on in.”

  He followed her through the door and locked up as she returned to her spot on the couch. He eyed the TV, so she muted it. “What’s up?”

  “I have something for you.”

  “Ooo . . . I like presents.” She smiled and held out her hand.

  “I hope you stay that excited.” He set a key ring and a piece of paper on the table.

  “What’s that?”

  “It’s not what you think.” He rubbed the back of his neck in the way he always did when he was nervous. “Well, it is, but for a different reason.”

  She sat back and waited for the reason because this was beginning to feel like pushy O’Malley syndrome.

  “Those are keys to my apartment. I’m not trying to make you nervous. I want to prove I have nothing to hide. You can come over day or night, with or without warning, whether or not I’m there. I’ll never be upset. You would be a welcome surprise at any time. I have nothing to hide. Snoop through my underwear drawer, dig through my closet, look under my bed. Whatever you need.”

  “Aren’t you worried I might find your porn stash?”

  He laughed. “Anyone with half a brain knows you watch porn online.” He reached for the paper on the table. “Speaking of which,” he said, as he handed the slip to her. “This is the password to my laptop and my phone. If you want access to my social media accounts, too, say the word. I couldn’t remember the passwords off the top of my head.”

  Kathy sat in stunned silence.

  “Say something.”

  “I . . . I don’t know what to say.” Suddenly she was overwhelmed with emotion and tears filled her eyes.

  “Ah, fuck. How’d I mess this up again?”

  “No, no, you didn’t.” She blinked back the tears.

  “I don’t know what else to do to show you that you can trust me. I’m in this, Kathy,
whatever it takes, however long it takes.”

  “Oh, God. Shut up and kiss me already.”

  He took her face in his hands and brought her close. His lips were soft against hers but his tongue was insistent. His taste was heady. Kathy got lost in the moment and the emotion behind the kiss and Kevin’s gesture.

  He loved her.

  She pushed him back on the couch and rose over him until she could straddle his thighs. She rocked her hips and felt him harden beneath her.

  He tugged the band out of her hair to set it free. Her curls created a curtain around them as they kissed.

  Kevin flexed his fingers on her hips, holding her tightly to him. He pulled his mouth from hers and rained kisses down her neck. “You feel so good.”

  “You too,” she managed, rubbing against him, making herself wet.

  He growled and bit down on her neck. “Fuck. I need to be inside you now.”

  Kevin flipped them over so he was on top of her and her legs wrapped around his waist. He pushed her T-shirt up and mumbled praise for her lack of bra. He continued the thrust and grind against her as his mouth latched on to her nipple.

  She arched against him, nails scraping and yanking at his shirt. She reached between them and unsnapped his jeans. “Thought you need to be inside me.”

  “I do.” He grabbed her sleep pants and yanked them off in one quick move, tossing them over his shoulder. Before stripping off his jeans, he fished a condom from his wallet and set it on the couch beside her leg.

  While he pulled his shirt over his head, Kathy rolled the condom on him. The muscles of his thighs and abdomen flexed and he hissed at her touch. Once he was sheathed, she stroked him again.

  “Nuh-uh.” He pushed her back into position. He stroked her with his fingers a couple of times, spreading her moisture, making sure she was ready. Then he sank in. He drove into her hard and fast, not allowing her to control anything.

  And she didn’t care.

  He’d been doing what he could to regain her trust, give her what she needed. She could give back.

  Her orgasm built, and he picked up the pace, rising above her instinctively. One hand restrained her arms over her head, his other hand played her clit like a fine-tuned instrument until she was panting and then screaming his name. When he released her arms, he settled close to her again and pumped into her slowly, she knew because he enjoyed the pulsations of her body pulling at him, drawing him in.

  He nuzzled her neck and she stroked his hair. His muscles tensed as his own release was imminent.

  She whispered, “I’m in too. Whatever it takes.”

  She hoped those words would be enough for now.

  * * *

  Kevin’s job was finally looking up. While he’d planned to talk to City Connections about Brent, as it turned out, he didn’t have to. They figured it out on their own and fired him. They’d promoted from within so training Brent’s replacement would go quickly.

  Kevin’s days and nights had been busy as he covered for the hole Brent left. He hadn’t spent much time with Kathy at all, but they had plans to go away for the weekend together. He loved the idea of having her to himself for an entire weekend. They booked a bed and breakfast in Lake Geneva. If he needed to work around the clock to make sure everything ran smoothly so he could have the weekend, he would.

  Brent’s replacement was Marnie, and Kevin had spoken to her multiple times over the last few days. She was supposed to spend the afternoon with him at city hall to get the lay of the land here and learn the calendar system and meet his contacts.

  He managed to get most of his desk cleared of pressing matters just after lunch. Then he took time to text Kathy to see how her day was going.

  Aren’t you supposed to be working?

  I’ll be meeting with Brent’s replacement all afternoon and probably into the evening, so I wanted to text now.

  She texted him a picture of a chocolate shake. Too bad you didn’t meet me for lunch.

  If we met for lunch, that’s the last thing I’d be thinking about.

  You have a dirty mind.

  I’ll show you exactly how dirty this weekend.

  I wish we didn’t have to wait till the weekend.

  Me too. You could always send me pictures.

  I don’t think so. Use your imagination.

  I’d rather wait for the real thing.

  Me too.

  Sheila knocked on his door. “Marnie Wilcox is here. I put her in the conference room.”

  “Thanks, Sheila.”

  I gotta go. Time for meetings.

  Talk to you later.

  Kevin grabbed his notepad filled with ideas and notes for Marnie and headed to the conference room, hoping he wouldn’t look like a love-struck teenager who’d just been texting his girlfriend.

  “Hi, Marnie. Kevin O’Malley.” He entered the conference room and extended his hand.

  The woman stood and walked to meet him and shake his hand. She was small, barely five feet, with short blond hair and wide blue eyes. She looked a little like a fairy, which was nothing like he’d pictured her based on her voice.

  “Kevin, nice to finally put a face to the voice.”

  Yeah, the deep whiskey voice definitely didn’t match the rest of the package.

  “Let’s have a seat and get to work. We have a lot of notes to go over and then I’ll take you around to meet some people.”

  “Sounds good,” Marnie answered. “We’ve been working really hard to fix the miscommunication and mess on our end. Brent really did a number on us. We’re embarrassed about that. And when I say ‘we,’ I do include myself. I was part of the committee that put Brent in place. He talked a hell of a good game.”

  They sat at the table. Kevin set his papers down, glad he wasn’t the only one fooled by Brent and his empty promises. “Yeah, he did, and I’m glad he’s gone.”

  “I can guarantee those mistakes won’t happen again. I’m not perfect and I have a lot to learn, but I’m going to work my butt off to make up for it.”

  “I’m just glad the problems were all caught early enough. Really, less than a month in. That can all be attributed to normal growing pains. Anyone looking in from the outside wouldn’t think any different.”

  “City Connections definitely appreciates your discretion.”

  “We’re all in this together.”

  Kevin knew better than to burn bridges in a city like Chicago. You never knew when you might want to call in a favor. And City Connections had literal connections all over the country.

  Kevin and Marnie worked for hours, ordered dinner in to work through, and made a ton of headway in streamlining the processes they had in place. Then they moved on to planning the media and communications for the winter.

  Marnie was easy to talk to and bounce ideas off, definitely easier to work with than Brent. She came prepared to work. As he took her through city hall, she took notes on every single person he introduced her to. After working with Brent, it wasn’t hard to impress Kevin, but from everything he saw, Marnie was hitting it out of the park.

  Her ideas for bringing more tourism to the city this winter sounded great. She planned to spend the rest of the week working with her social media people to create slogans and graphics. Kevin would be completely free for the weekend. He wouldn’t have to worry about anything but enjoying himself with Kathy.

  * * *

  After closing up the shop, Kathy went home and took a shower. She wanted to go through her closet to plan what to pack for her weekend. Although she was getting ahead of herself, she had to work extra hours until the weekend to make up for asking Anna to do it all while she was gone. With her suitcase on the bed, she had begun to sift through her underwear drawer when her phone rang.

  She answered without checking, assuming it was Kevin. He was the only person who called her this late.

  “Hello.”

  “Kathy.” Her mom’s cold, clipped voice zipped across the line.

  Crap. She should’ve checke
d. She always needed to brace herself to talk to her mom. She dropped the nightie she was holding and sank to the edge of the bed. “Hi, Mom. What’s up?”

  “I wanted to remind you that your cousin Christy’s engagement party is Saturday and I need you to pick me up at three. And I told her mother you would bring ten table centerpieces.”

  Kathy clenched her jaw. Nothing like being volunteered to work. For free. “I can arrange the centerpieces, but I can’t go.”

  “What? I told you about the party weeks ago.”

  Kathy took a slow, deep breath. “You told me about it without giving me any other information, like the exact time and date. I’m sorry, but I never committed to going. I have a business to run and I have plans.”

  “You can’t just decide not to go. I accepted the invitation.”

  Kathy’s stomach churned. She’d never, ever told her mother no, but she wasn’t about to give up her first weekend away with Kevin for a cousin she didn’t even like. “I’m an adult, Mom. If they wanted to invite me, they should’ve sent me an invitation, and then I could’ve either accepted or declined.”

  “Fine then.” Her mother hung up.

  Kathy’s heart raced. Her mother hung up on her. That was not a good sign. She stared at the phone and considered calling her back to apologize. Instinct told her to, but if she did, it would be the equivalent of accepting the invitation. And she couldn’t do that.

  She hadn’t felt like this since she was a small child, and she watched her parents argue over whether she should be able to take ballet classes. She’d asked if she could and while her mother agreed, her dad thought it was a waste of money. They’d yelled and bickered and then stopped talking to each other for days.

  After that, Kathy made sure she never did anything to cause another fight. That horrible memory was enough to last a lifetime. She’d been sure their marriage was over, that they would divorce. Looking back now, she knew she wasn’t at fault and that her parents didn’t belong together, but that feeling never left.