Love & Redemption

by Chantel Rhondeau

  Above him on the bed, Shelley shifted and sat up, stretching.

  Gavin did his best not to stare, but she’d only slept in a thin pink t-shirt and black panties. The sight of her gorgeous curves stretching like that stirred desires he’d stuffed down for the past half year. Not that he wanted to sleep with Crystal once he learned she cheated on him, but a person did have needs.

  Other than overwhelming beauty, Shelley had no similarities to Crystal. Shelley was open, honest to the point of being rude, and much more likely to blurt out exactly what was on her mind instead of playing manipulative games—Gavin much preferred her methods.

  She smoothed her hair down and smiled when her eyes locked on his. “Good morning. You okay down there? How many more nights on the floor can you take?”

  “I was just wondering that myself.” He sat up, rolling his stiff shoulders. “But decided it’s better than being dead.”

  “I suppose that’s true.” She patted the bed. “Come here.”

  Gavin climbed onto the bed, and Shelley scooted behind him. It surprised him when she went to work, rubbing the tight muscles in his neck and back. She found all the knots and massaged them until they relaxed.

  “You’re fingers must be magic.” He sighed with contentment. “That feels great.”

  “I do have some talents,” she agreed. “It’d be easier if you just slept in the bed with me, though. We’re both adults. We can handle it.” Her hands took on a lighter touch, and she stroked down the front of his chest, pressing herself against his back. “Besides, I’ve been deprived of cuddling with a body this firm for a while now.” She laughed into his ear.

  Gavin groaned and brushed her hands away. Much more of that, and it would be impossible to hide how much his body responded to her. It wasn’t very gentlemanly to pop a boner. “I’m fine on the floor.”

  “Whatever you say.” She kissed his cheek and then crawled beside him to sit on the edge of the bed. “Why don’t you sleep on the soft mattress for a while this morning to keep those knots away? I need a shower before helping Mom make breakfast.”

  “Janet’s cooking an actual breakfast? She shouldn’t go to that trouble. We could just have cereal or something.”

  “Oh, it’s not because of us.” Shelley rolled her eyes and stood. “Rick demands it. He has strict ideas on what the womanly roles are, and Mom obeys them. I guess it works for her.” She crossed the room and then bent to unzip their bag, grabbing clothes from inside.

  Gavin stared at her swaying hips, knowing he couldn’t lie down flat until she left the room or she’d see the effect she had on him. He would not embarrass himself by saying something about how sexy she looked in her underwear, but her makeshift pajamas were far sexier than any lingerie.

  She turned around and caught him watching. A grin ghosted across her lips, and Gavin got the feeling she’d wanted him to check out her curves.

  “Do you want me to wake you in time to shower before we eat?” she asked.

  He nodded. “After the show you just gave, I need a cold one.”

  ***

  Shelley turned the bacon and checked the sausage, not remembering the last time she cooked food that didn’t go in the microwave. It was rather heartbreaking, remembering the happier times in this very kitchen. Tony would always insist on making pancakes, even if Dad said men shouldn’t cook. While Tony had been a teenager and did what he wanted, Shelley was too young to help out in the kitchen. That didn’t stop him. He always found a way to include her.

  “What are you thinking about over there?” Janet asked. “You’re smiling.”

  “Tony’s cooking.”

  Her mom sucked in a loud breath. “Don’t let your dad catch you talking about him.”

  “Because he still blames me for Tony’s death?” Shelley snorted and pulled crispy bacon onto the waiting paper towel. “I was seven years old, Mom. How could I stop him from taking us on the boat? He was watching me.”

  Janet flipped the hash browns and shook her head, staring at the doorway. “Please don’t cause a fight, Felicia. I know it wasn’t your fault, but why bring it up?”

  “Maybe because I have happy memories of cooking breakfast with my big brother, and I want to share them!” Shelley blinked back tears. She didn’t cry, and she wasn’t about to start now. Not over these people who were her so-called parents. “Never mind. Can’t upset Dear Old Dad, can we?”

  Janet smiled, apparently not picking up on Shelley’s sarcasm. “No, we can’t. Thanks for understanding, honey.” She walked to the freezer and grabbed a container of concentrated orange juice. “The important thing is you’re finally home for a visit. That’s all that matters.”

  While her mom said she prayed for Shelley’s return, obviously Rick didn’t share that sentiment. Even sitting around to eat apple pie before going to bed last night had been a chore. Rick had all kinds of questions about Shelley and Gavin’s life, belittling her every chance he got.

  And the way he ordered Janet around was nearly more than Shelley could stomach. How Grandma Haddy raised such a weak, needy woman as Janet, Shelley couldn’t guess. Haddy was strong and independent. She didn’t need a man in her life after Grandpa died. She liked the freedom.

  Then again, Shelley’s lifelong search for a man to love her proved she wasn’t all that different from her mother.

  She squashed that thought before she had to examine it too closely.

  “The food’s ready, Mom,” she said. “Do you still carry everything to the table?”

  “Yes. Serving platters are in that cupboard over there.”

  Shelley should have guessed. The house might have updated paint, new carpets, new furniture, and a large garage, but nothing had really changed. Even Tony’s bedroom looked exactly as he left it that day before they headed to the lake, other than the walls and floor.

  Gavin walked into the kitchen just as Shelley finished transferring food to the platters. His damp hair curled slightly at the ends and yesterday’s stubble covered his chin. Compared to the man who barged into her box at the opera, he was extremely unkempt, but somehow that made him even more attractive.

  “How was your shower, honey?” she asked, winking at him. “Warm enough for you.”

  He grinned, though a charming blush crept up his neck. Shelley knew she shouldn’t tease him, but she always pushed limits. Especially with men.

  “It was fine.” Gavin placed a whisper of a kiss against her cheek before turning to her mother. “Good morning, Janet. Sure smells delicious in here.”

  “I hope you have an appetite,” Janet replied, beaming. “We made enough to feed an army.”

  “What can I do to help?” he asked.

  Janet waved that aside. “You get out to the table. Felicia and I have this.”

  Gavin raised an eyebrow at Shelley before taking the meat platter off the counter. “No sense going empty handed.”

  “Hmmm...” Janet looked out the doorway, watching Gavin leave. “Does he often help out, dear? You should take better care of your man.”

  Shelley sighed and picked up the pancakes. “Some men are truly partners, Mom, not dictators.”

  If only she could have found one to spend her life with instead of wasting the last several years. Maybe having Gavin around wasn’t such a great thing. Not only did it make her want more than she’d had in the past, it showed her it was possible.

  Why did he have to seem so damn perfect?

  ***

  Breakfast tasted good enough, but Gavin could barely stomach the company. It was no wonder Shelley had been nervous about coming home. He sure hoped Nick got them out of here soon. Biting his tongue at Rick’s treatment of his wife and daughter became more difficult with every passing second.

  Poor Janet hadn’t had much to eat. Rick kept her on the run, constantly getting up from the table to get him something he needed. Things he could get for himself. Gavin desperately wanted to ask if his legs were painted on.

  Janet finally settled in and began eat
ing her cold food, but Rick ruined that too.

  “Are you sure you should eat that bacon?” he asked. “You’ve been packing on the pounds lately.”

  Gavin glowered at his plate, demolishing a pancake beneath his fork to keep from opening his mouth. Rick hadn’t allowed Janet to eat ice cream the night before, even though he’d had a heaping bowl of it atop two slices of pie.

  Although Rick stood a few inches taller than Gavin, the man had to weigh over three hundred pounds. Gavin didn’t know where he got off telling his wife she had a weight problem.

  “I think you look great, Mom.” Shelley reached for another slice of bacon from the platter in the center of the table. “Eat all you want. Dad certainly does.”

  Gavin didn’t bother hiding his smile, since she said exactly what he’d wanted to.

  “You’re one to talk,” Rick said. “You could stand to slow down on the bacon yourself. Is that what forced you to quit whoring around? None of the modeling agency guys wanted to screw you once you got so fat?”

  Janet let out a horrified sob. “Rick, please don’t.”

  Shelley dropped the bacon onto her plate, hanging her head. “I put on weight the last few months after an injury.” She blinked rapidly. “You didn’t expect me to look fifteen still, did you?”

  Gavin pushed his plate away, unable to handle it any longer. “Personally, I don’t want my woman to look fifteen. I love your curves, sweetheart.” He grabbed the meat platter and dumped three more slices of bacon onto Shelley’s plate, plus a sausage for good measure. “You should eat quickly, though. You promised to show me around town after breakfast, remember?”

  He had to get out of this house, and he was sure Shelley did too.

  She looked up at him, and although tears glittered in her blue eyes, she smiled and nodded. She picked up the bacon and took a large bite. “You know, I’d forgotten about that. Let’s polish off this meat, and then I’ll show you the places of my youth.”

  Looking across the table, Gavin glared at Rick for a moment before turning his attention to Janet. “Bacon is doing your body good, ma’am, don’t let anyone tell you different.”

  Janet blushed, but she began eating again. Her food might be cold, but Gavin intended to make sure she ate it.

  Rick apparently decided to ignore that and focus on a new subject. “If you’re so successful, Gavin, why doesn’t my baby girl have a wedding ring?”

  He certainly didn’t care at all about his ‘baby girl,’ Gavin was sure about that. Money seemed to drive this man, however. Every good thief knew a great cover story was essential to all jobs. Gavin tried to think of this as an extended job. And he had no qualms about lying to a jerk like Rick.

  “I told you, I’ve been interested in diamonds lately.” He shrugged as though it was no big deal. “When we were first married, Felicia wore my late mother’s ring, but the stone wasn’t what either of us wanted.” He took a small sip of orange juice. “The jeweler’s putting in the new diamond now. When he’s finished, it’ll be worth more than our Central Park apartment.”

  Chapter Eleven

  “Our Central Park apartment!” Shelley giggled again and threaded her arm through Gavin’s as they walked down the road. She’d barely been able to contain her mirth when that popped out of his mouth. It got funnier every time she said it. “He must be shitting himself right now over how much money he thinks you have.”

  A grin twitched Gavin’s lips, and he winked. “I spare no expense when it comes to keeping my beautiful bride happy.”

  “Well, right now she’s deliriously happy.” Shelley laughed again.

  With the way things had been, Shelley hadn’t thought anything could seem funny in the depressing situation of being stuck at her parents’ house. She was so grateful to have Gavin’s support. If she had to confront them, at least Gavin was a good sport about it.

  “I really do appreciate this, you know?” She glanced at him. “Dad’s not the most pleasant man to be around, but you’re handling him rather nicely and keeping me sane.”

  Gavin shrugged. “I don’t know why your mom puts up with him, but at least after a few days I’ll never have to see him again.”

  That was true. As nice as Gavin was to her—saying how she wasn’t too fat and that she was perfect for him—it was all an act. Even though he’d proven himself different from every man she knew, that didn’t mean anything he said around her parents was true. He played the part she’d thrust on him. She was thankful for that. At least landing a rich, handsome husband was one thing Rick thought she’d done right with her life.

  “As far as Mom putting up with Dad...” Shelley sighed. “She’s very traditional, Gavin. I try not to get angry, because that’s the way things are and always have been. She’s happy with her life. It’s not my place to interfere.”

  “Even though it drives you crazy.”

  For a man, he was very observant. Shelley would expect Carlie to notice that, but never a boyfriend—not that Gavin was her boyfriend. That line of thinking would get her nowhere. It would be better to focus on her mother and father’s relationship, not her lack of a love life.

  “You’d never guess Mom and I were both raised by her mother, would you?” she asked. “We’re so very different. I think it’s because once Grandpa died, Grandma Haddy loved her newfound freedom. She taught me to be more independent than she taught Mom.”

  “Wait.” Gavin stopped walking, forcing her to stop too. “Your grandmother raised you, not your parents?”

  She nodded. “I went to live with her shortly after turning seven.”

  “I don’t understand.” Gavin looked over his shoulder in the direction of the house, as though it could somehow supply answers. “Rick talked about you being a teenager several times and said you were...”

  “Whoring around?” she supplied in a level tone, as Gavin stared intently at the ground, face turning red.

  “Well, not to be rude, but yes.” His green eyes met hers. “If you weren’t even raised by him, what could you have possibly done to earn that level of animosity from the ass...uh, man?” He raked his free hand through his hair. “Sorry. No matter what my opinion is, he’s still your dad. I don’t like the way he treats you, though.”

  “But he’s right. I am what he says.” Shelley disentangled her arm from Gavin’s and turned away. It shamed her to admit it, but maybe it would help Gavin get through the next few days without losing his temper if he knew Rick wasn’t entirely in the wrong. “Grandma died when I was fifteen, and I had to come back and live with my parents.” She looked across the street, realizing they stood near the entry of the cemetery. “I only stayed seven months before I couldn’t handle it anymore.”

  “How did you get out?” Gavin’s tone didn’t betray any of his feelings about her admission of being a whore.

  She didn’t know why she cared so much about his opinion. He would leave soon anyway, right? It wasn’t like he’d follow her back to Sayle and be the man she’d searched her entire life for. Besides, when she thought of the résumé of her dream guy, it didn’t include jewel thief in the job experience column.

  Might as well tell him everything.

  “Grandma Haddy had set up meetings for me with modeling agencies before her death, said I had a promising career ahead of me. Some of the agencies were good, some not so good.” She shrugged. “When Dad found out Grandma left me a bigger portion of her fortune than she left Mom, he put all his energy into making me look incompetent and convincing the judge he needed to control my money, even though Grandma specifically put provisions against that. To further control me, he also said no to every reputable agency that offered me work.”

  “So, he wouldn’t give you your inheritance and wouldn’t let you model?”

  “Pretty much. He’s always been motivated by greed. I think Grandma Haddy’s money was why he married Mom in the first place.” She sighed, wishing she didn’t have to tell Gavin this next part. She had made so many bad choices in her life. “I was
really slim and pretty back then—”

  “You’re gorgeous now,” he interrupted.

  Shelley shook her head and stared at the ground. “Maybe externally, but you should reserve judgment. Looks aren’t everything, and I haven’t made any good choices since Grandma died.”

  “What happened?”

  “Once the reputable agencies stopped coming around, I thought my dreams were finished. I gave up. I quit fighting against Dad for my money—the courts weren’t listening anyhow. I started hanging out with some local boys, drinking, partying.” She shrugged. Even more than when Tony died, that’s the year everything went downhill. “Dad said I was a slut and sleeping with them all. Eventually, I decided I might as well do it. He always accused me of it anyway. Another photographer finally came around, this one pretty slimy, but he was willing to help me get away from my folks, so I ran and never came back.”

  “How could your father let that happen?” There was emotion in Gavin’s voice now, but Shelley wasn’t sure if the anger she heard was directed at her or Rick.

  “He hates me and couldn’t care less what happened. I’m sure he wouldn’t care if he found out that photographer passed me around as a party favor to all his business associates. Even if Rick knew, he’d probably accuse me of wanting it.”

  Shelley twisted her hands together as she stared across the street to her brother’s grave, fighting against the shame she felt. Tony would have been so disappointed in the way her life turned out.

  “Maybe I did want it,” she said softly. “It got me away from here, and I was sure one of them would fall in love with me and take care of me.”

  In some ways, it felt good to tell Gavin the truth. No one else knew everything she’d done, not even Carlie. Even if Gavin didn’t know the details, didn’t know the amount of people she’d been with, it was healing in a way. Maybe this was part of fixing herself. Admitting her faults.