by Kassanna
Annoyance skittered through him. Why was he jealous? He didn’t help her to get accolades. He did it because he saw a woman trying to do the right thing for her family, and he wanted to provide assistance. His attraction to her was secondary. Now those kids would have a chance at a normal childhood, and hopefully, Dirty would realize that sometimes life does give you a break.
He sighed and pushed off the car. She’d told him more than once that what they shared was only a fling. She was a beautiful woman no doubt he was the only man interested in her. Now that things were working out for her maybe she’d celebrated with someone else. The last thing he needed was for her to see him.
“Hi.” The little girl trotted down the steps toward him. A few people looked his way as she waved.
“Hey there.” He lifted his hand and wiggled his fingers.
She stopped in front of him and tilted her head. “Pretty flowers. Are they for my aunty?”
Rick opened his mouth.
The child continued without giving him a chance to speak. “Her favorite color is yellow, so you did good.” She leaned in and whispered. “Did you get her favorite drink? She always smiles after having a little of bit of it.”
“I…yeah…” Rick was at a loss for words.
“Guess what?” The kid hopped on her toes.
“What?” He would just go along with wherever the conversation was going.
“Aunty Di is going to be me and Caivin’s new mommy!” Her tone rose with every word. “But she says it’s okay if we call her Aunty because she know we already have a mom.”
“Calista.” Dirty curled her fingers around the child’s shoulders. “I’m sure Dick is very excited to see you, but we have to go.
He bristled under the nickname she had bestowed on him. Had anyone else called him that, he would have planted their face in a wall. Indiana had privileges she wasn’t even aware of.
He swallowed the aggravation and braced his hands on the fender. “Congratulations. Your niece was just telling me you were awarded custody of them.”
“Yes, Things worked out better than I expected. I guess sometimes you just have to have faith and let things happen.”
She directed Calista toward her partner and the fellow accompanying them. “Go with Uncle Marty and Uncle Brice. I’ll be there in a moment.” Indiana lifted her head. “Marty, you and Brice go ahead. I’ll catch up.”
They slowly walked away. She twisted around to face Rick. “I wanted to ask about Marva.”
He cocked his head to the side. All he wanted to know was who the big buff blond guy was. “She’s staying a great place; the rehabilitation hospital came highly recommended. I dropped her off a few days ago.”
“Great. I wanted to take the kids to visit her.” She stuffed her hands in her pockets.
“Marva is in Chattanooga, Tennessee.” An awkward silence filled the space between them. “Look, I’m glad you got what you wanted.” He dragged the flowers across the surface of the hood.
“I thought she was local. The state would never pay for a rehab outside of its jurisdiction.” She narrowed her eyes. “Who are the flowers for?”
He tossed them through the passenger side window. “Would you believe my mother?”
“No, I wouldn’t.” Dirty pulled her hands free and placed them on her hips. “It’s amazing how my brother—who has been fighting me for months about taking custody of the kids—suddenly had a monumental change of heart…or how my assault sentencing was suspended.” She started pacing and mumbling to herself. “The social worker said Kevin contacted her and gave her the documents terminating his parental rights but she didn’t initiate the original meeting. Marva can’t afford a private rehab and her parents want nothing to do with her…” Indiana stopped cold. “You!”
“Me what?” He didn’t like the gleam in her eye. “It was great seeing you, but I have some cases on my desk I know need my attention.” Rick stalked around the rear of his sedan.
“Why?” She stepped up to his vehicle and leaned on the door. “Seriously, I really want to know.”
His hand lingered on the door handle. He wanted her; there was no doubt that the taste of her a couple of weeks ago had only whetted his appetite for more.
But ever since he glanced over his shoulder and seen her lying on the ground still gripping that bat, he just couldn’t get her out of his mind. Then after reading her and her brother’s case files, he was intrigued. Dirty had kept them together since Kevin’s childhood, even when she was basically a kid herself. She was still trying to take care of her family. “I wanted to ensure that your family stayed intact.”
A horn honked a few spaces ahead of them. She turned her head and raised her arm before returning his stare. “I promised the kids a late lunch.” Dirty dragged her fingers along the hood of the car as she moved.
“I won’t keep you.” He snatched the door open.
He didn’t set out to become so engrossed with the woman. Their paths crossed—for whatever reason—and he was able to make a difference in her life. She was happy and he should be satisfied.
He wasn’t.
His gaze touched on the bottle of liquor in the brown bag resting on the passenger seat under the flowers. He could definitely drown his sorrows.
“Don’t look so glum.” She covered his hand and an electrical current sizzled between them.
He snapped his head up and peered into her chocolate eyes. She leaned over and glanced into the front seats. “So are the flowers for me?” She straightened.
“Yeah, actually they are.” His heart thudded in his chest as if he just chased a perp across the city on foot. He grasped the door to keep from grabbing her.
She eased into his space ad locked her hands around his neck. “For some reason I cannot get the taste of you out my mouth.” She yanked him toward her, pressing her mouth to his lips. Her tongue invaded his mouth. His rod grew rigid in his jeans. He wrapped his arms around her and took short steps back. She fell into his body, tightening her grip around his neck.
This was sudden, but he wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. He broke the kiss. “What about your boyfriend?” Rick looked pass the top of her head. The car was no longer in its spot.
Another honk of the horn, this time closer, drew his attention across the street. The window was down, and her partner leaned out of it. “We’re hungry,” Marty beamed. “See you at the restaurant, Dirty.”
Rick watched the car pull off. “They are leaving you.”
“They know I’m with a cop, so probably the safest place to be in the city.” She shrugged. “Join us. You helped to make the adoption possible.
“I’m confused. Who is the big guy? And why are you so accepting of what you think I did?” He ran his palms along her braids.
“There is no one else that could have helped make everything happen. Are you talking about Brice? He’s engaged to Marty. They have been wonderful helping me with the kids. Everyone has.” She wiped his lips with her index finger. “What can I say? You wore me down. It’s not like we’re trying to get married. After everything you’ve done, though, I wouldn’t mind getting to know you better. Come on, Rick, share in our celebration.”
“You didn’t call me dick?” Shock threaded his tone.
She chuckled. “You’re not acting like one.” Indiana pulled away and rounded the front of the automobile.
“Is it too early to discuss breakfast?” He watched as she opened the door and picked up the items from the seat.
“Damn, you got the good gin.” She lifted her head and slid into the seat. “Let’s start with dinner.” She set the bag at her feet and pressed her nose into the bouquet.
Rick slid into the driver’s side. “Where to?”
She twisted his way. “Pizza Land. You know, that place with the puppets and video games?”
“This will be interesting.” He started the car and pulled into traffic.
“Get used to it. I have a feeling you might be around for a long time.�
�� Indiana touched his arm.
“That’s what I’m hoping, Dirty. That’s what I’m hoping.”
Deep down, he wanted the fairytale, too, a family, the white picket fence and all the trappings that came with it. And he wanted it with the woman sitting next to him. When he’d made up his mind to help her, he’d taken the first step.
“Happy Mother’s Day, Dirty.”
“Thank you.” Her smile grew impressively larger. “For everything.” She exhaled and settled down in her seat. “I am officially their mother.”
He glanced over at her. She wiped at tears rolling down her cheeks. “I can do things the right way now.”
Rick brushed his thumb over her cheek. “So can we revisit the breakfast request?”
“Don’t be a dick, Dick.” Dirty burst out in laughter.
The End