ALMOST HOME

by Williams, Mary J.

  Joplin waggled a finger in front of Kane’s nose before he could kiss her. Maybe not the brightest decision she’d ever made. Her memory of the last time—the only time—their lips met still contained enough heat to steam up her dreams.

  Another kiss was in their cards—many, many kisses before they were through. Right now, Joplin had another idea.

  “Get on your back.”

  When Kane did as she instructed, Joplin smiled. Not only had he kept his word to do whatever she wanted, but he was also that rare breed of man who didn’t need to be asked twice.

  “Now, look at you.” She sighed. “Every inch a feast for the eyes. Where’s a woman supposed to begin?”

  Kane’s lips twitched, but his expression remained serious, if not exactly subservient.

  “May I make a suggestion?” he asked.

  “You may.”

  With his index finger, he tapped his top lip, then the bottom. Kane raised an eyebrow and waited.

  “A kiss?” Joplin pretended to contemplate the idea—as if she weren’t longing to take a taste. “Since you’ve been so good, I will give you what you want.”

  Joplin balanced herself over Kane’s body. Tempted by his mouth, but not feeling playful, she placed the first kiss on his chiseled abs. When he gasped, sucking in his stomach and his breath, she felt a surge of power, unlike anything she’d ever known.

  As a woman comfortable with her body and her sexuality, Joplin enjoyed men—in and out of the bedroom. Yet for the first time, she wasn’t in a hurry to move the show along and get to the good stuff.

  Joplin felt bold and playful, the epitome of a sexual goddess with a slightly wicked streak. And she knew the reason was Kane. Only a strong man could show his vulnerable side without fear or hesitation. And make no mistake, he was strong. Not just physically, but mentally and spiritually.

  Kane wasn’t without his demons—everyone had a few. But the weight of his past no longer pulled him down. If he wasn’t free, he was closer than he ever thought he would be.

  Clearing her throat, Joplin lifted her gaze. What she saw made her gasp. From the depths of Kane’s eyes, where there used to only be shadows, she saw light.

  “Hey.” Kane brushed the hair from her face and smiled. “Everything okay?”

  Once, Joplin swore Kane would never see her cry for him. Now was not the time to break her oath.

  “You’re awfully pretty.”

  Men, so hard to understand, were sometimes so easy to predict. To distract Kane from her thoughts and reset the mood, Joplin pulled an easy trick from the woman’s playbook. Call a man pretty, not handsome or rugged, and he turned into a mumbling and stuttering mess. His brain was unable to form uncomfortable questions and will himself not to blush.

  “Pretty?” Kane scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Try again.”

  Success! And Joplin didn’t feel the least bit guilty. Well, maybe a smidgeon. But she had a plan to make things right.

  “Why don’t I try here.” Joplin brushed her lips across Kane’s. “Better?”

  “Getting there,” he assured her.

  Deeping the kiss, Joplin maintained her control—barely. By a narrow margin, she kept herself from sinking into Kane completely.

  “I could say you’re irresistible. Delicious.” She swiped her tongue across his shoulder then nipped at the spot with her teeth.

  Kane’s fingers bit into Joplin’s hips and though she’d enjoyed playing, he’d been such a good sport, he deserved a treat. One they would both enjoy.

  “Dang.” Joplin looked over her shoulder. “I left the condoms in my bag.”

  “Nightstand drawer,” Kane said through gritted teeth.

  “You’ve had other women in this bed.” Joplin opened the drawer. Her eyes widened. “Wow. That’s a lot of protection. How often do you get lucky?”

  “You want to talk about my sex life now?” Kane asked as he ripped open the foil pack.

  Finished teasing, Joplin shook her head.

  “Thank God,” Kane groaned.

  “You take the lead from here.”

  “You’re sure,” he asked.

  “Mm.” Joplin lay on her back, arms stretched over her head. “I don’t want to think about anything more complicated than my next orgasm.”

  “And the next, and the next.” Kane removed Joplin’s bra. “And the next.”

  Joplin admired his confidence but felt she should issue a warning.

  “Don’t start bragging before you have anything to write home about.”

  “Fair enough.” Kane nuzzled Joplin’s neck, his lips curving into a smile. “By the time we’re done, you’ll have lost count.”

  “Ha!” Joplin snorted. “Will you remind me?”

  “Only if you ask.”

  Kane’s voice deepened and with one flick of his talented fingers—wham, bam, thank you for orgasm number one. Unexpected, fast as it was devastating, she wasn’t prepared. But wouldn’t complain. Her back arched off the mattress as her nails bit into his leg, leaving half-moon indentations.

  Joplin bit her lips and gasped before she collapsed, spent and happy.

  “Supposed to go together,” she said when her heart calmed enough for her to utter comprehensible syllables. “Instead, you threw me into the deep end all alone.”

  “I was with you,” Kane assured her as he settled between her thighs. “Same as you’ll be with me. If you’re ready?”

  “I am. And, thank you for asking.”

  Joplin pulled Kane close for a searing kiss, wrapping her legs around his hips. Her eyes closed and the breath left her lungs as he entered her in one sure and steady stroke.

  No more teasing. No time for banter. Kane needed release, yet, he took the time to make certain Joplin wasn’t simply along for the ride—she was a full and active participant. He waited for her body to catch up to his, touching her, caressing her, kissing her. And though the strain on his face was clear, he held her gaze, held his own pleasure in check until she reached her peak.

  Kane took her—them—higher, higher. And when she thought there was nothing more, he shifted his hips, and Joplin saw stars. No, she saw the universe, and the vision of what she’d never known before took her breath away.

  As he rolled to his side, Kane kept Joplin’s hand in his and raised her palm to his lips. He let out a satisfied sigh and, in her opinion, he seemed a bit smug. He had every right. Wow and thank you, Jesus, didn’t begin to cover how she felt. However, she felt compelled to deflate his ego—just a little.

  “Not bad,” Joplin said as she lay next to Kane’s side.

  “More like freaking amazing.” He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. “I was there, remember?”

  Joplin shrugged, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling.

  “We had sex, and you were good. Very good,” she added. “But be realistic. You didn’t exactly reinvent the wheel.”

  “Liar.”

  Joplin tried to look offended, but the twinkle in her eyes gave her away. Laughing, feeling light and ready to float away, she peppered Kane’s face with kisses.

  “Guess you’re feeling good?” he asked, lacing his fingers through her hair.

  With a happy sigh, Joplin draped herself over Kane, her head tucked nicely under his chin.

  “I feel wonderful. You?”

  “No complaints,” Kane said. “Literally, none.”

  “Okay then.” Joplin yawned. “I should go.”

  Joplin didn’t want to leave, but after her big speech, when she declared all she wanted was sex, a sleepover seemed out of place. She didn’t want Kane to think she was angling for something more.

  “You could go,” Kane said. “Or stay. The bridge won’t be cleared until tomorrow.”

  Yes, please, Joplin thought, her toes curling with pleasurable anticipation.

  “A sleepover?”

  When Kane nodded, his arms tightening around her, Joplin snuggled closer.
>
  “I left my jammies at the motel. And my toothbrush.”

  “I have an extra. As for jammies?” Kane rolled her to her back. “You won’t need them.”

  “No?” Joplin wound her arms around his neck. “Are you suggesting a naked sleepover? Sounds scandalous.”

  “Nope.” Kane nuzzled her throat. “Sounds perfect.”

  Kane’s deep voice sent Joplin’s heart racing. His lips and hands made her blood heat. Maybe not perfect, she decided with a happy sigh. But close. So very close.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  ♫~♫~♫

  KANE WATCHED JOPLIN as she slept. He was tired but didn’t want to close his eyes in case the last few hours turned out to be a dream. Though he’d spent years trying to atone for his sins, he hadn’t done anything worthy of holding Joplin in his arms. Holding her. Making love to her.

  And for Kane, that’s exactly what happened. He made love to Joplin.

  Lightly, reverently, he traced the slope of her shoulder with the tip of his finger. Always upfront and honest to a fault, she made certain he understood. She was after his body, not his love. What she didn’t know, and he would never confess, was that he would always be hers—body and soul.

  Who would have guessed Kane Harrison possessed a steadfast heart?

  Once he found his way out of the bottle for the final time and could think with a clear mind for the first time in forever, he knew the truth. Love wasn’t a scam as his father claimed. Or a fool’s game designed for suckers. If you were lucky enough to find the right person, there was no finer gift. No greater joy.

  Kane found his love. Joplin. As usual, anytime he didn’t have a guitar in his hands, his timing was lousy. He’d lived with the regrets and what-ifs ever since.

  Placing a kiss on her forehead, Kane slipped from the bed. Immediately, he missed the warmth of her body next to his. He pulled on his jeans and found his shirt halfway under the bed before he moved to the small kitchen and took a bottle of water from the refrigerator and a bowl from the cupboard.

  “Could I have one of those?”

  Heavy eyed, the blanket wrapped around her, Joplin sat in the center of the bed and nodded toward the water.

  “Sure.”

  Expecting her to stay in bed, Kane was surprised to find her at his side by the time he retrieved another bottle. When Joplin would have brushed her lips across his and moved away, he deepened the kiss beyond a simple thank you and hello.

  Joplin licked her lips and smiled. And Kane made another memory to hold onto once she was gone.

  “What are you doing?” she asked when she spied the bowl.

  “Making dinner.”

  “You cook?” Joplin took a seat on the sofa. “Real, honest to goodness, food?”

  Amused by her response, Kane measured flour, salt, and yeast.

  “What other kinds of food are there?”

  “I don’t know. Takeout?” She shrugged. “The cupboards in my apartment are filled with books and demo tapes. And maybe a box of ancient crackers. Think something like that gets moldy?”

  “Unlikely.” Kane chuckled. “Just in case, I suggest you toss out the box and start over.”

  “Fine advice.” Joplin took a sip of water. “What kind of feast should I anticipate, Chef?”

  “Nothing too elaborate. Just pizza.”

  “You’re kidding.” Joplin frowned. “People go out for pizza. Call for delivery. Pop a pre-made frozen pie in the oven. No one makes their own.”

  Kane would have rolled his eyes at her rich girl slant on the real world. Except at one time, he thought the same way. Cooking was something other people did. He’d learned a different way and was happy to share his findings.

  “Want to help?” Kane asked.

  Joplin’s eyes widened as though the thought never occurred to her.

  “Fun! Give me a second.”

  While she rushed to get dressed, Kane watched. The bounce of her breasts as she pulled on her socks, hopping from foot to foot, was his favorite part.

  As she buttoned her shirt, she sent him a knowing look.

  “Enjoy the show?”

  “Best live theatre I’ve seen in years,” Kane said.

  Watching Joplin was his new favorite thing. She would be gone too soon. With a limited window of opportunity, he planned to take every chance he found to revel in her nearness.

  Joplin moved to the kitchen and bopped him with her hip.

  “What’s the plan?” she asked.

  “Pour the warm water into the bowl and mix.”

  What she lacked in skill, Joplin made up for in enthusiasm. Insisting he let her do the work, by the time the dough had been formed into a ball and set back in the bowl to rise, there was flour everywhere. On the floor, on the cabinets. On the cooks—head to toe.

  Kane didn’t care. Joplin looked so happy, so proud of her accomplishment, to see her smile, he would have helped her coat the whole damn town in flour and volunteered for cleanup duty.

  “How long until something happens?” Joplin poked at the dough.

  “Needs about an hour to rise.”

  “Okay.” She sighed. “Then we eat?”

  “First, we roll out the dough, put on the sauce and cheese. Then, the toppings. Whatever you like. Then let the dough rise again. About thirty minutes.”

  “Hm.” Joplin placed her hands on her hips. “Promise it’s worth the trouble?”

  “Promise.” Kane wiped some flour from her nose. “In the meantime, you need a shower.”

  “We need a shower,” Joplin corrected. “I’ll wash yours if you wash mine.”

  “My what?” Kane asked as he took her hand and led her toward the bathroom.

  “Anything you want.”

  Kane cleared his throat.

  “Anything?”

  Eyes sparkling like emeralds, Joplin unbuttoned his shirt, laying kisses along his skin as she went.

  “Have any ideas?”

  “Yes. Yes, I do.” Kane closed the door behind them. “This is going to be the best shower ever.”

  ♫~♫~♫

  “OH, YES!” JOPLIN cried out. “Oh, baby.”

  “Good?” Kane asked.

  Joplin sighed, licked her lips, and closed her eyes in ecstasy.

  “The best I’ve ever had.”

  “Not an hour ago, you made similar sounds in the shower.” Kane’s lips twitched. “I don’t know if I should be flattered or insulted.”

  “I rank the pizza a notch below the sex,” Joplin said as she bit into a slice of cheese-covered heaven. “Since you’re responsible for both, take my answer as a win-win.”

  “Will do.”

  “Where did you learn to make the crust?” she asked.

  “Chicago. I was passing through and saw an advertisement for a one-day bread making class. I had time, and it sounded like fun,” Kane told her.

  Joplin had questions. Many, many questions. She’d resigned herself to leaving town without getting the answers. The unexpected snowstorm turned out to be a blessing—for many reasons.

  They were in such a good place. The sex was spectacular. The food, amazing. Things between them felt relaxed. Easy. She hesitated to ruin their still fragile bond by bringing up painful memories.

  “Whatever you need to ask, Joplin, I don’t mind.” Kane lay a hand over hers. “Some parts of the past five years are blurry. To be precise, the first two years were a fucking mess. But the last three have been good. Sometimes, great.”

  Joplin felt a pain in the vicinity of her heart. More of an old familiar ache she hadn’t experienced in a long time. She could go, leave the past a muddy jumble, and keep moving forward. But they’d already stirred the pot, and neither of them would find peace until the last word on the subject was spoken.

  “We could spend hours zigging and zagging,” Joplin said. “Would you mind if I take a more linear path?”

  “Start with the last time we saw each other an
d go from there?” Kane nodded. “Sounds like the best way.”

  They settled on the sofa, Joplin on one end, Kane on the other. She curled into the corner, tucked the blanket from the bed around her and waited, giving him all the time he needed to gather his thoughts.

  “I did love you, Joplin. Never doubt that.”

  “I loved you,” she said.

  “But what kind of love was it? For either of us?”

  “You never gave us the chance to find out.” Joplin felt a surge of anger. “I would have stayed with you through anything, Kane. But you threw me aside for someone else.”

  “Delilah meant nothing to me,” he said.

  “Then why did you marry her?” Joplin demanded. “Why run off to Las Vegas?”

  “After all this time, I’m sure you had figured out why.”

  “I’m tired of guessing, Kane.” Joplin sighed. “Tired of making up scenario after scenario, never knowing if I’m right or wrong. Tell me the truth.”

  “Once you left the hotel room, it didn’t take me long to realize that if we followed your plan, chances were that rehab wouldn’t work.”

  “But—”

  “I knew if I left without you, you’d look for me. Keep looking. So, I married Delilah and made certain you found out as quickly as possible.” Kane’s voice took on a scratchy quality, as though the words ripped at his throat. “A bastard move, but Lilah wasn’t a victim. She’d asked me to marry her a few days earlier. I said no. When I changed my mind, she knew the score. We would never be a love match.”

  Joplin closed her eyes. When she opened them, she saw the pain on Kane’s face but couldn’t muster up any sympathy.

  “Good plan. You broke my heart, and you broke up the band.”

  “Joplin.” Kane shook his head. “I will take full responsibility for the mess I made with you. And I’ll take my share of the blame for the end of Razor’s Edge. But Jax could have kept the band together without me.”

  “You’re right,” Joplin said. “There were five members of Razor’s Edge. And me. I was responsible. I saw what was happening. If I’d been older, more experienced, I’d have prevented things from spiraling out of control.”