Downbeat (Lightning Strikes Book 4)

by Jodie Larson

  “No,” he says, shaking his head. “I wanna play outside.”

  Not sure if he should be jumping around with a sore stomach that’s currently full of soup. “How about something else? What else do you want to do?”

  Jayce taps his chin. “Color?”

  That we can do.

  We set up camp on the dining room table. Markers, crayons, and books taking every available inch of space. Jayce tells me about school ending and his plans for the summer, which aren’t much. A lot of it involves Jenny taking him to the pool or helping Grandma in her garden out back.

  Before I know it, two hours pass. We’ve colored enough pages to coat the front and side of the refrigerator. We ran out of magnets, so we used tape instead. Tracy laughed and said it was cute.

  I’m putting the finishing touches on my picture when I notice Kylie standing in the doorway, arms crossed and leaning against the jamb with a smile.

  “You’re awake.”

  She nods to the table. “You’re coloring.”

  I hold it up to give her a better look. “It’s a dinosaur.”

  Kylie walks over to me and kisses my forehead. “And you managed to stay within the lines. Good job.”

  Jayce laughs. “I told him he had to ‘cause that how it’s supposed to be done.”

  “And I countered that sometimes it’s okay to color outside the lines. Do something that you’ve never done before.”

  She takes a seat next to me and clasps her hand in mine. “How’d I get so lucky?”

  Now would be the time to say something, anything to show how much they mean to me. Actions are fine, but sometimes you just need the words.

  “I’m the lucky one. You mean the world to me.”

  Kylie stiffens slightly. Just as fast, she relaxes and blinks away the haze from her eyes. “I know.”

  That was weird. Jayce shows her his picture and she praises his work. But the smile doesn’t reach her eyes anymore. Something’s off.

  “You’re staying for dinner, right?” Tracy asks, wiping her hands against her apron.

  I look to Kylie, who nods. “I’d love to, thanks.”

  Jayce rubs his eyes and grabs his stomach. “Mama.”

  Time to move. I snag him up and take off down the hall, making it to the bathroom in time. At least he kept the food in long enough to get all the nutrients he needs. Kylie meets me at the door, holding her hand over her mouth.

  “Sorry, this usually doesn’t affect me like this, but…” She gags and takes a step back. “I think that nap reset my tolerance for vomit.”

  I rub Jayce’s back and hand him a towel to wipe his mouth. “Go lay down before I make you.” Looking over my shoulder, I smile and nod. “I’ve got this.”

  Dinner was a no-go. Tracy suggested I go home and that she’d take over, but I told her the same thing I told Kylie. She smiled and let me do my thing. Jayce finally went down for the night, so I put him in his bed after I gave him a bath. Kylie had a little more color in her face, so she sat on the lid of the toilet and helped with the routine.

  “You don’t have to stay,” she says, curled up in a ball with her head in my lap as we watch another episode of Scrubs.

  “I’m not leaving,” I reply, mindlessly running my fingers through her hair.

  “I’m fine now. I can handle anything that comes along.”

  Stubborn woman. “You’re not hearing me. I’m not going anywhere.”

  She sits up and chews on her bottom lip. A sign I’m all too familiar with. She’s about to say something that’s bugging her.

  “But you are.”

  Turning to face her, I prop a leg up on the cushion and palm her cheek, feeling the slight heat radiate off her skin. “I promise you, I’m not leaving.” Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I blow out a quick breath and bite the bullet. “Once I go on the road, the girls are all planning on heading to K.C. for the summer.”

  Kylie nods. “I know. They told me a few weeks ago at the baby shower.”

  Oh. Not sure how that went over. “And?”

  She shrugs. “And what? I’ve never been to Kansas City. We have zero ties there. I don’t want to uproot Jayce and leave everything behind when I don’t know what I’m getting into.”

  Valid point. It’s not like I have a house there yet. I’ve had a real estate agent searching for weeks, trying to find the perfect house with a nice big yard and close to the parks. At this rate, I’ll end up building a house instead. There’s land for sale by Kade that caught my eye. I’ve given my agent another week, otherwise I’ll pull the pin on the land deal.

  If they decide to come home with me, I want them to be comfortable, feel like this is an escape from everyday life. Better yet, I want them to feel like it’s their home. Something new for the three of us. Knowing how much my mom loves kids, I know she’ll instantly fall in love with Jayce.

  “This can work. It does work. Look at Adrienne and Tatum.”

  “There’s a difference,” she says quietly.

  I shake my head. “There’s not.”

  She takes my hand off her cheek and holds it in her lap. “They have history there. I have nothing.”

  “You have me.”

  Her bottom lip quivers as tears rim her eyes. “Do I?”

  “God, Kylie, yes. You have me.” Without hesitation, I lean forward and take her lips, pouring every ounce of emotion I have into the kiss. She grabs the sides of my face, holding me in place.

  “I think…I think I’m falling for you and it scares me. Your life isn’t your own and my life isn’t compatible. I don’t see how you can be this confident that things will work out.”

  Pulling her into my lap, I brush her hair to the side and stare deep into her clouded blue eyes. “Because I’m falling too. You and Jayce.” I struggle to find the right words. “You two mean more to me than I can say out loud. I want a future together, the three of us. Please stop trying to shut me out.”

  She needs to hear me. Needs to know how serious I am about making this work.

  Finally, she smiles and kisses me softly. “Let’s table it until later. Right now, I want you to hold me until I fall asleep.” Kylie stands and pulls me off the couch, leading me straight to her bedroom, where I’m happy to oblige.

  “Where you off to?” Lizzie asks, cleaning the kitchen after her latest lunch creation.

  I smile and toss my favorite hat on. “Taking Kylie out for the evening. It’s my one day off for the foreseeable future. Like I’m giving up a chance to spend some alone time with her.”

  “Aw, that’s sweet.” She tosses the dirty rag into the sink. “Is Jayce feeling any better?”

  Nodding, I twirl my keys around my finger. “For the most part.”

  With Jayce being sick, Kylie hasn’t wanted to do anything, keeping vigil over her sick little boy. Not that I can blame her. I wanted to do the same thing, but I was under strict orders not to come back until the house had been thoroughly disinfected. I’ve given her four days. That’s long enough.

  I wave to Lizzie as I walk out the door, eager to see her face when I surprise her. After speaking with Tracy, she agreed we needed some time to ourselves, so she volunteered to watch Jayce.

  With my schedule out of control for the next few weeks and the fact we still haven’t talked about the tour, I can feel her start to pull away. And I refuse to accept this.

  Jenny opens the door on the first knock. “Just in time. She’s trying to take Jayce out of the house and mom and I are getting short on excuses.”

  I laugh and walk in. “Where is she?”

  Pointing down the hall, I follow her directions, hearing her beautiful voice through Jayce’s bedroom door.

  “Come on, buddy. Put on your socks. You know those shoes give you blisters.”

  “But Mama, Grandma said I didn’t need them.”

  Peeking through the crack of the door, I snicker as she huffs and struggles to keep him still. “Jayce, come on. Please?”

  I knock as I push the do
or open. Both turn simultaneously, sporting similar smiles.

  “What are you doing here?” she asks, giving up her quest to put socks on Jayce as he races to hug my waist.

  I ruffle his hair. “Hey, bud. You all set?”

  He nods. “Yep. I did ‘xactly as you said.” He twists the invisible key against his lips; his smile broad and knowing.

  Kylie’s confused expression nearly has me laughing. She darts her gaze between the two of us, her brows drawing together. “What’s going on.”

  Reaching my hand to her, she takes it as I help her off the floor. “You’ll see.” With her hand still in mine, I drag her down the hall and out the door before she has a chance to object.

  “Wait! I need my purse.” She tries turning back to the house, but I pick her up and toss her over my shoulder. Her shrieking laugh turns a few neighbor’s heads, only making them laugh in turn.

  I plant her on my bike, taking her lips swiftly, kissing away the argument I know is building inside her mind.

  “You’re mine for the next,” I look to my watch, “eighteen hours. Stop fighting and go with it.”

  Handing her a helmet, she puts it on without question. With her arms wrapped tightly around my waist—and her legs pressing against my hips—we take off with a flourish down the street, away from her responsibilities, even if it’s only for a while.

  We pull up to the little bed and breakfast I found in a nice, secluded area down the coast. It’s the perfect retreat away from the prying eyes of the public. Lots of little shops and restaurants to explore. It’s exactly what we need.

  Her eyes light up as we walk up the path to the large Victorian house, decorated with hanging ivy off the large, wrap-around front porch.

  “Pax, this is beautiful,” she says, clinging to my arm.

  Mrs. Potter, the owner, greets us as we walk through the door. “Mr. Jennings, nice to see you back.” Kylie looks to me with a raised brow.

  “Not like that,” I say.

  “Oh, gosh, deary, no.” Mrs. Potter blushes, quick to correct herself. “I mean, Mr. Jennings stopped by earlier to drop off your things.”

  “Things?” Now we’ve both confused her.

  “Trust me,” I whisper in Kylie’s ear. “I’ve got this.”

  Lacing my hand into hers, I walk her down the hallway to our room. Mrs. Potter was kind enough to give us the largest suite she had on the opposite side of the house. When I open the door, Kylie gasps and throws her free hand over her mouth. Light blue walls with seascape paintings, an old-fashioned floral duvet covering the large, king-sized mattress sitting on a brass bed frame. As soon as I saw the headboard, the ideas started flooding into my head. The only question was who would be grabbing them first.

  Kylie wanders to the wingback chair near the window, overlooking the lush garden below. “Pax, this is amazing. How’d you pull this off?”

  She’s too far away. Closing the distance, I wrap my arms around her waist and stare into her loving eyes. “I had help from a few people. We needed some alone time.” I lean down and take her lips, eager and wanting. Kylie easily molds into my touch, giving up control. It takes everything I have not to push her onto the bed and ravage her until she screams. Twice.

  That would probably scare Mrs. Potter.

  We slow the kiss until our lips are barely touching, breathing each other in. “Thank you. How’d you know I needed this?”

  Cupping her cheek, I relish the smooth skin beneath my palm and press my lips to hers once more. “Let’s get out of here for a bit.”

  Her mega-watt smile is all the answer I need.

  We opt to walk around rather than take the bike out. It’s too quiet and peaceful to disturb the serene nature and folks out enjoying the day like us.

  “Where do you want to go first?” I ask, rubbing my thumb in small circles against her clasped hand.

  Kylie shrugs. “Wherever you want to take me.”

  “Oh, babe, that’s always the right answer.” She blushes but tightens her grip. “Seriously, are you hungry?”

  Twisting her lips, she mulls over the question. “I don’t think I’ll ever turn down food.”

  We walk a little further, saying hi to passing couples until we stumble upon a quiet little café, producing the most delicious aromas as we pass by.

  “Oh, let’s go here.” Her stomach rumbles as she tugs me to the entrance. I laugh, turning a few heads as greets the hostess at the stand.

  “Hi, folks. Two for dinner?”

  Kylie nods. “Please.”

  We follow her to a quiet booth in the back. It’s funny, we didn’t even have to ask to be away from everyone else. She just knew.

  I slide next to Kylie, who looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “What?”

  “Uh, personal space? Why not sit over there?”

  With a mischievous smirk, I run my hand up the inside of her thigh, doing my best not to bark out a laugh as she slams them together, trapping my hand midway.

  “Don’t you dare,” she hisses through her teeth. “There are people here and I don’t want to get kicked out. You said food and I’m magically hungry.”

  I wiggle my trapped hand and she releases it, allowing me to rest it on her knee. She eyes me skeptically.

  “I promise to behave.”

  “Yeah, I’ve heard that before,” she says with a smirk. Kylie reads the menu like it’s a best-selling novel, jumping from section to section, back and forth until finally placing it on the table.

  The waitress, an older woman with gray hair and glasses, slides up to the table. “You folks ready?”

  Kylie nods. “I’ll have the turkey club with sweet potato fries and a Diet Coke.”

  Tossing the menu on top of Kylie’s, I hand them both to the waitress. “I’ll have the same.”

  Maria—according to her nametag—jots down the orders and smiles. “Coming right up.”

  Kylie loops her arm through mine and rests her head on my shoulder. “Thank you.”

  I turn and kiss the top of her head. “For what?”

  “Tonight.”

  “It’s only just begun.”

  When she laughs, I feel it all the way through my chest. “In case I forget to say it later.”

  How does she not understand that I would do anything for her?

  “No thanks is necessary. This is what normal couples do. Spend time together, reconnect, and steal moments wherever they can.”

  Her eyes start to water. “You’re something else. You know that?”

  I take her free hand and kiss the back of it. “Only the best for you.”

  She keeps her head on my shoulder as we wait for our food. No words are needed. Just touching each other is all we want. With so much going on in our daily lives, sometimes we need a moment to breathe. And that’s my plan for tonight. Getting Kylie to breathe.

  Among other things.

  Once the food arrives, we dig into our sandwiches, humming our pleasure. When I look over to Kylie’s plate, half her sandwich is gone, along with most of her sweet potato fries.

  “Jesus, woman. You didn’t say it’d been weeks since you last ate. Did you even taste any of it?”

  Daggers shoot from her eyes. “I. Was. Hungry.”

  Oooookay. Next subject.

  “Obviously your stomach is feeling better.”

  She shrugs. “It comes and goes. Today is a good day, so luckily your surprise worked out. What would you have done if I was sick?”

  I wipe the smear of mayo off the corner of her mouth. “We still would be here, only I would have waited on you hand and foot in bed.”

  “You would not.”

  “Like hell, I wouldn’t.”

  Maria picks this time to swing over. “How are things tasting?”

  In true waitress style, she waited until both our mouths were full.

  “Good,” Kylie says around her food, holding a hand in front of her mouth to be moderately polite.

  As soon as Maria walks away, I can’t help mys
elf. “Damn, you look sexy when you talk with your mouth full.”

  More daggers. “Someone’s looking for blue balls tonight.”

  I swallow my bite and lean over, kissing her cheek. “I can talk with my mouth full if you’d like.”

  Fire dances in her eyes. “Why must everything be dirty.”

  “You saw the bed, right? And we don’t have a little kid to worry about. Not to mention there isn’t another room rented around us.” I lean closer, practically pressing my lips to her ear. “You can be as loud as you want.”

  God, I love when she’s turned on. Her skin pinkens deliciously, and I know beneath her shirt those perfect nipples are hard and peaked, begging for attention. She squirms in her seat, looking for any friction she can find.

  “You’re so bad.”

  She’s making this way too easy. “I’ll show you how bad I can be later.”

  “Promises, promises.”

  We finish our food and settle up at the counter before continuing our journey through the little town. Several shops catch our eye. Kylie refuses to let me buy her anything, but I keep the stuff in mind for future reference.

  Kylie points to an ice cream shop, so we stop an indulge our sweet tooth, finding a nice shady tree at the nearby park to sit under. We swap cones, letting her taste my rocky road while I taste her cookies and cream. Probably some of the best I’ve tasted outside of Grandma June’s Ice Cream Shack back home.

  On the way back, we pause for a quick make-out session, ducking into an alley as I press her body against a building. Her responsiveness fuels me on, desperate to get inside her.

  Fuck this.

  Grabbing her hand, I practically drag her the four blocks back to the house, bypassing any common areas. No time for small talk. I’m a man on a mission.

  The door shuts behind us, finally giving us the privacy we crave. Kylie has the same idea as we charge each other, pulling at each other’s clothes, barely finding time to come up for air as we fall onto the mattress. Digging a condom out of my pocket, I quickly sheath myself and slide directly into her waiting pussy. Her moans egg me on, grabbing her hands and wrapping her fingers around the bars of the headboard.

  “Don’t move them,” I growl into her ear. She nods and obeys.