"Oh, Snake." A frown marred her rosy red lips. Has she been making out with someone? Anger that stopped just shy of rage descended. "You don't look so good. Please come in."
"You have someone else here?" His voice was low and gravely.
She blinked. "Well yes, but she was just leaving. Isn't that right, Jole?"
"I'm not so sure I should," a woman said.
He focused his attention on the older woman who stood with her arms crossed and her gaze full of contempt.
"This is him, right? Support. The one who has you working at Rain, and forgetting who you once were."
"No one is making me do anything," Es snapped.
"You can't see it. But I can. I refuse to sit back and remain silent when I'm watching you go down a dangerous path."
Her sister-in-law was a huffy, haughty bitch with a narrow view of the world. He knew her type. It didn't bother him when people like her looked down on him. But he'd be damned if let anyone disrespect Es.
"I suggest you stop speaking before you say something you can't take back. The only thing I'm encouraging Es to do is what makes her happy. You're so desperate to get her back to where she was before the tornado, you never stop to realize she'll never be that woman again. You think you're doing what's best for her? No, this is about you."
"You have no-"
"Fuck that. I have every right. I'm being nice right now, but my patience is wearing thin, fast."
"Are you going to let him talk to me like this?" Jolene asked.
"You're out of line. I knew this moment would come. I tried my best to put it off for as long as possible."
"So he's the most important thing in your life now? Suddenly I'm chopped liver?"
"I never said that-"
"You didn't have to," Jole barked.
"I can't be Estelle Noll again because she doesn't exist. I'm sorry if that disappoints you. I have to do what makes me feel alive. I spent so long feeling like a zombie. I deserve happiness."
"I never thought you didn't. But this, a tattooed bad boy-"
"You know nothing about him," Es said. Her voice was deep and held the promise of violence. It made his dick jerk. He'd never seen his little one so fierce. The woman, Jole's, lower lip trembled. He would feel bad for her if she hadn't come for him incorrectly.
"I don't know what to say. I think it's best if I just leave and give us both some time."
Es's shoulder dropped and he could practically see her retreat inward.
"You know where I am if you need anything," Jole said. She moved to the door, and he stepped out of the way.
"Jolene," Es began, turning and wrapping her arms around the woman's body; her shoulders shook, "I love you. You're my best friend, but what I'm doing now are things I have to do. Please understand that."
"I'll try," Jolene whispered, kissing her cheek before she continued out the door. Es rested her forehead against the surface and sobbed.
Stepping up behind her, he pulled her body flush against his. "Hey, you did nothing wrong."
"That's not how it feels," she whimpered.
He placed an arm above her and curved his body around her, wishing he could protect her from this pain. He pressed a kiss to the back of her head.
"I'm sorry I screwed up your night. It wasn't my intention."
"No." She hiccupped. "This has been a long time coming. The minute she found out I took the job at Rain we were at odds. It's been so long with only the two of us here. My parents are supportive, but there isn't much they can do from England."
"Well now you have me, too," he said.
She gave a wet laugh. "My support."
"For as long as you need me."
"That could be a long time. As you can see, I'm a mess." She leaned back against him.
"I'm okay with that."
"I'm sorry. You walked right into a domestic dispute."
"I'm proud of you. You stuck up for yourself and drew your boundaries like we talked about."
He pulled back, and she turned, leaning against the door as she peered up at me. "I feel like I can do anything when you're there backing me."
"Always will be."
"You sound so sure."
"What we have is something special, girl. I know that. I'm not one to trust easily and you earned mine along with my loyalty weeks ago."
She gripped the edges of his cut. "You know I feel the same way. But you didn't come here to worry about me."
"I will always worry about you. I don't want you to think this is all about what you can do for me."
She placed a finger on his lips. "You show me that daily." As she caressed the side of his face he leaned into her gentle touch. "Now tell me what's got you looking like you're ready to drop."
The concern on her face charmed him. For a moment he could think of something more than pain, worry, and stress. Her lips beckoned him, and this time he permitted his desires to outweigh rationale. He pressed his lips to hers, moaning at the softness and the way her body pressed into his. She buried her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer as he tilted his head and traced her lips. When they parted, he slipped his tongue inside; she tasted like chocolate and comfort. Their tongues glided together. Blood rushed to his groin. His pants grew tight.
They surfaced for air, and he gripped the silken strands of her hair, resting his head against hers.
"Shit."
"Uh huh," she mumbled.
"I would apologize, but I don't feel sorry."
"Good, I'm not either," she said.
He snickered, the, groaned. He had things to say that couldn't be put off.
"Let's go talk on the couch, hot lips."
"Hot lips?" he snorted.
She winked and slipped from his arms, leading him to the couch. He couldn't help but admire the sway of her hips as she walked in front of him. They sank onto the cushions.
"Lay," she instructed, patting her lap.
He scowled.
"You said you trusted me."
"I do."
She patted her legs. He growled, but laid his head in her lap. The feel of her nails lightly scratching his scalp as she moved his hair away from his face was soothing.
"Better?" she asked.
"Much."
"Good, now spill."
"Jocelyn's alive. But to get to her I have to let the man who orchestrated everything go."
"So why isn't she here with you now?"
"It's selling out my revenge for her mother for her."
"A price Jade would pay a million times over."
"I waited so long for this moment. My twisted heart is having a hard time letting go."
"Hate, anger, and revenge will never bring true peace. It'll make you feel good for a while, but that's the ego speaking. You have to let this go and bring Joc home."
"And once I get her. What then? Where will she live? What kind of parent can I be to a little girl?"
"I been around enough to know you can get things done on a fast track. You make a home while you're locating her. Then you let her help you personalize it."
"God, why do you know all the right shit to say?"
"Might be the years of Child Psych and Child Development required for my degree."
"Oh my God. I'd forgotten you were a teacher."
"And I'm here to help you any way you need. You don't have to do this alone."
He sucked in a deep breath. Maybe that's what I needed to hear. "Do you think I can do this without screwing her up?"
"I know you can," she said.
Her unwavering faith humbled him. He closed his eyes, breathed in her scent, and meditated on her words.
"I could rent a house, get her enrolled in school, and get a sitter for those times when I can't be home."
"Yes, you can," she agreed.
"What do I do when I find her and she doesn't know who the hell I am?" he asked.
"You remember you have the rest of your lives to remind her."
He nodded. It's decided. "And you'll help?" He hated the tentative tone of his voice. Asking for help chaffed him, but he had a child expert right here. He'd be a fool not to take advantage of that.
"Every step of the way."
"I'll need a house in a good school district or close to a private school. I know how crowded public schools are, and I want to give her the best chance possible."
"What else?" she asked.
"I want a girl friendly space that will bring her comfort and allow her to remember her mother."
"You should hire an interior designer-"
"No. I won't trust just anyone with this. I want you, Es."
She paused.
He swallowed. It was a lot to ask of someone who avoided children like the plague.
"O-okay. You've made up your mind, then?" she asked.
"You were right. I'm a father first. Jade would always put Jocelyn before anything else. I'm just reeling right now. I hoped before she was still alive. Now it's a fact and I need to get my shit together. I have a little girl out there who needs me. Whether she knows it or not. God, she could be going through fucking anything, Es."