He is genuinely concerned, and I can feel he wants to solve whatever the problem may be.
This is not in your wheelhouse, I’m afraid. Some things they don’t teach you in SEAL training.
“It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. You don’t have to tell me, but I’m driving you wherever it is you need to go.”
He leaves no room for dissent, and I have to say I’m relieved to not have to wait outside for a bus around here. This neighborhood is changing for the better, but it’s dark and getting late, and the bus stop is three blocks away.
“Let me get my keys.” He’s striding away, and I can’t help the flutter that seems to have taken up permanent residence in my stomach as I watch him go, his neck jerking a couple times on the way.
“Okay.” I am clearly flustered, and Mr. Fitzgerald is staring me down.
“He’s a good boy. He managed to end up on the right side of things even with everything. Even with me.”
It seems to be his way of giving us some sort of blessing for whatever that was he saw us doing on the counter.
Kissing, right? It’s such a small word for what that was.
“Oh, you’re not so bad.” I give him a soft tap on the shoulder. “You need anything before I go?”
I take a step into the apartment’s efficiency kitchen as he grunts from behind me. I gather up my purse and straighten some papers on the counter next to the stove.
“I’m fine. I’d be fine on my own, too. I don’t need you fussing over me. I don’t need to be living with my son, either.”
“You coming?” Beckett is standing at the door to the apartment, holding my jacket.
“Yep. Bye, Mr. Fitzgerald. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I give him a quick wave and remember to shut the door as I step away. All the doors around here weigh more than a boulder and feel like solid steel.
In the parking area below the building, Beckett’s holding open a door on what looks to be a brand new Suburban.
It’s black. Every part of it. Black windows even. Inside, my assessment of its newness is confirmed. There is no smell quite like new-car.
Just like the loft, it is immaculate. I don’t know what genetic combination I’m missing, but I wish I could keep things neat and clean like he does. When I did have a car, I was that person who needed a good five minutes to clear off her front seat in order for anyone to ride shotgun.
Not Beckett. I bet that in five years, this car will look just as clean as it does right now.
“Is hand holding on the ‘don’t want’ list?”
He’s already reaching for me as he pulls down the dark street. The wind is still whipping around, and I can see a few snowflakes wafting in the street light.
“I guess not.”
It takes me a second to decide to tell him, but I want him to know.
“Your dad really does care about you. He loves you. I don’t know if he will ever get around to telling you himself, so I just want you to know. It’s none of my business what happened. Trust me, I know families have stuff. But, you never know how long you have with people.”
I see his knuckles turn white on the steering wheel, and he sucks his cheeks in.
“Yep, I know.” His gaze has lost its cheerfulness, and now I’m sorry I said anything. But, I want them to be okay. I don’t know why, but I do.
“You love him, too. I can see it. Just do something for me, will you? I’ll let you kiss me again if you do.” I add that last part with as much playful humor as I can muster. It lightens the mood, and I watch his brow loosen a little.
“What’s that?”
“Just tell him. No matter how weird it may feel, just tell him you love him. Tell him you guys are okay. Whatever happened is done. He’s living with you, and I can see you both just want to forget and move on. But, you have to be the bigger man. Just tell him, okay?”
“When exactly do I get this kiss? That information is critical to the terms of this deal we are making.”
He squeezes my hand and flashes me that smile and that chipped tooth grabs at me.
“See that red light?” I nod at the stop light coming up.
He brings the Suburban to an abrupt stop ten feet before the light, and his lips are on mine as fast as he can maneuver to me. His hand slips to the back of my neck, and it’s a good thing because I don’t remember how to hold my head up anymore.
I don’t ever remember enjoying a kiss like this. It’s even better than the other two.
His tongue wraps around mine, and there isn’t enough air to exhale into the sigh that comes out of me. I feel this crushing weight of a longing that is new and amazing.
My legs press together, trying in vain to stem the tide of tension and tingling that shoots straight from his lips and settles inside my panties.