Run to Ground(72)

One of his hands cupped the back of her head, while the other arm was a steel band locked across her lower back. He turned, rotating them with dizzying speed, so Jules’s back was now the one pressed against the wall. As his tongue played with hers, it felt as if she was surrounded by him, like he was body armor protecting her from the world.

Being safe was the best feeling. No, the best feeling was his lips on hers, his teeth dragging gently over her lower lip, their bodies pressed against each other. Feeling safe was just a really, really nice bonus. His tongue slid against hers, sending a mix of heat and happy chills through her.

Jules released his shirt so she could move her hands to the back of his head, run her fingers through his short, short hair, and massage his scalp. She felt an almost-silent groan rumble through his chest, felt the vibrations in her body and against her lips, and Jules clutched him to her more tightly.

There was a clatter of footsteps on the stairs, and Jules wanted to whimper. How was she supposed to let go of Theo now, when she’d discovered how very, very nice it was to hold him? The thought of the kids seeing them kiss, of having to explain exactly what she and Theo were doing, gave Jules the strength to step back.

He resisted for a brief moment, but then released her, although his gaze remained fixed on her lips, and his eyes were so hungry she almost hurled herself back into his arms. The twins and Dee raced around the corner, putting an end to any thought of continuing the kiss. The kids didn’t ask why Jules and Theo were out in the hall, but just tore into the kitchen.

“Hi, Theo!” Dee called as she passed, although her attention was already fixed on the dog. After a final, heated look that warmed Jules from her toes to her eyebrows, Theo ushered her back into the kitchen. All three younger kids were clustered around Viggy. Once the initial round of petting was done, they moved toward the table, but Jules, still feeling flushed and spacey and extraordinarily happy, blocked them with her body. “Hands.”

Reversing direction, they stampeded to the bathroom to clean up. Theo and Sam, who’d cleared his homework while they’d been in the hall, helped her get everything on the table, and she felt a warm rush of contentment as she watched them. As unexpected as it was, Theo seemed to fit effortlessly into the family, as if they’d been holding a spot open with his name on it. Even Viggy, who’d stretched out across the ancient linoleum, had become one of them. Shoving away her fanciful thoughts, Jules headed for her chair, only to find Theo there, holding it out for her.

“Thank you,” she said as she sat, the gesture making her wonder what it would be like to go on a real date with Theo. The return of the youngest three distracted her from the pang of longing that hit her, a wish to be a normal, law-abiding woman, someone who could be with Theo without wondering when he was going to find out about her past. A memory of Hugh’s accusing words flashed through her mind, and stomach clenched, she looked down at her plate.

“Jules.” When she glanced up, Theo was watching her. “You okay?”

“Sure.” Painting on a smile, she brushed off his concern. “I’m great. How about y’all? What happened in school?”

“I got a job!” Dee bounced in her seat.

“A job?” Jules repeated, feeling her eyebrows climb toward her hairline. Was there a child-labor-based sweatshop in Monroe she didn’t know about? “Doing what?”

“Mrs. Vang said she’d pay me five dollars a day to feed her cat while she’s on vacation. She said she’d have to talk to you first, though, to make sure it’s okay.” Dee clasped her hands together and pressed her fist under her chin. When Dee put her mind to it, she could outdo even Hugh in the hungry-puppy-eyes department. “So is it? Okay?”

“Who is Mrs. Vang?”

“One of the lunch ladies. I know we don’t have much money, so I want to help. I put up some dog-walking fliers at school, and Mrs. Vang saw one, and she’s going to Hawaii next week, but she doesn’t want to bring Mr. Sylvester to the usual boarding place, because they charge so much and he hides for a long time after he gets home because he’s so mad at Mrs. Vang for leaving, so she’s going to see if it’s better if he can stay home. So, is it okay?” Jules was pretty sure Dee didn’t breathe once during the entire monologue.

“Dee,” Jules said firmly. “We talked about this. It’s my job to make money. It’s all y’all’s job to go to school and be kids and have fun.”

Dee’s face fell, and her bottom lip quivered for a second before she put on her pageant mask.