Page 103 of Burning Ember

His knuckles brush against my cheek drawing my eyes back up to his face. “I’ll be back in three days. If you need to go, I’ll understand. But I’m prayin’ to God you’ll give me a little more time, and that I’ll get to see you again.” His eyes search mine. “I promise I’ll make this right, Doll.” Leaning forward he briefly touches his lips against my forehead and then dipping down, he sweeps his lips against mine. Only that doesn’t seem to satisfy him, because the kiss deepens. He caresses my mouth tenderly, like he’s memorizing how our lips feel as they work against one another. The kiss turns hot and heavy, so much so, that it has my heart racing. His hand slides behind my head, his fingers tangling in my hair, and I gasp as his other arm slips around my waist, and he yanks my body into his.

I get lost for a moment in the feel of him. His hands. His mouth. His body against mine.God this man can kiss. So much so, that it takes the strength from my legs.

When I come back to Earth, I have to unwind my arms from around him, because that’s where they are when he breaks the kiss and slowly draws away. My body and mind battle with the need to pull him back to me.

“Take care of yourself, and call if you need somethin’. I won’t be here, but Rigor is just down the road and he’s been ordered to get you anything you need. He’ll also be checkin’ in every day to make sure you’re okay.”

His eyes dip to my lips and I can see he wants to kiss me again, but after stroking my cheek one last time, he turns and strolls to his truck.

His confident swagger and the colors of the club say so much about who he is on the outside. But as he grabs the door handle and turns to look up at me, I get another glimpse of the other side of him. He wants to change. There’s hope in his gaze for something new, and regret for what he’s done. But can he, and will he, remain to be seen. In the next instant, he’s jumping into the truck and pulling away.

I realize I’m either going to have to stay and wait to see if he can change, or leave and maybe regret never knowing if he could have.

When the truck is no longer visible, I look over my shoulder at Bethany to find her watching me from her front door, trying and failing to hide her amusement.

Sitting beside me now, Bethany asks, “Lil’ thought maybe you’d want to help with Medda part time. Have you ever watched kids before?”

“I’ve been watching kids since I was ten.”

“Really, ten?”

“Yeah, we lived in an apartment building that had a ton of single moms. We were always scraping by to make rent, so my mom had me working to help out as soon as I could.”

“Wow.” After sipping from her drink she says, “I’m particular about who babysits for me, but Mav said you’re good with kids and I trust his and Lil’s judgment. But I have to warn you, sometimes, I can be a bit of a mama bear. I don’t mean to be a bitch, but I also want what’s best for my kids.”

My chest aches in response. That’s exactly how I was with Will. “No. I get it. Just tell me your expectations and we’ll take it a day at a time. If I do something you don’t like, or if there’s something I’m not doing, just let me know.”

“Okay. That sounds good. Let’s relax tonight, and tomorrow over breakfast we’ll work out the details.”

“Thanks. And thank you for letting me stay here.”

She gives me a small smile. “It’s not a problem. I owe Mav a mountain of favors. I was happy to help.” Taking a drink, she turns back to the dimming sunset. “Can I ask you for something though?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Do you mind if while you’re here we completely ignore that big, giant elephant in the room, so to speak?”

The only giant I know is Dozer. “If that’s what you want,” I reply coolly.

“You’d be amazed at how talented I am at ignoring that mammoth. After fourteen years, I think I’ve perfected the art.”

“No problem.”

She reaches over and pats my arm. “Thank you.”

We sit in silence for a while, enjoying the peacefulness of her rural home. Bethany keeps checking her phone. She told me Axel’s out with friends, and I’m guessing by the concern wrinkling her brow that he was supposed to call or be home by now.

A few minutes later the baby monitor on the table between us lights up and we hear rustling and then a small whimper. Bethany grins and stands from her chair. “Time for you to meet Medda.”

She disappears into the house. When she comes back out, she has a toddler on her hip.

Immediately some of my worry and sadness from not being able to reach Sunny fades. Medda’s an angel. She has golden blonde curls, green eyes, and dimples. She’s sucking her thumb and staring at me. And I’m thinking she is exactly the kind of distraction I need from my problems.

Tilting my head, I say, “Hi, sweetie. Are you Medda?” She’s blinking the sleep from her eyes, and the corner of her mouth pulls up. “Your mommy says you’re almost three. Is that right?” She holds up her other hand and tries to hold up three fingers, but she ends up holding up four.

To Bethany, I say, “She’s beautiful.”

Bethany smiles a proud smile and brushes Medda’s curls away from her face. “She is, isn’t she? I kinda like her.” Hitching Medda up higher on her hip, she asks, “Can you say hi to Doll, baby?”