Page 8

Kelly

After dropping Hunt off at the garage, I drive home. When Mackenzie’s breathing becomes steady, I snatch my pillow, reset the alarm codes, and stash my gun under the sofa.

For hours, I stare at the ceiling. What the hell was up with the kiss, gram? Why did it affect me so?

Her voice responds in my head, He protected you, sweetheart. It’s not so hard to understand.

What am I going to do about John Bourdin? He sent a clear message to stay out of his business. How can I avoid him with Mister Fucking Wildlife, putting up cameras all over the place?

Argh ! I punch my pillow. Why is my stupid life so difficult? And why does Ranger Gurion need to be so damn attractive?

At times like these, I always relied on Robert. I try his cell phone. As before, it goes straight to voice mail. Surely, he’s had all the time off he needs. For chrissakes, he’s retiring in a few months.

This thought sends me down another rabbit hole of dread. Without him playing interference, Bourdin will feel free to bully me more.

Reaching beneath the couch, I find comfort in the pistol’s cold steel. If that coyote tries to break in, he’s in for a surprise. This mama bear will protect her cub. But what about when she’s at her father’s house? Or at school? If anything should happen to her…

Dammit. No paycheck is worth this stress. Images of The Incident clang against the sides of my mental box, trying to break free. I squeeze my eyes as I force them back. The hinges crack. It doesn’t take a psychiatrist to know I’m on the verge of an emotional breakdown.

In desperation, I turn my thoughts to Jack Gurion’s kiss. In my dream, he takes me home, undresses me, and worships my body. While he pistons inside me, someone pounds on the front door. Grabbing my service weapon, I bolt onto my feet, squinting into the bright morning light.

Where am I?

Mouth full of toothpaste, my daughter walks down the hall. “Mom! What is wrong with you?”

Her eyes widen as she glares, snapping me awake from my sleepy state. Holy fuck, I’m officially the shittiest parent in the history of humankind.

“Sorry, honey.” Shaking all over, I lay my weapon on the coffee table.

Meanwhile, she spreads the curtains. “It’s him, the hottie. He’s at the door. Gonna open it?”

Oh, shit. Pulling my tangled mess into a ponytail, I take a deep breath and pull on the handle. “Hey, Wildlife, wassup?”

The smile on the environmentalist’s face disappears as he tucks an errant lock behind my ear. “Are you alright? Did something happen after I left?”

My private parts cheer at his touch. Oh hell, no, missies, we are not going there.

Unaware of my sidebar with my sexual extremities, he holds up a cardboard tray. “Coffee, hot chocolate, and danishes from The Peak’s.”

Mackenzie grabs the bag. “Wow, that’s what I’m talkin’ about. Thank you so much.” She shoots me a double glare—teenage-speak for Invite him in already.

“You shouldn’t have, but we appreciate the kindness.” Inhaling cinnamon, I lead him to my second-hand table in my 1960’s kitchen.

Tossing coats onto the sofa, I offer him the spare chair. “Sit.”

As I grab napkins, I see my broken, chipped cabinets through his eyes, and cringe. “It’s, uh… a work in progress.”

His hand captures mine in midair. “No judgment. Extremely retro. Probably fetch a fortune in the right market.”

“Huh.” As I reevaluate my stove, the old-fashioned clock jolts my brain. Despite the fact a handsome stranger brought us sweets, today is not a weekend.

I shout down the hall. “Mack. Five minutes.”

“Mom. I need to finish my makeup.” She slams the bathroom door while the star of my morning wet dream pulls me into his lap.

Caught off-guard, my heart thumps. Does he want a repeat performance of last night? If so, his timing is way off.

When he leans in, I slip my tongue over my dry lips.

As our mouths are about to meet, he lets go of my hands in favor of my shoulders. “Listen, about last night…”

I snap my index finger to his lips. “Do not apologize. Best fake kiss ever.”

“Yeah?” Gaze locked on mine, his nostrils flair.

Tits and clit aching to be touched, I cup his stubbled cheeks.

For the love of God, kiss me, already. If not for the teenager in the house, I’m sure we’d be halfway to the bedroom.

“Okay, you two, I’m ready.” Mack breaks the spell, sauntering into the kitchen. “Can’t be late unless you want to write me a note.”

Unable to face Principal Wierzbicki, I grab my handbag and car keys. “Yup. Be right there.”

Now outside, my kid tugs him away from his SUV. “You come too, Jack.”

When the man shakes his head, my daughter pulls harder. “You will make me the most popular girl in school. Pah-lease.”

“How can I say no?” He jumps into the passenger side seat while Mack bounces into the back.

Making sure everyone sees, he calmly waves out the window as we drop her off. Back at home, he follows me into my house. Holy crap, I’d love to drag him to the couch, the mattress or the rug, but adulting must take precedence.

“I’d love for you to stay, but I have work.” When I place my fingers on his chest, the muscles underneath give me pause. Maybe, this once, I could be a few minutes late.

He traps my hands and steps so close, static electricity sparks between us. “You slept in your clothes last night. You brought your sidearm with you in the car. Why?”

Damn the man for being so perceptive. “No reason. I often do.”

At my blatant lie, his soft lips purse. “Right. So, it had nothing to do with John Bourdin?”

Ah, fuck it. He’s a nerdy scientist, no match for those bringing people over the border. If I say yes, he’s going to want to help me, which could get him killed.

“It’s none of your concern. Finish your studies, then go back to the city.” Grabbing a clean uniform and undies, I race into the bathroom.

As I strip, an unwelcome new voice shouts from the other room, “What the blazes are you doing here?”

How many times have I told my ex-asshole he cannot barge into my house without my permission?

“I’ll be out in a second, Pete.” I button up my shirt as fast as humanly possible to prevent the shitshow about to take place.

For no reason I can possibly think of, Mr. Wildlife decides to butt into my life once again. “I’m Jack, Kelly’s boyfriend, and you are?”

No, no, no. Zipping up my pants, I rush to the living room, hoping to avoid bloodshed. “Peter, get out. Now.”

“This is what you’re exposing our daughter to? Adultery?” He’s so wrong on so many fronts, it’s not worth the breath it takes to argue.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake. Let me spell it out for you. D-I-V-O-R-C-E-D. It is legally off-limits to you.”

“It won’t be if I take up your loose behavior with Judge Statton.” My ex-husband has got to be the most annoying man on the planet.

Taking a deep breath, I count to ten, noting the time on my phone.

I’m late for work and he is standing in front of my goddamn door.

Gloves off, I poke him in the chest. “ You cheated on me, but I’m the bad influence? You may have married a holy roller, but it doesn’t give you the right to come into my house and preach your fucking upside-down version of the gospel. Get out before I arrest you. I mean it, Peter. I will do it.”

When he recoils his fist, I slip my gun from my holster. “Go ahead. Try it, motherfucker. I have a witness.”