Page 40 of Look My Way (Bloody Desires #1)

“I hope the drive went smoothly.”

“It did.” Zavier answers first. “This is a lovely home you got here.”

“Thank you. It’s even better inside.” Laughing, she steps to the side to usher us in. “Mom should be here soon. Dad’s stuck at work, so he’ll be joining us later for dinner.”

“I wasn’t expecting to see them today.” My voice strains a little.

“Yeah, I told them you’d probably want to settle in a little, but they insisted on seeing you before the party.”

“It’ll be good to see them.”

“It’s great to see you,” she says, eyes bright. “Come here, let me look at ya.”

Lifting my hands in the air, I step closer and do a little spin. We both laugh and she smiles, lifting her hand to her mouth. “You’re looking a lot happier than last time you came up here. More free.”

“I am.” Without meaning to, I look up at Zavier and back to her. She grins between us and reaches over to squeeze my arm.

“Will it be too much if I gave you one of my big suffocating sister hugs? I have to make sure you’re really real.”

The feeling is mutual, so I nod and open my arms. She steps into my embrace, wrapping her arms tightly around me and clapping my back as she sways us side to side. Lifting her head, tears gather in the corners of her eyes. “We may have to do this again after lunch so I’m really sure it’s you.”

I lean back and swipe red hair from her eyes. “It’s me, Tabby. I’ll be here all weekend.”

Releasing her hold, she steps back and places her hands on her face while bouncing on her feet. “It’s just . . . I didn’t think we’d ever have you over again.” She wipes at her eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m being a total sap right now.”

“That’s cause you are a total sap. Not just now but all the time.” I chortle. “Now where is that nephew and niece of mine?”

A hand runs through her hair and she looks around her. “I don’t know. Somewhere. In their rooms probably.” Her gaze falls behind me and she cups her mouth, yelling for the kids to come down. “Kids. Your long-lost uncle is here.”

Footsteps hit hard against the stairs and Layla is the first to swing around wearing a surprised look. “Uncle Liam!”

“Hey, there’s my girl.” She jumps into my arms before I can fully open them, laughing as I spin her around.

“Look how big you’ve gotten. Your hair is so long.

” I set her down on the ground, my smile widening.

It feels so good to be around my family again.

Another little voice yells from behind me, as my nephew barrels into me, his head slamming into my stomach.

Laughing, I hug Jacob and lean down to ruffle his hair.

“Hey there, bub.”

Looking up at me without fully letting go, he smiles and then presses his cheek to my stomach again. “Please say you’re going to be here for my birthday too.”

“I am.” I pat his back and Tabitha laughs, rubbing her son on the shoulder.

“Okay, give your uncle a chance to breathe. How about going to help Dad in the kitchen?”

“Okay.” Jacob’s shoulders sag and he drags his feet to the kitchen.

“Don’t worry, you’ll see your uncle all weekend,” she calls out, laughing a little.

“If they need some more help, I don’t mind lending a hand.” Zavier tugs at the back of my shirt with his eyes on my sister.

She stands with her hands on her hips, eyes lifting. “I’m sure they’ll take all the help they can get.”

“Great. You two enjoy catching up,” he says, leaning down to kiss my cheek. I give him a silent thank you, and he kisses me on the nose before heading in the direction my niece takes off in.

“So . . .” Tabitha says awkwardly, her hands moving from her hips to her pockets.

“So . . .” I say back. We both look at each other, not saying anything for a beat, and then burst out laughing.

“We’re the same weirdos we’ve always been, I see,” she says between chuckles.

“Speak for yourself,” I retort.

Both laughing again, I follow her to the couch, and we sit down to talk about everything we’ve missed in each other’s lives. She asks if I got the gifts she sent, and I nod, telling her how I thought about sending something back so many times.

Noticing I need a change of subject after speaking of Daniel again, she gets up and brings me a photo album. There are pictures from last Halloween on the page she flips to, where she, the kids, and Rob are all characters from The Adam’s Family.

“You guys look great. I’ll have to come down for this Halloween so I can see what awesome costumes you choose in person.”

“You should. The kids would be delighted to go trick or treating with their uncle. Rob needs someone to go to haunted houses with again “

“Did someone say haunted house? Are we that close to Halloween already?” Rob approaches us from behind and Zavier comes out after him.

“Not too far away. Summer’s almost over.”

“It went by so fast too,” I say, scooting back against the cushions.

“Yeah. The kids will be sad once we have to cover the pool up.”

“You guys have a pool?” Zavier’s voice raises.

“Yeah. You guys want to go swimming later?”

“It’s been a long day already,” I say. “Maybe Sunday.”

“Yeah, Sunday works too,” Tabbitha agrees.

“Yay, family pool party,” one of the kids says, running in.

The room is loud with laughter again, and it stays that way when we all move to the kitchen for lunch.

My mom joins us just as we’re about to eat, hugging me three more times than my sister did.

She doesn’t take it easy on me, and I appreciate that none of them treat me like glass.

It’s more of a relief to be here than I thought it’d be.

“So, Zavier, how long have you known my son, and exactly how close of friends are you two?” My mom smirks, folding her hands on the table.

Rolling my eyes, I nudge her in the side. “Can you please try not to scare him away, or else the friendship will end after we leave here.”

Zavier snorts. “A few weeks, I think? I’m not a very good keeper of time, and we’re friendly enough for me to come here with him.”

“Fair enough,” Rob says. “How about we let the poor guy eat and not bombard him with so many questions.”

“I’m just trying to play catch up in my only boy’s life.” She looks over at me, laying an arm around my shoulder.

“Understandable, and I’ve eaten as much as I can handle.” Zavier rubs his stomach, puffing it out.

We all chat some more. I hear about Mom’s retirement and how Dad wants a farm.

We joke and torment each other the way family does, laughing so much my stomach aches.

Hours go by without us realizing, and we all go outside to see my sister’s new gazebo and landscaping.

One of her benches is already coming apart and Zavier grabs some tools from his truck, offering to fix it.

“He’s so handy with his hands,” Tabitha says, gawking when he takes one of his shirts off.

I shove at her. “Hey, your man is right over there.” I point to where Rob is pushing both kids on the swing.

“And so he is.” She keeps looking over at Zavier. “I think he’s good for you.”

“You don’t even know him.”

“I know enough to know I like him.”

“I like him too,” I add. “A lot.”

“And he’s crazy about you.”

I wave her off. “You don’t know that.”

“Oh, it’s so obvious. The man can’t keep his eyes or hands off you.”

My face heats, lips curling. “Yeah. One of my favorite things about him.”

She lowers her eyes at me, shoving a hand into my shoulder. “Look at you. Acting like a schoolboy with a crush.”

“I sure feel like one.”

“Well, I’m only saying this because as your big sister it’s my duty, but . . . be careful.”

“I know.” I’ve learned my lesson after the first time. Or I hope I have.

Both going quiet, we gaze at the sky and watch the kids playing.

Zavier finishes up being mister fix-it, and we all play chase until my dad arrives.

We all help with dinner, enjoying more banter in the kitchen, and thankfully my dad doesn’t bother Zavier with more questions.

They start talking about fishing instead.

I’m drop dead tired by the time dinner is finally over and we’re done saying bye to my parents.

Tabitha leads us to the guest room, making sure we have plenty of towels and pillows. “If you two need anything else, just let us know. We’re right down the hall.”

“Will do,” Zavier beats me to responding as I yawn for the twentieth time.

“Nighty night. Try not to be too loud now.” Winking, my sister turns the corner, and I huff a laugh.

“She’s ridiculous.”

“It’s a good reminder, though.” Zavier closes and locks the door. “Especially for you.” His lips crack and I glower.

“Whatever, mister loud grunter.”

“Hey, you love my manly grunting.” He slaps my ass playfully as I make a beeline for the bathroom.

Turning around, I smile. “Yeah. You’re right, I do.” Continuing in the direction I’m going in, I pull off my shirt and slip out of my pants once I’m in front of the bathtub. My hands freeze on the knob and I curse under my breath. “We never brought the bags in.”

“I’ll go get them. Stay as you are and get the water warm for us.” His tone is low and seductive.

My skin buzzes and I shoot a look back at him, wrapping my arms around myself. “Try not to take too long. I need you back here to block the cool air that hits my ass from the gap in the shower curtain.”

He barks out a laugh. “I’ll do my best, and I’m always happy to freeze my backside for you as long as that means my boy is warm.”

My heart warms and I’m all smiles, unable to stop myself giggling like an idiot.

Starting the shower, I lean forward and stick my hand under the water.

As I’m grabbing towels and hanging them on the rack, I swear something moves across the window.

Body stiffening, I step back, and my eyes wander around frantically.

I’m tired. The day was a good one but very long.

My eyes blink hard, and I’m about to turn around, but a shadowy figure stops me in my tracks.

Someone is staring right at me, face blacked out and only a few feet away, standing between the bushes.

The eyes aren’t right. They leave behind this sick feeling in my gut, turning and twisting at my insides.

Weird. That’s Zavier. It has to be. And I usually love when we play this way.

But right now, it’s wrong. So many ways wrong that I can’t explain.

Breaths cutting like glass in my throat, I swallow them down and step into the shower.

I close the curtain, blocking off the man in the dark clothing along with the rest of the bathroom.

Eyes closed and legs trembling, I curl myself under the warm water.

Those eyes won’t get out of my head. They weren’t anything like the ones I usually yearn for.

Something about them lacked passion and lust. They were cold and empty.

Zavier’s are never those last two things.

Not when they’re looking at me. The bedroom door opens and closes.

My eyes flash open and I straighten my spine as I hear his shuffling in the bathroom.

“Bags are all in the room. I sat yours on the bed. Although I really don’t think we need clothes when we’re going to sleep. ”

The curtain brushes over my skin as he slides the back end open. His feet pound against the porcelain and his warmth scatters along my back as he steps closer. “Did you hear me?” His hand rests on my shoulder and I flinch, too caught off guard to focus on what’s happening around me.

“Were you just outside?” I say in a tiny voice.

“You know I was. I went to get our stuff from the truck.”

“I don’t mean that.” I put some space between us, resting one hand on the wall. “Were you standing outside the window a minute ago?”

“No. I wouldn’t do that here. This house has way too many outside lights and windows for that. Rather not have your family calling the cops on me.” He reaches for me again and I tense.

“What’s wrong? Did you see someone?”

“I . . . I guess I thought I did. I don’t know. Must be the exhaustion.”

“Yeah. Maybe. I can check it out if you need me to.” His nose nudges my neck.

Turning to face him, I shake my head. “No. It’s okay. I’m just being crazy.”

Rubbing a thumb under my bottom lip, he kisses my nose. “I highly doubt that. You seem perfectly sane to me.”

“Maybe you’re just as crazy, then.”

“Possibly.” His brows lift, lips shifting into a grin. “Maybe crazy likes crazy just like misery loves company.”

I breathe out a laugh. “Now you just sound ridiculous.”

“I could be ridiculous. I can be whatever you want.” He licks at my lips, flicking his tongue down my chin, and my breaths catch.

Bodies pressed together, his cock hardens against my thigh, and my nipples stiffen the longer my skin is in contact with his.

“You’re fine exactly the way you are,” I whisper against his lips.

Eyes darkening, his fingers slide down my crack, and our lips crash like two waves pushed by the strong force of a current.

Just like that the other man is gone from my head, and I’m only thinking about the one reaching for me like he needs to stay connected to me in order to breathe properly.

He’s all I care to see right now, especially when he makes me feel like I’m his everything.