Lance, page 14
“So your theory is your mom was pregnant by another man when she married your dad?” Kari sounded skeptical.
“It’s the only thing that makes any sense.” Lance stroked softly up her arm, closing his eyes as her soft skin passed under his fingers. “I’ve never asked. It didn’t really matter to me what I was. How I came to be.”
“But it does now.” It wasn’t a question. Kari leaned up to look at him. “Because of Vanessa.”
Lance nodded. “Me not knowing is one thing but I don’t want her to not understand who she is.”
Kari blinked at him.
“Come on Pet. Let me get you in bed and I’ll go get Vanessa.” He stood up and reached for her, pulling her to his side. “Do you work tonight?”
Kari barely smothered a yawn. “No. Tonight is my night off.” She squinted at the clock on the wall. “But I usually go in and make sure it’s all ready for them.”
“I bet they’ll be just fine without you.” He led her down the hall and to the edge of her bed. “You lay down and sleep. I’ll go pick up Vanessa and get some things handled.” Lance pulled back the covers. He didn’t have to coax her between them.
Kari flopped onto the bed and flipped the fluffy white comforter over her body. “Okay.”
He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll see you later Pet.”
Kari’s hand zipped out from under the covers and gripped the front of his shirt, holding him in place. “I’m going to need some more information on how you think you came to be.” Her eyes were still closed as she yawned again. “Later though.”
“I will put together a PowerPoint presentation.”
Her eyes barely opened and she peeked out at him. “I would like that.”
He chuckled as she let him go, a smile curling her lips as she snuggled deeper into her bed. “I’ll be back soon.”
Lance backed out of her room, shutting off the light and closing the door most of the way as he went. Her keys were on the table by the door. He grabbed them and let himself out, locking the door behind him. No way was he leaving her in an unlocked house.
Especially not after what happened this morning.
He looked up at the house next to hers. Thank God he bought it when he did. Who knows how strong whatever that was could have become if it was left alone. And it would have been right next to her. The lock on her door would have done Kari no good against what was in there.
Hopefully it wouldn’t try to come back.
If it did, he would handle it. No one fucked with what was his. Not the house.
Not Kari.
Lance walked to Rhea and Hagen’s house and found the girls on a blanket in the front yard with Rhea and Gail. He smiled at them. “Ladies.”
Gail pointed his way. “Vanessa look. Daddy’s here.”
At least this time his daughter looked happy to see him. It was probably because he was the only option available to her. For now.
He dropped down and scooped her up. “Hey. How’s my Little Cub?”
“She has been an eating machine this morning.” Gail pushed up from the blanket. “I’ve had a hard time filling that cute little belly up.” She pinched at Vanessa’s tummy before looking at him. “How are you doing?”
“I’m good. I have a lot I need to accomplish this morning.” He settled Vanessa in the crook of his arm.
“You better get at it then. Morning’s almost over.” Gail spun the bracelet style watch on her wrist. “Oh hell. I need to get going. I’ll see you later.”
“I guess I had good timing then.” Lance reached out as Rhea started to get up with Annabelle in her arms, offering her his hand.
She smiled and grabbed hold. “Thank you.” She waved as Gail rushed across the lawn toward the B&B. “Your diaper bag is inside.” Rhea walked up the sidewalk toward the porch of the home she shared with Hagen. “I think we went through all the clothes you sent. Someone likes to decorate with their food.”
“I was hoping she’d gotten past that. Sorry.” Lance stepped ahead and pulled open the screen door, holding it as Rhea went inside. “Thank you so much for keeping her last night.”
“Thank you for taking the shift at the bar. If you hadn’t, Hagen would have and he needed a night off.” Rhea walked toward a small dining area and grabbed the large brown leather travel bag he used as a diaper bag. “We had a good time.” She turned to face him. “Does Kari know?”
“Know what?” Lance took the bag and hooked it over one shoulder, shifting Vanessa as he adjusted the positioning.
“About you.” Rhea lifted one eyebrow. “You didn’t think you could come into a family like ours and no one would figure out what you were did you?”
He did.
No one had ever suspected he was anything other than what they saw. Not once in his life had anyone questioned why he was bigger, stronger, tougher. Not his brother. Not his mother. Not his friends.
No one until today.
“What am I?” If she knew, Rhea would have to be the one to say it. He’d told the only person he intended to tell.
Ever.
Rhea’s mouth curved into a smile. “I look forward to seeing how you navigate this with the boys.” She slid Annabelle into a baby swing in the corner of the living room.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Lance walked to the door. “Thanks again for all your help today and with Vanessa.”
Rhea straightened. “It’s never a problem.” She gave Vanessa a wave and a grin. “See you later little lady.”
Lance let himself out the front door and carried Vanessa down the driveway and to the B&B. By the time he’d showered, packed up his entire work desk and Vanessa’s travel crib it was well past lunchtime. He looked at the pile of crap he had to take with him. It was at least two trips worth.
He grabbed the crib and the diaper bag and opened his door, ready to get where he wanted to be.
“Oh.” Gail jumped back as he flung the door open. Her eyes immediately moved to the pile of stuff just inside the door. “You moving out?”
“I—” Lance turned to look at the neatly packed stack behind him. Shit. How was he supposed to explain this?
“I’ll help.” Gail stepped into his room and hefted his work bag over one shoulder and picked up his matching leather duffel bag with the other. She smiled brightly at him. “Ready?”
“Sure.” Lance stepped back, letting her go ahead of him then pulled the door closed behind him. “Thank you.” It was the least thankful sounding thank you he’d ever heard. His only option now was to go with it and follow Gail to his house.
She took him down the private set of stairs that led to the kitchen at the back of the B&B. “I’m so glad you guys got your house all straightened out. It will be so nice to have that place cleaned up and looking nice.” She looked over her shoulder. “Then your family can visit whenever they want.”
He nodded. “That’s the plan.”
“I can’t wait to meet your mother.” Gail paused at the bottom of the steps and turned to face him, lifting one brow, her face stern. “You know I’ve already met Chauncey and Stewart’s mothers. They brought them here months ago.”
Was Gail lecturing him? Using his brother and Stewart to make him feel guilty?
Yes she was. And it was working.
“I will invite her here as soon as the house is ready.”
Gail snorted and turned to walk through the kitchen toward the back door. “Why in the world would you wait that long? She would love it here. Maxine and Vivienne said they had the best time.” She pulled open the door and walked to the enclosed porch, grabbing Vanessa’s stroller from the corner she’d designated as its parking spot. “I’m sure she misses Vanessa. You should call her today and invite her here.”
Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea.
“You know what Gail, I think I might just do that.” Lance slid Vanessa into her seat and strapped her in before backing the stroller out the door and onto the patio that led to the garden that made up the bed and breakfast’s backyard.
“Wonderful!” Gail beamed as she walked to the front of their little procession, still carrying the two bags as he followed behind.
Vanessa’s head softly bobbed as she fought to stay awake. Long walks around his neighborhood in Virginia were the only way he could get her to sleep when she first came into his life. They would spend hours doing the same loop around the subdivision, sometimes in the dark, until she finally fell asleep.
It was hell learning how to be a parent. Especially when he’d had no warning. No time to prepare. One day she was simply dropped on his doorstep. The woman who had her shoved a tiny baby into his arms and walked away.
It was the best thing that ever happened to him.
His big mess of a house came into view. It did look different after this morning. Less ominous. Less foreboding. It almost looked happy. Maybe not as happy as the pink trimmed little house next to it, but that could have nothing to do with the structure itself.
Lance slowed his pace. “Thanks again for helping me Gail. I’ll try to get the rest of Vanessa’s stuff out so you can have the room to rent out.”
“Psshh.” Gail waved her hand. “Don’t even worry about it. We can just save it for your mother.”
Hopefully his mother was free soon. If not, he’d catch hell from the woman turning up the sidewalk leading to Kari’s house.
Gail didn’t stop. Didn’t even pause. Just walked right up the stairs to the door and pulled open the screen door to twist the knob. She turned to face him. “Unlock it.”
He hesitated.
Gail rolled her eyes at him. “I’m old not an idiot.”
“First, you’re not old.” Lance pulled Kari’s keys from his pocket and shoved her house key into the deadbolt. “Second, not a word of this to anyone.”
Gail pulled out her own invisible key and used it to lock her lips before tossing it to the side. It obviously wasn’t effective because she immediately started talking. “Kari’s needed someone like you for a long time.” Her blue eyes softened. “She struggles with what it means to be in our family sometimes.”
Lance opened the door and went to get Vanessa. “You all have a lot on your plate. I would imagine you all struggle.” He lifted his sleepy daughter from her seat and rested her against his shoulder. “Hopefully I can help with that.”
“Oh?” She set his bags inside the door before going to grab the stroller, pulling it up on the porch as she peered at the darkening sky.
“Jerrik said it was difficult to find help because there aren’t many places to live close by.” Lance stepped on the stroller’s brakes, locking the wheels in place. “My company is always looking for creative ways to expand our portfolio and I offered to help.”
Gail reached up and gently squeezed his cheek. “You’re a good man Lance.” She craned her neck to look into Kari’s house. “And she’s a good girl. She just needs someone she can trust.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Vanessa’s head drooped toward his shoulder. “I’m going to get her inside and hopefully down for a nap.”
Gail patted Vanessa’s back. “Nana will see you later sweetheart.” She dropped a kiss on his daughter’s cheek and stepped off the porch, tossing him a wave over one shoulder as she walked back to the B&B.
Nana.
Now he’d gone from only coming back to Greenlea for answers to owning a house, investing in commercial property, gaining Vanessa a Nana, and finding himself a—
“Hey.”
Lance spun around.
Her.
Kari stood in the doorway, her long hair damp and loose, wearing a pair of cotton shorts and a t-shirt. Not a stitch of make-up. No jewelry. It was the most unfashionable thing he’d ever seen her wear and she might be the most beautiful thing he’d laid eyes on in his whole life.
Her eyes went straight to Vanessa. “Is she asleep?”
He pulled his chin in to peer down. “Out like a light.”
“Can she sleep in my bed?” Kari stepped back and closed the door behind him as he carried his daughter into their new temporary home.
“For now.” He carefully laid Vanessa in the middle of Kari’s queen sized bed and stacked a pillow on either side of her. Kari stood in the doorway, watching every move he made.
“You’re a pretty good daddy.” She smiled at him. “For a Bigfoot.”
He grabbed her and yanked her against his chest. “I want to stay with you Pet.” Lance wrapped his arms around her. “After this morning I don’t want to leave you here alone.”
Kari’s head was tucked against his chest. Lance couldn’t see her face and she was being awfully quiet. He might be rushing things. He didn’t care. Not anymore. He’d spent months talking himself out of what he felt for her. Because it was ridiculous. He’d barely touched her when he left Greenlea. How could a man want a woman he’d never even tasted the way he wanted her?
It didn’t make sense.
So Lance tried to convince himself it wasn’t real. He was simply caught up in what she was. What they were.
But what he felt for her was real. There was no denying it anymore and he wouldn’t make apologies or waste any more time pretending it wasn’t.
Kari took a shaky breath. “That scared the shit out of me this morning.”
“Then let me stay with you. Let us stay with you.” He was begging. Lance Stafford begging a woman. It was a first.
And probably not a last. He’d beg this woman for anything she would give him. Her time. Her affection. Her attention. Anything he could get from Kari he wanted, and he wasn’t above begging.
“What about when your house is done?” Kari tipped her head back to look up at him.
She was going to let him stay.
“I think we should cross that bridge when we come to it.”
Now wasn’t the time to tell her he intended it to be her house too.
She’d figure that out on her own soon enough.
“What about Vanessa?” Kari’s eyes drifted to where his daughter was tucked into her bed. “I don’t have a lot of space.”
“I think I can help with that, if you’ll let me.”
Kari’s eyes went from considering to suspicious. “What are you proposing?”
“I can have my crew come finish the upstairs. Turn it into the closet of your dreams. You’ll have all the room you need for your wardrobe and Vanessa can take over the second bedroom.” Lance leaned down and kissed the line creased between her brows. “I want to take care of you. Let me do this for you.”
“I don’t need you to do anything for me.” The line between her brows deepened.
“I know.” Lance didn’t try to hide the smile her response brought. “I don’t want you to need me.”
“Than what do you want?” Her response was a little snarky, a tiny challenge thrown in his face.
It was one he would take all day.
“I want you to want me Pet.”
13
“Please?”
Lance looked down at her with those blue, blue eyes. So sincere. So intense.
A strange combination. Just like him. He was so calm and collected all the time but a hint of what he was simmered just below the surface if you knew what to look for.
Now it was easy to see the times when the beast inside him fought to break through what was probably the internal equivalent of Fort Knox. Times when Lance couldn’t quite control what was a part of him.
Those were the times Kari saw signs he was more than she thought. In the bar. When he pushed his way through a crowd of men like it was nothing. Or this morning when he caught her.
The beast wanted out.
“I want design control.”
Lance smiled at her. No. It wasn’t Lance. It was the beast. He was gloating.
The beast didn’t simply want out.
He wanted her.
The thought thrilled her in a stupidly asinine way. Kari knew firsthand how volatile the beasts could be. On many occasions during their teenage years one of her brothers would tear through the house, his beast breaking everything in sight in a rage over something as stupid as not getting to eat the last Pop Tart.
But this one was different. This one spent his whole life caged by a man who was stronger than any she’d ever met. And she knew some strong fucking men.
“You can paint the whole thing pink if it makes you happy.” Lance’s hand stroked up her back. “Cover it in gold leaf. I don’t care.”
“That brings me to my second condition.” Kari tipped her head to the side as she looked at him. “I also want control over the budget.”
“No.” Lance didn’t hesitate. The word came out strong and sharp.
Kari scoffed. “Why not?”
“Because you won’t spend anything.” He pulled her tight against him, his body strong and firm under hers. “I want you to get what you want, not what is cheapest.”
“I’m not going to blow money that’s not mine.” She came from a family that worked for every penny they had. For years they scrapped by and finally they were making headway. If Lance thought he’d be able to make her gold leaf a friggin attic then he was about to have the dumbest fight in the history of the world on his hands.
Lance’s lips twitched. He took a long breath as he watched her face. “What if we come up with a minimum?” “I’ll bring my guy through here to do an estimate and we come up with a happy medium.”
“Are you negotiating with me?” Kari barely got the words out of her mouth before Lance grabbed her around the waist. He lifted her off the ground in one smooth move and pulled her legs around his waist.
“Not yet.” He carried her to the living room and plopped her butt on the couch before yanking the cord on her blind, dropping it over the front window. Then he dropped to his knees and grabbed the waistband of her shorts, yanking them and her panties down before setting them on the cushion beside her. “Now I’m negotiating.”
He grabbed her hips and drug her forward on the couch until her bits were inches away from his lips. “Give me what I want Kari.” He leaned forward and licked along her slit.
