Lance, page 26
His deep voice drifted in as he whispered to her, not realizing Kari could hear him.
Or maybe he did.
“You won the lottery Little Cub. You have a momma most girls could only wish for.”
Kari blinked up at the ceiling as a tear slipped from the corner of her eye.
She almost lost them today. Both of them.
What in the hell would she have done then?
“Don’t cry Pet.” Lance’s fingertips brushed across her cheek, wiping away tears of fear and anger and regret. “Everything’s okay.”
Kari turned to him. “I want to get married.” Her breath heaved, her lungs spasming around unspent sobs. “Now.”
His lips curved. “It’s almost four in the morning. I think it might have to wait a little while at least.” Lance pulled her hand to his mouth, pressing a kiss against his ring on her finger. “We don’t have to rush Pet.”
Kari’s face tried to pucker as her chin quivered. “You could have died and I was so mean to you.” A sob broke through and she fought to stifle it. She wasn’t done talking damnit. “I blamed you for the fight with Jerrik and I knew it wasn’t your fault I was just—”
“You were right.” Lance climbed onto the bed beside her. “I knew I was starting a fight. I was being an ass.”
Kari shook her head.
Lance lifted a brow. “I think I know what I did Pet.” His expression softened. “Don’t let me push you to get married before you’re ready Kari. I’ll wait as long as you need.”
“Tomorrow.” Kari scooted closer to him, needing to know he was still with her. That he was okay. Safe.
“What about a dress? What about a cake? What about—”
Kari reached up to press a finger to his lips. “I don’t care about any of that.” She trailed her fingers gently over the bruise forming against his temple. Nothing in this world would keep her from making this man hers. “I just want you.”
He could have died tonight not knowing how she felt. What she was so scared to want. She’d be damned if he went another minute wondering.
“I love you. I want to be yours and I want you to be mine.” She shook her head. “I won’t wait to have you.” Kari leaned close. “Tell me you want me.”
“I want you.”
She ran a hand over his shoulder and down his arm. “Tell me you’re mine.”
“I’m yours.” His voice was rough.
Kari skimmed her hand under the hem of his shirt, skating over the warm skin of his stomach. “Say it again.”
Lance rolled her under him. His body covered hers as his hands came up to cradle her face. “I am yours.”
“Say you—” Kari’s voice caught at the raw emotion in his eyes. “Say you love me.”
“Oh Pet.” He nuzzled her neck. “You have no idea how much I love you.” He nipped at her skin. “But I’d be happy to try to show you.” His lips moved over her collar bone. “Tomorrow. After you’ve had time to rest.”
“No.” Kari pulled at his shirt, wrestling it up his body. “Now.”
Lance leaned up, his blue eyes dark. “No. I want you to rest.”
He didn’t understand. And why would he? She’d managed to put anything she could between them, trying desperately to protect herself from the very thing she always wished she could have. “Please Lance. I need you.”
The words came out on a whisper, easy and soft. “Please.”
He let her pull his shirt over his head then eased his body back over hers. “You make it hard to take care of you Pet.”
Kari worked the button of his jeans. “This is taking care of me.” She tucked her knees on either side of his hips and pushed off the bed, catching him by surprise as she rolled his body and landed on top of him, shoving down his unfastened pants.
His hand reached up to grip her hips as she straddled him. “That’s not what it looks like.”
Kari pulled her dress over her head and shucked her bra, leaving only a skinny pair of panties between them. She watched his face as she gripped one side of the flimsy fabric and yanked, snapping a seam, freeing the last of her garments and tossing it away. With a small move of her hips she sank down onto him, closing her eyes as he stretched her. The man filled her in more ways than she ever could have imagined.
Not just this one.
Lance groaned, his fingers digging into her skin as he pulled her down against him. “You are not a good listener.”
Kari braced her hands on his chest. “Lance?”
“Hmmm?”
“If you leave me I’ll kill you.”
“Oh Pet.” Lance lifted her and then let her slide back down over him, a low growl moving between them.
“I knew that from the beginning.”
23
“It is so freaking pretty.” Spirit followed Kari through the main hall, past the staircase and into the kitchen. “He shitting loves you.”
Kari smiled at her best friend. “Yes. He shitting loves me.” She pulled the pot off the coffee maker and held it up. “You want?”
“Totally.” Spirit slid into one of the wicker-topped stools along the edge of the kitchen island. “I was up late last night.”
“Oh?” Kari stopped pouring coffee to glance at Spirit. “Anything interesting?”
Spirit blew out a breath, her bangs flying up from the gust. “No. Just working. Trying to get a batch done.”
“Well I appreciate it then.” Kari set a cup on the marble counter in front of Spirit then went to grab the cream from the fridge. “How’s business?”
Spirit took the carton and splashed in a healthy dose. “Busy.” She sipped at the steaming liquid. “Which is good. I guess.”
“You guess?” Kari leaned against the counter. “How could it be bad?”
Spirit shrugged. “It’s good. The money’s good. I’m just—” She slumped against the counter, catching her chin on one upturned hand. “Sometimes I wonder what I would be if things were different.”
“I know what you mean.” Kari slid into the seat beside her. “But, I can tell you with absolute certainty, things will be what they are meant to be no matter what you do.”
“Yeah.” Spirit stared down at her coffee.
Seeing Spirit like this was odd. Kari wasn’t used to seeing her friend anything besides happy and positive. “I’m always here, you know that right?”
“Yup.” Spirit didn’t look up. Her answer was short and fast.
Like she didn’t really know at all.
“Morning girls.” Chauncey swept into the kitchen. His hair was combed to one side, slick and neat. The new style matched the new wardrobe Kari helped him develop. Today he was rocking a pair of tapered trousers and a button-up with a vest layered over the top.
And a bow tie.
He looked adorable and professional, but still like himself.
“How’s it going this morning?” Kari sipped at her own coffee as Chauncey refilled his and Lance’s mugs.
“Ugh.” He turned to face her, setting their cups on the counter between them. “I knew there was a lot to learn but this is absolutely insane.” He frowned when his eyes landed on Spirit. “What’s wrong lil’ bit?”
“Nothing.” Spirit looked up at Kari’s brother-in-law. “You look handsome.”
Chauncey brightened. “I know.” One hand came up to touch his tie then smooth down the front of his vest. “I think I need to go shopping again.”
Kari lifted a brow. “We just went last week.”
“So?” Chauncey carefully picked up both cups. “You know you want to.”
Spirit straightened on her stool, looking from Chauncey to Kari. “Can I come?”
“Of course you can.” Chauncey gave her a smile. “You looking to sex it up a little?” He gave her a teasing wink.
Spirit shook her head, a determined look taking over her sweet features. “A lot.”
Chauncey’s brows went up in surprise. “Well look at you go.” He took a sip of his coffee.
“I need to look sexable.”
Chauncey started to choke.
He managed to keep the coffee contained as he coughed into one elbow, shaking his head as he finally cleared his airway. “I know I’m no expert at this but I’m pretty sure you’re already sexable.”
Spirit slumped back in her seat. “You would think so.”
Kari managed to keep the cringe off her face knowing just who her friend wanted to get down and dirty with. Imagining her poor friend trying to figure out which side was up with Jerrik made Kari want to discourage the whole thing. In all the years she’d known him Jerrik had never been one to settle down with a single woman. He’d charm their pants off and wink at them as he walked away.
“Maybe you’re going after the wrong kind of guys.” Kari chose her words carefully. Spirit hadn’t confided her interest in Jerrik to Kari, not that she could blame her. ‘Hey friend, why won’t your baby brother climb in my pants?’ could be an awkward conversation.
Especially with Spirit.
Maybe she’d make Rhea do it.
Spirit eyed Kari. “Maybe.”
Yeah. This would have to be a Rhea conversation.
“Let’s go tomorrow.” Chauncey disappeared down the hall toward Lance’s office.
Spirit sighed. “I have to go and finish up at home.”
“Have you seen anything strange?” Unease didn’t touch the way Kari felt about her friend being up in the mountains so close to the cabin where she almost lost everything.
Spirit shook her head. “Not a thing.” She shrugged. “It’s the same as it’s always been. Quiet.”
Kari would feel at least a little better if they had some sort of a lead on who took Lance and Vanessa. Even a scrap of an idea why in the hell they were doing the shit they were. But they still had nothing.
Well, very little.
They didn’t find anything useful in the cabin. Jerrik went over the place with a fine-toothed comb. Not a hair. Not a print. Not a cup. Nothing.
Whoever they were, they were being really fucking careful.
Which might be the scariest part.
They had the dart from Lance’s shoulder. He’d been hit with a dose of a sedative usually used on game animals. It could have killed anyone else.
Not a beast.
That was what they had. A dose of a sedative you could buy online, shot by a man who basically disappeared into thin air.
Two men.
And her best friend lived up there. All by herself.
And she couldn’t leave.
“I hate you being up there.”
Spirit rolled her eyes. “You sound just like...” Her voice trailed off. “I need to go.”
“All right.” Kari followed Spirit through the front hall. “You’re coming shopping tomorrow, right?”
“Heck yes I am.” Spirit turned to peek into the front room toward Lance’s office. “How’s he doing?”
“Still won’t let Vanessa out of his sight.” Kari crossed her arms and leaned against the wall. It had been nearly a month since that night and he’d only struggled more as the days went on. “It’s been hard for him.”
“I can’t even imagine.” Spirit gave her a grin. “Especially since you were the one who saved his ass.”
That actually had a lot to do with it. Men like Lance and her brothers prided themselves on being protectors. Bigger and scarier than anyone else.
Poor Lance knew he wasn’t the scariest one in their marriage. But deep down Kari thought he liked it a little.
“To be fair I saved Vanessa.” Kari stood at the door as Spirit stepped onto the porch. “Hagen saved Lance.”
Spirit waved her hand. “You can get technical all you want. I still know the truth.” Spirit pointed her way. “Amazon.”
“I’ve been called worse.”
Hell, she’d been called worse in the last twenty-four hours. Inebriates never appreciated being thrown out of a bar. Especially now that the list of men to knock them on their asses just kept growing.
Kari went back inside. She stooped down to pick up one of Vanessa’s toys off the dark wood floors and felt a pair of eyes on her. “I thought you were supposed to be working husband.” She tipped her head up to look at Lance.
He held one hand out. “I missed you.”
Kari slid her hand into his. “I’ve been here all morning Mister Stafford.”
He pulled her up and wrapped one arm around her waist. “I want you to quit working at the bar.”
Kari blew out a breath. “You know I can’t do that yet.”
He nuzzled her neck. “I know Pet.” Lance leaned back. “Claire is coming back.”
“Your nanny?” Kari blinked. She didn’t quite know how to feel about that. “But—”
“I told her we would love to have her back but that her job requirements might be a little different than they were before.” Lance reached up to twist a strand of her hair around one finger.
“Different how?” They’d been managing just fine between the two of them with her mom and Rhea’s help. And Chauncey and Stewart as pinch hitters.
Maybe they could benefit from a little help.
“I explained that there was now a Misses Stafford who very much enjoyed taking care of her daughter but we could use an extra set of hands to help with light housekeeping and cooking.” His hand stopped toying with her hair. “Was that a correct assumption?”
“You didn’t pressure her did you?” The poor woman might have no interest in branching out. She was a nanny not a maid.
“Not at all.” Lance went quiet.
“But...” Kari waited for him to spit out the rest.
“I may have adjusted her income.” He glanced up at her. “Her mother just passed and I know she has medical bills from that and she was just so good to Vanessa and me that I—”
Kari pressed her hands against the side of his face. “I love you.” She pressed her lips to his in a firm kiss. “You are a good man.”
He held her firm when she tried to pull away and go back to her morning routine. Kari looked up at him. “I have things to do besides stand her and stroke your ego.”
“I want to talk.”
“About?” Kari eased back against him. His eyes were serious as they snagged on hers.
“Babies.”
“You said that plural.” Kari tilted her head to one side. “Babiessssss.”
“I did.” He snagged one of her hands with his, pulling it up to his lips. “I want you to start thinking about them.”
It wasn’t a surprise. Nothing about their relationship moved slowly. Not that she minded. Especially not after almost losing it all.
“Well you know,” Kari laced her arms around his neck, “there are certain things that have to be done to prevent the babies.” She smiled up at him. “Things we probably haven’t been the best about doing lately.”
Maybe purposefully.
“Could you be pregnant then?” The hope in his voice warmed her insides like no amount of bootleg moonshine ever could.
Kari shrugged. “You never know.”
“Maybe we should make sure.” Lance grabbed her around the waist but before he could get her feet off the ground a loud banging filled the foyer. He blew out a breath. “I didn’t know your mother was coming over.”
Her poor husband didn’t even have to turn around to know who the sharp, non-stop, rapping knock belonged to. He leaned back and twisted the deadbolt that stayed locked no matter what, yanking open the door. “Morning Gail.”
“You’re too handsome to look so grumpy.” Gail swatted him on the chest as she passed. “Where’s my girl?” Her mother didn’t stop walking as she maneuvered across the plush rug of the living room and disappeared into Lance’s office. “There she is.”
“I don’t think your mother would mind if we went upstairs.” Lance’s hands were back around her waist as he pushed her up against the wall, pinning her in place. “In the name of more grandchildren.”
Kari closed her eyes and relaxed into the feeling of his body against hers, warm and strong. Sometimes it was easy to forget what happened. That he could be gone right now.
Sometimes it wasn’t.
Most of the time it wasn’t. Especially since the people who wanted to hurt him, punish him for ruining their fucked up fun-house were still out there and no one had a fucking clue who they were. Kari let her head rest against the wall at her back and looked up at him. Her throat went tight like it always did when she thought about what happened.
“Stop.” Lance reached up to skim one hand over her face. “You have to stop thinking about it.”
“I know and I will.” She swallowed, pushing down the fear and uncertainty that would hang over their heads until those bastards were caught.
If they were caught.
Lance tipped her chin and pressed his mouth to hers.
“I hope this is all a plan to get me another grandchild.”
Kari peeked to one side at her mother. Gail stood with Vanessa on her hip grinning at them. “I wanted to see how you were doing but it looks like your husband has that handled.”
Lance looked down at her. “I’m trying.” He dropped his hands. “Unsuccessfully.”
Kari stepped away from the wall. “What are you up to this morning?”
“Just making my rounds. Checking on everyone.” Gail bounced Vanessa. “Making sure you’re all still where I left you.”
Kari wasn’t the only one struggling with what happened.
Was happening.
“I guess I will go back to work and leave you ladies to enjoy yourselves.” Lance pulled her in for a quick kiss before heading back to his office.
“Want to go sit outside?” Kari led her mother down the hall to the kitchen. She opened the back door, letting Gail carry Vanessa outside to the small plastic play set she loved to climb on. Stepping out behind them, Kari closed her eyes as the morning breeze blew down from the mountains.
She took a deep breath.
They were up there.
Somewhere.
The men who tried to take her child.
One day she would find them.
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