Page 88 of Bad Situation

I lift a shoulder. “It’s not a big deal. It’ll go away eventually—just takes time. The government works at a snail’s pace. Meanwhile, I’m going to put my own cameras up in your building. I want to do that tonight.”

She wraps her arms around my neck and tips her head. “I’ll arrange for my detail to stay with me. You’ll have to wait for things to clear out tonight then you can do what you need to do.”

I put her on her feet and move her under the hot water. “Let’s see if we can get through the weekend without any other shit going down.”

Her eyes light up. “My brother and his wife fly in from their honeymoon tonight to pick up Jordy and Cara. I want you to meet Cam. Maybe tomorrow?”

“Let’s hope he likes me better than your dad.” Not that I care. I run my hands down her body and cup her pussy. “Now I get to clean you so we can get the day started. When I get done installing cameras tonight, I plan on paying you back for fulfilled promises.”

Her eyes flare in a way that settles in my gut. Lifting up on her bare toes, she puts her magical lips on mine. “I can’t wait.”

*****

Jen

The leads didn’t pan out the way we’d hoped. Nicholas Sanders, the twenty-five-year old IT specialist, is a ghost—a dummy profile created to obtain a real corporate ID. Eli put up the cameras last night but nothing happened.

We’re back to square-one.

“Daddy’s gonna take me for a ride. Come with us.”

I pull my niece into me and give her a snuggle. “You know, your horse is the gentlest of the tribe. You should try to ride her by yourself. Your daddy won’t let go of the lead—I promise.”

Cara—Cam’s youngest, but only for another few months since Paige is due soon—is too cautious. It’s her mother’s fault and, since I grew up on top of a horse, it kills me. That mare is so old, she barely picks up to a gallop. But Cara’ll only ride with Cam, not even me or my dad.

Her blond locks wave back and forth and her little face screws up. “Nooo, I don’t want to.”

I glance at the clock. Eli and I parted ways first thing this morning. He had to go to the office and I promised Jordy and Cara I’d hang out with them since I haven’t seen them all week. The day has waned and he was supposed to be here before lunch. It’s almost dinner and I haven’t heard a word.

It’s not like we’ve been together that long. I don’t know what’s normal for him, but I’m pretty sure we left on good terms this morning since he woke me up by sliding my panties down my legs. I barely had time to rub the sleep out of my eyes when he started to fuck me with his tongue and nibble on my clit, working me into such a frenzy, I felt like I needed another night’s sleep after he made me come then fucked me from behind.

Thirty minutes is considered late in my world. Right now, he’s working on missing-in-action status and I don’t even want to think about how that makes me ache because that would be weak and depressing. I’m so sick of my life spinning out of control and, in the last few weeks, the only constant I’ve had is Eli.

I want him to meet Cam, whom I’ve always been able to count on and who I don’t see nearly enough now that he lives in Nebraska. I doubt he and Paige will be back before the baby’s born. I don’t give a shit how my dad feels about Eli, but today is important to me.

“You ready to go for a ride, punkin’?”

My brother saunters into the room in an old pair of jeans topped with a University of Nebraska sweatshirt. He’s wearing a fresh tan and content blue eyes that shine in a way I can tell there’s joy in his soul. I smile, despite my inner restlessness and the feelings of a scorned, bitter woman rising inside me. I couldn’t be happier seeing him like this. Cara twists in my lap and leaps over the three throw pillows that have been thoroughly jumped on this week since my parents pretty much let them get away with anything while they’re here, and she jumps into her father’s arms.

“Ready!” she squeals as he tosses her in the air. “Come on, Jen.”

My cell vibrates on the table next to me—the one I’ve come to refer to as the direct line to my lover. But right now, knowing that message is from him and it’s probably not going to say, “I’m at the front door, baby. Let me in so I can kiss you,” makes me twitchy.

I reach for the cell and bring it to life.

Eli: I’m not going to make it.

I exhale and bite my lip.

Me: Sort of figured that by now.

Eli: Had an emergency come up. I just landed in Chicago. Don’t know when I’ll be back.

Me: What happened?

Eli: Can’t talk now. I’ve gotta get through O’Hare and catch the L.

Me: Call me. I want to know what’s wrong.

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