Page 87 of The Kings of Kearny

Chapter Twenty-One

Iwoke before Jakobthe next morning. Soft, golden light filtered in through the curtains, and I knew it must be early. The air conditioner whirred gently overhead, stirring the air in the room. Its chill didn’t reach me. I was warm all over because Jakob, in his sleep, had edged over to my side of the bed again, his head on my pillow, one heavy arm banded around my waist. His soft exhalations heated the side of my neck.

He slipped into the room late last night, well past midnight, having stayed up with his father plotting world domination. His movements were careful, furtive, as if he didn’t want to rouse me, but I had trouble sleeping and was already awake. I’d turned toward him when he slid beneath the covers, my hands roaming up his arms and then over his broad chest. I’d wanted to touch as much of him as I could while I could. He’d rolled toward me and started touching me back. Our hands fell, and we teased, kneaded, and stroked each other to completion.

We’d fallen asleep naked with only our arms pressed together beneath the sheets. It was kind of endearing that he kept snuggling up to me like this, as if his unconscious mind wanted to close the distance between us.

I sighed. If everything went to plan today, his conscious mind would want to put as much space between us as possible.

Sounds of life came from farther inside the house. Liam and Jennifer were early risers, which was good because so was Gran. I gave up on getting any more shut-eye and carefully untangled myself from Jakob. He rolled onto his back but didn’t wake. I stood next to the bed for a moment, watching him, feeling conflicted. Sure, this was kind of creepy, but it might be my last chance to see him completely at ease, hair tussled, features softened by sleep. I drank in the beauty of his tattoos, the intricacy of their overlocking patterns, my gaze moving to the heavy muscles of his chest before dipping lower. The sheets had fallen to his hips, revealing the full expanse of his chiseled stomach. I lifted my gaze back to his face and studied his features, memorizing the sight of his lips, that slightly crooked nose, the hard line of his jaw, and those sharp cheekbones.

Please forgive me for what I’m about to do,I prayed. Because I didn’t want this to be the last time. Jennifer was right; I went this far because I did care about him. I didn’t want him hurt. I didn’t want him to risk his life just to assuage his father’s stupid ego or help him clean up a mess that shouldn’t have been made in the first place.

It had only been a few days, but a few days was enough to make it clear that I wanted a few more days, a few more weeks, hell, a few more months with this man. He was mercurial, guarded, and yes, even a bit moody. His temper sometimes got the better of him. When he thought he knew best, he could be a pushy bastard. But he also knew how to apologize. He trusted me to take the lead even in dangerous situations. And he was funny, when he let himself be, that dry, slightly macabre, sometimes even goofy sense of humor peeking through when it was just the two of us. I wanted time to coax that side of him out. I wanted more mornings like this one, endless nights of exploration and pleasure.

He shifted in his sleep again, head turning toward me, and I moved away before he cracked his eyes open and saw me looming over him in the darkness like someone wondering what his bone marrow tasted like.

I got dressed quickly and slipped out the door. Gran, Jennifer, and Liam were in the kitchen, standing around the island, drinking coffee. My gaze went to my grandmother, and I studied her features, trying to read her like Jennifer read me last night. Was today a good day? Had she woken up confused and alone and scared? Jennifer had the good sense to put her in a room right next to theirs. She said she was a light sleeper, and if Gran woke up and called out, she would hear her and be close by to help.

Gran’s posture was relaxed. She smiled good-naturedly at something Liam said and then turned to Jennifer, catching sight of me standing at the mouth of the hallway. “You’re up early,” she said. “There’s coffee.”

The tension eased from my shoulders. She seemed okay. Lucid. Like she remembered who these people were and maybe even why we were here. Thank God. Her confusion had cut like a knife yesterday, and even though I knew I had done the right thing bringing her here, guilt still gnawed at me.

I plastered a smile on my face and strode forward, telling myself that yes, I might lose Jakob over this, but my actions could also ensure Gran’s safety and allow her to return to the nursing home sooner rather than later.

“Morning,” I said, pausing to give her a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Liam moved to the fridge. “How do you take it?” he asked.

I nearly cracked up laughing, remembering his son asking me that same question and the completely inappropriate comment I’d almost blurted. “Just cream,” I managed. “Thanks.”

“You’re in a good mood,” Gran said, picking up on my momentary burst of humor.

“It’s a beautiful day,” I told her.

She shot me a sly grin. “Yes, I’m sure it’s that. I’m sure it has nothing to do with the tall drink of water you—Oof!”

I’d elbowed her.

Liam chuckled as he poured my coffee. Jennifer did a better job, turning away before Gran could see her grin.

“You two are only encouraging her,” I said.

“Harassing children is half the fun of being a parental figure,” Liam said, handing me my coffee.

The comment made me want to punch him. His tone was offhand, casual, his face just as relaxed, as if he hadn’t completely fucked up the lives of everyone caught up in his scheming, including mine.

I nodded, my grin turning forced, and took my coffee before my mouth got the better of me. If not for Gran’s presence, this would have been a completely different discussion, and when I caught sight of Liam’s eyes before turning away, I thought he knew it.

“Come sit with me outside,” Gran said, slipping her arm through mine. “You have to watch the sunrise over the mesa. It’s so beautiful.”

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