Page 67 of Road Trip
The room decor would wait for the oooh and ahh. First I had to know what the hell just happened. The door closed behind me and I followed Abra into the living area.
“Abra?”
She turned to me with a hesitant smile.“You answered correctly. I’ll take you at your word. I’m not ready to talk about it.”
I couldn’t take it anymore. I grabbed her and pulled her to me, devouring her in a pent-up kiss that I’m sure made it clear to her how affected I was. I felt her melt beneath me, and she whimpered. When her hands got to my belt and started tugging, I pushed back.
“Abra, I can’t. Not until I know you heard what I said. Please?”
She exhaled harshly and looked away. “I can’t talk about it yet, Kelly. I can’t.”
“Can’t talk about what? That I love you? That you are afraid? It’s okay, whatever it is. I just can’t make love to you like this. Not until I know that you heard what I said. That you know how I feel...and hopefully that you feel the same.”
She shrugged her shoulders and turned away from me. She walked over to the window.
“I heard you, Kelly. And you’re right. I’m scared.” She hugged herself tightly.
I wished it were my arms around her.
I exhaled, hating this space between us. For the however manyth time in the past four days, I felt helpless and I hated that. I needed to be in control. I couldn’t be with her. At least not now. I needed her to have control of where we went from here, but I wouldn’t make love to her like this.
“I’m sorry I flipped out. I am. I was just so excited to see you, and when you didn’t come...I kind of thought the worst. I do that, Kelly. I don’t always know how to not do it. Can you still mean what you said, knowing that? I’m afraid it’s going to be the thing that makes you finally just say to hell with it.”
“Why don’t you trust me to tell you?”
She looked up at me with tear filled eyes, blinking them back desperately. “Give me a minute.”
I nodded, and she climbed the steps to what I assumed was the bedroom. I blew out a breath. My hands were shaking. I felt my pants buzz, so I reached in for my phone.
“Hey, Katie,” I answered.
“Where are you now?” Out of the frying pan and into the fire.
“I’m in Vegas. I only came back to check in at work. I’m not done running away yet.” I heard her groan.
“Well, I need to talk to you,” she said, and I could hear the way her voice caught in her throat.
“I’m scared, Kelly. I went by your house today—”
“Katie, I specifically told you not to do that. You’re safe at Grandpa’s, but I can’t protect you if you don’t follow my—”
“Iwent,” she interrupted with a huff, “because I forgot something! No one was there, okay? Who were those guys anyway?”
I plopped down on the couch and ran my hand over the top of my head. “Katie, do not go back to my house. I’m serious. They’re involved with, well, with everything. Are you at home?”
She groaned. “No, I’m at the ranch. Mother wouldn’t leave me alone and wanted to take me apartment shopping. I just want to stay with you! When are you coming home?”
It was really hard to tell how much of this was because of the breakup, or because she wasn’t feeling well. She could be whiny either way. “I’m not sure, probably another couple of days. Can you make it? When I get back, I’ll probably be out at the ranch, too. At least till they catch these guys.”
“Why are you in Vegas anyway? Mother said you were with some woman. What is going on with you?”
I sighed and leaned back in time to see Abra descending the steps with a smile on her face. “I am with a woman. Her name is Abra. Now, will you promise me something?”
Abra approached and stood in front of me. I leaned back against the couch and she straddled my lap. I so loved having her there. Her expression was curious and worried.
“What is it?” Katie asked impatiently.
I mouthed to Abra that it was my sister. She started to get up, and I held her to me with one hand around her bottom. She smiled appreciatively.
