Page 16 of Handsome
Time flew, and I admitted to myself that talking about Leah was dragging the day down for both of us. I vowed stop thinking about my sister, and I appreciated his self-control. He’d always seemed sincere when he said he was sorry my sister died.
He was clearly one of the good ones. I ignored how my pulse zipped as I said, “Let’s go.”
When we turned the pier, he leaned closer to me and said, “Later we’ll discuss exactly what I want from you.”
I sighed. It was good he was holding the baby, because for a second, I imagined he’d say something about us being naked together, or us being a family. It would be so amazing to be his.
6
Cyrus
At the beach Sarah reminded me that she was still grieving over her loss. Leah’s motivations regarding me no longer mattered, but Sarah needed closure. More than a few of my heart patients ended up seeing me because they’d never found closure after a trauma.
My heart raced when I thought for a second that my son might have been in that car, but when Sarah walked into the hospital carrying him last night, it was like all my prayers had been answered.
She was without a doubt the sexiest woman I’d ever met, but the pain in her eyes was palpable. I’d wondered what I could do for her, or whether I should just leave her alone. For now I decided to do what I can. There was a faster option for the religious wishes when it came for death rituals. I’d made this call before, and I could help. I glanced at Sarah and asked, “Will you hold Joshua so I can make a quick call?”
“Of course,” she said, and reached into my arms to take the baby.
When she held him, I imagined she was his mother. She nurtured him like she was, and if she was the mother and I was the dad, then we’d be close to fucking perfect as a family.
And I’d get to have her anytime and anywhere.
I made a quick call, but then my contact texted. I sent my request, and he confirmed. Once I was done, I put my phone back and nodded at her.
She tilted her head and said, “You just texted.”
When she smiled at me, she made me the world whole. I shrugged and fought the urge to hug her when I said, “It’s easier. Can I have him back?”
She kissed Joshua’s forehead and said, “He’s your son, and it’s really sweet how much you want to hold him.”
Sweet wasn’t often used to describe me. She made my skin buzz, but we walked back to the docks as I said, “I've wanted him since the day I found out about him at the carnival.”
Her lips pinched, and she muttered, “Public place so as not to make a scene.”
My heart slowed down for a second as I asked, “What?”
“Nothing,” she said and forced a smile. Then she pointed, like she was glad to have an excuse to walk faster, as she said, “There are your parents.”
Part of me knew I should leave Sarah alone. However, she was the sweet one in our duo, not me. And it would be nice to taste her.
We’d start with a kiss, and I wouldn't take her fast. Sarah would be a gentle, slow kiss. So I needed to figure out how to take my time and win her heart.
My mother waved and said, “Come aboard for a few minutes.”
The second we stepped on board my father held opened his arms to hold the baby. I went in his direction while my mother showed Sarah around inside. Sarah went along with her, but I heard her tell Maman, “Your ship is gorgeous.”
Pedar shooed me away, like he wanted a few minutes alone with the baby in the command center, so I joined the women just as Maman said, “It’s a yacht. Maybe Cyrus can take you on his when you go to the island.”
My mother gave me a bright smile. Sarah’s eyes were wide as she asked, “You have a yacht?”
I rested my hand on her shoulder as I said, “We all do. Mom and Dad decided if we each got one as a holiday present, we could get together more often.”
Sarah gave me a playful bump with her hip and said, “That’s awesome.”
When my father pressed the button for the horn, it was his signal that he wanted to depart. I left the women, hugged Pedar, took my son, and went to find Maman and Sarah in the galley sipping tea and sampling snacks. I kissed my mom goodbye and helped Sarah off the ship.
Once we were back on land, though, we paused next to the ship. I asked her, “What’s the nicest Christmas present you ever got?”
