Page 63 of Mariposa
That familiar, deep, addictive voice.
Adam and I freeze as our gazes lift toward the front door. Adam tenses up and narrows his eyes at his father. O’Connell stands there with his helmet in his gloved hands, looking at Penny as she bats her lashes at him. He rides a motorcycle?
I quickly whip my head towards the Christmas tree and try to stay calm and collected when all I see is the night we shared on the beach underneath the bridge. The memory of the dark night flashes through my mind like a slideshow. He fucked me with his tongue into nirvanic oblivion and then withdrew before I could implode. His existence is imprinted into every corner of my soul.
“Come on. It’s the holidays. Maybe we can catch up and talk about the good times?” A stab to the heart strikes me when Icontinue to hear Penny flirt. From the corner of my vision, I watch her touch Kade’s shoulder flirtatiously.
I have no right to feel the slightest fire that sparks between each shallow breath I take.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Adam presses as he stalks towards his parents.
“Son.” That deep voice rings through my ears and melts my insides. “How are you?” he greets him cheerfully despite his son’s cold behavior.
“Adam. Please be respectful,” Penny scolds him as she tightens her grip on the door.
Don’t look. Don’t fucking look their way.
“Merry Christmas Eve. I stopped by because I wanted to give you a gift. I’m leaving again soon and?—”
A box drops to the floor, and an awkward, long pause of silence follows. I turn their way, and my world shifts to slow motion. O’Connell is staring at me like he’s seeing a ghost for the first time. He freezes, his eyes widening and his mouth dropping. Penny and Adam blink at him while he keeps his tensed eyes on me. They follow his gaze to find me awkwardly biting my lip. Adam bends down and grabs the box, eyeing it like he’s annoyed.
I haven’t seen Kade in over a week. Of course, he would be here; why didn’t that cross my mind?
“Oh, that’s Violet. Adam’s girlfriend. They’ve been together since they were teenagers.” Penny waves me over. “I don’t think I ever introduced you two. I doubt Adam has,” she giggles innocently.
“Come say hi. This is Kade, Adam’s father.” Her bright pink lips grow wide. Kade smirks like he’s picturing me naked, but I can’t help but notice there’s regret in the way he moves. He finally turns back to Penny and runs a hand through his beardwhile he scoffs. He grins and tilts his head towards the ceiling like he’s trying to control his thoughts.
Hell—so am I.
I gather courage and find the strength to move. I reach the entryway in seconds. Adam continues to glare at his dad and reaches for my hand like I’m still his girlfriend, as if to present me to him. I want to slap him away, but I control my seething.
“Hi.” I look up at a tall Kade. He’s still fucking handsome and intimidating as ever.
He deadpans so well. He grips my hand with his calloused, rough palm. I watch our hands move up and down, connecting, and lightning strikes through my chest.
“Hi, Violet.”
Oh, gosh. It’s weird hearing him say my first name again.
As soon as my name falls off his lips, I stop shaking his hand and step back like he’s a stranger. I’m afraid my stunned expression will slip into a yearning one.
“She’s in the Army. She’s in Special Forces like you!” Penny steps in front of me like she wants Kade’s spotlight on her again. I try to go back to the Christmas tree, but Adam throws his hand over my shoulder, forcing me to witness the family reunion. I look away uncomfortably.
“Oh…cool. What a small world.” Sarcasm paints his tone. Heat creeps into my cheeks, and I dare to look at the demon that’s plagued my dreams. Penny reaches over on her tiptoes and ruffles her hand through his black, wavy hair.
“Your hair is longer…” she teases. He returns the smile, and the way his lips curve makes me want to run away. Those lips, that beard, that damn tongue. It should be illegal how fast he makes me melt.
“Yeah, I’ve let it grow out. Anyhow, I was just stopping by. I wanted to give my son a gift. Kirk wants to hang out tonight. I didn’t mean to interrupt tonight, so I’ll get going.”
I take this as my opportunity to leave as well.
“Same. I need to get going. I have a long day tomorrow.” I gently pull Adam’s arm off my shoulder. He goes rigid, with a warning scowl, but I ignore it.
I’m lying. I have nothing to do tomorrow, but still…
“Nonsense!” She uses her hand to cut in front of me, forcing me to stop walking. “In the spirit of the holidays, let’s try to have one night of family…” She looks at a disturbed Adam and a stone-cold Kade.
“Everyone, stay. Invite Kirk over. It’d be nice to catch up with him. I haven’t seen him in years! I have a barbecue pit in the back. Can you kickstart with steaks in the fridge? Adam and I will run to the corner store and get some beer for you and Kirk. I know you like whiskey,” she croons and pokes his chest.
