Page 30 of Shielding His Heart
A distinct, tattooed forearm wraps around my waist and pulls me against a warm,nakedchest. Lips nuzzled at my throat for a moment, followed by light snores. A quick glance over my shoulder reveals Alec wrapped around me like ivy on a pole. And if I’m not mistaken, there’s a very generous erection pressed firmly against my ass.
My naked ass.
WHAT THE FUCK.
As carefully as possible, I slip out from under Alec’s arm. Thankfully, he’s practically dead to the world from staying up all night at work, then tending to the girls until they could stop throwing up, then getting hammered and having me for dessert. He’s been a busy guy.
After throwing on a pair of boxers and a T-shirt I find in his dresser drawer, I sneak out of his room. I can’t findanyof my clothes, but I’ll worry about that later. I have to make it to my room without running into the girls. They don’t need to be any more confused than they already are. Luckily the coast is clear, and I sprint to my room and lock the door behind me.
I hop in the shower and hope a cold blast of water will clear my head, but all it does is make me squeal out a curse. Minutes later, I leap out colder, more irritable, and still as tired as before. I dress in a pair of yoga pants and a thin, soft T-shirt that swings around my hips. All my old clothes appeared in my closet at some point, and I decided not to say anything about it. I’ve got bigger things to worry about than clothes.
Like what the hell else I did with Alec last night.
I’m in the kitchen a short while later, trying to act as normal as possible before the girls come down the stairs, when a key turns in the front door lock, and a woman bursts through in a whirlwind of cheetah print and hairspray. My mouth drops open, and I’m at a loss for words. She’s a good six inches shorter than me and as petite as I am full-figured.
Her eyes widen momentarily when she catches sight of me, and then her mouth splits into a wide, red lipstick-covered smile. “Well, I’ll be, Tana honey. It sure is great to see you.” She crosses the living room to me and wraps me in a cloud of perfume. “I’ve been meaning to come by and see you sooner, but Alec was adamant I not bug you too much. I tried to tell him I wouldn’t be a bother, but he’s damn protective, isn’t he? You gotta love him. I’m so sorry I missed your calls and messages. Frank and I got into a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and passed out after bingingCriminal Minds. How are the girls?”
“You must be Alec’s mom,” I say.
She makes a sympathetic face and pats my arm. “I’m sorry, honey, I don’t know what I was thinking. Sometimes my mouth just runs away from me. Yes, I’m Tracy Dorran. I guess I should have led with that.”
“It’s okay. Nice to meet you again?” I say, the end of the sentence tilting up in question. “They’re all sleeping right now. We’ve had a long couple days with the fire and a stomach bug.”
Tracy moves to the kitchen island. “I’ve got just the thing. Best chicken soup my granny ever made. It could cure broken bones. I’ll get it cooking so it’s ready for them when they can keep food down. Why don’t you sit with me a spell, and we can get to know each other?”
“Don’t you already know me?” I say, uncertain if I’m confused or just tired.
“Well, I knew you before the accident, but I don’t know you now, and you sure don’t know me. It’ll be fun to get reacquainted.”
She gets coffee going and a heavenly-smelling soup on the stove. Soon, she places a cup of coffee in front of me. I don’t know what it is, but it tastes better than anything I’ve ever made. What does she put in this that makes it taste so damn good?
Her directness is refreshing. Since the accident, most of the people I’ve met have eyes full of pity and don’t have a damn thing to say. I find myself relaxing in her presence and breathing deeply for the first time since I got out of bed.
“I’d like that,” I say as Tracy moves around the kitchen, whipping up breakfast and chicken soup with a practiced hand.
An hour later, Gemma makes her appearance, her sleepy eyes peering around the corner of the stairs, wide with curiosity. Both of the girls had been up and down catching up on sleep. “Gramma!” she says when she realizes who is in the kitchen with me. Leaping across the distance, she barrels into Tracy’s legs.
“Hey there, punkin’. How are you feeling?” She rubs a hand over Gemma’s head.
“A little better. My tummy still feels a little wobbly.”
“Why don’t I make you a nice, cold glass of ginger ale? That should help settle your tummy.”
Suddenly, Gemma pushes away from Tracy’s legs and throws herself bodily in my direction. I only manage to catch her at the last second. “I want Mama!” She wails and clings to my thighs. My frantic eyes meet Tracy’s over the counter.
I’d managed by the skin of my teeth with them. Mostly because I was running on instinct, and the girls were distracted by how exhausted and terrible they felt. I kept them clean and alive, so I figured that was pretty good. At least, that’s what I thought until Alec came home and gave me that look.
The memory of it in the forefront of my mind keeps me frozen as Gemma’s little body presses close to mine. My hands hover in the hair, unsure if I should lay them on her shoulders or pat her head. “What do I do?” I mouth to Tracy.
“Hug her,” Tracy mouths back.
An internal battle wages for a few long seconds. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. But there’s alsosomethinginside me that won’t let me leave this little girl wanting. She needs me, maybe as much as I need an anchor tethering me somewhere, anywhere. So I wrap my arms around her little frame and provide comfort as well as receive it.
My eyes close, and there’s a stirring inside my brain. . . and maybe my heart. Muscles soften and relax, and the little girl’s scent of shampoo and sugar fills my nose. My brain may not remember her, but I think maybe. . . I think maybe my heart does. She gives in to me, snuggling closer, and I let her, rubbing a soothing hand on her back.
“It’s okay, Gemma,” I say into her hair. “I’m still here.”
She shudders against my legs. “I thought you were going to leave me again. I woke up, and you weren’t there.”
