Page 35 of Cross My Heart
I stop off quickly in the nursery, kissing each girl, breathing them in. I can’t help but chuckle as I take in Preston and Tate. Preston looks like he stuck his finger in a light socket. My friends have no idea what they are doing, but they are here, trying, and I am forever grateful.
"Tate," Loki says behind me. "Trevor is ready to finish breakfast, and I'm back for diaper duty, wanna trade?"
Tate gives him the biggest smile and darts past us down the stairs.
“I’m going to go check on Lanie. Thank you both.” They each come in for a one-armed hug and pat on the back, neither of them saying anything, they don’t have to. These guys are my family.
I enter Tate’s room and freeze. Lanie is asleep on her left side with her hands tucked up under her face. I notice the bruise on her cheekbone from the doorway and I feel murderous.
Slowly, I make my way to her. Even with the bruised face, she is gorgeous. My chest aches with an unfamiliar feeling as I gently sit beside her and watch her sleep for a few long moments. I reach out to softly brush her hair away from her face, startling her awake.
“Hey, it's me, Dex. Sorry to wake you,” I say gently.
“Oh my god! What time is it? The kids…” she starts flustered, but I cut her off.
“The kids are fine. The guys are taking care of them...for the most part,” I try to smile. “Are you okay?” My throat feels like I’m swallowing razor blades. I feel shame deep in my gut for not protecting her. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here to protect you.”
Lanie smiles sleepily. “I don’t need protection, I’m fine. I admit I wasn’t expecting a boot slap from her, though. She is stronger than she looks.”
I chuckle at her use of boot slap and shake my head. It’s just another thing to love about her. I startle at my thoughts. It’s way too soon for love. Even when I believed in love, I never really bought into love at first sight.
I realize I’ve been staring at her for too long and move to stand. Before she can protest, I’ve scooped her in my arms and am carrying her to her room.
“Wait, put me down. I can walk!” She exclaims loud enough that both Preston and Loki stick their heads into the hallway, snickering. I narrow my eyes at them, she laughs.
“Not today,” I grumble in response.
I walk to her bed and pull down the covers, gently laying her down. I’m so close I smell the light floral scent of her shampoo. Her hand skims my jaw as I lay her down, and she thanks me.
I want to ask her why she is thanking me. Instead, I’m so caught in her gaze; I feel lost. Slowly, I lower my mouth to hers and kiss her like my life depends on it. I don’t know if I can ever come back from this kiss. Her lips are so soft and gentle, my need for her is intoxicating. My tongue teases her seam, causing her to gasp. Opening those delicious lips for me, I dominate her mouth. When I finally pull away, we are both breathless and appear a little lost.
“What was that for?” She asks in a whisper as her fingers reach up to her lips.
“Me,” I answer honestly. “Thank you for saving Tate again. Stay in bed. He wants to bring breakfast up to you. I’ll get you some ibuprofen and an ice pack too.”
Lanie sits up in the bed, staring at me with heat in her eyes. I have to look away before I take her right here.
“Honestly, I’m fine. I do not need to stay in bed,” she finally protests.
“Please?” I ask quietly, “It’ll mean a lot to Tate,” I turn and head for the door. “We will have to talk about Anna later. I want you to file a police report, but we can do that after the kids are in bed…if you don’t have any plans tonight.”
“No plans, I'm not sure about the police report, but we can talk.”
* * *
Downstairs,I find Tate and Trevor plating a tray of food for Lanie. Preston and Loki are on the floor playing with the girls, looking a little ragged but still managing to make the girls laugh. I peek at the tray and turn to Tate.
“Hey, buddy, do you think you can carry that up yourself, or do you want me to help you?” I ask gently.
Very quietly, he replies, “I’d like to do it myself.”
I smile and can’t help but notice how fast he is growing up. “Okay. That is a very nice thing to do. I know Lanie will love it. How about we put covers on the cups so nothing sloshes around, then you can take it up, sound good?”
He smiles and gives me a nod.
I get the covers on the cups and hand him the tray, then watch him walk down the hall. I’m lost in thought for a minute when I realize Trevor is beside me trying to hand me something. Glancing down, I am shocked to see a child’s handwriting on a very old envelope. I take a closer look and realize that it's mine.
“Is this the letter I wrote to you the summer you got sent to the camp in England?” I ask incredulously.
