Page 28 of Abigail
“I never said my dry spell was over,” Lisa replies through gritted teeth. She is obviously angry that Charlotte has brought her back into the conversation. Charlotte holds her gaze. The two women seem to be in a staring contest. The teasing mood is gone and has suddenly gotten tense. “Don’t start with me Charlotte. Not a good time to be dragging up shit that’s better off buried.”
“Fine!” Charlotte finally accepts Lisa’s denial. “If you want to keep lying to your lifelong best friend, go ahead, but just remember. I know you!” Charlotte wags her finger at Lisa. “I know and you know I know, ya know?” Lisa huffs a frustrated breath as she glares at Charlotte. Just then, Hack walks up into Lisa’s personal space. Her body visibly tenses even more.
“Hey,” he says softly as he leans in closer to her. Abigail notices he discreetly slips his hand into Lisa’s. “What’s going on?” Lisa shakes her head, breaking her staring contest with Charlotte but still not looking at him. She has dropped her gaze to her feet. His concerned face morphs into a grimace. Not really anger, more like disappointment that she isn’t trusting him with her problems. He sighs heavily but doesn’t release her hand. She doesn’t seem to be trying to pull away from him either. Abigail files that away to speak with Robert about later.
“So, Abigail.” Charlotte draws everyone’s attention back to her just as the rest of men join them. “It’s a go on the sleep over?” Charlotte quirks her right eyebrow at Abigail.Ugh! She’s not going to let this go.Abigail thinks to herself. She looks over at Robert as he comes to her side. He gives her a questioning look.
“Um,” Abigail begins nervously. “Charlotte was asking if Ellie could have a sleep over with the other kids tonight.”
“No, I asked if Ellie could come to a slumber party,” Charlotte corrects her. Abigail frowns because what’s the difference, but to her shock and dismay Charlotte continues, “I thought you and Straw would want to have a sleep over.” Charlotte grins mischievously at her. Abigail’s eyes roll toward the sky as she silently asks God to make her disappear immediately before she dies from embarrassment. She’s always wanted girlfriends, but now that she has them, she’s seriously rethinking her priorities. As the old saying goes ‘be careful for what you wish for you just might get it.’ Yeah, the good with the bad.
“Sounds good to me,” Robert rumbles in her ear as his arms encircle her from behind. His hands resting on her waist. Her body immediately responds. Nipples tightening, moisture pooling between her legs, and goosebumps erupting on her skin. Instinctively she relaxes into his embrace. She feels comfortable at home in his arms. He pulls her closer, placing a tender kiss on the side of her head.
“Well, that’s settled,” Charlotte chirps happily. She turns toward the playground and calls to the children. “Come on kids we are going to get pizza and ice cream!” The kids all come running at a fast clip, squealing and laughing. As they all crowd around, the adults attempt to round them up. “How would you kids like to have a slumber party?” Whooping and hollering ensues from all the children. Ellie runs up to Abigail.
“Momma, what’s a slumder party?” Ellie asks, her inquisitive eyes looking up Abigail and Robert.
“It’s a slumber party,” Abigail corrects Ellie. “It’s where a bunch of friends get together and stay up all night eating junk food and playing games.” Ellie’s eyes brighten excitedly.
“Are we going too?” Ellie asks. Her eyes have widened. Her little body quivering in anticipation.
“Well, u-um,” Abigail stammers trying to come up with an explanation for the child about what the plan is for the night. Robert moves out from behind her to kneel in front of her daughter.
“Your momma and I will be going out tonight while you are staying with Mrs. Charlotte and the other ladies and the kids, if you’re comfortable staying with them. However, if you change your mind at any time and want to go back to your momma, Mrs. Charlotte will call us, and we’ll come get you. How does that sound?” Robert asks Ellie.
“Okay,” Ellie answers. She looks up to Abigail. “Where are you and Robert going Momma? Will you be far away?”
“We are just going to have dinner and then hang out in Robert’s room at the hotel,” Abigail answers. Her face heating at the semi-lie she tells her daughter. “We will just be down the hall from you if you need me.” Ellie nods happily then turns to run up to Charlotte.
“I’m ready to go, Mrs. Charlotte,” Ellie calls, smiling from ear to ear. Abigail chuckles at the child’s antics. In a shorter time than she imagined, the adults have gotten all the children rounded up, loaded into the SUVs and belted into car seats. Abigail gives Ellie a hug and kiss, promising to see her after supper. She waves as the vehicles pull out of the parking lot.
When they are gone, Robert turns to Abigail. She looks up into his eyes. He is scanning her face, searching her eyes as if there is some mystery, he must find the answer for in her. His scrutiny is making her nervous. Just when she feels she can’t take it anymore, he speaks.
“So, you’re sure this is what you want?” Robert asks, uncertainty in his voice. She frowns not exactly sure what he means. Is he asking about them sleeping together later? “Leaving here to make a life in North Carolina?” he clarifies.
“Yes,” is her simple reply. “Robert, I’ve been alone and afraid a long time. Now that I know I’m not a murderer and facing life in prison or the death penalty, I’m free to be happy, to make a good life for me and Ellie. I want you to be a part of that life. I believe this all happened for a reason. We are meant to be together.” Relief washes over him, and he pulls her into his arms. Her arms wrap around his slim waist as he holds her to him tightly.
“Thank fuck,” he rasps out. “I’m terrified I’ll fuck this up…that I can’t be the man you need. The man you deserve, but I can’t let you go, Abigail. I need you and Ellie more than anything. I’ve fallen hard Abigail. I know this is too soon, and I hope like hell I don’t frighten you off from me, but I don’t think I can survive without you. You are my life, my soulmate.”
Abigail feels a warmth flood her body. She never dreamed she could feel this level of happiness. Robert’s declaration should scare her off, but she feels the same. She will not survive if he leaves her. She can see the fear in his eyes as he holds her and looks deep into her soul. “I feel the same, Robert. I need you more than air.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
Straw looks deep into Abigail’s eyes. They are full of emotions that mirror his own. Relief, happiness, and dare he think it? Love? He’s been infatuated with Abigail for years. He should fear that, that is what he’s feeling, but he knows himself well. This isn’t infatuation. This is so far beyond it. He is in love with her. There’s no other explanation for his intense feelings and need to be near her, to protect her from the trouble life might bring her way. Even if she didn’t want him like he wants her, he would still do his best to keep her safe.
“How about we go get some dinner?” Straw asks, running his index finger along the side of her face to tuck some stray hair behind her left ear. Abigail smiles up at him and nods her agreement. The smile lights up her face. He is blinded by her beauty.
“That would be wonderful, Robert,” she replies softly. He loves hearing her say his name. He wants to hear it for the rest of his life, but it’s too soon to tell her that so he elects to take her by the hand and lead her back to his SUV. Once he’s gotten her buckled in, he rounds the back and climbs into the driver’s seat.
“Uh…Do you want to go to your place and pack an overnight bag?” Robert asks. At the startled look on her face, he hurries to amend. “Fuck! We don’t have to do this. It’s too soon. Charlotte gets excited. I’m sorry I should have realized this was too fast, Abigail…” Her index finger across his lips, halting his next words.
“I’m not going to lie and say that I’m not terrified about later,” Abigail swallows hard before she continues. “But it’s not because I don’t want to be with you or that I’m afraid ofyou.” She takes a deep breath before she continues, “I’m…very attracted to you, physically, yes, but also on some other level that I’ve never felt before. I’ve spent the last four years hiding, trying to protect Ellie. I’ve been all alone all my life, ever since my mom died when I was four-years-old. I’ve never had anyone other than Ellie who is important to me, that means so much to me. But you, you have worked your way under my skin in such a short time. You have become very important to me, and I’m afraid of messing this up, of losing you. I’m scared of what I feel for you.” Damn she is tearing him apart.
“Abigail,” Straw begins. He needs to get her to see she has gotten under his skin, too. He needs her to understand how unusual it is for him to feel the way he’s been feeling. “I know and understand where you are coming from. I have no family other than my team. Tank is my only lifelong friend. I haven’t ever done relationships. I’ve been more of a one-night-stand, no strings attached kind of guy, but you are different. I don’t want just one night with you. I don’t think even a lifetime will be enough, and that makes me afraid, too. It’s not easy for me to admit. I’m a Special Forces Marine. I don’t have the luxury of being afraid of anything, but you…you terrify me. I’ve fallen hard and fast for you. I know myself well enough to know that once I have you physically, I’ll never be able to let you walk away from me, because if you do, I won’t survive it.”
Straw holds her gaze as they let the heavy conversation settle between them. He needs to touch her. His hand trembling with the need. He reaches over the console to cup her cheek. He strokes his thumb over her skin. It feels so soft. Her eyes full of need, longing for that simple tender touch. His hand slides into her hair to cup the back of her neck. He leans in as he puts gentle pressure on the back of her neck to encourage her to come to him. To his delight, Abigail leans in to him, and their lips collide in an eager consuming kiss. He licks out at her lips, and instantly she opens to him. Their tongues dance and slide in a delicious exploration of one another. He needs to be closer to her. He needs to feel her body against his. He can feel his dick hardening uncomfortably in his jeans. He leans closer, but the console is in his way. Fuck! They need to get out of here. Reluctantly he pulls back from her after placing several soft kisses on her lips, cheeks, and forehead.
They are both breathing heavily after the intensity of their kiss. He places his forehead to hers as they struggle to get themselves under control. When he feels he can speak without his voice cracking from the emotion of the moment, he voices the wonder at their sudden intense relationship.
