Chapter 21
Danny
I blinked.
Several times.
“You’re saying…”
Rob nodded.
“Jesus. And you were married to that idiot for…”
“Six years?” He winced as he framed it like a question.
“No, I didn’t mean it like that.” He took it as an insult while I meant it as awe. He’d managed to put up with that asshole for six fucking years. Sure, he hadn’t felt like he could leave. But living with someone so obviously volatile—and stupid—took courage. “What happened?”
“Happened?”
“After he punched her…”
“Oh. Right. Well, the police came and arrested him, obviously. And the poor woman’s got a broken nose. He seems good at that. She’s not going to sue us, thank God. Wynn warned her employer that my ex was violent. Apparently that employer didn’t warn her. Or…something…” He waved his hand. “My ex is considered served. I’m supposed to hear from the assistant district attorney tomorrow.” He cleared his throat. “Mr. Cavanah thinks my ex is likely to plead out. Especially now there are two charges. He might’ve been able to try to talk his way out of the first one. But this one is neatly wrapped up. Mr. Cavanah is thinking jail time.”
“Is he in jail now?”
Rob nodded.
“So you can breathe a little easier, right? I mean, I don’t want to make assumptions?—”
“No, you’re right.” His smile, though, was forced. “He’s going to get out. Eventually he’ll see the light of day again. And I can keep the kids, and myself, hidden. But no one’s really safe, you know?”
“I’d say the threat of going back to jail is a powerful incentive to behave. But I also know the recidivism rate for violent criminals. He’s going to lose everything, right?”
“Mr. Cavanah said I’m entitled to half, and the law’s pretty clear about that. My ex will either have to fork over the cash for half of everything or sell the mansion to pay for it. Mr. Cavanah says he’s done some digging, and my ex has quite a few offshore bank accounts.” Rob winced. “There are hints of tax fraud, so the government will have the first crack at everything. Mr. Cavanah says it’s a mess. But he swears there’ll be something left at the end. The house is entirely paid for. Unencumbered, I think he said. He said he can arrange for someone to go with me to get my stuff.” Rob rubbed his hand across his face. “I don’t think I can go back.”
“Nothing is worth that kind of stress.” I longed to reach out, but still held myself back. “But someone could go for you, right? If you made up a list of what really mattered? There’s got to be some of the kids’ things…”
“Like their baby books? And their footprints? Yeah, for sure.”
“Well, I can go.” I grinned. “I’ve got time on my hands.”
“You’ve got studying and—” He cut himself off.
“Babysitting? You bet. But I can take a day. James will come with me. If we drag Colin and make him sit in the car, and we can swing by my parents’ place on the way home. Daddy’s promised to make his famous barbecue ribs. Oh, I could bring some for you. Wow. Mama’s a great cook…but Daddy’s even better when it comes to the grill.”
Rob held up his hand. “I can’t ask you?—”
“You didn’t.” I shrugged. “I offered. Work it out with your lawyer. Better that I get up there sooner rather than later. Grab the stuff for the kids and anything you want. I agree you shouldn’t take anything that’s not clearly yours. No sense poking the bear.” The asshole bear.
“I’d like the pictures. There’s an amazing family portrait…” He bit his lower lip.
“Hey, I know a graphic artist up in LA. If I give her the portrait, I’m sure she can erase scumbag right out of it.”
Rob blinked. “How did you know?”
Finally, I advanced a couple of paces toward him. “Because I know you. Or I’m getting to, anyway. You’d want the memory of your children when they were younger. But you wouldn’t want him in the picture. Leave it with me. My friend is amazing.”
“I can’t ask?—”
“Fucking stop saying that. You didn’t ask. I offered. And I’m going to keep offering. See, this is the great thing about being friends. We get to do things for each other, and the other person has to accept them with a smile. Like you took Drizella for me. Now you have to smile while I do this for you.”
He let out a watery laugh. “I’m pretty sure that’s not the actual definition of friendship.”
“Well, it’s the definition of being my friend. And of James’s. And I’m certain Colin’s and for sure Gracie’s and if you toss in Mama and?—”
He moved swiftly, suddenly putting himself just a foot in front of me.
I had to look down a bit, and I hated that. I didn’t want my size—both height and bulk—to intimidate him. I wanted him to trust me. To feel comfortable around me.
Hesitantly, he reached out his hand to lay it on my chest.
Over my heart.
He looked up at me, blinking several times. “You’re a good man, Danny Reynolds. One of the best men I’ve ever met. And I feel like I’m not worthy?—”
Oh, fuck this shit.
Having taken him touching me as permission to touch back, I gently laid my finger against his lips. An incredibly intimate gesture. One I never would’ve considered if he hadn’t made the first move.
He desisted. His gray eyes went wide.
“Tell me to stop, if this isn’t what you?—”
He moved so quickly that I didn’t have time to blink. He had his arms around my neck and was cuddling up against me. Clinging to me. Shaking even as I wrapped my arms around him.
I sort of thought this was going in a different direction.
Yeah, you wanted a kiss.
I did.
You don’t always get what you want.
As I held Rob, I defied my inner voice to argue the point further. I’d wanted this man in my arms since I’d first seen him—vulnerable, nearly broken, but valiantly holding it together for the sake of his children. I’d wanted to comfort. To offer protection. To nurture.
Now, though, I wanted him in my arms for an entirely different reason as well. To cherish. To make love to. And yeah, also to guard. I was sure as shit glad his scumbag ex was in jail and that Rob didn’t need my added protection. I’d still offer it. For as long as I drew breath, I’d keep vigil over this family. I tucked his head under my chin, fitting him in perfectly against me. “I’ll be here, Rob. However you’ll have me.”
He shuddered.
God, was I saying the right words? I’d never been in this situation. Had never had anyone depending on me. Needing me. Not that Rob needed me. He could do this without me. He’d survived two years on the street and six years in an abusive marriage—he had inner strength…even if he didn’t recognize it.
Finally, he pulled back. Didn’t loosen his grip on me. Just angled his head back.
I met his gaze. I thought I saw desire. I thought I saw him asking me to kiss him. But I couldn’t be sure and I sure as shit couldn’t get this wrong. “I need you to say it, Rob.”
He blinked, then touched his lips. “Please?”
Okay, that was good enough. Slowly—so as to give him plenty of time to pull back—I lowered my head to his.
His eyes drifted shut.
I didn’t know whether to take that as a good sign or not. My own closed as I pressed my lips to his.
Softness. Pliancy. Gentleness.
He opened his mouth and I read that as an invitation. As if I had all the time in the world, I slid my tongue inside—gently gliding it along his. He shuddered.
I hope that’s an ‘I’m turned on’ thing. I didn’t know him well enough. Knew the vulnerabilities, sure, but not what he liked. What turned him on. What would make him feel good. I splayed my hands across his back and pulled him closer…all the while not wanting to crowd him. I wanted to bring him pleasure without panicking him.
After a moment, he pulled back.
Our gazes locked.
He quirked an eyebrow. “I can hear you thinking, Danny.”
“Uh—”
“I know you think I’m breakable. I know you think I’m damaged?—”
“I don’t.”
“—and you might not be wrong on that score.”
I frowned.
“But I’m also choosing to touch you. And to be touched by you. I don’t want to talk about my ex…but he was never violent and vicious in that way. He used sex as a weapon, sure. But only psychologically. I’ve talked to a counsellor.”
“You have?” I frowned.
“I don’t tell you everything, Danny. I have some secrets. Some things I feel I need to keep to myself.”
I shoved down the feeling of hurt because he was absolutely right. Still, I would’ve preferred to know more. Like if his taking the lead with…whatever this was…was the right course of action. Whether I might say or do something to spook him—even inadvertently. If we even had a future together or if that was just wishful thinking on my part. “Whatever you want to tell me, Rob. I’m here to listen.”
“Maybe just…” He grinned. “Kiss me again?”
“Yeah, I can do that.”