Chapter 8
Rebecca
As soon as Thatch left, I made myself some coffee, then turned on some music and got busy cleaning up the house. I washed the dishes, did some laundry, and even managed to mop and vacuum—something I hadn’t done in ages.
I’d just started dusting the living room when I turned around and found Joyce, my annoyingly intrusive mother-in-law, standing in the doorway to the kitchen. I always made a point to check all the locks. It was one of my many quirks, so I had no doubt she’d used her old key to let herself in.
As I stood there staring at her, I made a mental note to get the locks changed ASAP.
Like Trevor, Joyce had dark hair and a pronounced jawline, and they both had the same deep-seated mean streak.
She was wearing a pair of “mom jeans” and a tan sweater with work boots, and it was clear from her scowl she hadn’t stopped by for a friendly visit.
“Joyce? What are you doing?”
“I knocked, but clearly, you didn’t hear me.” She dropped her purse down on the table, then entered the living room. Her face twisted into a displeased grimace as she stood there staring at my dirty t-shirt and pajama bottoms. “You’re looking ... well.”
“I was cleaning up a bit before I took my shower.” It wasn’t the first time she’d just let herself into my home, so I added, “You know, you can’t just keep coming in here like this, Joyce. Trevor and I are no longer married, and even if we were, it’s not right.”
“I told you, I knocked. Besides, Tre’s money bought this house, so it’s just as much mine as it is yours.”
“He did not buy this house, Joyce. We bought it together. I paid my share if not more, but that’s honestly none of your business.”
“My son and my granddaughter are always my business.”
“Whatever.” Joyce didn’t make it easy to like her. In fact, she made it extremely difficult. I wanted to scream and demand that she leave my house, but deep down, I knew it would only give her more reason to make my life hell. “I’d appreciate it if you’d let me know when you’re coming by.”
“Well, I tried, but you haven’t returned any of my calls. The way I see it, you left me no choice.”
“Can you just tell me why you’re here so we can get on with our day?”
She remained in the doorway, glaring at me with a mixture of repulsion and annoyance as she announced, “I talked to Tre. He said you came by to see him the other day.”
“I did.”
“He said you mentioned bringing Cat by to see him, and I’m here to see when you planned on taking her.”
“I’m not taking her. I made that point very clear to Trevor when we spoke.”
“You don’t have a choice.” She crossed her arms indignantly. “He’s her father. He has every right to see her.”
“You’re wrong. He doesn’t have the right to see her.
He lost that right when he was sent to prison.
” I threw my hands up in the air as I roared, “I just don’t get it.
What is wrong with you? Why would you want your granddaughter to go to that awful place?
You should want better for her. She deserves better! ”
“I want her to know her father.”
“Well, that’s not going to happen. It’s my job to keep my daughter safe. I failed her once before, and I won’t make that mistake again.”
“Then, I will take you to court.”
“You’re welcome to try, but I assure you, I’m going to put up one hell of a fight.”
“You’re going to regret this, Rebecca.”
“No, I don’t think I will.” As much as I hated Joyce for what she was trying to do, there was a piece of me that felt sorry for her.
I knew she loved Trevor. I also knew she was still holding on to the hope that someday he’d once again be the son who made her proud.
I, on the other hand, had let go of that hope a long time ago.
“Cat shouldn’t have to go into that place.
She shouldn’t have to see Trevor—not until she’s ready.
If that time ever comes, and she wants to go, I will gladly take her. ”
“And until then?”
“I don’t know, Joyce. I guess you could bring him pictures and keep him posted on what’s happening in her life, but she’s not going to that prison. Period.”
“Pictures? That’s all you’re willing to give him?”
“It’s clear that you and I aren’t going to see eye to eye on this.”
“Trevor was right about you. You’re nothing but a—”
“I’m done with this conversation. It’s time for you to go,” I snapped as I pointed to the door. “Now!”
I expected her to protest. Instead, she whipped around, snatched her purse from the table, then stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind her. Unable to resist, I shouted, “Have a great day, Karen!”
I was positively livid, and I took it out on my furniture as I finished dusting the rest of the house.
I was still angry as I headed into the kitchen and started pulling out everything I’d need to make dinner.
Since it was cold and rainy outside, I decided I’d make us a pot of chicken and dumplings.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time or the patience to make them from scratch, so I used a can of biscuits for the dumplings and prayed they’d turn out as well as they did the last time I’d made them.
Once I had everything together, I went upstairs and called Celeste to ask about her big date. I was pleased to hear it went better than she’d hoped. Apparently, they had a real connection, and she was looking forward to a second date in the very near future.
Since she was still floating high from her amazing date, I decided not to rant about my crazy conversation with Joyce. Instead, I told her about my night with Thatch and how we were getting together again in a few hours.
After a round of twenty questions, I asked her advice on what to wear, but as usual, she told me what I wore didn’t matter. Then, she reminded me of the flannel pajamas, and I quickly realized she was right.
As soon as we got off the phone, I took a shower and started to get ready. I decided to keep it simple with a pair of black leggings and a long sweater. I straightened my hair, put on a little makeup and some earrings, and then I rushed downstairs to check on dinner.
I’d barely made it into the kitchen when I heard a knock at the door. Fearing they might burn, I gave the chicken and dumplings a quick peek and turned off the heat before heading into the living room to answer it.
I was expecting to find Thatch standing on my front steps, and it was indeed him, but this wasn’t the Thatch I imagined.
This Thatch stole my breath.
I had no idea what he was wearing.
I didn’t care.
I was solely focused on his handsome face.
His thick beard was gone, and for the first time, I could see his chiseled jawline and every inch of his ever-so-sexy full lips.
My God. He was absolutely divine.
His eyes seemed darker, more intense, and they were fixed on mine. I had no idea how long I’d been standing there gawking at him when I finally managed to mutter, “Wow, you look ... so different.”
“You think it looks okay?”
“Oh, yeah.” I stepped over to him, placing my hands on his cheeks, and gently ran the pad of my thumb across his bottom lip as I whispered, “It looks good. Really, really good.”
“So, you approve?”
“I definitely do.”
“You know, if you keep looking at me like that, I’m gonna have to take you to bed, and we’re never gonna finish that Rocky movie.”
I never took my eyes off him. “Umm, okay.”
“I tried to warn you.”
His lips curled into a wide smile as he leaned down and lifted me into his arms. He kicked the door shut, then immediately carried me into the bedroom. When he reached the edge of the bed, he slowly lowered my feet to the floor as he whispered, “This isn’t what I had planned for tonight.”
“Me either, but I’m not complaining.”
He lowered his mouth to my neck, and warmth radiated from the spot where his lips had touched my skin and slowly spread throughout my entire body.
His eyes were locked on mine as he reached for the hem of my sweater, carefully pulling it over my head, and I could feel the little sparks of static dancing over my skin.
Those sparks, mixed with the heat of his hungry stare, lit a fire deep within me—and I knew then this time was going to be different.
This time wasn’t about just getting off or relieving stress.
It was about enjoying the moment, soaking in the details, and relishing every single pleasured sensation—something I’d often dreamt about but never believed would happen.
His eyes drifted over my breasts, pausing ever-so-briefly as he came across one of my larger scars. Embarrassed, I started to bring my arms up and shield myself from his view, but stopped when I saw the way he was looking at me.
It wasn’t repulsion or disgust in his eyes.
It was lust.
Pure, unadulterated lust.
His strong, confident hands slipped behind my back, and my entire body trembled as he unfastened my bra, letting the lace fabric fall to the ground. I could feel the heat of his breath tickle against my skin as he whispered, “You truly are a beautiful woman, Rebecca.”
“When you say it like that ... I almost believe it.”
“Believe it, baby. Believe every fucking word.”
My fingers roamed over his perfectly toned chest and wound up around his neck as I pulled him even closer. As soon as his mouth covered mine, my mind went blank. The world washed away, and I was completely immersed in the moment.
When he inched me even closer, I could feel his erection pressing into my hip. Knowing he was just as aroused as I was made me want him even more. Impatience took over as my hands reached for his shirt; he bent forward enough for me to hastily pull it over his head.
When I reached for his buckle, he didn’t move.
He simply stood there with his eyes locked on mine, silently waiting for me to unfasten his belt and jeans. Just as I was about to ease them down his hips, his mouth dropped to my neck, leaving trails of kisses as he nibbled at the flesh just below my ear.
Shivers shot along my spine when his hands slipped to the waistband of my leggings, and my entire body burned with desire as he slowly lowered the knit fabric and lace panties down my legs.