Chapter 22
The credits rolled in a soft glow over the dark television screen, but Tachina barely saw them.
Kian had chosen a short movie, and he didn’t make it to the end.
The room felt too damn quiet. Vic scooped Kian up from her lap where he’d fallen asleep.
Her child had left a damp patch of drool on her leggings.
Kian released a tiny sigh and slumped against his father’s shoulder. He was completely unbothered by the adult drama of the night.
“You good?” Vic whispered.
She nodded, but she wasn’t entirely sure. He carried Kian from the room. She watched the shadows on the hallway wall stretch and shrink as they passed.
Her pulse kicked up again when she remembered the sound of the front door slamming earlier.
Sydney had stormed out of the house without an acknowledgment, a look, or a snide comment.
It echoed in Tachina’s mind. She didn’t know what, exactly, had set the woman off, but she’d been pissed.
Tachina sighed; she didn’t want to know, but curiosity gnawed at her anyway.
She turned off the television and headed upstairs.
While Vic put Kian to bed, she just needed a few minutes to think.
A hot shower should help. She wrapped her hair up with her scarf then tossed on her shower cap.
She removed her clothing and turned the water on.
The steam was thick and soothing. She slid into the shower and bit back a groan.
The water felt so damn good on her aching muscles.
She scrubbed her skin as if she could wash away all of the anxiety that resided in her.
But her thoughts only grew louder with every drop of water that hit the tile.
She loved Vic.
The realization had crashed into her tonight with such force it had taken her breath away. She loved Victor Maxwell. She’d fallen hard, fast, and deep. It terrified her. Love had its consequences, and she must be prepared to meet them.
When she stepped out of the shower, she wrapped a towel around herself. She padded over to the sink and began brushing her teeth. The door opened quietly behind her.
Vic didn’t walk in.
He stood there, one hand on the frame, his shoulder propped against it.
His expression was unreadable. His gaze moved over her like a lover’s caress.
If she closed her eyes, she would have sworn she could feel him touching her.
He took her in without saying a word. The shower cap, the towel, the toothpaste foam at the edge of her mouth. Her pulse quickened.
“We need to talk,” he said.
Her toothbrush froze mid-swipe. She blinked and met his gaze in the mirror. She spat out the toothpaste and rinsed her mouth out to stall for another moment or two.
She looked back up and saw an expression of determination.
Almost concerned and a little hurt.
Oh God. Please don’t let him be regretting anything. Don’t let this be where he’s realized he’s in over his head.
She wiped her mouth off with a towel and took off her shower cap. She kept her back to him because she wasn’t sure if she could truly face him right now.
“Okay,” she whispered.
He stepped into the bathroom. The space appeared to get smaller as he stopped behind her. Their eyes were locked with each other in the mirror.
“Why did you shut me out earlier? At the doctor’s office? And last night?” he asked. “Why didn’t you come to me the second you felt…whatever you felt?”
He breath caught in her throat.
“Because I panicked,” she said.
“About what?”
She turned slowly and adjusted the towel that threatened to slip away. She held on to it like it could protect her from what she was about to say.
“Everything,” she admitted. “The way I feel about you. The baby. Kian. Sydney. Your mother. All of it.”
He waited. Tachina closed her eyes and forced the words from her. It was all or nothing at this point. She might as well get everything off her chest and be honest.
“I pushed you away because…because I’m in love with you and I didn’t know what to do with that.”
The shock on his face was instant. His eyes softened as he closed the gap between them, allowing her to feel his warmth.
“Tachina—”
“I’m scared,” she interjected. She hated how her voice trembled, but her emotions were consuming her.
“I’m scared of loving you because I don’t want to be abandoned.
I don’t know how I would survive if you chose her.
I don’t want to raise this baby and Kian alone.
It terrified me to think that she could have taken you from me. ”
Her vision blurred. She blinked fast, refusing to let the tears fall.
Vic’s expression shattered into something vulnerable. She’d never seen him look like this before. It revealed a mix of his fears and affections. He reached up and slowly cupped her cheek. His thumb brushed away a tear that still fell from her eyelid.
“You love me?” he repeated. It was as if he needed her to say it again in order for him to believe it.
“I do,” she whispered.
His forehead touched hers. His voice dropped low, and it sent a tremor through her body.
“I love you, too, Tachina,” he said.
Her stomach clenched at the sound of those three little words leaving his mouth. Another single tear escaped despite her fight against it. His thumb caught that one, too.
“I love you,” he repeated. “And I’m not going anywhere. I will protect you, Kian, and the new baby. I don’t care who tries to come between us, they will never succeed.”
She thought of his mother.
“Even your mother?” she said.
His jaw hardened, and he wrapped his arm around her, securing her to him.
“I’ve already confronted my mother. I told her that she needed to choose. If she wants to be in my life, Kian’s life—our new child’s life—then she needs to understand where my loyalty is.”
“What?” Her mouth parted. “When did you speak with your mother?”
“After you went back to work. I called her from the car.” He caressed her cheek and sighed. “I am not playing these games with them anymore. You and the kids are all that matter to me.”
“I’m assuming Sydney told her about the baby, or did you tell her?” she asked.
“Sydney told her.”
Tachina wasn’t surprised at all. She exhaled shakily and told him what had happened in the restaurant bathroom. How Sydney had overheard her share the news with her potential client.
“I don’t want you having to choose between me and your family,” she said.
“You aren’t the one making me choose,” he murmured. “My mother had been forced to make a decision. She caused this. Not you. Once I told her that I was not interested in getting back with Sydney, she should have left well enough alone.”
Heat spread through her. She swallowed hard, unable to believe what she was hearing, but Vic didn’t stop there.
“When we go to the mayor’s dinner, I won’t be just showing up with you. We’ll go as a couple. Everyone will know exactly who you are to me. I will claim you before the world if I have to.”
“Vic,” she breathed.
He leaned in and kissed her lips. One that held a promise. It was the kind of kiss that proved she mattered to him, and it made her feel safe in loving him.
When he drew back, his hand slid down her arm, then he entwined their fingers together.
“Come with me,” he whispered.
He turned off the bathroom light as they left. They went into the bedroom where the lights were off, but the glow of candles flickered across the walls and ceiling. The scent of vanilla and amber filled the air while a gentle hum of music played.
Her heartbeat slowed as he drew back the covers on the bed.
He untucked her towel from her body and allowed it to fall to the floor.
He carefully guided her onto the bed and pulled the covers over her.
He removed his clothing then got in behind her.
He draped his arm around her waist. She turned to face him.
She nestled her head beneath his chin where her ear rested over his heart. It beat strong and steady.
Vic placed kisses along her forehead, her temple, and her cheeks.
Tiny, unhurried kisses that were filled with meaning.
Her hand rested on his chest. His fingers lightly stroked the small of her back.
Slow circles that soothed her rather than teased her.
The simple contact made something inside her ache.
Not desire.
Relief.
She never knew love could feel like this.
“I’m here,” he whispered against her temple. “And I’m not going anywhere.”
Her eyes slipped shut. She felt safe in the cocoon of his arms. She felt loved. Wanted. Cherished.
She was chosen.
She kissed his chest, then breathed in his scent. The world outside faded, and she let herself drift into darkness.
She fell asleep feeling loved and in the arms of the man who loved her back.