CHAPTER FIFTEEN #2
“Okay,” she muttered. He knew she had an independent streak a mile wide, and he had the feeling she didn’t like relying on him. Or maybe men in general.
Addy took Melanie’s and Gage’s hands and they walked together back to the car.
The little girl looked up at him and gave him a sly smile. “Can Pancake stay with Mom and me until you come back? She can keep me company when Mom talks to Mrs. Majors. That would make me happy.”
He barked out a laugh. “No doubt, but I don’t think your principal is ready for Pancake-level mayhem.”
***
Melanie closed the book and set it on the nightstand.
Gage had brought over a stuffed penguin with a purple bandana to replace the one Pancake had mauled.
Addy was tucked under her blankets with the penguin curled in her arm.
Pancake lay on her back in the middle of the floor, paws hanging in the air.
Gage leaned against the door frame, his arms crossed over his chest.
It was unnerving to admit how much they felt like a family. How much Gage had become central to their lives. It felt right and that scared her senseless. No man had ever been a reliable presence in her life. Feeling like she was waiting for the other shoe to drop was making her antsy.
Addy rolled onto her side. “Can we read another chapter? I don’t want to go to sleep.” She may not want to go to sleep, but heavy eyelids and a big yawn gave her away.
“We’ll read the next chapter tomorrow night.” Melanie straightened the comforter. “It’s been a tough day. But you know what? I’m proud of you. You told Mrs. Majors everything Liam has done. You stood up for yourself.”
“Is he going to jail?”
She caught Gage’s quick grin. “No, they don’t put kids in jail.” Melanie weighed how much Addy needed to know. “Mrs. Majors called a little while ago. She’ll make sure Liam doesn’t bother you anymore.”
Melanie had found Mrs. Majors fair-minded and empathetic.
She’d assured Melanie that Liam would be evaluated and receive the services he needed, including counseling and mental health support.
Liam’s parent was informed that any further incidences of bullying would result in more serious consequences.
Mrs. Majors had also stressed to Addy that any adult on campus would help her and she was not to run away from school ever again.
“If Liam does anything, Addy, and I mean anything,” Melanie emphasized, “you’re to tell a grown-up immediately.”
Addy plucked at her blanket. “He’s sneaky. But Jordy said he’s gonna tell Liam to knock it off or he’ll clobber him. I think clobber means beat up so maybe that’s not a good idea.”
“I’ll talk with Jordy,” Gage said.
Melanie brushed the hair off Addy’s forehead.
“Addy, Liam will be getting help so he can learn how to treat people with kindness. Kids aren’t all bad or all good.
Liam was behaving badly, but he can learn to be a better person.
But no more running away from school, okay? ” Melanie leaned down to kiss her girl.
“I guess so.” Addy shifted her gaze to Gage and gave him a sleepy smile. “Will you kiss me good night?” Any thought that Melanie could prevent Addy from falling for Gage was officially quashed.
“Sure thing.”
Gage moved to the bed and bent over to kiss Addy on the forehead. “Sweet dreams, sunshine.”
“Pancake has to say good night too.”
Pancake gamely rolled to her feet and Addy looped an arm around her in a hug. The dog gave her a tongue swipe.
“Sleep now, Addy,” Melanie said quietly.
Addy settled on her pillow and Melanie turned out the lamp on her new desk. She followed Gage and Pancake out of the room, shutting the door softly behind her.
Gage took her hand and when they reached the living room, pulled her to him. Pancake gave a noisy yawn and collapsed on the floor. Melanie tilted her head back to look into dark eyes that held a look that set her nerve ends tingling.
Having the undivided interest of a man like Gage gave her a heady feeling. He bracketed her face with his hands, his long fingers in her hair while his thumbs caressed her cheeks. “What am I to do with you?”
“Kiss me?”
“Yeah, that’s exactly right.”
She thought he’d dive in, but instead he nipped her chin, then pressed his lips to the corner of her mouth. “These dimples drive me crazy, you know that?”
“You’ve got cute dimples of your own.”
He moved back enough to look her sternly in the eye. “Not dimples, creases. Rugged, not cute.”
“No, of course not. They’re exceptionally manly.”
“Damn straight.”
He pressed open-mouth kisses along the line of her jaw and it felt like he was worshipping her with his tongue and mouth.
He nipped at her earlobe then moved to savor the sensitive skin below her ear. Then finally, finally, returned his attention to her mouth. She groaned when he slid his tongue past her lips, and she could taste the hint of chocolate from the ice cream they’d had for dessert.
Her hands clutched his belt, pulling him fully against her, his arousal a hard ridge beneath his jeans.
He deepened the kiss, his groan vibrating through her as she gave in to temptation and rubbed against him.
He slid his hands under her loose sweater, his fingers stroking up her rib cage to the swell of her breasts.
She followed his lead, her own hands equally as busy as she slid them under his thermal to caress the warm skin of his back.
He brought his hands back to her face and, with a final kiss, stepped back. She drew in a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. Her arousal was echoed on his face.
“When this is done, when we figure out where the threat to you is coming from and neutralize it, I want more time with you and Addy. Normal time.”
She smiled. “I’d like that.”