Accused

by Sharon C. Cooper

  “Good morning.” She yawned and stretched out her arms before snuggling back into the pillow. “How long have you been watching me sleep?”

  “Not long. You looked so peaceful. I didn’t want to wake you.” He stretched out his long arm and pulled her closer, then kissed her sweetly.

  Egypt could get used to this. Great sex, waking up to this handsome man, and feeling cherished like she was the most important person in the world. She had waited a long time to experience something this special.

  “You make me happy,” she blurted, the words flying out without much thought, but they were true. An overwhelming amount of happiness flowed through her like warm honey, and she never wanted to lose this sense of calm and joy.

  “I’m glad, but if you would’ve started dating me sooner, you could’ve been feeling like this months ago.”

  Egypt rolled her eyes. She turned onto her back, holding the covers over her bare breasts. “Whatever. Can’t you just accept a compliment or kind words without being a know it all?”

  “I can’t help it if I can see into the future as it relates to us.”

  “So what else do you know?” Normally, she wouldn’t bother stoking this type of conversation, but she’d be lying if she wasn’t curious about what he thought.

  “We’re going to get married, have a few children and then have a long, happy life together,” Kenton said simply with all the confidence of a psychic.

  Egypt turned on her side to face him, and a stab of longing gripped her. She hadn’t been happy in so long, she was cautious to hope for more. “I like the sound of that, but I don’t know enough about you.”

  “You know me better than most, but what else do you want to know?” He ran the back of his fingers down her cheek, and Egypt’s eyes drifted closed at the tenderness of his touch. “I’ll tell you anything, but not until I scrounge up something for us to eat. I’d be willing to guess that you either haven’t had breakfast in bed or haven’t had it often enough.”

  “You’d be right.” Occasionally she prepared breakfast for herself and ate in bed, but no man had ever served her breakfast in bed. “So how are you going to do this if you can’t cook?”

  “Don’t’ underestimate your man. I’ll have you know that I can do a little somethin’ somethin’ in the kitchen.”

  Egypt laughed. She was pretty sure he was talking about more than cooking if the mischievous grin on his face and twinkle in his eyes were any indication.

  “That may be, but can you cook?”

  He planted a quick kiss on her lips. “You’ll see. Be right back.”

  Egypt watched him slip into a pair of basketball shorts and head out the room. She leaped out of bed and put on the black T-shirt Kenton had discarded the night before. Bringing the collar of the shirt to her nose, she inhaled his scent and padded off to her bedroom. After quickly brushing her teeth and freshening up, she returned to his room, the smell of bacon flowing up the stairs.

  Maybe he can cook.

  A few minutes later when he returned with a tray, she got her answer.

  “A banana, box of cereal, bacon, milk, and orange juice are not really cooking.”

  “I didn’t say I would cook. I promised breakfast in bed, and here you have it.” He set the tray over her lap and then climbed in on the other side. “Besides, I know how to microwave bacon. As far as I’m concerned, that’s cooking.”

  They ate from the same tray, and Egypt hadn’t realized just how hungry she was until she finished off her first bowl of cereal and two pieces of bacon. “Okay, I have to say, I haven’t had cereal in like forever, and these Cocoa Pebbles are good. I can’t believe you eat cereal.”

  Kenton shrugged. “I’m a bachelor. Cereal is a staple in my house.”

  “Well, if we’re going to date, you’re going to have to learn to cook more than just bacon.”

  “Well, if we’re dating, you can do all of the cooking, since that’s what you enjoy,” he added quickly when she started to protest. “And I’ll take care of everything else.”

  “Everything else like what?” she asked, pouring another bowl of Cocoa Pebbles, thinking that the sweet breakfast cereal might become a staple in her household too.

  “Like cleaning up the kitchen after you cook, washing your back when you take a bath, and…” He thought for a long time, and Egypt couldn’t wait to hear what else he would do for her. So far, she liked his list. “And I’ll be the one taking care of all of your sexual needs.”

  “Oh,” she said, unsure of what she expected him to say, but it hadn’t been that. “Okay. I think I can get with that.” She stared down at the bowl in her hand as heat rose to her cheeks, and she recalled all of the scandalous things he had done to her body the night before. Instead of commenting more, she said, “Tell me something I don’t know about you.”

  He sat back, leaning against the headboard while he sipped his juice. “Well, you already know I have three sisters. But I don’t remember if I ever told you that my dad raised us after my mother died when I was twelve.”

  “How did she die?” Egypt asked, thinking about her own family.

  “She was killed during a bank robbery.”

  “Oh my, God.” Egypt’s heart thudded against her chest. “I didn’t know. That’s awful.”

  “Yeah, it was tough. My dad took it hard. She was everything to him, to us. For that first year, my oldest sister, who had just turned seventeen, kept things going around the house, at least until my father was able to get himself together. That was around the time she was getting ready to go to college. Both my parents insisted that education be a priority, and though my sister had offered to take a couple of years off, my dad wouldn’t hear of it.”

  Egypt listened as he told story after story about his childhood and his father. It was clear that Kenton looked up to him, appreciating how his dad supported and encouraged all of them through school, their various extra-curricular sports and had even helped pay for college. Listening to him, she couldn’t help but think about her childhood. Her family didn’t have much, but she remembered the good times, the times before the trials.

  “I’ve been wanting to ask you about your family,” Kenton said. He moved the tray and set it on the bench at the foot of the bed. “Tell me about them.”

  “We were your typical, low to middle-class family. Both my parents worked, barely making ends meet most months, but made sure my brother and I did well in school. We went on at least one family vacation a year. Usually during spring break and to someplace warm and near water, like Florida.”

  Amusement bubbled inside of her, recalling one particular trip. “When I was about ten, and my brother was seven, we were in Orlando playing miniature golf. I can’t remember exactly how it happened, but there was a hill near one of the holes and my dad’s golf ball rolled down. Instead of going around and using the sidewalk to get to it, he went down the hill, somehow tripped midway and ended up tumbling head over heels all the way to the bottom. My brother and I fell out laughing. Mom joined in once she made sure he was okay.”

  Kenton laughed, his arm around Egypt’s shoulder. It was amazing how being close to him made the memories, good and bad, not as painful.

  “My parents used their sense of humor, and that helped us get through tough times, especially during financial troubles. For the most part, my childhood was good…until my uncle was killed and then the trial. When we went into WITSEC, it wasn’t as hard on me and my brother as it was for my parents, especially my mom.”

  Her mother never liked change, especially when it meant leaving everything and everyone they knew behind. She hated the situation even more when they had to pick up and move without notice, twice.

  Kenton pulled Egypt close and kissed the top of her head. “We don’t have to talk—”

  “I want you to know everything about me, especially since you plan on marrying me.”

  He laughed. Egypt might’ve been joking a little, but it felt good to share her past with someone, someone who care
d. Her life had been lonely for so long.

  “For years I regretted being out that night, sorry that my thoughtlessness had destroyed my family. My father reassured me that I wasn’t at fault; that everything happened for a reason. Deep down I knew he was right, but still some days guilt would eat at me.” She paused for a moment, her painful reality too hard to absorb. “I thought I’d never recover when they died.”

  “When did they die?”

  “A little over seven years ago in a boating accident. That’s what the report said, but I never believed it was an accident.”

  “Why not?”

  “After some digging, Nelson said that a fellow marshal thought that the investigation wasn’t thorough and that it reeked of shadiness. My parents and my brother weren’t boaters, knew nothing about boating, yet they were on a vessel by themselves.”

  “Yeah, I can see where that would be a little suspicious.”

  “The skipper of the boat contracts to take people out on Lake Washington all the time, but for some reason, he didn’t accompany my family. According to the authorities, the owner said that my parents paid him double, so they could go out on their own. But two witnesses swore there were four people on the boat. Yet, only three bodies were recovered.”

  Egypt didn’t know what was true, but she trusted Nelson’s judgment. He’d dug into the incident on her behalf since no one involved in the case knew she existed. He never could get solid answers, running into one roadblock after another.

  “Sometimes I wonder why my life was spared and theirs were taken,” Egypt said. She was the only one left in her family, and despite the guilt, that had been her driving force to make something of herself.

  “I hate what happened to your family, and all that you’ve been through, but I’m glad your life was spared. Call me selfish, but I believe you’re on this earth for me.”

  Egypt knew by his tone that Kenton was serious, but she couldn’t help laughing. When he frowned at her, asking what was so funny, she laughed even harder. Before he came into her life, she had never laughed so much. If for nothing else, she really did hope that his prediction of them being together for a lifetime was true.

  “Okay, so now that you’re done laughing at me, I have some questions.” His hold around her waist tightened, and Egypt had a feeling she wasn’t going to like this next line of questioning.

  “How old are you?” he asked.

  “You know it’s not nice to ask a woman her age.”

  “I figured if it’s my woman, it should be okay. Am I wrong?”

  She started to tell him that she was thirty-six which would be in line with her latest identification. Yet, Kenton wanted to learn more about the real her, the person she was before she finally became Egypt Durand.

  “I’ll be thirty-three on my next birthday.”

  “So you’re not thirty-six,” he mumbled. “We usually celebrate your birthday on April 7th, I assume that’s not your real birthday.”

  “It’s January 17th”

  Kenton shook his head. “So you’ve had two different identities?”

  “Three, but I’ve had my current one the longest.”

  “Dammit. No one should have to go through what you’ve been through. It couldn’t have been easy keeping the details straight.”

  “It wasn’t too bad since I rarely let anyone get close. I might not think highly of law enforcement, but after the trial, whoever was responsible for changing our identities did a good job. We didn’t have any trouble as far as getting jobs. And when I left WITSEC, Nelson took care of me and my new identity. I remember him saying, ‘I know a guy.’”

  Kenton grunted. “Yeah, he’s kind of like Laz and Myles in that respect. With the connections those fellas have, they could rule the country. So, what’s your birth name?”

  After a long hesitation, Egypt looked at him. She hadn’t used the name in so long, it felt weird just thinking about it. “Paige McCurry.”

  He nodded. “Paige,” he said the name as if testing it out.

  Egypt could understand him being curious, but she had no intention of going by that name again. That was her past, and she planned to leave it all behind. Thanks to him, she was finally looking forward to the future.

  Egypt scooted down in the bed and sighed. Snuggling into the pillow again, she was glad it was Saturday and that neither of them had to work.

  Kenton laid facing her, his arm around her waist. “I think Egypt fits you. Regal and queenly. It’s also fitting since you’re the queen at Supreme.”

  Egypt smiled, not wanting to tell him the name actually meant troubles. She had chosen it anyway, feeling that it sounded strong and powerful, something she was trying to aspire to at the time.

  “How many kids do you want?” she asked, more than ready to change the subject.

  “Are you offering to be my babies’ mama?” Kenton asked without missing a beat, and Egypt laughed. She loved how easily he rolled with things.

  “Would you just answer the question?”

  “Hmm…that wasn’t a no,” Kenton tease, rubbing his body against hers until she pushed against his chest still laughing. “Okay, seriously though. I want three. Two boys and a girl.”

  Egypt brows dipped, eyeing him suspiciously. “Really?”

  “Yeah,” he stretched out the word, “Why does it sound like you don’t believe me?”

  “It’s not that I don’t believe you. I’m just surprised because one day I want to have three also. Two boys and a baby girl.”

  Kenton studied her for a second. “See, that’s just another reason why I know we’re destined to be together. So when should we get started? You’re not getting any younger.”

  Her mouth dropped open and then she punched him playfully. “You should talk. You’re older than I am.”

  “True, which is why I’m thinking we need to quit messing around and get to work.” He hovered above her and lifted the T-shirt she was wearing over her head and stared down at her. “I like your tattoo. I noticed it last night, but you were such a distraction, I didn’t get a chance to comment on it.”

  “I got it to cover the stab wound.”

  He nodded. “I figured as much,” he said before lowering his head and placing a soft kiss on the tattoo. Egypt felt the sweet gesture to her soul.

  The laceration had been an inch and a half long and healed well, but Egypt hated seeing the small scar. It kept reminding her of that horrible day. The tattoo, a heart-shaped locket with a chain hanging from it, also reminded her of the past, but in a different way. She imagined a picture of her family locked away in the locket, and where she went, they were with her.

  “We were talking about kids a moment ago, but what else do you want?” Kenton asked, hovering above her. “Do you have like a bucket list of goals that you want to accomplish?”

  Egypt thought about that for a moment as she ran her hands up his hard chest. Her body suddenly stirred with need wanting nothing more than to make love to him. But instead of voicing that thought, she said, “I don’t have a bucket list. All I’ve ever wanted was a normal life where I wouldn’t have to keep looking over my shoulder, and I also hope to get married someday. What about you? What do you want?”

  “Right now, all I want is you.”

  When Kenton lowered his head, he gave her a slow, drugging kiss and all thoughts of the past flew from Egypt’s mind. All she could think about at that moment was how this incredibly sweet man gave her hope that her future would be better than her past.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Releasing Egypt’s hand, Kenton yanked a shopping cart free from the long row of carts and followed her into the grocery store. The smell of freshly baked bread and fried chicken battled for first place, enticing his senses. Normally he wouldn’t notice since he usually ran in, grabbed a couple of items and then left. This visit would be different in more ways than one. Based on Egypt’s list, they would be there awhile.

  After spending two days under his roof, loving on each other and g
etting to know one another better, it had been time to get some fresh air and food. They were down to a half a box of cereal and mostly empty shelves in the refrigerator. The moment Egypt had offered to cook him dinner was all the encouragement he needed to head off to the supermarket.

  “Usually, I’d be more than happy to push the cart for you, but I’m going to need to be able to keep at least one of my hands free.” At her questioning gaze, he bent close to her ear and explained. “Protecting you is my first priority.”

  “Oh, yeah. Actually, this is a first for me,” Egypt said, bagging three blemish-free zucchinis and placing them in the cart. “In all of my adult life, I have never been grocery shopping with a man by my side.”

  “I plan on there being many more firsts for us. If it makes you feel any better, this is a first for me too, outside of going with my sisters, of course.” He leaned down and pressed a kiss across her red lips. “Now, what can I do to hurry this along?”

  Egypt smiled and shook her head. “Normally you’re the most patient person I know. I think I just found the chink in your armor.”

  Kenton gave a slight shrug and stayed close as Egypt moved around the produce area, smelling, squeezing and picking over fruits and vegetables. He loved being with her, and even though he hated shopping, he had to admit that the domestic chore was a little more appealing with her by his side.

  “Are you allergic to anything?” she asked placing a bag of onions in the cart.

  “Nope. I’ll eat anything if you’re cooking.”

  “I’m going to love cooking for you. Not just because you’re a big eater, but it sounds like you’ll try anything at least once. How does steak, red potatoes, and asparagus sound to you?”

  “It sounds great, especially if you leave off the asparagus.”

  She stopped. “You just said you would eat anything I cook.”

  “And I will, but asparagus wouldn’t be my first choice of vegetables.”

  “So instead of asking if you were allergic to anything, I should’ve asked is there anything you don’t like.”