Hurricane

by Taige Crenshaw

  “She’s the reason you won’t be getting a call. My life is all about my daughter. I don’t have time for anything else.” As she went to pull her hand away, Julianne knew she was lying to him about the real reason and refused to contemplate or acknowledge even to herself what it was.

  Keenan held it firmly, yet gently. “You won’t make time. Think about it, Julianne.”

  He released her.

  “There’s nothing to think about. Rissa is all I need to weather any hurricane. Now goodbye, Keenan,” Julianne snapped.

  She walked away to meet her daughter. Hugging her, she led her back to her office, ignoring the man watching her.

  “Who was that man, Mom?” Rissa asked.

  “The fire marshal,” she replied.

  At the hall leading to her office, she glanced back. Keenan hadn’t moved. He tipped his head at her. Julianne followed her daughter.

  “He’s cute.” Rissa giggled.

  “What do you know about cute, young lady?”

  “Awww… I’m eight, Mom. I think he likes you. Do you like him?” Rissa asked.

  She waited until she closed her office door. Rissa was staring up at her. Her face was so much like her father’s. Julianne’s heart clenched with guilt.

  “I can’t—won’t—care about anyone like I did your daddy.”

  Rissa looked solemn and gentle. “Daddy is gone. He’d want you to find someone.”

  Julianne’s eyes widened. This was not a conversation she wanted to have with her eight-year-old. “I swear you are too grown.”

  She ruffled Rissa’s hair.

  “Mom! My hair.” Rissa ducked, sliding her hands over her hair, making sure her braid wasn’t out of place.

  “It’s fine. Although I can mess it up.” Julianne smirked.

  “Behave, Mom.” Rissa backed up.

  Julianne laughed. “Okay. Now homework, missy.”

  Rissa took her bag to the round table. Julianne watched her as she set up her books to get to work then turned and went behind her desk.

  “Mom? I think you should ask the fireman on a date,” Rissa said.

  Julianne flopped down on the chair. She met her daughter’s golden gaze—the family trait she shared with the Lockes. The look in them reminded her so much of her deceased husband—contemplative and ready to convince someone to their way of thinking. It was what had made Charles such a great attorney. Julianne rose from her chair and went to Rissa, where she sat in the chair next to her daughter. Rissa was fiddling with the edge of her notebook. Julianne brushed back her bangs.

  “Where is this coming from?”

  Rissa bit her lip, then blurted out, “Aunty Noelle is so happy with Uncle Pierce. I want that for you, Mommy. Someone to have like that. We can add someone to weather the hurricane with us. Three is stronger than two. Right?”

  Julianne bit her lip. Hearing Rissa say the words that had become their own private motto made her know how serious she was. Rissa only used them when she wanted to discuss something important. Julianne was the same.

  Noelle had recently married Pierce. Julianne, along with her partners, had pulled out all the stops for the wedding. After all, it was for family. The wedding had been beautiful. Rissa had been so excited and enthralled by the whole thing. She’d seen many weddings since she was born, but none involving family or friends, whose weddings had all happened before Rissa had been born. The idea that one of the family was getting married, and she would be part of it, had fascinated her. Julianne had no clue that it had made Rissa start thinking of weddings.

  “They are. But, baby, I’m happy with my life. Just you and me, like we always say, together.”

  “Together can mean more people,” Rissa said.

  “We have the family, and friends who are also family,” Julianne said.

  “We do, and that’s fine. But Mom, I want you to have someone. Someone to care about. Like you did with Daddy,” Rissa whispered.

  “I’m ok—”

  “Okay is not happy,” Rissa said stubbornly.

  Julianne wasn’t sure where this was coming from. Rissa reached into her bag, pulled out something and handed it to her.

  “You should have that again,” she insisted.

  Julianne took it and looked at what she’d handed her. She gasped, and tears pricked her eyes. With a shaking hand, she traced the familiar lines of Charles’ face. He had a huge grin as he stood behind her with his hands cupping over her just showing belly. It was the last picture they’d had taken, just before they’d left Regina’s house after having dinner with her and Spencer. Since Spencer was just coming out of his residency and was low man on the totem pole, his schedule was iffy at the time. The dinner had been an impromptu thing, since he was off. After the accident, Regina had given Julianne the picture, and she had put it away, unable to face it and all the changes.

  “Baby, where did you get this?”

  “I wasn’t snooping,” she defended.

  “Oh, sweetie. I’m not saying that. I’m not mad. Where did you get it?” Julianne put it down and pulled Rissa onto her lap.

  Rissa cuddled, her head lowered. “I asked Uncle Pierce to help get one of the boxes you gave me. The one in the basement. One of them next to it fell, and, when we were putting it back, this fell out. I took it and put it in my box.”

  Julianne nodded. She had given Rissa pictures and other things of her father’s. Rissa kept some in her room, and the rest were boxed up. Julianne traced the edge of the photo.

  “You look so happy.”

  “We were,” Julianne said.

  “Do you love me, Mommy?”

  “Of course I do.” Julianne frowned, confused by the question.

  “I love you, too. But you need someone who will love you like Daddy did,” Rissa said.

  Julianne didn’t know how to respond.

  “Tell me a story about Daddy.”

  Julianne was grateful for the change of subject. She started one of her favourite stories about Charles. Even as she spoke, Keenan’s face and his light green eyes flashed in her mind.

  “Come on, Mom,” Rissa said.

  “You come on, slow poke.” Julianne laughed, skating past her.

  Rissa’s roller blades sounded behind her as she tried to catch up. Julianne picked up speed on her own skates. She turned to face Rissa, skating backwards.

  “Slow, slow,” she mocked, laughing.

  “No fair. I don’t know how to do that yet.”

  “You don’t know how to do this either.” Julianne did a twirl and continued skating backwards, facing Rissa.

  “You’re going to show me how. Right?” Rissa demanded.

  “Okay. I will. But promise you won’t do it when I’m not there, unless you’re with one of the family.” Julianne slowed and stopped. Rissa stopped before her.

  “Okay. Show me now. Hey, isn’t that the fireman?” Rissa asked, pointing.

  “Stop pointing.” Julianne looked where she gestured.

  Keenan wasn’t aware of her. He was sitting on a bench talking with a cute little girl who looked to be about Rissa’s age. His sleeveless dark green T-shirt showcased his broad chest and his black and silver elbow pads and wrist guards only enhanced his muscular arms. His matching dark green shorts were mid-thigh, just above his kneepads. His long legs were spread out before him, and he wore black and silver skates. The matching helmet was on the bench next to him. The girl with him was similarly dressed, but her gear was purple, complementing her lavender clothing.

  “Hey. He’s with Callie,” Rissa said.

  Julianne turned her attention to Rissa. “Who?”

  “Callie. She’s in my class at school,” Rissa said.

  “Oh, yeah. Brigid… Mrs Gary is her mother, right?”

  “Yep. She is.”

  She listened absently as Rissa filled her in on Callie. Watching Keenan, she breathed out. She’d thought about him a lot over the last few weeks. Thought about calling him quite a few times, too, but had talked herself out of
it. She’d used the excuse of being busy to avoid calling, figuring it wouldn’t work anyway. She’d even told herself that he was a jerk. From Harmon, she knew he and Keenan had reconnected as friends. They had hung out together, and Harmon had even invited him to the weekly poker game that he had with some of her family and friends. Those little kernels of information had only fuelled her wanting to call him. But she kept finding reasons not to.

  Seeing him now, she knew her reasons were all a load of shit. Thirty-eight days since she saw him last, and she wanted nothing more than to go over to him. Julianne shook her head at herself. It was pitiful that she knew the number of days since she’d last seen him. All the excuses she’d come up with weren’t anywhere near the true reason holding her back. She couldn’t figure out what it was about Keenan Callaghan that made her even contemplate calling him for a date. Even before the conversation with Rissa, she was tempted. After, she’d found him even more appealing. In all these weeks, she still had no explanation for why he’d affected her so much.

  “Come on. Let’s go say hi.” Julianne skated beside Rissa as they went around the loop towards where Keenan sat on the bench.

  She smoothed her hand down the side of her biker shorts. This early on a Saturday morning, Couric Park was not as busy as usual. When they were almost to them, Keenan turned to watch their approach. A smile curled his lips and he stood. Julianne swallowed a gulp as his long frame uncurled. His dark green shorts were loose, but they made his legs look so firm and lickable.

  Rein it in. You’re with your daughter.

  “Keenan, nice to see you again.”

  “Julianne. My pleasure.” He grinned—his affable one she’d been dreaming of.

  Wonder how that grin would taste under my lips. She pushed the idea out of her head.

  “This is my daughter, Marissa. She prefers Rissa, though. Rissa, this is Mr Callaghan.” Julianne put her arm around her daughter.

  “Nice to meet you, Rissa.” Keenan shook her hand.

  “Nice to meet you, Mr Callaghan. Hey, Callie.” Rissa smiled.

  “Ah…so you know my niece. Callie, this is Miss—”

  “I know Callie, too. She’s in Rissa’s class at school. How are you, Callie?”

  “I’m good, Miss Locke.”

  Julianne studied the girl. She looked similar to Keenan, with the same light green eyes, but her hair was black.

  “Why don’t you and Rissa skate around the loop for a bit. Just around the loop so we can see you. I’ll sit with your uncle until you get back,” Julianne said.

  “Sounds good, Miss Locke.”

  “Mom, you’re going to show me how to skate backward and twirl,” Rissa said.

  “I will when you get back.”

  “Okay. Come on, Callie.” The girls skated off together.

  Keenan held Julianne’s arms to help her sit before sitting next to her on the right.

  “Thanks.” She took off her helmet, placing it on the bench on her left.

  “You’re welcome,” Keenan replied.

  Julianne watched the girls as they skated to the edge of the loop, then around it and back to them. She waved at Rissa as she passed. Once they were headed to the end of the loop again, she looked at Keenan. He was watching after the girls.

  “Go out with me,” Julianne blurted out.

  Keenan turned. His light green eyes studied her. Julianne stiffened, waiting. He didn’t say anything, just stared at her.

  “Well?”

  “Yes. Since you asked so nicely.” Keenan chucked softly.

  “Okay.” Julianne grinned sheepishly and relaxed.

  “I won’t point out that you don’t date. I am, after all, sort of a gentleman,” Keenan said.

  “A gentleman wouldn’t have referred to my not dating comment from before,” Julianne replied.

  “That’s why I said I’m sort of a gentleman.” Keenan laughed.

  Julianne joined him and instantly she saw Keenan sober. He raised his hand and ran a finger down her nose. Julianne shivered while her pussy clenched and flooded.

  Oh my God. Who knew the nose is an erogenous zone?

  “Being sort of a gentleman, I’m sort of old-fashioned. Even though you asked me out, I’ll pick you up for our date. Is seven tonight good?” Keenan whispered.

  “Yes,” she said in an equally soft tone.

  Julianne leaned closer to him and Keenan moved to meet her.

  “And being sort of a lady, I’ll let you pick me up and even pay for the date. I might even let you kiss me after,” she stated, close to his lips.

  “That’s good to know. But you assume that I kiss on the first date,” Keenan said in return.

  She bit back a groan as his breath tickled her lips.

  Clearing her throat, she replied, “We’ll see at the end of our date. Let’s skate.”

  Keenan stood and pulled her up. Julianne tipped her head back to meet his eyes. At six-feet, she usually didn’t have to look up to meet most people’s gaze.

  “I’m looking forward to tonight. What should I wear?”

  “Casual. And I’m looking forward to it, too.” Keenan ran his finger down her nose again, then reached past her and got her helmet.

  He placed it on her head. Keenan slid his hand along her neck and pulled her braid over her shoulder, before moving down to the tip of her hair. His knuckles brushed the side of her breast, then continued to the side of her hip. Her heart pounded and her pussy clenched. She licked her lips, fighting the need to kiss him. Desire was plain in his gaze, and he mirrored her, licking his own lips. The glisten that was left behind only made her want to taste him even more. He released the end of her braid. His touch feathered on her side, then was gone. She shivered. His soft, wicked chuckle filled her ears. Julianne turned away from him and breathed out.

  Lord, the things this man makes me want me to do. Give me strength to not rip his clothes off. We’re in a park with my daughter and his niece.

  She noted the girls had almost reached them. Releasing another exhalation of air, she skated out, closer to the loop, to meet them.

  Keenan observed Julianne’s voluptuous form as she skated to the girls. The pale yellow rollerblading outfit she wore was like nothing he had seen before. The short-sleeved shirt had a sweetheart neckline that showcased her full breasts and the hem fell in soft waves around her. The bottom of the garment had slits all around the shirt that rested just above the hemline of her matching biker shorts, which reached almost to her knees. The tantalising glimpse the shirt’s slits gave made him want to pull it up and touch her ass. Her protective gear and skates were black and gold. The whole combination complemented her complexion and the fit of her outfit showcased her lush, curvy figure.

  Julianne glanced back at him. The small smile on her full lips made him want to go over and kiss her. Thick lashes surrounded her golden eyes, enhancing them, making him want to lean over and gently kiss each lid. He was grateful his shorts were a little loose, or he’d have had to stay seated until he’d calmed down. Julianne retuned her attention to the girls and showed them some tricks.

  Keenan was impressed with her agility. He enjoyed rollerblading whenever he had time and the weather was good. Crossing his arms over his chest, he watched as she instructed the girls, but couldn’t tell what they were saying. Running into Julianne was unexpected, he mused, and her asking him for a date was a great thing. He chuckled softly at remembering her nervousness and impatience when he didn’t respond. He’d gleaned a picture of Julianne from hanging out with Harmon and some of her family at poker games, and everything he’d been told indicated that she wasn’t easily flustered.

  The idea that he had cracked her carefully maintained front pleased him. In her office, when she had turned him down flat, he had known it would only be a matter of time before she would get in touch with him. He could be patient, since he knew he wanted to get to know her very well. In his gut, he knew Julianne would be in his life for a long time to come. If he had anything to do with it, s
he would be his forever. Keenan’s smile widened. Julianne had made the first salvo with her asking him on a date. Now, it was his turn to make her realise it wasn’t just because she couldn’t understand why he threw her off. That was the other thing he’d already figured out. To her, he was a challenge and had to be placed in a category. It was that look in her eyes that told him she was trying to place him where he would fit.

  What Julianne didn’t get was that he was just Keenan. There was nothing to figure out. He was just a simple man who knew what he wanted. Her daughter, Rissa, caught his attention. She looked a lot like her mother, but a mix of what he assumed was her father, as well. The combination had created a beautiful young girl who would turn out to be a beautiful woman. Just like her mother. As part of his investigation, he had run a search on Julianne and knew a little about the accident in which Julianne had lost her husband. He hadn’t delved too deeply, instead wanting her to tell him once they became a couple.

  Keenan chuckled and shook his head. He was so sure they would be more. Brigid, his oldest sister and Callie’s mother, had been urging him to contact Julianne again. Brigid had never mentioned she knew Julianne before—he’d have to ask her why. Keenan had not followed her suggestion, wanting Julianne to come to him. It had been a gamble but his instincts had never failed him. And they still hadn’t.

  Turning, he picked up his helmet, donned it and skated off to join her and the girls. He stood, listening, as she explained how to twirl, then demonstrated. The movements made the hem of her shirt lift and show more of her tight shorts. Swallowing, Keenan turned his attention to the girls. They were twirling as Julianne had shown them.

  “Okay. That’s enough for now. Let’s skate,” Julianne said.

  The girls took off eagerly.

  “Rissa, remember my rule,” she called.

  “Within eye view of you. I got it, Mom,” Rissa replied.

  He and Julianne skated behind the girls at a slower pace.