by T. J. Kline
She’d spent hours fantasizing about her baby, what color eyes he would have, his smile. What would her child be like? She’d loved every doctor’s appointment because she’d been able to listen to that strong, steady washing-machine heartbeat of the life within her. Elijah had never had time for any of it. When she’d asked him whether he wanted a boy or girl, he’d shooed her out of the room, claiming he needed to make phone calls. When she asked for his help picking decorations for the nursery, he’d turned the conversation back to his latest television project instead.
A tear slipped down her cheek. This baby deserved to be loved by his father, but he would never get that from Elijah. Neither of them would unless Elijah changed dramatically, and since he didn’t feel he was the one who needed to, she’d done the evolving—into someone she didn’t recognize.
She’d seen the press conferences he’d done, replayed repeatedly over the past twenty-four hours, as he pleaded for someone to find her. He looked every inch the doting husband, devastated by the loss of his wife and child. But was any of his act real? Or was Franklin right? He still hadn’t tried to call her phone. She’d spent so many years giving him the benefit of the doubt, convincing herself to believe what she later found out were lies, that she wanted to be persuaded by the man she saw on the news. She had to know for sure.
Alyssa pulled her cell phone from the pocket of her jeans, staring at it for a moment, gathering her courage before dialing Elijah’s number. His handsome face popped up on the screen as it rang. Twice, three times, four times. You’ve reached Elijah Cole. Leave your name, number and . . .
She hung up and redialed, but just received his voice mail again. He was either too busy to talk to her or ignoring her call altogether. If he was trying to find her the way he claimed to be, he would have answered the phone immediately. Wouldn’t someone be monitoring his calls? She knew better than anyone that he always had his phone on him. The fact that he wasn’t answering proved, more than anything else, that the media attention was a ploy.
As much as she wanted to leave him a scathing message, it would only infuriate him, and accomplish nothing. It was even more likely he would use it against her. As it was, she’d just done two things Franklin asked her not to do—used her phone, and called Elijah.
Alyssa looked at the treetops, blowing in the wind, and ran her hands over her arms, listening to the birds chattering loudly in the distance. It was so beautiful here. It reminded her of home, and she felt a knot of pain twist in her chest. Now that Elijah had tried to poison her parents against her, she couldn’t contact them, couldn’t explain to them what was happening. Not until Franklin could get the paperwork filed and she was able to come out publicly with her side of the story.
She wasn’t about to let him charm his way to denying their child his rights, but it meant she was going to have to fight back, something she’d nearly forgotten how to do over the past few years. She knew better than anyone how ruthless Elijah could be. She had to fight smart, which meant staying several steps ahead of him. She pulled her wedding ring from her pocket, letting the sun flicker off the diamonds. Like the house, it was a monstrosity, a declaration of the wealth and influence Elijah had in Hollywood. What should have been her most prized possession was nothing more than a beautiful shackle. She slid it back into her pocket. She would tell Franklin to sell it as well.
Without any means of support until she received the money from the car, she had no option but to ask Franklin for help or continue to rely on Justin’s hospitality. It probably made more sense to ask Franklin, but she wondered if it wasn’t a conflict of interest while he was representing her. It was definitely the safer option for her emotional state. The mere thought of remaining here with Justin sent a shiver of heat through her veins as she remembered his kiss earlier.
The last thing she needed right now was the complication of a relationship. She was ending one, she didn’t want to make the mistake of jumping into another, but when Justin touched her, her reservations vanished. She felt longing coil within her. In another time, another place, they might have had something special. Not now. The timing wasn’t right.
Justin was a great guy. He deserved someone who could give herself completely, not a single mother on the cusp of a divorce without a dime to her name. For all she knew, he was looking forward to her leaving and getting his house back. It was in everyone’s best interest for her to leave with Franklin. They would have to figure something out.
JUSTIN SAW LYSSA head into the clinic and suspected she was going to check on Rocky. He followed her inside, replaying his conversation with Franklin in his mind. He should have recognized the signs of her abuse sooner. Almost five years ago, he’d watched helplessly while Julia had recuperated from her boyfriend’s attack. Evan had sent her to the hospital for several weeks. Lyssa might not have the physical wounds Julia had suffered, but that didn’t make the abuse, or the toll it had taken on her, any less real. She was minimizing the emotional trauma she’d faced.
Justin knew Franklin was trying to help Lyssa, but she didn’t need another demanding, forceful man in her life. That would only make her retreat further. As much as he wanted to rescue her, Justin knew she needed to find the strength in herself to take this step away from this situation, for this to be her decision to take control.
He found her standing over Rocky, her hands moving slowly over his side as he slept peacefully. The puppy was out of the woods, but she didn’t know that yet. Justin moved closer, realizing she was completely lost in her thoughts.
“You were right to save him,” he acknowledged. “He’s going to be okay.”
She gave him a sad smile. “He is? I’m glad.”
Justin could sense the hesitation in her, a distance he hadn’t seen in her until now, and wondered at the wall she’d managed to erect between them in the short span of time. The sadness he’d seen upon her arrival had returned, and it tugged at his heart.
“Lyssa? Are you okay?”
“I’m going to leave with Franklin. I’d like to stay and help with Rocky and the others but . . . ” Her words trailed off, as if she wasn’t sure how to explain.
Justin took a slow, deep breath, trying to disregard the painful constriction of his lungs. He shoved his hands into his pockets, trying to hide his reaction to her statement. “Okay.”
She turned and looked at him, surprise registering on her face. “I mean . . . I appreciate all you’ve done to help me, but I just think . . . I guess what I mean is, it’s better if I leave with Franklin in the morning. I don’t want to cause you any more trouble.”
Justin ran his hand through his hair and shook his head. He wanted to pull her into his arms, to hold her until she realized she didn’t have to live this nightmare any longer. He’d never been the kind of guy to turn his back on anyone who needed help, but with Lyssa, he knew her well-being, and that of her child, depended on making her believe her worth.
“Lyssa, my life was pretty crazy to begin with, and I’ll admit you sort of made it do a somersault, but I’m not complaining.”
She looked up at him, her green eyes wide, and he could read the doubt in them. The corner of his mouth turned up. “Okay, maybe at first I complained to my sister, but that was before I knew you, knew what you were going through. Lyssa, you’re the kind of trouble I could get used to.”
He took a step closer to her, wanting to reach out to her but knowing she was vulnerable after the discussion with Franklin. He didn’t want to push her. “You’re welcome to stay here as long as you need to. I . . . ” He knew he probably shouldn’t admit what he was about to say, but she needed to hear it. He wouldn’t force her to stay, but he would give anything to change her mind. “I want you to stay, Lyssa.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Her hands slid up his arms, curling into the muscles of his biceps, clinging to him as if she would drown if she let go. Justin’s arm curled around her back and drew her close, her belly pressing between them. He felt the goose b
umps break out over her arms, igniting the desire he’d been trying to hold at bay. She pressed her cheek against his chest, her fingers splayed over the muscles, heating his body with agonizing longing. His body throbbed painfully in time with his pulse, every part of him straining for her touch, straining to touch her. He could feel passion making her heart beat quickly, pressed against his. Justin was torn, fighting the desire racing through his veins and wanting to give her time to adjust to her newfound freedom and the consequences that entailed.
He wanted to do the right thing for Lyssa. She was filing for divorce, had every right to forget her cheating husband, the man who tried to break her spirit, to make her weak, just to suit his purposes. He also knew Lyssa was confused, and hurt. He didn’t want to be something she chalked up as another regret, a wrong turn on a long stretch of highway. But he couldn’t turn her away either. He was a lot of things—a small-town veterinarian, a big brother, an ex-football player—but one thing he wasn’t was a home wrecker. He had to let her make the decision.
Justin’s arms tightened around Lyssa as he tucked her head under his chin, holding her as their rapid heartbeats slowed, and he felt her relax into his embrace. “You’re the kind of trouble I don’t mind, Lyssa. The kind that’s exciting. The kind worth waiting for.” He ran his hand over her hair, cupping the back of her head, his thumb against her jawline, tipping her face toward him. “I promise I will wait for you as long as I have to.” Justin gently ran a hand over the side of her belly. “I’ll wait for both of you.”
He brushed his lips against the top of her head before he let himself become lost in her again, and reached for her hand, twisting his fingers through hers. “Come on, now that Franklin has calmed down a bit, let’s go see what he has to say.”
Justin peeked in on Lucky and the puppies in the kennel. “She should be able to go into the bigger kennel tomorrow since her incision is healing nicely. We’ll just need to keep her quiet for a few more days then she can move to one of the bigger runs.” He rubbed the dog’s head. “Poor Lucky. We’ll get rid of this ‘cone of shame’ for you.”
Lyssa let out a breath slowly, and he turned back to look at her, worried about how quiet she’d fallen. “Did the walk help clarify things?”
“It did.” She looked thoughtful. “But it doesn’t really make it easier to admit how stupid I was.”
“A mistake doesn’t make you stupid, Lyssa. It makes you human.”
“Staying married to him would be even more stupid.” He heard the resignation in her voice and wondered if it was regret or sorrow. It was entirely possible she still loved her husband and wanted to stay with him regardless of his abuse. She wouldn’t be the first woman to do it. “It’s better for me to just cut my losses and walk away. Now I just need to figure out where to go from here.”
Justin tried to ignore the relieved elation that shot through him. She needed compassion and understanding right now. Lyssa needed a friend, not a lover. He wanted to be both for her, but the latter would take time.
He rose and closed the kennel door when he saw pain pinch her delicate features. “Are you okay?”
She blew out a slow breath, running her hands over the sides of her stomach, massaging it. “Yeah, that was just . . . surprisingly strong.”
“Let’s get you back inside. Are you all right to walk?” She nodded but sucked in another deep breath as a contraction hit.
Justin wasn’t taking a chance. He scooped her up in his arms, intent on carrying her back to the house. Even pregnant, she weighed practically nothing. He took her through the back door and straight into her room.
Franklin must have heard the door slam open and came running. “What’s going on? Is she okay?”
“I’m fine, Franklin. Justin, put me down.”
He ignored her demand. He wasn’t letting her put a brave face on. He’d seen the pain in her eyes. Justin had felt the contractions clenching the muscles of her stomach against his abs as he carried her. She needed to see a doctor in case this was labor. She was only eight months along; it was still too soon. He settled her on the bed.
“I’ll be right back.” Justin shut the door behind him and grabbed Franklin by the front of his shirt, shoving him against the wall. “She needs a doctor.”
Franklin’s face paled. “We can’t take her to a hospital . . . not yet. Let me make a few calls and find someone.”
“Look, I don’t give a crap that you want to keep her hidden or beat her ex to the punch. That’s the least of our worries right now. She could be going into premature labor. You have five minutes to find a doctor or I’m driving her to the hospital myself.”
“Justin, stop.”
He turned and saw Lyssa standing in the doorway, a smile tugging at her lips. “If you would have listened to me instead of jumping into superhero mode, I could have told you they are just Braxton Hicks contractions. It’s normal, false labor.” She laid her hand over his arm, coaxing him to release Franklin. “Relax.”
“I still think you need to see a doctor.” He frowned but let go of Franklin’s shirt. The smaller man moved away quickly, straightening his tie and glaring at Justin.
“I’m fine,” she assured him. “It passes after a few minutes. I just need a drink of water.”
“Go back to bed and I’ll get it,” Justin offered.
Lyssa shook her head and arched a saucy brow at him. “Look, Aquaman, I’m not letting you boss me around, too.” She brushed past him and headed into the kitchen.
As much as he wanted to demand she lie down and let him get a doctor, he was pleased to see the spark of defiance back in her eyes. He would just have to keep a close eye on her and give her the freedom to assert herself. He chuckled as he followed her into the kitchen.
“I thought we agreed, I’m more like Thor.”
Chapter Ten
ALYSSA STOOD ON Justin’s porch and watched Franklin drive away the next morning. It hadn’t been easy to sign the documents ending her marriage and even more difficult to sign the restraining order cutting herself and her child off from Elijah, but Franklin was right, he was becoming more unpredictable, and she was worried about what he might do next. She couldn’t help but think about the times he’d grasped her wrist or pushed her against the wall. The restraining order was a statement both for herself and to him—she wouldn’t tolerate being treated this way. She was taking a stand and wasn’t going to cower any longer.
She took another sip of her coffee, looking up as Justin came out to the porch.
“Are you doing okay?”
“I’m fine,” she assured him. The corner of her mouth quirked up in a half smile, and she tried to hide it in the mug. “Do you always hover like a mother hen?”
Although the prospect of having Justin around all day had kept her stomach tied up in knots throughout the night. She couldn’t decide if it was the nerves at his nearness or the anticipation at what he might do next that kept her tossing and turning in bed. In the end, she’d blamed the Braxton Hicks contractions for keeping her awake.
“My sisters would say yes.” Justin’s hand slid to her lower back, as if he couldn’t waste even the smallest opportunity to touch her, and she took a deep breath, trying to still the butterflies in her stomach his touch provoked. “I just want to make sure you’re not having any more contractions before we bring Lucky into the mudroom. I have a whelping box all set up for her in there, and it will make it easier for you to watch her when I’m working. You won’t have to go to the clinic every few hours.”
“Oh, sorry. I thought—” She’d assumed he was asking about her emotional state with her divorce.
“I know what you thought.” He gave her a lopsided smile, the dimple deepening in his cheek. She fought the urge to press a quick kiss to it as his blue eyes sparked with boyish charm. “You, Ms. Cole, thought I’d be following you around like a sad-eyed puppy, just waiting for you to cast your beautiful emerald eyes my way. Just like the rest of your male admirers.” He leaned in close, his lip
s brushing against her temple, his breath hot against her cheek, sending a shiver of desire through her. “You were hoping I’d ask you out on a date tonight, weren’t you?”
“I was not,” she denied, appalled that he would think she did, and spun to face him, bumping her forehead against his chin.
“Ow.” He laughed, rubbing the area. “I knew you were hardheaded, but you didn’t have to prove it.”
“Oh! I’m sorry,” she said, turning to see his injury, her fingers pressing the edge of his jaw. “Are you okay?” She was having a hard time holding back the giggle that fought to be released. “That was an accident.”
Justin’s fingers captured her hand and his eyes went dark, hungry as he pressed a kiss against her palm. “Are you sure you didn’t want me to ask you out on a date?” His voice was gravelly, and she felt the need for this man burst through her like a sledgehammer. She couldn’t breathe as she stared at him and wondered if he wasn’t about to kiss her again. Heaven help her, but she wanted him to.
He blinked and the humor was back in his eyes, as if it had never left. “As much as I’d love to, I don’t have time to satisfy your insatiable ego today,” Justin teased with a laugh. “I have to see a man about a pig and Jessie about a horse. Ugh, I hate pigs,” he complained.
He was teasing her? She’d forgotten what it was like to have this kind of friendship with a man, to be able to joke around. To flirt. Franklin was sweet but he was careful now, because of Elijah. Playful banter had never really been a part of her marriage. Elijah didn’t tease; he didn’t have time. In his eyes, life was a race to get to the top, and anyone frivolous enough to waste time playing deserved to be trampled on the way up. He’d been commanding and attentive, but serious and driven. He saw what he wanted and went after it. That included her at one time. Fun had never been part of the equation, and she hadn’t realized how much she’d missed it over the years.
