Iris looked up the walkway. “I remember this house. It was your grandma’s.”
“And now it’s mine.” He gave her a distant smile. “She passed away a few years ago and left the house to my mom. Mom didn’t want the house, but could use the money, so before she put it on the market, I asked her if I could buy it.”
He led her up the brick path, opened the front door, and turned on the living room lights. The room was homey with the walls painted in a creamy yellow-beige with leather chairs and couch. He watched her rub her hands together again. “Are you cold?” he asked.
“I can’t seem to get warm.”
“You’ve been through a lot. If it’s okay, I’ll make us both a drink. If nothing else, it will warm us up.”
“I usually don’t drink, but tonight, I’ll take it.”
She sat on the couch and looked around the room. There were a few framed photographs and one of him shaking hands with the Attorney General as he accepted his law degree. Thane returned and handed her a glass and a Ziploc bag filled with ice cubes. “Since you won’t let me take you to the ER, put this on your face. Your cheek still looks like it hurts. We’ll take a few more photos in the morning for evidence when it’s discolored.”
“Thanks.” Iris accepted both. She pressed the cold bag to her skin. “Is it swollen?”
“Yes.”
“I guess I needed one of the boo-boo ice packs from the preschool,” she said trying to lighten the mood.
“This isn’t really a laughing matter. Don could have hurt you―or worse.” He frowned.
“I know it’s not something to make light of. I was lucky. Don’s changed over the last few months, but he’s never been violent like he was tonight. I would have left him earlier. I shouldn’t have made an excuse for him hurting me back at the station. I’m not one of those wilting flowers who would let a guy thump on me.”
“I know that.” Thane took a drink from his glass, stood, and began to stack wood in the fireplace for a fire. When the flames leapt to life, he sat on the floor and stretched out his long legs. “Why didn’t you ever return my calls, Iris? There’s been time between us, and I feel I can ask the question now. I need to know why.”
“I was going to college.”
“And I wasn’t. Believe me, I got that. But, if you’d called me, you would have known I did. When we were together, my mom and stepdad kept telling me that I’d never make it in college. No one in my immediate family ever went to college, and they kept asking why I thought I was better than them.”
“You never told me they said that.”
His face darkened. “Do you think I was proud of it? Proud my family thought I would never amount to anything?”
“I never believed that,” she said.
“Sure. But, remember, you were the one who left me. I think deep in your heart you did. I was determined to change. I applied for scholarships and student loans. A friend’s mom paid for my college entrance exam test and put me on the path.”
“And now you’re a lawyer.”
“I am, and a damn good one. I’m on the bottom rung now, as a Deputy District Attorney, but I’ll work my way up. Motivation doesn’t always come from positive things in your life.” He swirled the amber liquid in his glass and stared into it.
“I’m sorry I hurt you, Thane. I never meant to. When I left for school, I just didn’t know what else to do.”
“Was that the only reason you called me tonight? I was your last thought?” He paused for a long moment, downed the rest of his drink, and then set it on the table. He let out a bitter laugh. “Of course it was. Dumb question. I’m sure we’ll talk more on this subject, but tonight’s not the right time. We’re both going to get some sleep. I’ll show you to the bedroom.” He stood and offered his hand to pull her to her feet. “Don’t worry, I’m sleeping out here. I fall asleep on the couch often. It’s very comfortable.”
“I’m not kicking you out of your bed,” Iris said in a stubborn tone.
“Good God woman, for once in your life will you let me have the last word? Come on, it’s the middle of the night. I’m like stick-a-fork-in-me-done. If you’re here tomorrow night, we can argue the sleeping arrangements then.” He led her to the bedroom, opened a dresser drawer and pulled out pajama bottoms and a T-shirt. “These will be big, but they’ll work for tonight. Tomorrow, I’ll send a marshal over to your apartment to get your things, if that’s what you decide. You can go with him or have Don box up your things.”
“I don’t want to see him again, and I’m not going back.”
“Good. If there’s anything missing, I’ll go back to the apartment with you.”
When Thane left, she shut the door and peeled off her clothes. There was blood on the front of her shirt from her lip. She couldn’t seem to get the clothes off fast enough and threw them in a pile on the floor. In the shower, she let the hot water run over her. Putting on the clean pajamas, she towel dried her hair and came back into the living room. Thane draped a blanket over the couch and dropped a pillow on the armrest.
She wanted to be in his arms again, so she walked over and hugged him. His arms felt strong wrapped around her middle. Iris felt the tears begin again as she buried her head against his chest. “I was thinking about what Don said back at the station. No one wants a teacher with a felony record. Because of this stupid night, I’m going to lose my job, aren’t I?”
Thane stepped back and tipped up her chin until she looked at him. “No. That’s not what will happen. What will happen is that the D.A. in King County will reject the charges.”
“You work for the D.A.’s office too. I won’t get you in trouble for calling you, will I? It’s not a conflict of interest?”
“It would be if I worked for King County, but I work for Snohomish County.” Thane smiled. “I’m going to call John at the D.A.’s office in the morning. Once your case is disposed, I’ll ask them to expunge your record. The case was a mess to begin with, and the charges will never show up on your record. They would rather not have the paperwork, trust me.”
“I always have.” Iris wrapped her arms around Thane’s neck and gave him a thank you kiss. Sweet. Short. She wanted just one kiss. Was that so bad? But then she lingered against his lips.
He stepped back. “Iris?” he asked, as he searched her face for an answer to her actions.
She grabbed him and pulled him back to her. The man had always been able to kiss. It felt like she acquired more of his heart and soul with every subtle movement. Iris wasn’t sure why the kiss was more important than her next breath. Instead of coming to her senses, she lost what little she had left and savored the moment.
Thane groaned into her mouth, and pulled her tighter against him. Memories came flooding back with the taste of him. From the first kiss they shared when they were sixteen years old, to this moment, his touch was intoxicating. His kiss was soft but at the same time demanding. This time, he tasted like the whiskey he’d just drank and his body was filled out from the thin, wiry young man she once knew. Muscled. Hard. He was the same…but, different.
Suddenly, he broke the kiss. He stepped back and ran the back of his hand over his mouth. “No. This is not the time. You’ve been through enough tonight. I’m not adding anymore emotional baggage to your kiosk and I’m not going to be a rebound guy.” He sounded choked. Smothered. “We both need sleep. Not this,” he repeated.
Iris’s cheeks heated, she’d never meant for it to happen. She wasn’t sure what else to say other than, “Thanks again for being there tonight.”
“You’re welcome.” Thane cupped her cheek and kissed below her eye where the bruise was. “But, just to let you know, I never left.”
Thane picked her up at the daycare the next evening. She didn’t need a bodyguard. Iris didn’t think Don would come looking for her. But if he did, it was nice to know she
didn’t have to wait at a deserted bus stop.
When they arrived at Thane’s house, he opened the door and made a grand gesture with his hand toward the stack of boxes inside the door. “I took a few hours off this afternoon. When Don texted you and said to come and pick up your things, you said that you didn’t want to go. I know the marshal went over to your old apartment and picked up the boxes. If there’s anything missing, we can worry about it later.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate this.” Iris dropped to her knees and opened the top of the first box. “My mom bought this scarf for me last Christmas.” She picked out another item and frowned. “It seems so final.”
“You don’t want it to be final with Don?”
“That’s not what I meant.” She shook her head. “It just feels like I’m starting over from scratch. The apartment belonged to both of us. But, he was right. Everything was in his name and now I’m the one who gets to start over. It was rent money out the door for me, I guess. This stinks. I don’t have enough to make a down payment on an apartment in Seattle. The rent is way out of my league to get a place on my own.”
Thane sat on the floor beside her, pulled up his legs, and rested his long arms across his knees. He lifted a hand and ran it through his dark hair. “If I didn’t make it clear last night, you are more than welcome to stay here as long as you like. I don’t want you to read more into this. It’s just a friend helping a friend.”
“I’m not kicking you out of your bed for another night.”
“You don’t have to.” He grinned. “The marshal arrived earlier than I thought, so I had the whole afternoon off. I ran over to Ikea and picked up a basic mattress and frame.”
He stood and then picked one of the boxes off the floor. Thane led her down the hall and opened the bedroom room door. The white bedframe and bed was already made with flowered sheets and a puffy comforter.
“You shouldn’t have done this.”
“Why? When I got off work early, I had some free time. I didn’t know what to do with it, so I used it to clean up the spare bedroom. Just to warn you, there is only one side of the closet cleaned out. The other side…I wouldn’t open it. It could be dangerous. If you open it things might fall out on you.”
“This is great. But, I can’t expect to stay here for free.”
“How about a hundred dollars a month and you buy half the groceries. I eat a lot, so you’d better think about my offer before saying yes.”
Iris paused and looked out the curtained windows. “It sounds like an offer I can’t refuse.”
“That’s what I was hoping you’d say.”
Thane was really a nice guy. But, then again, he always had been.
He still wore his light blue dress shirt and dark grey pants from work. His tie hung loose around his neck. She’d only ever seen him in a T-shirt and jeans. Those were sexy, but there was something about him dressed in his ‘lawyer’ gear that was even sexier. His dark hair was brushed back from his strong face and he had a hint of a five o’clock shadow along his jawline. He could have stepped out of one of the menswear ads on the billboards around town. Refined, but still with a little hint of rebel.
He told her he’d picked up a few groceries and then disappeared down the hall to take a quick shower and change. She’d started dinner by the time he returned wearing his familiar wardrobe of a worn V-neck T-shirt and jeans that formed to his long legs. He was barefoot and his hair was still damp on the tips. A hint of soap and fresh laundry filled the air when he joined her in the kitchen.
“I’ll chop fruit chunks for a salad.” He began to peel the fruit and then popped a few pieces here and there into his mouth. Iris took a moment to study his profile as he worked. Her boyfriends in the past weren’t bad-looking, not that looks had really ever mattered to her, but there was something about Thane that still drew her to him. He and Don were polar opposites. Don was pale and blond, whereas Thane’s skin and hair were dark. He’d told her once his grandmother had Spanish blood. Thane was cute when they were in high school, but the man who stood next to her now couldn’t be described as cute. Now, Thane was melt-your-brain handsome.
Iris absently touched her lips trying to remember the kiss they’d shared the night before.
He looked up and caught her staring at him. “What? Am I doing something wrong?” His eyes were a shade of dark brown like melted chocolate. They had a sleepy, sexy quality about them. “I know I’m sneaking bites. One for me. One for the bowl. It’s just that I’m starving.”
“You’re doing everything right. Before it gets too late, I have to ask again, are you sure it’s okay if I stay here a few more days until I can figure out just what the hell I’m doing?”
“I told you last night,” he said as he wrapped a hand around hers and squeezed before he continued. “You can stay here as long as you need to. You’re not taking advantage of me and I have the extra space.”
“But what about the furniture you bought today…and the bail money you posted last night to get me out of jail? I know you paid for it. They didn’t take any money from me.” She shivered with the thought that she could still be there if things hadn’t gone differently. “How much was it?”
“Stop worrying. I got a discount on the bail.”
“Really?”
“No.” He laughed. “I know I didn’t have any money when we were kids. You were the one who always bought the pizza and gas, but now, I’m not a millionaire, but I make a decent wage. I don’t have too many toys or bills. I’m too busy when I get home from work to be a party guy. I send my mom a little bit every month. It helps her out and makes me feel good that I can make her life a bit easier. And, I still have some left over at the end of the month. So, stop worrying about what I spend money on. It’s okay. I’ll let you know if the bank account goes into the red.”
“I don’t have a lot of extra income as a preschool teacher.”
“Sometimes it’s a tradeoff. You love your job, right? That’s more important.”
“I do.” She smiled. “Those little guys always say the funniest things.” She stirred the hamburger she’d placed in the pan to brown.
“Do you want kids of your own, or does your job turn you off of that?”
“Maybe someday when I’m not homeless.” She shrugged and chopped the meat. “I’d love to have kids.”
“Yeah, me too. Your kids would be beautiful as long as they looked like you. I guess I need to find a woman in my life, first.”
“So, no one special?”
“It’s been a long dry run. I’m too busy and too tired to put a lot of effort into it. There’s been a few women over the years. I haven’t been a priest. I wouldn’t have you staying here if there was another woman I was serious about. That would be awkward and wrong. And to answer your question, no, there’s no one special.”
For some reason, she found this information to be exactly what she wanted to hear. Iris took a step closer to him and ran a finger up his biceps. The muscle twitched from her touch. “When did you get the tattoos?” she asked.
“About a week after you left for college. You thought I was a bad boy, so I thought I’d better get the ink to prove it.”
“Which one’s your favorite?” she asked.
He pulled up his shirt. Iris tried not to stare at his muscled chest and stomach. He pointed to a spot over his heart. “This one.”
She read the saying out loud, “I’m stronger because I had to be. I’m smarter because of my mistakes. I’m happier because I’ve overcome the sadness I have known and I’m wiser because I’ve learned from my life.”
“Did you get this because of me?”
“Partially. I wanted a reminder that I needed to move on and achieve my dreams. But that wasn’t the only reason. I didn’t have the easiest childhood, but just because I came from there didn’t mean I had to stay the
re. You always have choices to better your life.”
“Why did you choose law?”
“The few times I did spend at juvy―the juvenile hall―I saw many of those kids were as lost and scared as I was. They were young and made mistakes. I work with all kinds now. There are some that only need a good lawyer and a break in life. Some, well, there’s not a lot of hope for. They’re hardcore before they’re old enough to drive. I tell them my story and how I turned my life around. A lot of them have a chance to change. The others, probably not. Ultimately it’s their decision.”
“That’s nice of you to share your story and to try to help them.”
“I am a nice guy.” He grinned at her. “But I’m a nice guy who hasn’t eaten anything since I had a bagel and cream cheese from the office’s coffee stand about eight hours ago. How are the tacos coming?”
“Almost done. Tomorrow night, I’ll try and be faster.”
“Tomorrow night’s my turn to cook. As long as you stay here, we’ll share in the domestic stuff. I can make lots of dishes that include pasta. Deal?”
“Thanks. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
“Well…” Thane frowned and looked away as he busied himself with opening a bottle of wine. She knew he wanted to say more, but didn’t. She guessed what it would be anyway. “Let’s not get too sentimental here. One day at a time.”
Chapter Six
The next few weeks passed. Iris and Thane fell into an easy routine. She asked every day if he minded if she stayed, and of course, he always said no and made her feel welcome. He’d pick her up from work, one of them would cook dinner, and then they’d watch a movie or laugh and play cards.
The weather was exceptionally warm for April. Since it was the weekend, and they both had a bit of free time, Thane asked if she would like to see the tulip fields which were in bloom in the Skagit Valley. His house was within ten miles of many of the fields. It was something that she’d always wanted to do, but never found the time.
Bad Boy's Second Chance Page 3
