Vindicated

by eliza_000

  He tore his gaze from Karly's back and found Jack watching him with a patient, almost sympathetic, expression on his face.

  "Whatever you need to say to her, say it. But if you go at her with that look on your face, you're going to fuck things up even worse than you have already." Jack’s words hovered in his ears, unheeded.

  "This cannot be happening," Randy groaned. “Not now.”

  After a warning look, Jack removed his hand and took a step back with his hands raised in the air, palms facing outward in a gesture of surrender, a dark scowl on his face. "Fine. Whatever. Go ahead and ruin the best thing that ever happened to you." Jack shrugged and went back behind the bar, throwing his hands up in disgust. "Dumb ass."

  Karly saw the look in Randy’s eyes when he came around the end of bar. She doubled her pace, but he caught up to her before she left the building. Unable to escape him, she stopped at the door and turned to face him. He looked terrible. The flesh around his left eye was yellow and swollen, blotched with green and black. He had four stitches on his right cheek, and his lower lip was split. Someone had taken a piece out of him. Her fingers curled into fists. She wanted to ask him what happened, to take care of him, but she knew better than to open the door to her feelings again. She had to let him go.

  “Just give me a minute, will you?” He grabbed her arm but dropped it when he saw her expression.

  "Are you serious, Randy?"

  “I’ve never been more serious.” He swallowed hard, the long muscles of his throat working. A cold, hard glint gleamed in his eyes. She recognized it as the same expression guarding her own thoughts and felt a pang of kinship toward him. It vanished with his next words. "Don’t go, Karly. Please." The last word was uttered with surprising emotion, a mixture of pain and confusion.

  “What is it?” She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. All she wanted was to get as far away from him as possible, before he broke her heart again.

  “I need you to come with me,” he said, taking her hand in his. The touch of his fingers on hers was warm and electric, and she’d missed it.

  “Why would I go anywhere with you?” She opened her eyes to find him watching her with heartfelt emotion brimming from his eyes. The change hit her in the chest with surprising strength. She tried to look away but couldn’t.

  “Because I’m trying to make things right with us,” he said. “I just need one hour, maybe less.”

  “I’m going to regret this,” she replied, closing her eyes again. Even after everything he’d put her through, she found it hard to deny him. “But okay. You have one hour. Not a minute more.”

  They drove in silence through the night. Karly tried to ignore the shivers of attraction between them in the cab of his truck. Streetlights flickered past. Stars twinkled in a deep blue velvet sky overhead. The towering buildings of downtown faded into the quiet lawns of the suburbs.

  After twenty minutes, Randy pulled the truck to the curb in front of a rambling old Georgian home in a quiet neighborhood. He sighed heavily and pointed to the house. The windows glowed with warm yellow light. A large picture window illuminated the dining room, where a family was just sitting down for dinner. A mother, father, two boys in their teens, and a younger girl about Emma’s age. It was like something out of a fairytale. Karly felt a sharp stab of longing at the sight. She wanted that for herself.

  Moved by the scenario, she spoke to cover up her sadness. “So what’s the deal? You brought me out here to window peep on someone?”

  “I tried to show you a million different ways, and I fucked them all up,” he said. “And I get it now. I do. You deserve a full explanation, and I’m going to give it to you.”

  She heaved a heavy sigh, her patience stretched to the limit. “Can we just get on with this? I’ve got somewhere to be.”

  “That’s my dad’s house,” he said, eyes glued to the dining room window. “And that’s his family in there. My half brothers and sisters. I’ve never met them.” Confused, she waited for him to continue. “He left when I was twelve and moved here. A few years later, I ran away and came to find him. I thought for sure he’d take me in when he saw me. That it was all just a big misunderstanding. And then I came here and saw this.” Randy jerked his thumb toward the house.

  Karly watched his handsome profile in the light of the house and saw the profound sadness in his features. He swallowed hard, his throat moving with the effort. “What did he say when you found him?”

  “I got down on my knees and begged him to take me in. I fucking begged him, Karly. And told him how much I loved him. I’ll never forget the look on his face. Cold. Detached. He patted me on the shoulder, called a cab, and sent me out the door without a word,” Randy said with a shrug. “And then I got it. He didn’t want me. He had a new life and I wasn’t part of it. For years, I kept coming here to sit and watch them. They looked so happy. All I could guess was that I didn’t deserve this kind of life. I wasn’t good enough to belong.”

  “Randy, I…” She tried to speak, but he cut her off with a wave of his hand.

  “That’s why it’s so hard for me to say I love you. Because I know I run the risk of losing you the minute I say it.” The painful emotion in his voice brought the sting of tears to her eyes. “And I know I’m not good enough to have you or to have that kind of life with you. God knows, I’ve done some terrible things in my past.” He touched the swelling above his eye, his gaze still locked on the family inside the window. “I’ve spent my entire life on the outside looking in.”

  “Randy, I’m so sorry.” She swallowed down the lump in her throat.

  “I haven’t been here in a long time. He made his choice, and it had nothing to do with me.” For the first time since they’d left the bar, he turned to face her. “But I finally realized that I can have that if I want it. I’ve never wanted anything so bad in my life. And Karly, I want it with you.”

  Karly watched his tongue trace the fullness of his lower lip. God help her, she had never wanted to kiss anyone as badly as she wanted to kiss him. It took every ounce of her self-control to keep from throwing herself on him. Her eyes locked onto his. Damn his sexy, black-hearted soul.

  “Why do you look like someone ran over you?” She took a deep breath, uncertain. “You say you want that, but your face says something different.”

  “I went to see David awhile back,” he said after a minute. “I asked him to buy me out of the books and the loans. He can’t do it just yet, but he set up one last fight for me. I won enough money to get us by for a while.” Us? Her heart leaped to hear him say the word. Still confused, she bit her lower lip. “It’s not a lot, Karly, but it will do. And once he gets his finances straight, I’m out for good.”

  She raised a hand to cup his cheek and brushed a thumb over the cut on his lip. He winced but didn’t move. “You did this for me?”

  "Jesus," he said, running a hand through his hair. “You tear my guts out, Karly, and there’s not a fucking thing I can do about it.” With a heavy sigh, he faced her. “You wreck me, baby. I’d do a lot worse if it meant I could have you back.”

  Her hand covered his. She lifted his rough palm and pressed a kiss there. “Why is it so freaking hard for you to tell me how you feel about us?”

  “I can’t tell you because the words seem inadequate.” He lowered his lips to hers, barely brushing the tender flesh. Everything she wanted to know was visible in his eyes. “But I do love you,” he whispered.

  She stared at him, unable to believe her ears. A shaft of light from an adjacent street lamp illuminated the angles and planes of his jaw and chin. His eyes remained couched in shadow until he shifted toward her. They were deep, dark, and burning with passion. She sucked in a breath. It was all for her.

  EPILOGUE

  “What the hell is this?” Jack asked as he stepped inside Randy’s new house. He glanced around the room, stepped back over the threshold, and scratched his head. “Am I in the right place?”

  “Very funny.” Randy tossed a
dishtowel at his friend.

  Jack caught it with one hand and flung it back at him. “I got your shit. Ally picked out the flowers. Said they’re Karly’s favorites.” The brown paper bag in Jack’s arm crackled as he set it on the counter. “She’s on her way to get Karly now. They should be here in a few.” He pulled two bottles of champagne and a bouquet of lilies tied with a red ribbon from the paper bag. “I can’t believe this is happening. Are you sure about this?”

  “Never more sure about anything in my life. It’s about time, don’t you think?” Randy surveyed the small living room with a smile of satisfaction. It took three weeks and an infinite amount of elbow grease, but the place looked habitable. The scent of lemon furniture polish and Murphy’s Oil Soap hung in the air. Fresh paint covered the walls, and the newly refinished hardwood floors gleamed.

  Jack sank onto the sofa with a look of shock. He raked a hand back through his hair. “Dude, I didn’t know you had it in you.”

  “Well, shows how much you know.” He tossed the dishtowel into the sink and straightened the picture frame on the wall before walking into the living room. “I’m nervous as hell. What if she doesn’t like it?”

  “She’ll like it.” Jack’s confident answer buoyed Randy’s uneasiness. “The girl adores you. She’d live with you in a tent if you asked her.”

  Relief exploded from Randy in the form of a heavy sigh. “God, I hope you’re right. We’ll find out soon enough, I guess.”

  “Yeah, I get you.” Jack smirked. “Never thought I’d see the day when you became domesticated.”

  “Just following your lead, my friend.” Randy gave Jack a hearty pat on the back. To his surprise, Jack gripped his hand in both of his and pulled him in for a quick hug.

  “Dude, you’re doing the right thing here. Don’t fuck it up.” If he didn’t know better, Randy could swear Jack’s voice cracked with emotion. Both men coughed to cover their embarrassment and exchanged a few playful punches to the stomach.

  “I won’t,” Randy said. “Now, I hate to be rude, but you need to get the fuck out before Karly gets here. Two’s company and three’s a crowd. Know what I mean?”

  When Ally’s BMW turned into a suburb of the city, Karly sat up and began to take notice of their surroundings. The houses were an eclectic mix of new and old, but all were well maintained. A group of children played kickball in the street. They parted for the car with friendly shouts and waves before resuming their game with single-minded intent.

  The car came to a stop in front of a decent-sized Arts and Crafts home with ivy-covered trellises and a swing on the front porch. Purple clematis climbed the porch posts in front of rose bushes overflowing with robust red blooms. Ally slid the gearshift into park and turned to face Karly, her green eyes glowing with excitement.

  “We’re getting our nails done here?” Karly asked incredulously. “What kind of place are you taking me to anyway?”

  “No, we’re not getting our nails done,” Ally replied. “You are going inside, and I am going back to Felony without you.”

  “What?” Karly gaped at her friend, thinking the woman had at last lost her mind.

  “Go on. Get out.” Ally nudged her friend gently in the ribs. “It’s a surprise. Trust me. You’re going to thank me later.”

  “What?” Karly repeated.

  At that moment, the front door opened, and Randy stepped out on the front porch, dressed in a crisp white button down, over-washed gray denim jeans, and bare feet. A soft summer wind ruffled his hair, the sun lighting sparks in his coppery hair. As always, her heart skipped a beat at the sight of him.

  By the time she recovered enough to unbuckle her seat belt, Randy had crossed the length of the sidewalk, bare feet padding on the concrete. He opened the door for her and extended a hand to help her exit. His strong, sure grip made her forget everything and focus on the warmth in his eyes.

  “So what do you think?” he asked once they were in the front door.

  Still trying to make sense of things, she tore her gaze from his and studied the room. Tall windows draped with gauzy curtains, rough plaster walls and dark hardwood floors made for a comfortable home. Wordlessly, he led her from room to room, pausing at each threshold to let her drink in the surroundings.

  “There’s a good-sized yard and a two-car garage out back,” he said. “Three bedrooms, one for Caleb and another for Emma.” Her heartbeat stuttered. Before she could question the statement, he rushed into the next sentence, dragging her down the hallway by the hand. “And this room is for you.” He opened the doorway into the room at the end of the hall and stepped back to let her pass.

  Warm, golden candlelight flooded the room. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves covered every wall. A cozy window seat offered a great place to snuggle with a good book on a rainy day. She circled the room, dragging a fingertip over the heavy wood desk and the leather chair behind it. When she turned to face Randy, she found him leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest and an expression of worried speculation on his lean face.

  “You did this for me?” she whispered, searching his eyes for clues.

  “I didn’t put all the books up yet. I thought you might want to do that. And I painted everything white so you could decorate however you want, me being color-blind and all.” He stepped into the room and shut the door behind him, enclosing them in the golden glow of flickering candlelight.

  Tears stung her eyes before she launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his waist and squeezing so tight she felt his ribs creak under the strain. The fresh scent of laundry softener and shower gel surrounded her, smells she loved. His deep chuckle reverberated beneath her ear as she pressed her cheek into his chest. She felt the brush of his lips on the top of her head then the heat and strength of his arms around her shoulders.

  “I don’t understand,” she whispered into his chest, unable to believe her good fortune. Every day he went out of his way to show her how much he loved her. He stayed beside her throughout Emma’s custody hearing with Judge Winston. They spent the weekends together with Emma and Caleb. And he’d been her date to Mitch and Pilar’s wedding.

  With extreme gentleness for someone so large, he disentangled from her grasp and sat down on the window seat, pulling her into his lap. “You’re home, baby. I bought this house for you. For you and me and Caleb and Emma.” He shifted her weight in his lap so she faced him. His eyes searched her face with serious intent.

  “It’s perfect, Randy.” She tried to press a kiss to his lips but he pulled back, giving her a scheming sidelong glance.

  “Not so fast,” he said. “There’s a stipulation to all of this.”

  “Oh? Is that right?” Caught off guard, she leaned away from him, eyes narrowed in playful suspicion.

  “Reach into my shirt pocket, please,” he commanded.

  She complied and drew out a small blue box, its velvet covering plush beneath her fingertips. Her pulse rocketed into overdrive, her heart thudding so hard against her ribs that he surely had to feel it.

  “Karly Eriksson, I love you, and if you’ll marry me, I promise to tell you every day for the rest of our lives.” He took the box from her hand and cocked it open, revealing a small silver circlet of intertwining leaves sprinkled with tiny diamonds and emeralds. The ring looked small and delicate as he held it up in front of her, pinched between his thumb and forefinger. “So what do you say?”

  “Yes,” she whispered, smiling back at him through a haze of tears. “Oh hell, yes.”

  “Thank God,” he said. Relief shone on his face and in the embrace of his arms.

  “Did you think I’d say no?” she teased.

  “Baby, I wouldn’t blame you if you did,” he replied, before brushing his lips over hers. “I’ve been a huge pain in your ass.”

  She smiled against his mouth. “Yes, you have, but I love you anyway.”

  Their lips met, and their tongues tangled in a kiss sweetened by trust and desire. She shoved her fingers into his hair, cr
adling his head. The scent of candles and polished wood filled her senses. She shifted against him, straining to get closer. This was her man, the love of her life, and there was no place else she’d rather be.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Jeana Mann is the author of sizzling hot contemporary romance. Her debut release Intoxicated was a First Place Winner of the 2013 Cleveland Rocks Romance Contest, a finalist in the Carolyn Readers’ Choice Awards, and fourth place winner in the International Digital Awards. She is a member of Romance Writers’ of America (RWA).

  Jeana was born and raised in Indiana where she lives today with her two crazy rat terriers Mildred and Mabel. She graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Speech and Hearing, something totally unrelated to writing. When she’s not busy dreaming up steamy romance novels, she loves to travel anywhere and everywhere. Over the years she climbed the ruins of Chichen Iza in Mexico, snorkeled along the shores of Hawaii, sailed around Jamaica, ate gelato on the steps of the Pantheon in Rome, and explored the ancient city of Pompeii. More important than the places she’s been are the people she has met along the way.

  Be sure to connect with Jeana on Facebook or follow along on Twitter for the latest news regarding her upcoming releases.

  LINKS

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  Published by Ishkadiddle Publishing

  Copyright 2015. Jeana E. Mann Author.

  Cover by SelfPubBookCovers.com/Island