A Daddy for Jacoby

by Christyne Butler

  Gina’s and Jacoby’s heads were bent in a hushed conversation as he left the room. He returned a few minutes later, having no idea what they’d come up with next. Hopefully, a bedtime story and then lights out. Who knew getting a kid to sleep was such a big production?

  He returned, happy the kid was lying down, tucked beneath the blankets with his bear. Their empty mugs sat on the small bedside table. He moved to the side of the bed where Gina sat.

  Geez, he felt like a giant, towering over them. He dropped to a low crouch next to her. Big mistake. The move put him eye-level with her. She whirled to face him. Only a few inches separated them, and her signature scent filled his head, making him want to move even closer.

  “Gina?”

  The kid saying her name had both of them lurching apart. Justin fought against the instinct to physically shake off whatever spell she’d woven.

  “So, are we all set?” he asked instead.

  “Not quite,” Gina said. “There’s something else that needs to be taken care of.”

  “You’ve got another brilliant idea?”

  “Well, I am gifted,” she said, her smile a bit wobbly as she looked at him again. She paused and pulled in a shaky breath before she continued. “And you’re the perfect man for the job.”

  “He is?”

  “I am?”

  Jacoby’s and Justin’s questions overlapped.

  Gina nodded. “Yes, you are.”

  “Okay, what is it?”

  “Monsters.”

  “Monsters?”

  “You know, monsters and mutants, gremlins, goblins and googlebees.”

  Justin couldn’t help himself, he smiled. “Googlebees?”

  “Yes, googlebees, too.” Gina shifted backward, putting more space between them as she tucked a long strand of hair behind one ear. “This room has probably been empty for years, which left plenty of time for all sorts of nasty ne’erdo-wells to move in. Your job is to tell them to leave. Right, Jacoby?”

  Justin looked at the boy, who moved his head in a spirited nod.

  “And just how am I supposed to do that?”

  “You use that big, booming voice of yours I’ve heard so many times coming from the bar’s kitchen…” Gina paused and he looked back at her again. “And you scare them away.”

  He waited for the punch line. Nothing. Both she and the kid continued to stare at him. Gina looking hopeful while Jacoby looked as if he expected Justin to refuse.

  Resigned to making a fool of himself, he asked, “Do I just stand in the middle of the room and make a grand announcement?”

  Both of them shook their heads.

  “You need to go direct to their hiding place. Under the bed,” Gina said.

  “Under the bed?”

  She pointed downward.

  He sighed and dropped to his knees. Bending forward, he braced one hand on the floor and the other on the bed, right next to the warmth of Gina’s hip. Another mistake.

  He pressed his fingers against the mattress, forcing them to lie flat instead of curving around the soft denim material of her jeans, and concentrated on the task at hand.

  “All right, every monster, mutant, gremlin, goblin and googlebee, listen up! This room is now occupied and it’s not big enough for all of you and the new tenant.” He spoke in the best drill sergeant tone he could muster at the empty space beneath the bed. “It’s time for the lot of you to pack your bags and hightail it out of town!”

  He straightened, moved his hand away from Gina and centered his gaze on Jacoby. “Satisfied?”

  The kid grinned. “That was totally awesome.”

  A rush of warmth filled him, and he immediately blamed it on his prone position seconds ago.

  He turned to Gina. “Are you satisfied?”

  “I agree, totally awesome.”

  Damn, now that warmth was centered in the middle of his chest and it burned. “So, can we turn out the lights and get some sleep?”

  They both turned to Jacoby, who remained silent but his eyes darted across the room.

  “Oh, of course,” she said. “The closet.”

  “Huh?”

  “Any self-respecting monster would head straight for the next closest hiding spot.” She slanted her head toward the closed door on the opposite wall. “Then they wait until the coast is clear…”

  “…and slip out from the crack beneath the door,” Justin finished as her voice trailed off. “And go right on raising hel—ah, heck and making a general nuisance of themselves, right?”

  “Wow,” Jacoby whispered, pulling his teddy bear closer to his chest. “How did you know all that?”

  “Because Justin was once a little boy, too.” Gina tucked the blankets around the kid again. “He knows what you’re feeling.”

  “What I feel is silly,” Justin rasped as he got to his feet, bending close to Gina, his low words meant for her ears alone.

  “You’re doing fine,” she whispered back.

  Their eyes met and held for a long moment before Justin moved away. He walked to the closet door and took a deep breath. Yeah, he felt silly, but it was mixed with something else—something he couldn’t put a name to, but it felt good and that was a feeling he hadn’t experienced in a long time.

  He yanked open the door and stood there, feet wide and hands on his hips. Hell, all he needed was a cape flapping in the breeze and a big red S on his chest.

  “I thought I told you all to clear out and I meant it. There’s no sense in trying to hide and don’t bother thinking you can move to another nook, cranny or hiding spot anywhere in the cabin. You’re not wanted here, so do like you were told. Pack your bags and get out of Destiny, every last one of you!”

  He spun around, kicked the door shut with one boot heel and crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Yeah!” Jacoby shouted with glee, and both he and Gina clapped.

  Justin suddenly felt really stupid. He waved off their reaction and moved to the door, flipping the wall switch. The room went dark except for the glow from the night-light. “Okay, show’s over. It’s lights-out time.”

  Gina ruffled the boy’s hair and rose from the bed. She started walking backward toward the door, keeping her eyes on Jacoby. Justin put out a hand to keep her from running into him, but she stopped just as his fingertips touched the softness of her sweater.

  “Sweet dreams, Jacoby,” she said gently.

  “Okay,” came the muffled reply.

  Gina turned around and they nearly collided. She was so close he could feel the heat of her breath on his skin. Justin backed into the hallway. She followed.

  “Gina, wait!”

  The boy’s cry had her turning back and Justin joined her in the doorway. She didn’t reach for the light switch, so he didn’t either.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “Wh-what if they come back?”

  “That’s not going to happen. Your da—Justin did a great job of scaring all those crazy creatures off. I’m sure they are gone for good.”

  Justin ignored the quick twist in his gut as she almost called him a name he’d never thought would be his.

  Dad.

  She’d said it earlier, too, but she also must’ve picked up on the kid’s unease and caught herself this time.

  “But they might sneak back in after you leave,” Jacoby continued his protest, “and after he goes to sleep, what’s gonna stop ’em from coming back again?”

  Back to square one.

  Justin leaned in close to Gina and whispered in her ear. “Okay, Miss Gifted…you got another brilliant plan in that pretty little head of yours?”

  He thought she was pretty.

  Gina forced that reflection out of her head and concentrated on Jacoby’s question.

  She’d believed they’d done it; well, Justin had done most of the work. Thank goodness he’d been as sweet and understanding as her father had been to her all those years ago when the gremlins and googlebees invaded her bedroom when she was a little girl.
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br />   All she’d done was talk to Jacoby and get him to admit what was really bothering him. Justin had been the hero.

  And he could be again.

  She turned and waved her hand at his chest. “Strip.”

  Shock crossed his features. “Excuse me?”

  “Your shirt, come on, take it off.”

  His expression turned wary, but his hands went up and behind his head and grabbed the back of his T-shirt. In one smooth motion, he pulled it off, baring a firm six pack, broad shoulders and muscular arms. And a Celtic knot armband tattoo encompassing his right beefy bicep.

  The sight left her breathless.

  “Now what?” he asked.

  She took the shirt, the heat of his body still clinging to the fabric, and went back to Jacoby’s side.

  “I’ve got the perfect answer. Jacoby, honey, sit up.” Her words came out a husky whisper and she hoped Justin didn’t notice. “Here, let’s put this on right over your pajamas.”

  The boy did as she asked, and she helped him tug the oversize shirt onto his small frame.

  “Your…your dad and you look so much alike. If those bothersome beings even take one little peek in here, they’ll see you in this shirt and think it’s him sleeping here.”

  Jacoby ran his hands over the shirt that pooled at his waist. “Really?”

  Gina knew she was taking a chance in addressing Justin as Jacoby’s dad, but that’s what he’d been tonight. He’d put aside his own feelings and done what his son had needed, from calling her for help to scaring away imaginary monsters.

  “Really. And everyone knows those things can’t see worth a darn in the dark. So even if they show up, which I seriously doubt, you will be well-protected. And I’m sure your dad doesn’t mind you wearing his shirt.”

  Jacoby peeked around her to look at Justin. “Is it okay?”

  “Yeah, sure. It looks great on you.”

  “Okay.”

  He flopped back down against his pillow and Gina again tucked him and his bear beneath the covers. This time his eyes were already closed and his breathing was slow and steady.

  “’Night, Gina,” he mumbled.

  “Good night, sweetie.” She brushed wisps of hair off his face, then stepped away from the bed.

  “’Night, Dad.”

  Gina stilled for a moment before glancing at Justin. Did he hear the child’s soft words? The stunned look on his face told her he had. With a quick “’Night,” in return, he spun around and disappeared.

  She checked on Jacoby again and found him fast asleep. Leaving the room, she paused to close the door, then went to find Justin. Back in the main room, Justin paced in the open area between the kitchen and living room. He’d pulled on a flannel shirt, but hadn’t bothered with the buttons. Gina could feel uncertainty and doubt radiating off him.

  “Why did he do that?” he asked in a low whisper.

  She didn’t pretend not to understand. “Because you’re his father.”

  “We don’t know that.” He stopped and faced her, but then dropped his head back against the upper kitchen cabinets. Eyes closed, he thumped his head, each strike a punctuation mark to his words. “We. Don’t. Know. That.”

  “Justin—”

  “Even if I am that kid’s father, I’m the worst possible person to take care of him.” Eyes now open, but unfocused, he stared upward. “What the hell do I know about raising a kid?”

  Gina’s heart ached for him and the despair she heard in his voice. He had no idea how important what he’d done tonight—what he’d done the last two days—was to that sleeping little boy.

  She moved closer, keenly aware of his nearness. “Jacoby’s world…and yours was turned upside down two days ago. You’ve been doing a great job so far.”

  “I fed the kid and bought him some clothes, big deal.” This time he did look at her, his words still a hushed whisper. “That’s not the same as being responsible for another person’s life.”

  “It’s part of it. Providing the basics is what a parent does.”

  “I’m not talking about that stuff. That was easy.”

  “Then why is Jacoby wearing brand-new pajamas with a full belly and sleeping in a bed for the first time in his life?” Gina gestured toward the room on the other side of the kitchen wall. “That’s more than he’s probably had in a long time.”

  “Anyone could have given him that stuff.”

  “But no one did, until you.”

  “I’m talking about more important things—”

  “I know what you’re talking about. How to be a good person, to know right from wrong, to work hard for what you want in life, to be nice—”

  “And you think I’m the person who can teach him all that? So much for you being the smartest lady in town.”

  “You just need a little confidence in yourself.”

  He punched out a humorless laugh and looked away. “Sorry, fresh out of confidence.”

  Gina didn’t pause to question what she was doing. She cupped his face, turning him to look at her. He returned her stare, almost silently daring her to do what he surely could read in her gaze.

  In one motion, she rose to her tiptoes and placed her mouth to his. For a split second it was like kissing a statue, he held himself so still. Then his arms encircled her, his hands powerful as they stroked her back while his lips opened. The heat of his tongue had her readily parting to let him in. He pulled her hard against him, putting her curves flush with his solid, muscular body. Her hands went to the nape of his neck and she held on, sure the desire and passion in his kiss would cause her to splinter into a million pieces.

  Oh, this man could kiss.

  His hands tangled in her hair, then moved back to her waist where his fingers gathered the bottom edge of her sweater until he touched her skin, hot and needy.

  And that’s exactly how Justin made her feel. Hot and needy.

  She’d fantasized about this moment for the last three months and the reality was a hundred times better than anything she’d imagined. And more.

  He didn’t just kiss with his mouth, but with his whole being.

  He moved his hands away and she softly moaned at the loss, but then he trailed them over her jean-covered backside. Seconds later, he lifted her off her feet and carried her a few steps to place her on the counter that separated the kitchen from the living room.

  He nudged her legs apart and stepped between them, his mouth never leaving hers. Arching her back, she strained to be closer, her hands moving to his upper arms, fisting the soft material of his shirt. He cradled the back of her head with one hand as he urged her to lean back into his hold. His other hand traced a path across her stomach before his fingertips slowly inched upward.

  The need to breathe had her breaking free from his mouth, but the woodsy, masculine scent of his skin called to her and she buried her face into his neck.

  She couldn’t believe this was finally happening. Kissing Justin, being kissed by him, was just as wonderful as she’d dreamed it would be. The strength of his arms made her feel safe, the power in his kiss made her feel wanted.

  And she wanted more.

  “Justin…”

  Seconds later, he scooted her off the counter and moved the two of them deeper into a dark corner of the shadowy kitchen. His mouth came down on hers again in a sizzling kiss until he suddenly broke free. They stood, with Gina pressed between the lower cabinets and his body. His breathing, short and fast and brushing over her ear, matched her own. His hands tightened for a moment before they dropped to right her clothing and he stepped back.

  “What’s going—”

  He placed his fingers at her mouth. “I thought I heard—” A long moment passed before he dropped his hand. “I guess it was nothing. Look, we can’t… We shouldn’t be doing this.”

  “Why?”

  Had she really said that aloud? Gina bit hard at her bottom lip, the innocence of her whispered question sounded so naive, so inexperienced even to her ears.

&nbs
p; He took another step back but kept his voice low. “The list of reasons could take all night, but for starters, how about the fact our IQs are farther apart than Cheyenne and Miami?”

  “This coming from a man who has the complete works of Shakespeare and volumes of poetry by Byron, Shelley and Keats on his bookshelf?”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Jacoby took me on a tour earlier, remember?”

  “Speaking of Jacoby…reason number two. We aren’t exactly alone here.”

  Shock washed over her as she realized the little boy might’ve walked in on them at any moment. No wonder Justin dragged her into the kitchen. “Oh, I didn’t even think… I was so caught up in what we were doing…what you were…”

  Her voice trailed off as a shaft of moonlight made it possible for Gina to look into Justin’s eyes. For a moment there was something soft and pensive there, then he blinked and she saw nothing but emptiness.

  She jerked out of his arms. Grabbing her purse and coat, she started for the front door. “I should go.”

  “Gina, this…this isn’t going to happen again.” He started to follow her, then stopped. “It can’t happen again.”

  But she wanted it to. She wanted to kiss him again with every fiber of her being and she could’ve sworn he’d wanted it, too.

  “Well, I guess we’ll have to keep that in mind if we ever find ourselves alone in the dark again.”

  Chapter Seven

  One week. Seven days. One hundred and sixty-eight hours. Ten thousand and eighty minutes since he’d seen the woman who’d given him one damn fine, soul-stirring, libido-reviving kiss.

  Yeah, Justin had just figured that out in his head.

  Not that his mental calculations helped in his struggle to keep his mind on his job as he prepped for the dinner crowd at The Blue Creek Saloon.

  He was also trying—unsuccessfully—to forget what he’d said to Gina after forcing himself to pull away from her mouth, her touch and out of her arms.

  And it wasn’t because of the way his body responded to the first woman he’d held in his arms in three long months. It was because she was the one woman he couldn’t have.