by Aliyah Burke
“Sari?”
“One of her friends. I got suckered into helping watch. If you’re feeling brave enough, I’ll give you the address and you can stop by. It starts at four.”
“Give me the address, beautiful, I’ll be there.”
“Wonderful.”
He memorized the address and with a quick check to his watch, he headed to the store to grab some things he needed. Then he turned his Vette to the destination of the day. He pulled up to a large white house, the driveway lined with cars. Parking, he got out and stutter stepped at the amount of sound coming from the backyard.
Suddenly I’m doubting my decision.
The gate opened and he found himself without breath. Kassidy stepped through, she wore hip hugger jeans that had been decorated with a bedazzler and hot pink paint. A pink and white checkered button-down emphasized her lovely upper body. She had white canvas slip-ons over her feet, her hair tied up with a gold ribbon.
“Justice,” she said with a smile. “You made it.”
He hurried to her side and gave her a kiss. “I did. Although,” he paused.
She laughed. “You heard the screeching and wondered if you’d made the right decision.”
“I think I’m scared,” he teased.
“Come on, let’s go get you knee deep in pink party favors.”
He groaned but followed her to the tall gate. The moment they stepped through the fear he’d teased her about broadsided him. About twenty girls and a few boys ran around screaming their heads off. There was a piñata hanging and a few kids were reaching up to it as if it would magically open and dump candy into their hands.
“Scared now aren’t ya?” she asked him.
“I think so.”
He followed Kassidy around as she introduced him to some parents. When he heard Sari scream his name and come running toward him, he smiled and reached out to hug her.
“Are you Jenni’s friend?” she questioned. “Or are you my friend?”
“I don’t know Jenni. How are you doing? I am your friend, Sari.”
“Good. Come on. You need some paint.”
He flashed his gaze to Kassidy. There was this impish gleam in her eye and she waved at him. With a wink to Sari, he allowed her to tug him along. He ran his tongue along his teeth when she directed him to a chair, then sat near him, picked up a paintbrush and headed toward his cheek. Before long another girl was painting the nails on his hand while a third stood behind him attaching streamers to his ball cap.
* * * *
Kassidy glanced in her rearview mirror and felt the familiar shiver of desire and awareness when she spotted Justice’s car following hers. He’d been so much fun to watch as he interacted with the children. He’d allowed the girls to paint him, as well as played with both the boys and girls. He kept a smile on her face the entire time. It didn’t matter how much sugar the children ingested, for he had enough energy to keep up with them.
Once at her house, she let Libby out then directed him to sit outside as well. He sat on the bench out in the sun and she joined him once she’d collected what she needed.
“I had a blast today, Kassidy. Thank you for allowing me to tag along.”
She reached for one of his hands and began to clean off the bright pink polish that adorned his square nails. Cotton square in hand, she kept her gaze on the job before her.
“You’re welcome. I’m glad you had fun. I know the kids were glad to have you there.”
“What about you?” he asked, his tone low and husky.
She swirled the remover over the paint on his thumb, watching as the newly clear nail became exposed again. Then she moved on to his index finger and began the same regiment over.
“Kassidy?”
“I was glad too.”
“Look at me.”
She finished his index finger first. Then lifted her gaze to meet his. “What?”
“Nothing, I just wanted to see those beautiful gray eyes.”
With a flush, she dropped her head and got back to work. He didn’t say another word, just let her remove the polish. While she worked on his other hand, he trailed abstract patterns along the back of her neck, which sent unending and delightful shivers throughout her. When she finished, he capped the bottle and helped her gather up the used cotton.
“You know, you can go wash off the paint if you wish.”
He touched his heart and opened his mouth. “What? You don’t like my pink fire-breathing dragon? It’s ferocious and all the rage in Paris,” he stated with a grin.
She lifted a brow and peered closer, his masculine scent overriding the alcohol smell of the remover. Ignoring the urge to nuzzle his neck she bit her lower lip. “Is that what it is?”
“So Sari told me when she painted it.”
“I see.” It looked like a blob to her, but he seemed proud to wear it. “I’m going to fix myself a salad, would you like to join me?”
He kissed her quick and trailed his hand familiarly over her butt. “I would love to, but first I’m going to go take off my makeup.”
She chuckled as he led the way to her door and held it for her. He took the objects from her and she washed her hands in the kitchen while he got cleaned up. It was so nice having him around for dinner. Kassidy had forgotten how much she missed spending time with him. Just being with Justice was fun. They laughed and joked through the meal and as they cleaned up. She offered up no rejection when he kissed her and carried her back to the bedroom.
It was a few minutes past midnight when the thunder woke her. Sliding out of bed, she grabbed a sheet off the floor and wrapped it around herself before she headed to the window. She stood there and stared out at the night that shook and rattled with the force of the storm rolling through. Every so often a brilliant lightning flash would illuminate the darkness.
“Kassidy?”
The warmth from his chest pressed against her back and she sank into him with a sigh. “Did I wake you?”
“No. Are you okay?”
“I don’t know. I feel restless. Like something bad is going to happen.”
His strong arms wound around her middle and his lips nibbled upon her bared shoulder. “Are you sure it’s not the storm?”
Was she sure? No. She always felt anxious during them. Without a word, she shook her head.
“Come back to bed.”
“I think I need to get a drink or something.”
Kassidy freed herself from his touch and headed for the kitchen. She wasn’t thirsty but she did need a few moments to think and that was extremely difficult when Justice touched her. After a brief drink, she padded back to the bedroom where a light had now been turned on.
Justice sat on the bed dressed in a pair of pants only. His dark gaze met hers the second she stepped into the room. She lowered her stare and took him in. The light gleamed off his dark chocolate skin and created a delectable temptation she wasn’t sure she had the willpower to ignore. The way he sat, with his arms behind him, drew her attention to his defined abdominals.
“What’s going on, Kassidy?”
She licked her lips. “What are you talking about?” One hand tightened in the sheet draped precariously around her body.
His silence spoke volumes. All he did was tilt his head to the side and lift one black eyebrow. She swallowed hard and did her best to remain as impassive as him. It didn’t work. Not at all. A shudder coursed through her. Justice sat there and watched her, allowing the decision to be totally hers.
There was no way to explain what made her do what she did. It just… felt right. She walked slowly to stand before him, his head tipped back to allow him to continue to watch her the entire way. One hand bunched up the sheet, lifting it, and she straddled his waist, her knees and shins rested along the rumpled bedding.
“Justice,” she whispered on a half sigh, half question.
“I’m right here, beautiful.”
“I’m scared.” The look in his eyes told her he had already figured that part out. He
waited in quietness. “Scared and I don’t know what to do.”
“Talk to me.” His voice, low and rough trailed along her skin. It made her feel safe and protected.
Dropping her head, she lifted a hand to touch his bared chest. She stared at her fingers while they drew circles on his skin, his nipple beaded and taut. Still he never moved other than the rise and fall of his chest with each breath he took.
“When I was fifteen I overheard my dad talking to one of his close friends.” Her belly clenched and a wave of nausea hit her. She dug deep for the courage she needed and continued. “He was telling him how badly he’d wished he had a son.”
Justice visibly tensed at that. His jaw tightened but he didn’t speak.
“I know daddy loves me. I know that, deep down in my heart and in my mind I know he does. With all his heart. But, I always wonder if he wouldn’t be happier if there was a male to carry on the Barrow line and name. A son he could have gone to little league with, or peewee football. A son who would have trophies up from sports and stuff like that. One who would make his chest puff out with pride.” She dropped her hand from his body and wound it back into the sheet. “I am scared he’s disappointed in me. That no matter how much I accomplish he’ll still wish he had a son.”
Justice sat up and rubbed her shoulders through the cotton sheet. “Kassidy, I wish I could take your fear away. Your father loves you for you, and you need to believe that. He does not want you to be anyone else.”
Blinking back the tears she nodded. “I know that and I feel bad for feeling this way, but I haven’t been able to get the thought out of my head. Ever since the day I heard it. I was crushed.”
He slid his hands up under her hair and cupped the back of her head, fingers lightly massaging her. With gentle pressure he guided her closer and covered her mouth with his own. She sighed in pleasure when his tongue traced along her lips before they sought entrance. The kiss was tender and made her sorrow take a backseat. When it ended she saw his eyes closed and reached up with one hand and touched the exposed lids. He opened them slow when her caress ended and she squirmed closer to him and tucked her head into his neck.
“Does it make me childish to feel that way?” she asked.
“I don’t think so, Kassidy. But what do you think your dad would do if you talked to him about this?”
“He’d be embarrassed and do his best to convince me I was wrong.”
“I told you this the day I met them. I think that man loves you more than his next breath. I don’t believe he meant what he said at all.”
Kassidy felt immeasurably better. Having actually talked about the fear that had been growing in her since the age of fifteen, she could honestly say she felt no longer under its shadow. That wasn’t to say the pain caused hearing those words had vanished, not at all, but it had become considerably less.
Curled up against him as she was, Kassidy thought over the idea of talking through the issue with her mom. At the last moment she decided not to. A particularly close clap of thunder made her jump. His deep chuckle reverberated through her and his hold turned more protective.
“Are you scared of storms?”
“I wouldn’t say scared, more like healthily appreciative.”
Justice laughed. “Well, let’s get you tucked back into bed.”
Soon, they lay curled under the blankets, light off, and his arms held her close. His lips were on her forehead and she drifted back to sleep as his fingers lightly stroked her bare shoulder, in a soothing motion.
She woke to a light rain falling outside and a man missing from her bed. A quick glance at her clock told her it was a few minutes to six. Sleepy, she climbed out and drew on a pair of sweats and a sweatshirt. The moment she stepped out of her bedroom the smell of coffee reached her.
Justice leaned against the counter in the lit kitchen, cup in hand. He wore his pants from yesterday, top button undone and nothing else. Desire hit her like a freight train.
“Good morning, beautiful.”
“Hi. You’re up early. Are you going in to work?”
“No. I’m off today.” He walked toward her and kissed her. She could taste the coffee combined with his own unique taste. “Do you have plans?”
She leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his middle. “I was thinking maybe going to Pea Island LSS Memorial up on Roanoke.”
“Would you like some company?”
With a nod against his chest she squeezed him tight. “I would love for you to come with me.”
He kissed the top of her head and rubbed his free hand up and down her back. “Want to go now and stop for breakfast on the way?”
Going back to bed was an option. “Let me get ready.”
It didn’t take her long to dress and let Libby out. Then she called her parents and asked if they’d swing by and let Libby out. All set, she met a fully dressed Justice at the front door.
“My car,” he whispered before going out to the porch.
They hurried through the rain to his vehicle. Sitting in the seat, she buckled her belt and stared at the man behind the wheel.
“I just have to run home quick and change.”
“Okay.” I’m interested to see what your place looks like.
They chatted on the drive and when he pulled into an apartment complex she looked around with interest. It was nice, clean, and had a lot of vehicles with military stickers on them. He whipped the car into a spot and opened the door only to pause and say, “Are you coming in?”
His tone was a bit different, so she shrugged. “I don’t have to.”
“No, I want you to. I wasn’t sure if you wanted to.”
“I do.”
Her belly fluttered when he winked and said, “Good words to know.”
She followed him up a flight of stairs to the second story then to a door with a 301B plaque on it. His hand on the small of her back guided her into the apartment. It was nothing like she’d imagined. Not that she had anything specific in mind, but it wasn’t her idea of a bachelor pad.
It was open and spacious, tastefully decorated even if a little on the empty side. “Very nice,” she said.
“Thank you. Make yourself at home. I’ll be out in a few.”
“No rush.”
He disappeared and she began to look around. On a table near the window there sat picture frames. She walked over and picked one up, a shot of him and his sister. There were others of his family and what she assumed to be his crew. From his window he had a lovely view of the waterfront. With a smile, she crossed over to his stereo and perused his collection of music.
“You know you didn’t have to stay standing.”
She turned an eye on him and her heart pounded harder. He wore jeans and a sweatshirt. “I figured as much. I was being nosy.”
Justice sauntered toward her, entirely too attractive for his own good. Or my own.
“Nosy? Did you find anything exciting?”
“Not really. Didn’t get any farther than your music collection.”
“See anything you like?”
Dragging her gaze up his physique, she sent him a hooded smile. “Perhaps.”
“Let’s go, unless,” his tone lowered, “you’d like to see my bedroom.”
Delightful shivers overtook her. “Maybe later.”
He nibbled the side of her neck. “I’ll hold you to it.”
They left his apartment and got back in his car. Kassidy relaxed as he got them on the interstate and headed toward Roanoke Island.
Chapter Eleven
Justice reclined back in his chair and enjoyed the drink slipping down his throat. Things were good. He and Kassidy had been together for a while and each day with her was a new adventure. In all honesty he couldn’t imagine her not in his life.
Yet, despite all the good going on, he knew there was something which kept her from fully giving herself to him. There remained a part of her that was cut off for him. He doubted she even realized it, but he could see it. Times when s
he didn’t think he watched, her expression would grow distant. Some nights, he would have to wake her from nightmares, which she claimed she couldn’t recall any of it. But he’d heard her cries, the deep, gut-wrenching cries. Anytime he broached it, she would immediately change the direction of the conversation.
“Kassidy,” he muttered to the room.
On his feet, he traversed to the kitchen and refilled his Mountain Dew from the bottle in his refrigerator. The glass poised at his lips, he paused when the phone rang. Reaching over he lifted it from the base and put it to his ear.
“Hello?”
“Sorry to call you in, but y’all are needed.”
He dumped out his drink without hesitation. “On my way.” The call ended without further words between them and he replaced the phone.
It didn’t take him long at all to change and grab his duffel. Heading to his car, he tossed his bag in and slid behind the wheel. Bluetooth in, he had dialed a number.
“Hello?” Kassidy’s gentle voice in his ear made him smile.
“Hey, beautiful.”
“Justice. I was just about on my way out the door to come over. Did you want me to bring something else?”
“I’m so sorry to do this to you, Kassidy. I have to cancel. I just got called into work.” Silence. “Kassidy?”
“I’m, I’m here.” He would have been able to hear her disappointment if he’d been deaf, it was so palpable. “I understand. Umm, be safe.”
He needed to explain this to her but he never got the chance for she hung up and left him with nothing but the memory of her voice.
“Damn!” With a frustrated snarl, he tossed his earpiece off to land on the passenger seat.
His mood hadn’t improved when he arrived on the base. He hurried to the boat and stowed his gear. While he waited for everyone else to report in, he spoke to his commanding officer and got briefed on the situation. They had to take over for another patrol that had found one dead in the water. Plus there were a few smaller boats skimming nearer and they wanted an increase in presence.
