I watch as Evan opens his mouth and move towards her, but Lexi is out of the door before he can take another step. I watch like a deer caught in headlights and wonder what I should do.
“Do you want me to take Imogen so you can go after her?’’ I ask quietly, feeling bad it’s mine and Imogen’s presence that has caused this.
“Why?’’ He asks so simply I begin to wonder if he’s really qualified to be a cop. He should already know why. It doesn’t take a genius to work out what was going on with her.
“Because I don’t want you two to break up,’’ I start, but Evan’s laughter interrupts me. “What?’’ I frown, not liking the fact he’s laughing at me.
“You think we’re together?’’ he asks sounding amused.
“She’s in love with you, that’s clear to see and when I opened the door she looked like her whole world had fallen apart,’’ I tell him.
“Look, I know she was lying about the doctor’s appointment. I just don’t know why. But I can assure you that we have never been together.’’
“Why do I have a feeling there’s a but?’’ I ask but then shake my head embarrassed. “I’m sorry, it’s none of my business.’’
His eyes soften and he takes a step closer towards me. “You’re going to be in my life for a long time, Kennedy. You deserve to know.’’
“Okay,’’ I whisper, trying to ignore the way his words are doing crazy things to my insides right now.
“I thought we had a thing a while back, but it was nothing. In fact, she turned me down.’’
“But you’re hot!” I shout, outraged, then end up groaning. I need a flipping filter. Why do I always do this to myself? It doesn’t help that he’s so good looking. It makes me more on edge than normal.
“Thanks, so are you,’’ he winks and it makes me blush. “It took me a while to realise that it would never have worked out between us. I was hoping for something that wasn’t there between us.’’
“What do you mean?’’ I ask curiously, grinning when I see Imogen lying down on Evan’s shoulder, her mouth hanging open in an O shape, sleeping.
“I want to settle down. A lot had happened last year with my sister and when I was told she had a baby, and a fiancé, I realised what I had been missing,’’ he shrugs but I can see it still matters to him. He still wants that.
“You sure it’s not some sibling rivalry?’’ I tease.
He chuckles, the sound sending shivers up my spine. “No. I love my sister and would give her the world if I could because she deserves it. But seeing it there, right in front of me, just hit me. I wanted to be settled down in a family home and not some three bed bungalow. And someday have it filled with kids.’’
“You got one of those,’’ I remind him, smiling at a snoring Imogen.
“Yeah, I do don’t I,’’ he smiles but when I look up at him, he’s smiling at me and the look in his eyes is something I’ve never seen before.
“So…um… was there something you needed to do today before you have to be in the station?’’ I ask. My stomach has been turning violently since he told me he’d have to leave us today to go in when they’ve arrested Damon. He said he wanted to be there to see for himself what happens and what Damon’s reaction will be. Luckily, his old boss is okay with him doing that as long as he doesn’t cause a scene.
“Funny you should ask that. Everything that had happened with my sister last year caused her to fall out with me as such. Her boyfriend just texted me to tell me she’s over her snit and to come over whenever to visit. Now that I know Immy is really mine I was wondering if we could go see her. I want her to be the first person to meet her.’’
I pause for a second thinking about it. I’ve never really left Imogen with anyone other than the nursery staff and on the odd occasion, Melanie. Sucking it up I give Evan a smile.
“Sure. I’ll do some washing and stuff. Clean up the mess Imogen and I have made. It’s the least I could do for you letting us stay.’’
“No, Kennedy, you don’t understand. I want you to come as well.’’
“To meet your sister?’’ I ask, my voice high pitched.
“Yes,’’ he chuckles, but I give him a glare.
“I can’t meet your sister. She might hate me or get the wrong idea. My sister was a… you know, and your sister might think I’m a… you know, too.’’
“No one would ever accuse you of being a bitch,’’ he tells me softly and my eyes meet his and soften. My whole body sags and I find myself nodding when inside I’m shaking my head ‘no’. Meeting the family? Not high on my list of things to do. People hear about where I came from, who I’m related to and they judge me. They judge me for what my sister has done and as soon as Denny finds out what my sister did to her brother she’s going to hate me. There’s no way that she won’t.
“Okay…But don’t leave me,’’ I add on quickly, really not wanting to be left alone. I don’t know anything about his family or what they’re like.
Jeeze Louise, it’s his sister, how hard can it be?
Turns out it’s harder than I imagined.
CHAPTER NINE
EVAN
Knocking on my sister’s door I begin to feel nervous as fuck. I’m not a nervous kind of guy. I’m always so calm and collected. Fuck, it’s my job to say calm and on alert. But until now I didn’t realise how much I want my sisters blessing, her approval. I know she’ll be pissed once she finds out about Vicky but I want her to accept Kennedy and Imogen into our lives.
“Alright, mate. She’s just getting Hope dressed,’’ Mason tells us opening the door wider. He looks at Kennedy curiously then down at Imogen. I notice his head snapping quickly in my direction and it makes me wonder if he has clicked on to Imogen being mine. Now that I’ve had time to really look at Immy I can see myself in her.
“Thanks,’’ I nod.
We follow him into the front room where I drop the car seat down by the single arm chair, signalling to Kennedy to sit down. She’s been strangely quiet from the moment I told her she was coming with us. I don’t know why but her not being with me had me feeling unsettled. It didn’t feel right letting the family meet Immy and not her. It’s like she belongs at my side.
Footsteps from the stairs have me standing back up from the sofa. When Denny walks in she looks surprised to see me, but more surprised and curious as to who Kennedy is. She gives Imogen a quick glance and I ignore the pang of disappointment in my chest at her not seeing Imogen is mine the way Mason did.
“Hey,’’ she greets slowly, handing a happy Hope over to Mason.
“Hey, sis,’’ I smile then move forward to wrap her up in a hug. “I’m sorry, for everything,’’ I whisper in her ear.
“It’s not your fault. I was just too stubborn to see that.’’
I shake my head ready to argue but then her head tilts in Kennedy’s direction. Shit. Here it goes.
“This is Kennedy and this little one is Imogen, my daughter.’’
She doesn’t say anything for a second and I start to worry. My sister has an opinion on everything and anything.
“Excuse me?’’
“I didn’t know about her, not until a month ago, but then we were waiting for the DNA results to come back,’’ I breathe out.
“DNA results? I don’t understand. How did this happen?’’
“I’m pretty certain you should know that,’’ I tease lightly, trying to ease the mood.
“But, I didn’t think you were seeing anyone. You said you didn’t have time…’’ she begins and I can see where she’s going with this. After everything that happened when she was kidnapped I explained to her that I never had time to do anything. Which was true. I never had time to get laid, let alone visit family.
“It’s a long story. I was drugged, taken advantage of, and didn’t find out about Imogen until a month ago,’’ I start, rubbing my face. I can’t believe I’m having to explain this to my sister. I wanted more time before I had to talk about the deep stuff.
“What?’’ I ask looking between them, wondering why she’s having such a strong outburst towards Kennedy. Kennedy’s eyes fill with tears and like I do it every day, I walk over to her and wrap my arms around her shoulders. She tries to push me off but I don’t let her.
“Watch your mouth, Denny,’’ I snap and watch Mason move to put Hope in her bouncy chair.
“Are you serious right now, Evan? She raped you, she assaulted you and kept your baby away from you,’’ she snaps looking between me and Kennedy.
“Denny,’’ I begin, cursing to myself. “Kennedy isn’t Imogen’s biological mother. Imogen has been left in Kennedy’s care. She’s Imogen’s biological mother’s, sister.’’
She pauses, tears filling her own eyes. “What?’’
“She’s not the person who did what you’re accusing,’’ I state, not wanting to use the term rape.
“You just let me speak to her like that,’’ she gasps.
“I didn’t think. Fucking hell, I’m nervous as fuck here. It’s not every day you find out you’re a dad and then move the mom and kid in,’’ I tell her, waving my hands in the air. Honestly it feels good to get all this shit out.
“You moved her in?’’ Denny breathes but her eyes narrow at the last minute. “Are you sure about all of this? How do you know she’s not using you?’’
Her attitude is starting to piss me off. “You’re seriously going to go there? As I recall you and Mason didn’t have the best start. At least when Kennedy found me she didn’t mess around to tell me I’m Imogen’s dad,’’ I snap, feeling my blood boil. How dare she?
Her eyes go wide. Mason steps forward, his posture rigid, itching to fight. “I think you should go,’’ he growls and my eyes narrow on his.
“Don’t worry, I am,’’ I snap back then look to my sister. “I wanted you to be the first to know, the first to meet her, but I was wrong. Out of everyone I never expected you to react like this. If you can’t accept Kennedy and Imogen into your life, into mine, then I don’t want to know. You can be the one to explain to Hope why she doesn’t see her cousin and her uncle,’’ I snap, grabbing the car seat and Kennedy’s hand. I don’t bother stopping to console Denny when I hear her cry or when Mason growls something at me. I just keep walking.
“Hey, mate,’’ one of Mason’s brothers calls walking towards Mason’s. When he sees my facial expression he frowns, but doesn’t say anything further. I’m glad he doesn’t because I’m ready to blow a fuse. After getting Imogen strapped into the car, I move around to the passenger side of the car, opening the door for Kennedy. Once she’s in I start to buckle her in like a dickhead, but her hand reaching for mine stops me. My head snaps up looking into her dark brown, sad eyes. They’re filled with tears and I know she’s struggling to hold them back.
Not able to prevent what I was about to do, my hands reach out to her cheeks, my thumbs running lightly under her eyes as the first of her tears fall. We stare into each other’s eyes, neither one of us able to find the strength to look away. The dead silence in the air becomes too much and I find myself blinking, moving my hands away from her face.
Whatever just passed between us is something neither one of us is ready for.
Driving in silence starts to get to me after five minutes into the drive. I’m about to break the silence when Kennedy’s sweet, small voice carries across the car.
“I’m sorry, so sorry.’’ A soft sob escapes her mouth and I reach across the console, grabbing her hand in mine, wondering what’s wrong. It’s cold under my warm touch and I see her shiver from the corner of my eye. What’s puzzling is the fact she feels the need to say sorry. She isn’t in the wrong. I shouldn’t have taken either of them. I should have spoken to Denny on my own first and explained everything, not just dump it on her all at once.
“No, I’m sorry. I didn’t know she would be that judgemental. I should have explained over the phone or gone on my own to see her first. I shouldn’t have subjected you to that.’’
“I don’t want you to fall out with your family,’’ she whispers. “Not over me, not over what my sister did. Imogen doesn’t deserve it.’’
“Hey,’’ I say softly, squeezing her hand with mine. “You’re right. She doesn’t deserve this; she deserves a family that accepts her for who she is and not where she came from or how she was conceived. As much as I hated what Vicky did, I have Imogen. I have you,’’ I tell her, the last part more of a whisper. Her intake of breath tells me she has heard me, but something inside me can’t bring myself to care. It’s the truth. There is just something about her that has me feeling overprotective, that wants to get to know her. It’s not just about her looks, because she is hot as fuck. But it’s the way she loves and adores Imogen. It’s the way she willingly put Imogen first, even though it meant she’d be in danger. She’s also incredibly sweet. She doesn’t swear and the way she looks at me. Fuck! Just remembering the way she looked at me when I walked out in just a towel this morning makes my dick twitch. I wanted to bend her over the sofa and take her right there.
“I know. I just feel like this is my fault somehow. But then, no matter how I look at it, I’d have always turned up at your door and told you about Imogen.’’
“And you’ll never truly understand how thankful I am to you for that. You’ll also never understand how glad I am that you are who you are.’’
Kennedy laughs, catching me off guard, and I can’t help but smile listening to her. It’s the first time I’ve seen her laugh and her face… God, she’s fucking beautiful.
“You really mean to say you’re glad I’m not like my sister.’’
“There is that too,’’ I laugh agreeing. “But seriously, I’m just glad it’s you that will be the mother to my child,’’ I admit, pulling up outside my house.
I stop the car, getting out and leaving Kennedy speechless. I walk around the car just as Lexi walks out of her house with the same date I’d seen her with the last time. When she sees me she gives me a small smile before laughing loudly at something her date says. I ignore them, and open Kennedy’s door, kneeling down to talk to her.
“Are you okay?’’
“You want me to be her mother?’’ she asks and when she turns her face is soaked from the heavy tears falling from her eyes.
“No, baby, you already are her mother,’’ I tell her honestly.
She lets out a sob before throwing herself into my arms. I’m glad she had been able to take the seatbelt off before she did, otherwise she’d most likely have hurt her bruises.
She clings to my t-shirt sobbing, her tears soaking through the material. I rub her back and tell her that it’s going to be okay. When she looks up her face is close to mine.
Everything freezes around us and it’s just us in that moment. I lean in a touch to gauge her reaction. When she doesn’t move away I take that as my cue and press my lips to hers. They’re soft, full and I can’t get enough. It’s when I feel her tongue run along my bottom lip that everything in that moment switches, and instead of the slow, soft kiss, it becomes heated and aggressive. I can’t hold her close enough. She moans into my mouth and I groan loudly, the zipper of my jeans digging into my erection.
A loud cry fills the car and snaps us both out of our embrace. The lust and desire I was feeling a minute ago evaporates a little.
We turn our heads slightly to Imogen as if just realising she’s in the car, that she’s a major factor in our relationship, before turning back to each other. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. Her whole face is pale which has her full lips looking fuller and redder. Her tears have now dried, but her eyes still shine with tears.
She’s beautiful.
I get up not knowing what to say. I cough once, twice, before I find the courage to say something and when I do, “I’ll get Immy,’’ is the fir
st thing that leaves my mouth. I inwardly groan at how stupid I sound. I’m a grown ass man who has no trouble talking to a room full of people, making new friends or any of that bullshit. I’ve never had a problem picking up girls, in fact, they usually flock to me, but with Kennedy, I find everything I’ve learnt from experience has been erased from my memory. It’s like everything is new with her, including the feelings she evokes in me.
She nods her head and I move out of the way making my way to the back driver’s side to get Imogen out. When I do my eyes reach Lexi’s and the look of hurt from meeting my sister is still written all over her expression. I’m not even a little bit sorry I spoke to my sister like that. I needed her to know Kennedy and Imogen are now in my life.
Opening the door, Imogen’s fussing in her seat and pulling at her ears when I look down at her. My eyes snap to Kennedy’s with concern and her face turns pale.
“What’s wrong?’’ she asks, rushing around the car.
“She was doing that this morning,’’ I tell her when she notices the same thing.
“Yeah, the doctors said she’s teething. Everything I’ve read on it says the same thing, but it still worries me,’’ she tells me, moving me aside to unbuckle Imogen.
“Here, I got her,’’ I tell her, moving her out of the way, my one hand on her hip. She stiffens under my touch and testing the waters I press myself against her, loving the feel of her backside pressed up against me. She melts into my body like butter and I can’t help but smirk at the fact.
After a second or two of enjoying her pressed against me, Imogen once again starts to cry and we both move to the left to let each other past, only, we end up bumping into each other. We do the same again, only this time we both move to the right. Chuckling, I grab a hold of Kennedy’s hips and pick her up, turning and placing her down behind me like she weighs nothing. Her eyes are wide and filled with desire and her luscious mouth is open in shock.
Evan (Novella): 3.5 (A Carter Brother Series) Page 6
