Panic churned in Alexandra’s guts. Was her mom sicker than she’d let on? “Crockett hasn’t even agreed to do it.”
“He wouldn’t have brought it up if he wasn’t going to do it!”
Wide eyed, Alexandra fidgeted in her seat. “I’m not sure the air-date can be changed. Why the rush?”
Kimberly smacked her palm on the table. “I ask the questions around here!”
Alexandra startled, then composed herself. She never flies off the handle. “I’m worried about you. Maybe I should move in here for a little while.”
On a huff, Kimberly threw her napkin on the table. “Absolutely not.”
Mixing meds with the wine was a bad combination. She rubbed her mother’s back. “Can I get you some tea?”
Jerking back, Kimberly pushed out of her chair. “What is the matter with you, Alexandra? We’re having a nice dinner, thanks to Crockett, and you’re treating me like I’m an invalid. I don’t want tea! I want normal conversation. Just go!” And with that, her mom left the room. Several seconds later, she slammed her bedroom door.
Alexandra stared at her plate of half-eaten food. Appetite gone, her head throbbed. Embarrassed that her mother had yelled at her, she didn’t know what to say to fill the uncomfortable silence.
“I’m sorry,” Crockett said after a moment. “Why don’t I clean up?”
“Her behavior has been erratic.” Shaking her head, Alexandra added, “I don’t know what to do. Do I go to her? Do I call the service to confirm the night nurse is on her way?”
Crockett rose. “Let’s give Kimberly some space. She might come back out. If she doesn’t, you can check on her.”
As they put away leftovers, Alexandra flipped on the TV. The familiar cadence of the news broadcasters comforted her. When finished, she excused herself.
With a heavy heart, Alexandra tiptoed down the hallway and tapped quietly on Kimberly’s bedroom door. No answer. She cracked open the door. All the bedroom lights were on and her mom was asleep beneath the comforter.
As she started to leave, Kimberly stirred. “What a nice surprise. What brings you by?”
A shiver flew down her spine. She needed to tell Colton about Mom’s erratic behavior and memory blips. And she needed some damned answers.
Alexandra sat on the edge of the bed. “Just wanted you to know how much I love you.”
Kimberly smiled. “My sweet angel. Are you here for the weekend? Be sure to visit your brother and Crockett, too, while you’re in town.” Her eyes fluttered closed.
Unable to tear herself away, Alexandra watched her mom sleep while her heart wept.
At some point, Crockett caressed her back. She’d no idea how long he’d been standing next to her. “The nurse is here,” he said.
After debriefing the caregiver on Kimberly’s volatile and confusing behavior, she and Crockett left. Once outside, she took in the night sky. Shouldn’t Mom be getting better? Was her reaction from mixing alcohol with her meds? Alexandra had too many questions, but no answers. Frustration replaced sadness.
Ever the gentleman, Crockett opened the passenger door to his truck and she climbed in. “Guess you’re stuck with me for another night,” she said after he’d pulled onto the main road. “I’ll call the roommate finder in the morning and request a new search.”
“Alex—”
“Don’t. I appreciate everything, but it’s best that I not stay with you while I’m in town. You’re already helping me follow up on some insane hunch. And yes, I know I’m probably wrong about the club. And you’re probably right about rejuvenation. Who isn’t rejuvenated after sex? And so what if some employee got smacked around by her employer? How is that even my problem? It’s not.” She massaged her shoulder, but the knotted muscles wouldn’t release. “I have no idea what’s happening with my mother. I have nowhere to live. Colton asked me to come home, which I was happy to do. Then he flies out of town for work and you’re stuck babysitting me. When are those two going to treat me like an adult?” She pounded her fist on the door handle. “Ouch!”
Crockett turned off the busy road and parked in a quiet, residential neighborhood. He leaned over and clasped her injured hand in his. “Where does it hurt?”
“Everywhere.”
He dotted her palm with tender kisses, massaged the side of her hand where she’d smacked his door handle. “Better?” He stared into her eyes.
She slammed her eyes shut, but an avalanche of emotions flowed over her, smothering her under its weight.
“Look at me.”
Her eyes fluttered open. “It still hurts.”
“Where?”
“I can’t tell you.”
Moving in a small circle, his thumb caressed her skin. “Yes, you can, GG.”
Her body tensed. “No, Crockett. Don’t. I’m not that person anymore. Goth Girl doesn’t exist.”
Her hand throbbed. Somehow, Crockett knew the exact spot and he kissed it. A soft, tender gesture that contradicted the intensity in his eyes. Her breath caught while blood whooshed through her. She wanted him. On her. In her. Desperate to forget reality, she needed the ecstasy to swallow her whole.
Breaking eye contact, she wiggled her hand away. Screwing at the club in a masked disguise was one thing, but she had to keep her physical and emotional distance from this powerhouse of a man.
“Tell me where it hurts.” His deep voice plucked her from her angst and she turned to face him.
“My heart.” The truth. Her next breath came a little easier. “It’s breaking for my mom. I’m dying inside and yet I’m supposed to act like everything is okay. Well, it’s not. She won’t talk to me, won’t let me in. It’s a Mitus thing. You wouldn’t understand. And don’t think you can kiss that problem away.”
“Trust me to do that and more.” He cupped her chin in his hand and tipped her face towards him.
Panicked by his intimate words and loving touch, she jerked away. “Please, can we drop this? I don’t want to talk. I want to fuck. Isn’t that what we’re doing together? Fucking?”
On a growl, he dropped her hand and steeled his back. His height and width dwarfed her. Gripping the steering wheel, he stared straight ahead, then threw the gearshift into drive.
“Wait.” She pressed her hand on his thigh. “I’m sorry. That was me venting. You’ve been wonderful. Amazing, really. Thank you for everything, Crockett.” Her rueful smile was her feeble attempt to shove away the sorrow.
“Goddammit, Alex.” He shoved the gearshift back into park. With his hands clutching both sides of her face, he leaned over and kissed her. One worshipful kiss that shorted her brain and turned her insides into molten lava.
“Ohgod,” she moaned. “That might have helped, a little.”
He kissed her again. Her eyes fluttered open. Large blue orbs blinked back. Her heart skipped a beat. She wanted to get so lost in those eyes, in all of him. But she couldn’t. No way would she allow herself to become emotionally involved with him again.
“Let’s go home.” With all the confidence and ease of a man in complete control, he slipped back into traffic.
Crockett’s head ached. Though he knew what needed to be done, he did not want to be the one to do it. But someone had to tell Alex the truth. He had no idea what history haunted the Mitus family because Colton never talked about his past. When they’d been freshmen, Colton mentioned his twin had died and his father had left shortly thereafter. That was all he’d ever said. Not wanting to pry, Crockett asked nothing. And neither Kimberly nor Alex spoke about Cain or Wilson. The only reminder that their brother, Cain, had existed was a single framed picture in Kimberly’s home office. The three young Mitus kids sat smooshed like sardines on a worn, leather recliner, their giant smiles a somber reminder of happier days.
If Kimberly had her reasons for shielding her daughter from the truth when Alex was a child, he could understand that. But she was a grown woman. A news reporter, for God’s sake. If anyone could handle the truth, he believed Alex could. Goddamm
it, why in the hell does it have to be me?
He pulled into his condo garage and parked in his spot. As they rode the elevator to his penthouse, Alexandra glanced up at him.
“We should go to Incognito tonight,” she said.
“No.”
She blew out a breath. “I need—”
“A hot bath and a strong drink.” He hitched a brow. Not that he didn’t want to sink balls deep into her while she ground against him, but tonight was not that night. Her hunch and her need to help Sage could wait.
They entered his home and, as he strode toward the bathroom, he flipped on lights. After turning on the water in the Jacuzzi, he went in search of her. She stood in front of his gas fireplace, mesmerized by the roaring flames, looking somewhat lost.
“Let’s get you into the tub.”
She flicked her gaze to him. “I don’t want you to see me naked.”
He would have laughed, but her tone and expression were so serious. “Alex, please.”
“If you’re joining me, put on a mask.”
She’s a mess. “I’m going to make you a hot toddy, but I’m not going to fuck you.”
“I can’t make love.” She rubbed her chest, over her heart.
There it is. Did she realize she’d just given herself away? She could handle meaningless screwing but not the deep, emotional connection they’d once shared.
“No sex. Period.” He was done talking. Grasping her hand, he brought her into the bathroom and stripped her out of her clothing. Though he wanted to pull her into his arms and run his hands over her beautiful curves, he stayed focused on the task. Grabbing the bag of Epsom salts from the bathroom closet, he dumped some into the steaming water.
“I’m not injured,” she said while tying up her hair.
Like hell you’re not. “You’re tense. This soothes aching muscles.” As he helped her into the tub, he forced himself not to peek at her beautiful breasts, her phenomenal ass, those toned legs and that beautiful back. “Push this if you want jets.” He tapped a button on the porcelain. “I’ll be back with your drink.”
“Ouch, ouch. Hot.” As she eased into the water, she shot him a quick smile. “It feels good.”
He made her tea, added a shot of whiskey to the mug, and returned to the bathroom. Her eyes were closed and he paused to admire her. Beyond the obvious attraction, she looked peaceful. He hated that this feeling would be short-lived.
His head pounded in his temples and he ground his teeth together. He had to make the call and then, he had to tell her. She deserved to know the truth. Kimberly and Colton might treat her like a child, but this breathtaking beauty before him was every inch a woman.
She opened her eyes, studied his face. “What’s wrong?”
He forced a smile, hoping to hide his angst. “Here’s your hot toddy.”
“I know you’re doing this because I’d be homeless if you didn’t put me up. So, thank you. But you don’t have to go out of your way for me.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Try to relax. I’ll be back in a few.” He closed the bathroom door to the saddest brown eyes.
Guilt filled him with dread. He’d lied to her, too, all those years ago. Even though he’d broken up with her for her sake, he was no better than anyone else trying to protect her.
He poured himself a whiskey, tossed it back, then called Colton.
“Everything okay?” Colton asked.
“Yeah. Not really. No.”
“Do I need to cut my trip short and come home?”
“No. Kimberly is pushing Alex away. This isn’t right. Alex deserves to know.”
“Mom insisted.”
“When do you listen to anyone?” Crockett asked.
“She’s dying.”
“Yeah, that I’m aware of.”
“I want to respect her wishes,” Colton said.
“You know I’m not one to overstep, but if you’d been with us tonight, you would understand. The treatment isn’t working and neither is Kimberly’s charade. Besides, Alex doesn’t have a place to live, she’s having issues at work, and she’s worried sick about your mother, who she thinks is going to make a complete recovery.”
“How will telling her the truth make things better?”
“It won’t. But I’m going to tell her. Unless you want to fly home tomorrow and do it yourself. Believe me, my head is pounding over this one.”
After a pregnant pause, Colton spoke. “I trust you. But this is going to kill her.”
“I’ll be here for her.” Crockett ended the call.
Heaving in a breath, he strode down the hall and into his bedroom, tapping on the bathroom door before gently pushing it open. The mug was empty, the jets were blasting, and Alex had finally relaxed against the porcelain, her sweet eyes closed. This sucks.
When she opened them, her serene expression tore through him. He was about to shatter her world. And he wouldn’t blame her if she hated him for it.
“I feel better,” she said. “Do you want me to re-heat the water so you can soak?”
“I’m good,” he said, holding up a towel. He hated being the bad guy.
She rose and stepped out. He wrapped her and before he could check himself, he hugged her.
Pain slashed his heart open. In some ways he was reliving the loss of Sophia. The disbelief. The immeasurable heartache. The loss of control. The overwhelming helplessness. But tonight wasn’t about him or his damned feelings.
He found her a pair of his sweat pants with a drawstring. Even so, the pants hung low—too low—on her womanly hips. This exercise of dressing her was proving to be more of a challenge than he’d realized. Her moment of serenity both comforted and aroused him. Maybe he should throw her on his bed and fuck her until morning. Mind his own damned business and let Colton tell her. No, it’s got to be done.
“I’m sleepy.” She slipped his large sweatshirt over her head.
She’s adorable. “So am I.”
She plodded out of his bedroom. He didn’t want to follow her. But he had to. She crashed on his sofa and pulled up the blanket. As he eased onto the far end of the sofa, he lifted her feet, and placed them on his lap.
“Do you want to watch TV?” she asked.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Why the hell couldn’t her family have been honest with her? “I talked to Colton tonight.”
She struggled to keep her eyes open. “Uh-huh.”
“I told him I was going to tell you the truth.”
Her eyes flew open and she jerked her feet off his lap. “About what? What have you been lying to me about?” She lurched forward, her back ramrod straight.
“Your mom isn’t well.”
Pain flashed in her eyes. “I know that.”
“Her behavior tonight…”
“She shouldn’t have been drinking. It didn’t mix with the change in meds.”
“Her brain cancer is terminal.” He hated himself, the words tasting like poison as they spilled from him.
“What?” She flung off the blanket and sprang to her knees. “No, you’re wrong. She told me herself, she’s going to get better.”
Nausea spread through him like a wildfire. “She has Gliosarcoma.”
“I don’t know what that is!” Her panic surged through him. “What are you saying?”
For what felt like the longest moment, he couldn’t answer. Then he said, “This type of cancer doesn’t respond well to treatment. She isn’t going to get better. She’s dying and you deserve to know the truth.” Pain pummeled his chest. “I’m so sorry.”
She stared at him with disbelieving eyes. He didn’t crowd her or hug her. She needed space to process the unthinkable. The unimaginable. He’d turned her world upside down.
Her gut-wrenching wail came from the deepest, darkest part of her. Then, she flew off the sofa and with both hands gripping the sides of her head, paced in front of him. “No, no, no, no, no.”
She repeated the words, like a chant. He jumped up. She froze and stared into his eyes.
Then, he put his arms around her.
Words escaped him as the horror washed over her face. She pounded her fists against his chest. “Nooooo! No way! You’re wrong!”
Hauling her against him, he hugged her tightly. “I’ve got you. I’m right here.”
Rearing back, she glared at him. “Why are you telling me? What business is this of yours? You aren’t a Mitus. You have no idea what you’re saying!” She spun away from him and crumpled to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. “Ohmygod, ohmygod. Please, no.”
He dropped by her side and pulled her into his lap. She tried resisting, but he wrapped his arms around her and wouldn’t let go.
Crockett hadn’t shed a tear since the day he’d learned his sister had been taken. He’d learned about the abduction from a Mitus. This moment didn’t feel like he was returning the favor. A tear streaked his cheek, but he wiped her tear-stained face instead. He wanted to take all of her pain, but he couldn’t. No one could.
16
Don’t Shoot!
“Hello.” With his cell phone to his ear, Crockett rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling. In the pre-dawn hour, the tiniest glint of light filled the sky and his bedroom.
“Hey, babe.” Maverick’s booming voice cut through the silence.
“Easy, man, you’ll wake the dead.”
Alexandra bolted upright. “Is it my mom?”
“It’s okay,” Crockett said. “It’s work. Go back to sleep.”
“Jesus, you’re with a woman. You never said anything.”
“What’s going on?” Crockett asked as Alexandra laid her head on his chest. He switched the phone to his other ear and wrapped his arm around her. She felt fucking phenomenal wedged against him.
“Weather conditions are good. We’re a ‘Go’ for running aircraft tests today.”
“Time?”
“Five forty-five.”
“Not now. What time are you flying?”
“Oh, right. Eleven hundred at my airpark.”
“I’ve got a meeting I can’t miss. Expect me closer to eleven thirty. Thanks for the heads up.” Crockett hung up.
THE WILDE TOUCH: Book Two of The Touch Series Page 16
