THE WILDE TOUCH: Book Two of The Touch Series

by Stoni Alexander

  A squirmy Hannah beamed. “My teacher is sparring. He’s super strong.” She threw her tiny arms up into a Hercules pose. “Grrrr.”

  Alexandra laughed.

  Kimberly pointed. “There’s Crockett.”

  Several members of the black belt class filed into the gym and began stretching on the mats in the far corner.

  Hannah’s mom turned around. “Are you a friend of Mr. Wilde’s?” she asked Alexandra.

  As Alexandra smiled, her cheeks warmed. “Yes, we are.”

  “He’s my teacher!” The child beamed. “And he’s the best!”

  Alexandra and Kimberly laughed. “Sounds like you like your teacher,” Kimberly said. “We’re fond of him, too.”

  Here we go. “How long have you been studying karate?” Alexandra asked.

  “I’m a yellow belt,” Hannah said, then fiddled with her hair.

  Hannah’s mom placed a soft hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “Hannah started over the summer. As you can see, our six year old has a lot of energy.”

  “Mr. Wilde is so generous.” She leaned toward Alexandra, cupped her hand next to her mouth and whispered, “He paid for my lessons.”

  Wow. What’s that all about? Alexandra glanced at the child’s parents.

  “Okay, Hannah,” said her mom. “That’s enough, young lady. Why don’t you—”

  “She’s darling,” interrupted Kimberly. “Hannah, what is it about Mr. Wilde that makes him the best?”

  Staring at her mom, Alexandra raised her brows. Could she be more obvious?

  “He’s fun and he’s nice,” Hannah explained. “At first, I was scared but he always says ‘good job’. And we get high-fives at the end of every class.” She continued wiggling. “He’s been studying karate for a lo-o-o-ng time.”

  Hannah’s dad pulled his daughter onto his lap. “Sorry. She’s quite a chatterbox.”

  “It’s lovely meeting one of Crockett’s students and his parents, isn’t it, Alexandra?” Kimberly patted her daughter’s thigh.

  Alexandra smirked at her mother. Why do I feel like Hannah isn’t the only child in this conversation?

  Refocusing her attention, Alexandra watched Crockett stretching on the mat in his black gi. Confidence radiated off him. And then, as if he could feel her eyes on him, he peered into the crowded bleachers. Their eyes met, her heart flipped. Even across the room, energy crackled between them. She gave him a little wave and he tossed her a nod.

  Hannah leaped up and waved. “Mr. Wilde!” When Crockett waved back, she jumped up and down.

  Kimberly leaned over and whispered, “I wish you were that excited to see him.”

  Alexandra laughed. “I would be if I were six.”

  An hour into the event, Crockett rose. From the second he stepped onto the mat, Crockett Wilde owned that space. Though his opponent was a physical match, Crockett dominated. To say he was self-assured was an understatement. Based on the intensity in his eyes, his rival didn’t stand a chance.

  After facing each other, the two black belts bowed and the sparring began. Crockett moved with the speed and grace of a cheetah and attacked with the same ferocity. He outsmarted and outmaneuvered. Laser-focused, he never once took his eyes off his adversary.

  Though Alexandra abhorred physical violence of any kind, she sat transfixed. Impressed and in awe, her opinion of him shifted. Sweet, patient Crockett Wilde morphed into a beast, determined to win. Second to none.

  There was power and precision in every kick, every punch, every shout, yet he moved with cat-like speed when confronted with those of his opponent.

  She knew so little about him outside of their interview and their sexual romps at the club. Yet, he’d given her a place to live, shared his bed, even. He’d pulled her from her car during the snowstorm and he’d agreed to help her pursue a hunch with his very expensive surveillance equipment.

  And he had the courage to tell her the truth about her mother when her own family wouldn’t.

  For as long as she could remember, Alexandra had locked herself in an emotional prison to avoid the heartache of abandonment.

  Crockett used his pain to fuel him. His aggression aroused her. His zeal appeared to have no limit. For that brief moment, she wondered how her life would change if she let go of her fears and loved him. When she was eighteen, loving him had changed her for the better but losing him had changed her for the worse.

  Could she push past her fear and take a chance on loving him again?

  Crockett handily nailed his first opponent, then returned to his seat, grabbed his towel, and wiped the sweat from his brow. While Alexandra applauded, Hannah jumped up and down with gusto. Kimberly nudged her daughter. “He wants to see that level of excitement from you,” she whispered.

  He’d seen that all right. Electra never held back.

  “I have to use the restroom,” Kimberly said.

  Alexandra helped her mom down from the bleachers, then waited for her in the busy high school lobby.

  Crockett rolled out of the gym. And her heart rocketed into her throat. She wanted to run to him, throw her arms around his neck and tell him the damned truth about how she felt. She adored him.

  “Congratulations! You were great.” She squeezed his bicep. Had to touch him, for just a second.

  He kissed her cheek. “Now that my lucky charm is here, I can really kick some ass.” When she gazed into his eyes, she knew with complete certainty that he was the one. The reality of her feelings terrified her.

  Kimberly sidled next to her daughter and slipped her arm through the crook of her elbow. “Crockett, you are sensational!”

  “I’m glad you’re here.” He kissed Kimberly’s cheek. “Gotta go.” He flashed a smile and jogged toward the gym.

  Kimberly squeezed her daughter’s hand as they headed slowly back to their seats. “He’s a good man, baby girl.”

  “I know he is, Mom. But my life is in LA.”

  “No, Alexandra. Your career is there. Your life is where your heart is.”

  She kissed her mom’s cheek. “You make it sound so easy.”

  As soon as they returned to their seats in the stands, Hannah announced, “Someone tried to take your spot, but I told them you were here first.”

  “Thank you, Hannah,” said Alexandra. “I’m glad we’re watching this with you.”

  “Can I sit with you?”

  Before Alexandra could answer, Hannah squeezed between her and Kimberly.

  “Hannah Marie!” Hannah’s dad scolded. “Do you want to leave?”

  The child gaped, her eyes big and wide. “No, Daddy!”

  “Come down here, now.”

  “She’s fine, really,” said Alexandra. “We love having Hannah sit with us.”

  “Send her back if she becomes a bother,” said Hannah’s mom.

  Hannah sat quietly while they watched the competition. When Crockett handily beat out his second opponent, Hannah jumped up, threw her tiny arms into the air and cheered. Kimberly laughed, seemingly thrilled to be around such an exuberant child.

  As the tournament continued, Crockett appeared to draw strength from the matches. His aggression increased every time he advanced. As did his technique. He seemed to have the ability to sum up his rival as soon as he stepped onto the mat. Had he learned to contain the anguish of his loss and unleash it during a competition?

  Before today, Alexandra had never viewed him as a fighter, but her opinion of him changed when his third opponent limped off the mats pinching his bloodied nose.

  “Hannah, is Mr. Wilde like this in class?” Alexandra asked.

  She shook her head, sending her hair flying. “Uh-uh, but in the black belt room he’s like grrrrrrr.” She scrunched her face and closed those little hands into boxing fists.

  Kimberly burst out laughing. “Too cute.”

  “You look scared.” Hannah clasped Alexandra’s hand. “He’s okay.”

  Alexandra released her breath. Was it that obvious, even to a youngster?

&nb
sp; Crockett’s final competitor charged him as soon as the sparring began. His frenetic movements prevented Crockett from going on the offense and gaining the upper hand. When Crockett absorbed a powerful kick to his torso, then another to his head, Hannah clapped her mouth and squeezed Alexandra’s hand.

  This challenger was going at Crockett hard, striking him again and again. Crockett finally exploded in a burst of jabs, spins, and kicks that dropped his opponent to the mat. When the timer buzzed, the two men bowed. Alexandra breathed. They stood like soldiers awaiting the judge’s decision. The audience fell silent, the tension palpable.

  When Crockett was declared the winner, the gym erupted in applause.

  Though Crockett would advance to the semi-final event the following month, he left the mat drenched in sweat, out of breath, and clutching his side.

  Hannah threw her arms around Alexandra’s neck. “He won, he won, he won!” the little one shouted.

  When Hannah sat back down, Alexandra spied her mom wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.

  “That man is going to need some TLC and I expect you to take extra special care of him.” Kimberly shot her daughter a stern look.

  Alexandra’s lips curved. For once, she agreed.

  The emcee invited the winners of each category onto the mats for their trophies. After the presentation and a few brief announcements, he closed the event. Friends and family slowly made their way toward the floor, while others filed out.

  “Let’s go see him!” Hannah exclaimed, then tugged on Alexandra’s hand.

  “I’m going to help my mom, but I’ll meet you down there shortly.” Alexandra smiled at Hannah’s mom. “I have a feeling you’re going to beat us there.”

  With her mom’s cane draped over her arm, Alexandra supported Kimberly down the bleachers. When they reached the bottom, her mom took her cane and they ambled toward Crockett.

  After witnessing his unrelenting determination, precise technique, and physical prowess, Alexandra was a little star struck.

  Hannah and her parents, along with several others, crowded around Crockett. As soon as he spied her, he didn’t look away. What passed between them couldn’t be denied, couldn’t be ignored. If he could face his fears, could she? How would she deal with the unrelenting heartache when she returned to California? It would kill me to lose him again.

  Her heart bloomed at the tender way he kissed Kimberly’s cheek. Then, he kissed hers. “I hope you both had fun, all things considered.”

  “You were phenomenal!” Kimberly raved. “My blood hasn’t pumped that fast in quite some time.”

  Crockett laughed, then winced. “You and me both.” He smiled at Alexandra. “Did you like?”

  “Very much,” she said.

  “I see you met one of my best students.” Crockett winked at the tiny tot.

  A beaming Hannah grasped Alexandra’s hand. “Is she your wife, Mr. Wilde?”

  “She ought to be,” murmured Kimberly.

  “No, she’s not, Hannah.” Crockett shifted his gaze to Alexandra. “What do you think we should do about that?”

  21

  Childhood Secrets

  After hearty handshakes and hasty goodbyes, Hannah’s parents headed out, their precocious daughter in tow.

  “I was hoping you’d join us for dinner, but I already know the answer,” Kimberly said.

  Crockett raked his hand through his damp hair. “I need to go home and nurse my wounds.”

  “Why don’t you help him, Alexandra?”

  Why, Mom, why? “And how will you get home, Mom?”

  “Taxi. I can call a friend. My broomstick.”

  Crockett laughed, winced and again, clutched his side.

  “I’ll take you home and if you have leftovers, I’ll plate one for Crockett,” Alexandra said.

  Kimberly’s face lit up. “The chef made me a delightful salmon almondine last night. The sooner we leave, the quicker you can bring Crockett something to eat.” She patted his shoulder. “You deserved the win. Great job.”

  “I’ll walk you out,” Crockett said.

  After tucking her mom into the passenger seat of Kimberly’s white Mercedes, she said to Crockett, “You did a fantastic job clobbering those guys.”

  He chuckled. “I took a beating. Take your time with your mom.”

  “I’ll see you later.”

  He pecked her cheek. “I look forward to it.”

  As she stared into his eyes, his energy drew her to him. In a very non-Mitus move, she leaned up and kissed him, then slipped into her mom’s vehicle.

  He flashed her a grin and she drove out of the parking lot.

  After dinner, mother and daughter relaxed in the living room. Alexandra sat on the floor in front of the fireplace, the flames warming her back. Kimberly was propped on the sofa, tucked beneath a throw, nursing a coffee.

  “Thank you for insisting I go today,” Kimberly said. “I loved watching Crockett compete. That little girl reminded me of you. Friendly, outgoing, and so talkative.” Kimberly’s laugh made Alexandra smile. She wished she could record her mom’s laughter for when—. Pain slashed her heart.

  Though Alexandra had promised herself she wouldn’t broach the subject of her childhood, her mom had created an opening and time was running out. “I don’t remember much about being a kid. I was happy and then really, really sad. For a long time. And then I wore a lot of black.”

  “Oh, that Goth was dreadful. But you had a right to express yourself and I didn’t interfere.” Kimberly sighed. “I hope one day you’ll be a mom. Being yours and Colton’s has been my greatest joy. It’s also been the hardest job. I’ve had to make tough decisions that affected both your lives.”

  This was her chance. “Like what?”

  “Baby girl, you were the sweetest child. I chose to protect your innocence.” Kimberly broke eye contact, briefly. “But you deserve to know the truth.”

  Alexandra’s mouth grew dry.

  “What do you remember about Colton’s twin?”

  “Cain was loud and funny. He talked all the time. I remember him answering for Colton, too.” Alexandra smiled. “And he didn’t like to get his hair cut.” Then, her expression turned serious. “I have this memory of him having a black eye. He got it defending Colton, so you didn’t punish him for fighting.”

  A rueful smile touched Kimberly’s eyes. “He was such a wild little boy. And yes, he was very funny.”

  “You never talk about him.”

  “No. But I think about him every day.” After pushing upright, Kimberly squared her shoulders. “Do you remember your father?”

  A sliver of a smile crossed Alexandra’s lips. “I do. Like, when he’d read to me in the big chair. Or we’d have tea parties. I was Daddy’s little Princess.”

  Kimberly’s eyes grew sad. “Those are wonderful memories. Perhaps it best we leave them intact.”

  Alexandra pushed off the floor and knelt next to her mom. “I need the truth.”

  Her mother hesitated and Alexandra held her breath. “Your father adored you. I hope you’ll be able to reconcile your feelings for him once you hear what I’m about to tell you.”

  Her guts pinched. “I’ll try.”

  “Wilson became greedy. His obsession with wealth turned him into a monster. When you kids were little, he got mixed up in several illegal business deals and owed tens of thousands. He hid everything from me. I found out about it when the men broke into our home to rob us as a way of recouping their losses. I told you Cain drowned in the bathtub, which he did. But he was murdered.” The color drained from Kimberly’s face, the tears pooling in her eyes.

  Alexandra’s pulse shot up and she hugged her mom. “No! Oh, no, no!” The truth was worse than anything she’d imagined. “Mom, let’s not do this. It’s too much.”

  “No.” She swallowed her grief with a deep breath. “You should know everything.”

  “There’s more?” Alexandra sat on the sofa beside her mom and covered her legs with the throw, but
she couldn’t quell the shaking.

  Kimberly nodded. “Your father was a terrible philanderer. He didn’t think I knew…” Kimberly tossed off the blanket and, using her cane for support, pushed off the sofa. With slow, deliberate steps, she walked to the fireplace and pivoted. Strength and determination shone in her eyes.

  “While your father loved you and Cain, he despised Colton. Back then, Colton was shy because of his stuttering. Instead of being patient and supportive, Wilson viewed Colton as weak and bullied him. Colton grew to fear him. Cain, on the other hand, was bold, brazen even, and Wilson favored him above everyone else. Even you.”

  Alexandra struggled to maintain her composure, her head reeling. “So, that’s why you and Colton had secrets.”

  “It is. Colton knew too much and you, nothing. I needed to ensure that one of my babies’ childhoods remained intact. Wilson’s sudden departure affected you deeply. I tried to be both a mother and a father, but you missed him.”

  Alexandra broke into a cold sweat and she kicked off the blanket. “I’m sorry for what you and Colton had to suffer through. Thank you for protecting me.”

  “As a teen, you retreated behind your Goth. Crockett was the only one who could reach you.” A tear slid down Kimberly’s cheek. “The summer before you left for college, you blossomed.”

  Alexandra’s vision narrowed and she threw her head between her legs before she passed out.

  Returning to the sofa, Kimberly rubbed her back. “I’m sorry, honey.”

  “I’m glad I know,” Alexandra muttered, her head still tipped down. “Is there more?”

  Kimberly didn’t reply.

  Alexandra repositioned herself, lying on the floor with her legs draped over the sofa cushion. Kimberly laughed, then apologized. “You haven’t gotten light-headed in years.”

  Alexandra studied her mom’s tired face. “You didn’t answer my question. Is there more?”

  “Isn’t that enough?” Kimberly asked.

  “I have nightmares that have haunted me since childhood.” She shuddered in a shaky breath. “A faceless man hits a woman and I run screaming and crying toward her.”

  Anger flashed in Kimberly’s eyes and Alexandra worried that she’d upset her. “I remember those. You’d wake screaming. Do you remember what I used to tell you?”