“Michelle, this is Mary and her husband Gregory.”
“Nice to meet you,” Michelle said neutrally.
“I doubt it,” Mary said with humor. “But, I don’t blame you. We’re the long distance version of nosy neighbors. Our sons, Paul and Henry, are inside with Jim. Your brothers are adorable.”
The adorable duo ran out the door just then, making a beeline for the swing set and calling for Jim as they went.
“Energetic,” she added with a laugh.
“I better go and make them some lunch,” Michelle said.
She tried letting go of my hand, but I wouldn’t let her.
“I’ll come with you.”
She looked ready to say no when Jim walked out the door. Paul and Henry weren’t more than two steps behind him. They smiled and said hi to Michelle on their way past. Michelle hesitated on the porch, watching Paul and Henry closely as they approached her brothers.
Jim was watching her reaction closely, too. They all were. The burst of fear in her scent was easy to place.
“Jim, can you send them up in a few minutes to eat?” I asked, loudly enough for the boys to hear.
He waved acknowledgement and started pushing Liam and Aden. With a gentle tug, I drew Michelle inside.
She remained quiet as we made sandwiches. When the boys came up to eat, she tried to convince them to stay inside and play games with us. However, they were quick to dart back downstairs. Jim followed. I stayed to help clean up.
“My parents sent Gregory and Mary down,” I said as I wiped off the counter.
She stopped putting things in the refrigerator and turned to look at me.
“They can’t leave the Compound themselves and were curious about the girl who has captured their son’s attention.”
A look of disbelief crossed her face.
“Why couldn’t you tell me that before?” She crossed her arms.
“I didn’t want you to worry about meeting them.”
“When Nana said people were coming, bringing their sons, I thought it was going to be like Blake’s all over again.”
Her eyes watered, and I wanted to kick myself for not thinking of that angle.
“No,” I said, stalking toward her. “How many times do I have to tell you? You are mine.”
When I had her backed against the counter, I leaned in close, scenting her. I couldn’t help myself from running my lips along her jawline. She had to know how much I wanted her mouth. Just one little move. One turn of her head, any sign to indicate yes, and I’d have what I wanted.
Instead of a yes, she pulled me back by my hair. The pain wasn’t bad, and I considered ignoring it to keep teasing her skin.
“Emmitt, stop. I can’t think like this.”
I gave her a few inches of space. She studied my face. Given how my vision had changed and the way my teeth ached, I knew I was I holding a partial shift. It didn’t seem to upset her, though. Her gaze drifted from my mouth to my chest. A look of longing in her eyes made me want to beg.
“Do it,” I whispered. Touch me. Claim me. Make me yours.
“What?” The word was barely a breath and hard to hear over her thundering heart. She wanted more from me. I knew she did. But, she didn’t ask for it. And without her permission, I couldn’t do a thing.
“Nothing.” I brushed my fingertips along her collarbone. “I’m going to check on the boys.”
The boys were fine. I needed a minute to cool off.
* * * *
Michelle remained reluctantly tolerant of our company’s presence throughout dinner. Mary tried getting Michelle to talk about herself, her parents, where she came from, and her favorite music and foods. Michelle was gifted at answering with non-answers. Never lies. Just words strung together in response to the question.
When it became too much and she looked at me for help, I stood and proposed we settle the sleeping arrangements for the night. Upstairs, I turned on a movie and suggested she sit and try to relax. While she did that, I went to Winifred’s place for an extra blanket. Mary caught me on the stairs.
“She seems nice,” she said.
“No, she doesn’t. She seems frightened and evasive. And when you tell Mom that, ask her how she was when she ran away from home.”
Mary didn’t say anything as I kept moving past her.
When I had my blanket and pillow from Winifred’s, I told the kids they needed to come inside by eight, then went to watch the rest of the movie with Michelle. She didn’t seem to notice me until the credits rolled. And even then, it was only for a moment because the thunder of her brothers’ feet on the steps beckoned. Once they were inside for the night, she gave them baths then settled them into bed. Neither commented on my presence when I wished them good night.
I’d hoped Michelle would want to watch another movie or just talk after the kids went to sleep. Instead, she closed herself in the bathroom and got ready for bed, too.
With a sigh, I went to the couch. It would be a long night.
After listening to Michelle toss and turn, I wondered if she was thinking the same thing. Just when I was ready to go in and check on her, everything quieted.
However, it didn’t take long for me to realize she was still restless in her sleep. Her pulse would jump. She would kick her covers or make soft, distressed noises. I hated that we’d done that to her.
Around midnight, she woke with a gasp. I stayed on the couch, listening. After a moment I heard her get out of bed. She closed every window in her room then went to her brothers’ room and did the same. It wasn’t cool enough outside to warrant closing the windows. That meant she was afraid.
When she stepped out into the hall, she froze.
“Bad dream,” she said quietly.
I sat up and motioned for her to join me. She quietly crossed the room and sat beside me, leaning against my side. I wrapped my arm around her and held her close as she trembled.
“Go to sleep,” I said softly.
She exhaled slowly and laid her head on my shoulder. It was the best feeling on Earth. Not just her physical contact, but her trust. Something had frightened her, but she was willing to sleep if I held her.
The trembling eased, and I kissed the top of her head. Within minutes, she slept. I held her for a while before easing us onto the couch. It wasn’t meant for sleeping, let alone sleeping two. The narrow cushions meant some creative cuddling. Not that I minded. I just hoped Michelle wouldn’t either when she woke. With Michelle as my blanket, I closed my eyes.
Chapter 15
She shifted slightly in her sleep, waking me. It was well past dawn, and I wanted to stretch and enjoy how great I felt. It wasn’t the good night’s sleep that had me feeling content and relaxed. Michelle still lay draped over me. Her scent wrapped around my senses as tightly as her arm wrapped around my chest.
I could wake up like this every morning. Just so long as she didn’t wake up before I could hide the evidence of just how much I liked holding her all night.
She chose that moment to lift her head and meet my gaze. Morning light brightened her blue eyes and added contrast to her increasingly pink cheeks. Her eyes widened a moment before she scrambled to get off me.
Her knee planted right between my legs. Again.
I barely noticed her sprint to the bathroom as I lay still and tried to regain my breath. If Jim had seen that, he would have died laughing.