After he told me what was happening with Melodi and with Jacob tormenting her, I couldn’t let her face this on her own. I packed my bags and left with him. I had to help, and if this whole thing gives me the chance to be back with my family, then I’m going to do anything I can. I won’t run again. I’m done, and I want Jacob to suffer just like I have been suffering from not being with my family and keeping Katie from them and more importantly Blake. Guilt will always tear away at me for keeping her from him, but what’s done is done. I can only pray that things will get better with time, but I know that it’s going to get worse before it gets better.
“What are you thinking?”
I jump at his voice because I didn’t hear him come back into the room. I take a deep breath to calm my heart rate. He comes around and takes a seat on the couch with me. His incredible emerald eyes burn into mine, igniting the passion that’s always been there. That passion has been locked away for the last three years, pining for the one man who made me feel like no other man had made me feel before. Now here he is sitting in front of me once again. After everything, I can’t help but wonder if his feelings for me are as strong now as they were back then. I know I’m sounding like a little school girl wondering if some boy likes me or not, but I can’t help it.
“I’m not sure really. I’m more worried about you.” My eyes never leave his as I watch him wipe his hand over his face, releasing a sigh. I can see the tension and pain written over his face, in every worry line that crosses his forehead.
“I hate that you kept Katie from me.”
My heart shatters into millions of pieces at his words. “I know, and I’m truly sorry. You have no idea how the guilt of keeping her from you has affected me.” Tears begin to well in my eyes, and tightness wraps around my chest.
“I have to ask…are you sure she’s mine? I mean you were also with Jacob, so, of course, I can’t help but wonder.” He averts his eyes from mine, looking ashamed for asking the question.
“I might’ve been in a relationship with Jacob, but it had been months since he laid a hand on me in that manner. We weren’t intimate for a while.” I take his hand in mine which warms my heart at his simple touch. “You were the only one at the time of conception. You made me feel alive and important.”
“You were, and still are, important. Especially to me.” His free hand cups my cheek. I close my eyes and savour the moment. It’s amazing how your feelings not only remain the same but intensify as time goes on. It’s been so long since I’ve been close to anyone, years actually. The last man to touch me is the same man touching me now. No one else ever measured up to him, so I waited. “How is it possible since you were on the pill?”
I open my eyes to be met with one charming smile. “After things happened between us I got sick, do you remember the day after when I couldn’t meet you?”
He nods.
“Well, when you get a bug it can affect the pill’s reliability. And yeah, it makes it easier to fall pregnant.”
“Oh, wow! That was something I never thought could happen.”
“Yeah, I know. Imagine how I felt after I left and started becoming sick. Then boom, double lines on a pregnancy test.” I laugh at the memory of it now. I was in the bathroom at the women’s shelter with the lady that ran it waiting outside the door. She knew something was off when I was constantly feeling sick,throwing up, and unable to keep any food down. As I sat there waiting, my heart pounded in my chest so loudly that I could hear it thumping in my ears. Then those double lines appeared and my world turned upside down. The rollercoaster ride just never stopped to let me catch my breath. I automatically knew it was Blake’s, without a shadow of a doubt, and a part of me was super excited to have this part of Blake with me all the time. Not only as a reminder of him but a reminder of the love we shared. Yes, I can easily say I love Blake.
“When were you going to tell me?” His fingers laced between mine. It’s like nothing between us has changed, all those feelings are right there on the surface laid out for each other to explore.
“Well, while I was in hiding, I couldn’t contact you. Since you came and got me, I’ve been trying to find the right time to tell you, but things have been so full on.”
“Why didn’t you tell me while you were hiding? You could have contacted me.” I hear tension in his voice.
“I didn’t want to risk her, or my life. The thought of Jacob coming for us when you weren’t there to protect us…” I trail off.
He takes my face in his hands and places his lips gently on mine. Every nerve in my body awakens to his kiss. I’ve missed his lips, his kind caring nature, and just him in general. He’s my everything and will always be my everything no matter what happens.
Our kiss begins to heat up and his hands trail over my body. I wrap my arms around him as he pulls me onto his lap, wrapping his arms around me. This feels so right being back in his arms, just us together once again. As he goes to strip me of my shirt, his phone begins to ring. He reluctantly releases me, allowing me to climb off him, and answers his phone.
“We aren’t done here just so you’re aware,” he says, giving me one of his cheeky smiles. I can’t help but feel like my smile goes from ear to ear. I relax back and listen as he answers the phone.
“What do you mean?” I hear Blake’s voice rise. “What the hell? What’s going through your sister’s head?”
It must be Corban on the other end and something has happened for Blake to be this wound up, considering the happy mood he was in a moment ago.
“Well, at least we know he was kept busy while we moved Abby and Katie here. How is Melodi?” He silently waits for his response while watching me. A part of me wants to grab the phone so I can hear the answer. Poor Melodi doesn’t need more crap happening around her, she doesn’t need the stress.
“Okay, good. Sorry about all this, I’m sure we’ll get this sorted soon and things will go back to normal.” After a few short moments, he ends the call.
I stand up and begin pacing around waiting for him to get off the phone. I’m anxious to find out about the conversation he’s just had.
“What happened?” Are the first words out of my mouth.
“Jacob showed up at Corban’s house tonight.”
“What!” I practically yell.
“Shh…Katie, remember?” He places his hands on my shoulders, his eyes meeting mine. “It’s okay. Well, it’s not, but he was there with Corban’s sister, Athena. They’re together.” My head instantly falls into my hands releasing a huge sigh. This is bad. If Jacob can weasel his way into Corban’s family with his lies, I can only imagine the lies he’s told that poor girl, and she must be stupid if she fell for it all.
“Is Melodi all right?”
“Yeah, she’s a little shaken up, but she’s doing okay. At least they got to tell his family about the babies.”
I nod at his answer.
“So, when are you going to tell your parents?”
Now that’s the number one question of the hour. I don’t know when or how to tell my parents, I don’t want to put them in any danger what-so-ever.
“I’ll wait until all this is over before letting them know.”
“Yeah, good idea. Well, beautiful, it’s been a full few days and after sleeping on the couch for the last few nights at Melodi’s, I need a decent bed.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean. Sharing with Melodi and Katie, there wasn’t a lot of room in her bed.” We both laugh. It feels fantastic to be able to laugh after everything that’s been happening.
“Let’s call it a night.”
“Hang on…who says you can stay in my bed?” I give him a seductive smile.
“Oh, you won’t be stopping me tonight. It’s been a long three years without you and tonight is going to be incredible.” He places a longing kiss on my lips, igniting my core. Unexpectedly, he throws me over his shoulder, carrying me down to my temporary bedroom.