Taking his drink with him, he marched towards the window to look out on a scenery that had always pleased him and could not see anything. "It's not like we're in a relationship and my sister is going through..." He had been so absorbed in the practiced speech and his own misery; he failed to realize she had bulleted off the bed and was on him like white on rice.
The shove was strong enough to push him into the window and spill his drink.
"You bastard!" She screamed. It filtered through his mind at that moment that it was not just a cliched statement. Redheads do have a very nasty temper.
"What the hell!"
Her green eyes flashed fire, and he swore he could see steam rising from her.
"You think you can just push me aside? Is that it?"
Slapping a hand on her shoulder, he managed to stop her from gouging a piece of flesh from his chest.
"This is not a good time..." His voice filtered away at the murderous look she was giving him.
"Look." His hand tightened on her shoulder to keep her in place. "This is getting too intense..."
"You son of a bitch. You spineless coward. I'm in love with you, you yellow bellied asshole. Have been in love with you for too many years to count. You think you can just walk away?"
"You don't know what you're saying." His voice was sharp. Ignoring the spike in his heartbeat and the warmth flooding through his body, he ploughed on. "It's just sex..."
"This is the last time I'm going to allow you to hurt me." Taking a deep breath, she dragged away from him and squared her shoulders. "If you want to spend your life being prejudiced over what that bitch did to you years ago, then it's on you. I'm white, so I'm evil." She saw his eyes flared.
"Yes, Andre. You think I don't know why you avoided me for years? You've tarred me with the same brush." Tears glittered in her beautiful eyes. "Well to hell with you. When you realize that I'm the best thing that will ever happen to you, it might be too late."
Whirling away, she grabbed her clothes and slammed out of the room, leaving him standing there, clenching the glass between cold and stiff fingers, his heart breaking more than a little.
Chapter 10
They all came downstairs to see her off.
Cade had no idea what to expect when he drove into the cobbled driveway leading to the comfortable-looking house with its neat blue and white trim. But it wasn't to find the entire family waiting for him in the wide foyer the next morning. Thanksgiving Day was proving to be bitterly cold and windy. And his family was eagerly waiting.
He had received the text at a quarter to nine and was ready to go ten minutes later.
Abigail opened the door. His heart took a slow dive at the look of her. He was so used to seeing her trim and professional that he was taken aback by her appearance. She was wearing black leggings and a black and white oversized sweater. Her thick mane of hair tumbled around her shoulders and she had socks on, thick ones.
"Please come in."
He was about to say something, when he spotted his daughter. Zoe streaked across the room and hurled herself against him.
Laughing, he bent to pull her into his arms, giving her back a gentle rub before easing back to stare into her animated face. She was wearing pink as usual, a soft sweater over black tights and a pink and blue jacket. Her hair was tamed and in two long braids, which bounced when she did.
"Hey squirt. Ready to go?"
She nodded eagerly. Taking his hand, she tugged him up and dragged him towards the older couple. He took one look at the woman and saw an older Abigail. The man had chocolate skin and a quiet expression. Low-cut dark hair was streaked liberally with gray.
"These are my grandparents."
"Peter and Arlene Blake. Nice to meet you."
The man's greeting was affable, while the woman's was polite. He supposed they suspected him of trying to take away their granddaughter.
"Thanks for sharing her with me." He told them quietly, expression sincere. He saw the woman bend slightly and offer a small smile.
Bending down, Arlene hugged the little girl. "Have fun baby."
Next her grandfather lifted her up and gave her a smacking kiss that had her giggling. "Be a good girl."
