“No, baby girl, you didn't. She's no longer here.”
She turns to face me. “Not the morgue, Rock. When I got married, I left her behind. She was still young and I never thought my ex would make me cut all contact with my family. I even had a spare room ready for her to visit… but she never did.”
Damn. I knew her ex was an abusive asshole, but I didn't realize to what extent.
“That's not your fault, Shina. Look at what you're doing today. You are raising those four amazing children. You gave them a loving, safe place they get to call home.”
“I should have been a safe place for my Lexi. But all we did was fight. She came to me asking for money, and I told her no.At the time I didn't have any to spare. I should have taken out a loan or sold some jewelry.”
“You can't think like that, baby. She had problems. For all you know the money could have gone to drugs that would have ended her life sooner.”
I pull her into my arms and hold her as she shatters. “You should go. You didn't sign up for this clusterfuck,” she mumbles against my chest, and I tighten my arms.
“I'm not going anywhere.” She sighs, and I know she's trying to distance herself again, but doesn't she see how much she means to me?
She steps back, and I release her, giving her a moment. I leave her to collect her thoughts as I step into the shower and quickly wash off the stench from the morgue and dried sweat from earlier.
I still have her juices on my cock, and the thought of her squirming makes me hard, but this is not the time for an erection.
I'm trying to picture naked mole rats in thong bikinis when she steps into the shower behind me.
She presses her chest against my back and gives me a hug. “Thank you, Rock. I know this isn't what you pictured coming home for some hot sex with me would be like, but I'm really thankful you were here.”
I pat her hands wrapped around my stomach and mumble. “I know things are casual, but I'm only a phone call away. Always.”
She nods, then releases me so I can face her. She's so beautiful. Inside and out. Her kind heart was one of the first things that drew me to her.
Her smile, her personality. But it was her eyes that hooked me in. The way they were haunted from her trauma, but she still showed compassion to those who needed it.
Shina is a diamond who just needs a little polishing. I hope one day she gives me a shot.
We finish our showers, then she gives me some clothes I must have left here.
Once dressed, we go back downstairs to mass chaos.
Xander has flour covering him from his hair to his toes. Kenna isn't fairing much better, and Alla looks exhausted.
Shina freezes and then starts to laugh. It's bright, big gut belly giggles.
“What's going on here?”
Leena steps closer with a big bowl of sugar cookie batter and hands it to me. “Can you finish rolling the dough out? I'd like to talk to my aunt,” she asks me, and my heart breaks as she avoids my eyes.
I can see the sadness and awareness in her hazel gaze.
I nod and glance at Shina. She looks lost for a moment, probably remembering the morgue and having to claim her sister's body. Then she straightens her smile and wraps her arms around her niece.
They walk off, and I attempt to make sugar cookies with the twins. It's not working out though.
I have done this before with my family, but it doesn’t mean they were exactly edible. Alec starts to cry, and I notice him in a swing in the corner of the kitchen.
He was so quiet that I had missed him.
Alla walks over to him, but I stop her. “Switch?” I offer, almost pleading with my eyes. “I can cook a mean lasagna, but baking isn't my forte.”
She laughs and nods, placing a hand on my cheek and tapping it in a loving gesture. “You’re good for her, Rock. Just don't give up. This family needs someone like you here. But yes.”
She takes the rolling pin from my hands. “Decorating cookies is one of my favorite holiday traditions. He probably just needs a diaper change.”
