“Inviting me in?”That’s right. Make light of the situation and maybe she’ll forget whatever bad news she’s about to lay on you.He waggled his eyebrows. “I’d accept.”
Releasing a shaky breath, she frowned. “No, Jack. I, um…”
She chewed on her bottom lip and Jack wanted to do the same. Her lips were delicious. Full, sweet and juicy, better than any fruit he’d ever had. Addicting as well.
“I don’t think you should be here.” Her voice was soft and fragile.
“I thought Victor said he wasn’t coming over for a few more days.”
“He isn’t. But I think it’s safer all around if you weren’t here.”
He reached out to touch her elbow but she stepped back avoiding it. “Callie, you know I’d never do anything–”
“But you have, Jack,” she cut him off. “We’ve had a few close calls lately and it’s because of you.”
“Calico.” His heart skipped a beat, knowing she was right, hating to admit it though.
She shook her head. “I know you would never intentionally bring harm to us, but this past week has been hell. Jonathan almost died.” Her voice squeaked on the last word and a sob escaped. “We don’t know if it was because of you or some freak accident. But the fact is it’s quite possibly because of you. I know I let you hang around all week and I was glad you were here. Jonathan needed you.”
Her gaze flitted around the hallway. “I won’t lie. I needed you, too.”
Looking down, she avoided his eyes again. She took a deep breath then glanced back up. “Jonathan got too used to you being here, though. You can’t stay around and it’s not fair to him to get his expectations up, thinking you’ll be here all the time. You can’t be. We both know that.”
Reluctantly he nodded. She was right. It didn’t stop the chainsaw massacre disemboweling his insides.
“I think it’s best if you left while he’s asleep. It’ll be hard enough to say good-bye if he’s awake.”
“Sure.” He swallowed hard and clenched his jaw. “Can I give him a last kiss before you toss me out?”
Her eyes filled with tears and she crossed her arms over her chest. “Don’t be like that. Of course you can.”
He took a few minutes to go back into Jonathan’s bedroom and stare at his son. Ruffling the hair on his forehead, he stroked his hand down the soft skin of his child’s face. Would Callie let him come back or was this it? Would it be the last time he saw his son? He was so young. Would he remember his father? Remember how much he loved him? Doubtful.
He bent down and kissed his son’s nose, cheek, then forehead. Despair ripped through him then red hot anger began to take its place. Getting up, he moved to the door, taking one last look. This wouldn’t be the last time he saw his son. He’d make sure of it.
Callie stood in the hallway leaning against the wall near her room. Arms still crossed over her chest, she watched as he walked toward her.
“I’ll still send you pictures and e-mails to tell you how he’s doing. I don’t want to keep you out of his life. But you can’t keep coming around, potentially bringing danger here. Do you understand, Jack? I can’t deal with the stress of it. It’s too much for me.”
She was stronger than she realized but he wouldn’t tell her that now. Her mind was made up and he wasn’t likely to change it.
“Thanks for all you’ve done.” Not sure the graciousness came out in his words, but being unable to see Jonathan or her was cutting into him deeply. He took a step closer and her eyes flew up, nervously.
“Jack, I don’t think it’s a good idea. Just—”
“Just leave.” The fury inside built higher. “I need something to get me through the cold, lonely winter, Callie. It’s the least you could do.”
There was no opportunity to refuse. Sliding one hand into her hair, he grabbed her waist with the other, pulling her closer. Closing his lips over hers, he attacked and conquered. Moving her hands to his chest, she pressed against him. Not pushing him away hard but certainly striving for some distance. No, he didn’t care. He needed this, her.
His thrust his tongue inside her mouth and a small moan escaped from her lips. It spurred him on and he slid his hand from her waist inside the back of her pants to caress her firm ass. Grinding his hips into hers, he pushed her against the wall. Could she feel his arousal? It was getting harder by the second.You’re being a bastard.Sure. But she’d said it would be awful for her to have him then lose him again. Maybe this would make her hate him. Make it easier to deal with his absence.
He ran his hand from her hair down her neck and kneaded her breast. The nipple puckered in his palm letting him know she was aroused as well. When he squeezed the tight bud, a whimper made its way from her mouth.
He pulled away, disgusted at his behavior, unable to believe he’d acted this way.Keep up the charade. Make her despise you.
Groping her one last time, he smirked as he took a step back. “Not as satisfying as I wanted but it’ll have to do. Scott and Heather are downstairs. Unless you want to go into the bedroom and we can have a quickie.”
Her face crumpled and her lower lip trembled. God, he hated himself. Turning, he practically ran down the stairs. His cousin sat in the living room chatting with Heather.
