I hugged him. He smelled like leather, spices and almonds. I wanted to sink into him, take more of the comfort he’d offered me earlier. I wanted to…What the hell am I doing?
“Thanks,” I whispered, pulling back.
He eyed me, his warm gaze falling to my lips. “You’re welcome.”
“No, really. Not just for opening the door. But for everything.”
Lennox motioned for me to get in the car. “You’re welcome,” he repeated. “Thank you for never being predictable.”
I slid into the car. “Is that a compliment?”
He raised a brow. “It definitely is.”
I bit down on my bottom lip. “Are you going to tell me how you know me now?”
Lennox peered up at the sky. “Hm…” He pinned me with a heated gaze. “I think I like teasing you more.”
Oh, shit. His voice…low, but soft. Every time he spoke, it tickled something deep inside me. “Really?”
“Next time.”
The promise in his tone made me want to lean into him. “So, there will be a next time?”
Instead of the sexy smirk he liked to hit me with, this time he blessed me with a full smile. Dimples and all. “See you later, Blake Young.”
I waved at him like a fuckin’ dork. Not sexy at all. “Bye, Professor.”
My place wasfull of people when I got there—siblings in every room, my father on the sofa, all eyes on me. Closing the door, I stood there for a second and waited.
On cue, Dallas stormed into the room and stopped right in front of me.
I apologized. “I love you?”
Dallas rolled her eyes. “I hate you, lil’ punk.” She pulled me into an embrace. “Don’t do that again.”
I wrapped my arms around her. “I won’t.” Eventually, I pulled back and addressed the rest of my family. “I’m sorry for my attitude lately.”
A moment passed, then Duke said, “That’s it. Your apology sucked.”
Everyone laughed, and I ran up to Duke and hugged him, burying my face in his shirt. He smelled likemylaundry detergent. “I’m sorry,” I murmured. “You can stay here if you want.”
He nuzzled my hair. “Get outta here, B. You know I’m leaving tomorrow.”
I grinned up at him. “That’s why you can stay.” Duke waved a dismissive hand my way and walked away, letting my Dad come to me. “Hi, Daddy.”
Dad rubbed my cheek. “Baby girl…” He squeezed my shoulders. “You have to do better. Jace told us what happened. We were worried sick.”
“I know. I needed time to get myself together.”
He nodded. “Trust me, I understand. I don’t like the thought of any of you suffering or hurting.”
Although my father generally displayed calmness in any situation, he’d been a fierce protector of all of us. And he’d taught us to protect each other. He’d never hesitated to put someone in their place if they’d overstepped or insulted us or tried to hurt us. I’d seen him go to bat for Tristan with the school board, beat someone’s ass for disrespecting my mother, then turn around and give a lecture about understanding and unconditional love within a marriage. I knew the thought of someone hurting Bliss was hurting him. But Ialsoknew he wouldn’t appear anything less than in control of his emotions.
“How is she?” I asked.
“Your mother is in there with her now. She got her calmed down.”
My mother had a special gift. She could sooth every ache, every bad day with her voice and her touch. That’s why I’d left earlier, intent on getting Mom. While I could’ve just as easily called her to the house, I hadn’t exactly been thinking clearly. My only thought had been that I needed to see Mom first. I needed the sound of her voice and the warmth of her touch to center me, so I could be strong for Bliss.
