“What about without Millie...or is an adorable preschooler my price of admission to the ivory tower?” She holds back a smile that hits me straight in the balls.
Damn.
I swear, if Millie wasn’t here, I’d already have Reese Halle splayed out on my bed, jackhammered and breathless.
I swallow hard, taking another sip of chocolate that almost chokes me. “No kid necessary. Not for you.”
Her smile grows.
“How’s your sister?” Since the chill night can’t muffle my desire, I’d might as well add conversational ice water to the mix.
“I don’t think she’s doing well. Nothing’s new. She’s not talking to me or Mr. Sutton. I really don’t understand. I know she’s afraid, scared for us, but...her addiction was years ago. I’ll never believe she was abusing it again, let alone doling it out.”
“That’s rough. My parents are screwed up, but Ward and I had our grandparents. It has to be hard as hell to be growing up with no adults around.”
Reese nods like her head weighs a ton.
“Most foster kids wind up homeless or in prison a year after their eighteenth birthday. Abby was in a narcotics’ treatment program for a year. It was a hard road to get her right, but I’ve seen worse. But like I said, that was years ago. She got help and worked through it. She’s a good mom. I used to get irritated with her, because she always borrowed money...but after what I’ve learned about childcare, I understand why. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, again. No more thank yous tonight,” I tell her.
She takes a long sip of her tea. “I just wish she’d talk. I’m not sure what she’s hiding, but she’s not helping herself by holding it in.”
“You know I was Navy, right?”
She nods.
“So, the thing about the service—it doesn’t matter which branch—it’s hard-ass work. The hours are long. It’s physically grueling. You’re often somewhere you don’t know surrounded by people you don’t know, and you see some real crap.” I pause, setting my cocoa down. “Sometimes, you even have to do things that under normal circumstances would be rather fu—” I get a glimpse of Millie playing in the corner of my eye and catch myself before I finish the word. “Messed up. A lot of guys fall into drug addictions after active duty. My gut says your sister isn’t a bad person. She’s mixed up in something, and she’s terrified to talk.”
“Yeah. Nothing else makes sense,” she says weakly. “Someone hit her the night she was arrested—”
“When you said she’s holding back to protect you, I believe her.”
Reese sighs and brings her cup to her mouth again. “You’re right. But unless she talks, no one can help. It’s all so frustrating. She has a good attorney—a great one I never could’ve gotten thanks to you—and she won’t give him anything.”
“Don’t worry. Sooner or later, she’ll drop her guard and explain what happened. I’m sure once she does, she’ll be a free woman and back with Millie.” No hesitation in my voice. I’m keeping the faith.
“That would be too perfect. I love Millie, but I’m a better aunt than a mom. I’ll keep going as long as this takes, of course, but I feel like such a screwup.” She sighs, throwing herself back in the chair.
I glance over at the kid, still hopping around and babbling.
“She’s fed, dressed, and laughing at imaginary friends. You’re already ten steps ahead of where I’d be if I had a kid dropped in my lap. Enough beating yourself up,” I growl, meeting her eyes.
“Oh, please.” Reese laughs. “Kids come naturally to you. Also, I never had you pegged for an optimist, but you seem so sure this will all work out. Why?”
I gaze into her big blue eyes for a heavy moment.
“I’m no raging optimist, but I’m feeling pretty good about our chances tonight.” I also know her sister’s going to be okay, because if Sutton and his people can’t get the job done, I’ll find someone who will.
The only thing I can’t take is this distance.
Standing up, I move to sit beside her. Taking her hand in mine, I squeeze with a firmness that’s possessive.
Our touch ignites.
She rubs her thumb in circles over my palm.
Thank fuck for Millie. If her niece weren’t playing a foot away from us, I’d kiss her into the next lifetime.
“Nick, you’re amazing. I wish the people who constantly crap on you could see what you’re really like,” she says.
“That makes two of us,” I grumble.
Even so, I’m thrilled as hell.
She’s letting her guard down. She’s comfortable with me today.
I slip an arm around her, holding my breath. You know a woman’s got you by the balls when she makes you feel like a nervous sixteen-year-old again.
Reese gives in, leaning over and laying her head on my chest.
My arm drops from her shoulders to her waist and my grip tightens.