Part 80 (1/2)

”I'm better,” she nodded. And then he stepped toward her. She looked up at him. He smiled down at her. ”Mathew, there is so much I want to say. So much I need to say.”

He touched her face, as if he wanted to be sure she was there. His fingers on her cheek sent such a coolness through her that made her eyes flutter and close. ”I was scared, Kim. When I thought I could lose you, I was so scared.”

”I'm sorry I put you through the overdose, the lies, all of it. I'm so, so, so very sorry for all of it.”

”Just tell me that you're better,” he said. Kim heard the pain in his voice. She finally met his gaze. He was so close that even in the darkness she could see her reflection in his eyes. She could see herself the way he saw her long before she paid any mind to Dr. Mathew Donnelly.

”Yes, I'm okay. But it doesn't change what I did. How I let my boys down, you, myself.”

”Dennis?” he asked.

Kim smiled. ”And Dennis. But he's not a factor, Mathew. I love my husband. But my husband is dead. I know it, and I accept it. What we had is ours. What you and I share, Mathew, it's different. I was screwed up, but I'm in therapy, and I know what I want.”

”Tell me.”

”I want you,” she said with a determined set to her jaw. ”Not as a friend, not just my savior. I want more. I want a do over. I want to take advantage of the blessings I have, my family and you. I know you don't believe me but it's true.”

”I love you,” he said to her.

Kim's heart ripped. She choked on her emotion. This time, nothing would hold her back from saying the same. She swallowed and smiled. ”I love you so much. I truly do.”

He caught the corner of her bottom lip with his teeth with a soft nip, then a tug, followed by sucking before he drew her lips into his mouth. His tongue stroked across her mouth with sensuous instruction that enticed her lips to part. One hand circled her neck to bring her face forward, and her head went back as she allowed the kiss.

In a swirl of pa.s.sion, she fell under his spell. The kiss deepened. It lengthened. And his hands sought her hips, bringing her fully up against him. In doing so, all doubt that this man would not return her love was forgotten. He was hers again, and she would never take him for granted.

Then the kiss ended.

She stood there with her hands to his arms, staring up at him and waiting for air to return to her lungs. The silence between them was fraught with s.e.xual tension. Lifting his free hand, he allowed a finger to trace the line of her cheek to the point of her chin. She was pushed into him instead of away. His hand to her hip pinned her there. Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s were crushed against the solid wall of his chest. And so was his desire. She felt the swollen thrust of his erection against her pelvis.

”I want to stay the night, and then-”Mathew began.

”I want that too.” Kim swallowed. She put her hand to his shoulder and rubbed down his arm. ”Me too. I want the same.”

Before another word pa.s.sed between them, she retreated. Taking his hand, she led him through the shadows of her home to the guest room deep inside. Closing the door, she could barely look back at him. There were other things to say. His job for one and his reputation and career was on the line. He couldn't possibly have absolved her of that guilt. Plus, what could come next between them? She was unemployed, an addict with a missing sister, drunk mother and a gangster father. Oh and two little boys he would have to help raise. Would he want all of that? Could she ask any man to take on all of that?

”Kim?” He stepped behind her.

”The time to turn back is now, Mathew. If I let you into my heart and then you decide that you can't stay, I don't know what that will do to me.”

He folded his arms around her. He kissed the back of her head and held her to him. ”Let me in and I'll never go away.”

She turned into his arms, seeking his mouth, devouring him with her own kiss. He chuckled. His hands pulled up her t-s.h.i.+rt and removed it from over her head. He deepened the kiss. His hand moved up her spine into the tangled glory of her thick hair. The feel of his fingers ma.s.saging her scalp as she drank and tasted his lips overwhelmed her. Several steps back had her stopping at the foot of her bed. He used the other free hand to undo the back straps to her bra. Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s dropped and they felt so very heavy with need. Mathew lifted her with one arm and she hooked her legs around his waist to anchor her p.u.s.s.y against him and soothe some of the internal ache. He immediately drew a nipple into his mouth. His tongue felt like silk heat as it rolled over. He sucked hard and then soft, and then hard again. Kim worked her hips ever so slightly to rub her p.u.s.s.y against his lower abdomen, cinching her legs tighter around his waist to hold on.

If he didn't take her soon, she'd come on her own. When he lowered her to the bed, she expelled a deep grateful sigh of relief. He let go of her nipple to pull his s.h.i.+rt over his head. Tossing it to the side, he eyed her b.r.e.a.s.t.s with such raw l.u.s.t and hunger that she s.h.i.+vered and watched as he hurried through unbuckling his belt. Kim followed his lead and shed her shorts. Soon, they both were on the bed, naked, ready.

Kim parted her legs immediately, reaching between them to stroke his length. His chest rumbled with a deep groan, as his dreamy half-moon eyes lowered even more. When he entered her, she swore she felt the earth quake.

”Kim? Kim? Wake up.”

Kim rolled to her back on the sofa wanting more penetration, more of him.

”Kim?”

”Huh?” she winced. The right side of her neck was tensely knotted and sore. She touched the ache, then blinked awake. Simone's face hovered over hers. Kim sat up. Her v.a.g.i.n.a throbbed with phantom pangs as if Mathew remained buried in deep. She shook her head to try to beat back the flood of heat and moisture from a reunion that never happened.

It never happened?

”Kitt? Where were you?” she said, turning on the sofa and rubbing her eyes.

”Shh. Don't wake Mama.” Simone looked back over her shoulder to the sofa chair where Diane slept in a slouched position. ”Did you call the police on me?”

Kim looked to the gift in the middle of the floor. It was a dream? Mathew hadn't come. d.a.m.n it, why did she have to dream it that way. She wanted to cry.

”Kim?”

”Huh, no, yeah, I mean you had us worried sick Kitt.”

Simone stood there, smiling. ”That's my fault. I have news, girl. Good news. And I want you to meet someone.”

Kim frowned. She looked past her sister and a handsome man stepped into view. Simone rose, reaching she extended her hand to the other. ”Kim, this is Cain. The man I love and the father of my child. Isn't that great?”

Kim felt a surge of loss again. She looked to the gift and remembered the dream kiss and sweet promises of forgiveness from Mathew. ”Yeah. That's great,” she said with a deep sigh. ”Nice to meet you, Cain.”

Chapter Thirty-Six.

Reunited Kim/Mathew ”Nice to meet you, Kim.” Cain gave a slight bow of his head. Even in the dark, Kim noticed the stark contrast of his jet-black hair and thick brow's over the bluest eyes she'd ever seen. They were as clear as rainwater. A sleepy pair ringed with dark thick lashes. Her sister had taken a leap with her heart with this one. He was tall, handsome, quietly imposing and definitely from money by the looks and smell of him.

Awake and aware of how close she came to bless in her make-up dream staring Mathew, Kim covered her fl.u.s.tered state. She gave a pleasant smile. Cain was white. Opposites attract. She could relate.

Diane stirred.

Her mother slept on the sofa chair in the living room. She blinked awake.

Slow to rise, Diane's hands gripped the edge of the sofa chair for balance. She sat upright jn the darkness and she strained to see her daughters clearly. Then her eyes narrowed on her youngest. ”Kitt? That you?”

”Hi, Ma.”

”Don't 'hi, Ma', me!” Diane snapped. Her voice cracked under the stress of a fitful sleep. ”What time is it? Did you just get in?” she sensed the presence behind her. Diane's head turned, her eyes went up seeking the face of the stranger. She frowned and narrowed her eyes on Cain. ”Who are you?”

”Mama, this is Cain, my friend.”

”Friend? Friend!” Diane laughed. She shook her head. ”Don't you mean baby daddy?”

”Alright, Ma,” Kim warned.

”I know who he is. I want to talk to you. Now!” Diane rose.