Addison (The Mitchell/Healy Family #6)(28)

I put up my hands, trying hard not to laugh my ass off. “Okay fine. I’ll ask something else.” I thought about Addison and everything she’d been through. We’d had deep conversations the day at the lake, but there was still so much I didn’t know. “What’s the best memory you have of your childhood?”

“Holidays come to mind. We spend them all together. It’s pretty amazing. One year my parents bought me a horse. I didn’t ask for it, but I loved him right away. He’s still out in the pasture. I ride him on occasion, but for the most part he’s living the rest of his years comfortable and happy.”

I took my step toward her and swished the water around me.

“How many women have you loved?”

“Twelve.” I waited for her to be shocked before retracting. “I’m kidding. Once. I’ve been in love once.”

“What about you?” I asked.

“I don’t know. I mean, I said it to a couple guys, but I’m not sure if I meant it.”

“Damn, you’re a heartbreaker.”

She laughed. “Whatever.” It took her a second to think of another question. “What was the worst moment of your life?” Maybe I shouldn’t have answered honestly, but I needed to get it off my chest. “Realizing I had a mother who never wanted me.”

She took a step toward me as I responded. “What about you? What’s the worst moment of your life.”

She shrugged. “I have a few I remember vividly. One is hitting rock bottom with drugs. I knew what I was doing to myself, but not my family. I still see that pain in their eyes sometimes. It’s hard. I think another one was learning what happened to my mother before I was born. She was taken by someone and held captive. He tortured her, and she lost a child. I didn’t learn about it until I was older. My mom sat us down and explained it. I can’t imagine what it was like for my dad, wondering if he’d ever see her again.”

In that moment I knew this game was over. I couldn’t continue playing around when her answer hit so close to home. “I’m getting hungry. Let’s get out and eat.”

“What? I’m almost to you.”

I started getting up, leaving her to wonder about my actions. As I hurried over and wrapped my naked body in a towel I contemplated asking her to take me home, but I couldn’t. I was so drawn to her; so determined to be with her, yet couldn’t figure out how to get past the lies that were haunting me during every moment we shared.





Chapter 11


Addison


Cole was doing it again, withdrawing from me. I didn’t understand. We were enjoying ourselves, and then, BAM, it was over. I wanted to drill him this time, but knew it would end in a disaster.

We both climbed out from the pool and sat down at a table to eat. He was across from me, popping a few fries in his mouth like nothing weird had just transpired.

Maybe it was better he stopped us. It was possible I was going to let him go further than I might be comfortable with. Then again, this wasn’t a one-night-stand scenario. Sure, I’d known him for a week, but physically I knew what I wanted. Those dormant parts of my body were taking control, not allowing me to rationalize with what would happen if I let go completely.

Another revelation which was quite obvious early on in the night was how I didn’t want to have to take him home. The house was large enough for both of us to stay, but did I know him enough? Could I trust this man? Joe never mentioned him being a criminal. Did I have to sleep with one eye open, or was I looking for reasons for him to have to go home?

As I struggled with myself over the decision, Cole decided to stand up and stretch, still naked. This time I couldn’t help from getting an eye full. “Um, you might want to cover up.”

Looking away would solve nothing at this point. The image was etched into my mind forever – a well endowed one at that.

“See something you might want to explore, precious?”

I looked into his eyes as I spoke. “I hope my brother walks up and sees you.”

“Will he kick my ass?”

“I don’t know. Maybe.”

He sat back down. “I don’t want to cause trouble. I’d hate to give him a beat down on his own turf.”

“Noah can hold his own,” I replied.

“Well, if you haven’t noticed, I’m a lover not a fighter.”

“You’re not even going to cover up are you?”

“Are you afraid?”

“No! Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Curious?”

I raised my brow to appear serious. “You must be kidding. You’ve seen one you’ve seen them all.”

“So you wouldn’t say mine was particularly special?”

“Are we seriously discussing your dick?”

He leaned forward and folded his hands on the table. “What else would you rather talk about?”

“If you put your shorts back on I might let you spend the night.”

This got his ass moving. He rose from his seat and pulled his shorts on without argument. When he was finished he stood over me. “Was that quick enough for you?”

I stood and started cleaning up the mess from our food. After shoving everything back in the bag, I wrapped a towel around my body, picked up my clothes, and started walking inside the cold air-conditioned house. “Come on. Let’s go in before we get eaten up by bugs.”