Limitless Love (Lotus House #4)(76)

“You’ll come home with us. Clay and I will take care of you.” I glanced over at Clay and his jaw hardened. That move meant he did not agree with my decision but wouldn’t say anything until we were in private. Which was fine with me.

He’d get over it. My sister needed me, and I would take care of her. Then I’d figure out how to make my man not angry with me.

“Come on. Let’s get you home.”

Matisse nodded into my chest and then slid off the bed, plastering her body heavily against my side.

“Thank you, Monet. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

And I vowed to myself right then and there that I’d fix this relationship with my sister, get past it all, and she’d never have to find out.





Chapter Seventeen





You can easily spot a person with a guiding heart chakra because they will be hard-working, responsible, and will spend their free time on activities that enhance their character and make them into better people.

CLAYTON



The next day, I left a cruiser in front of Monet’s house while I went to pick up Lily at Atlas and Mila’s place. Lily clung to my leg while I sipped a cup of coffee. She rubbed her face against my thigh, wiping away sleep. She wore a full-body pink pajama set with white rubber nubs on the feet and a white zipper running from her chest all the way down to her left foot.

I set my cup down and picked up my girl. “How’d you sleep, sweetie?” I asked, kissing her cheek.

“I haded a dream that someone snuck in the door of the secret garden.” Her nose crinkled in concentration.

“And then what happened?”

She laid her head against my chest. “Then you gave them a taco and told them to leave.”

Mila started laughing, perched on the stool at her island. Atlas blinked, a stupid look on his face, before he shook his head.

“A taco?” I asked.

“You make good tacos.” She said it as if that was the only answer needed.

I petted her hair. “I’m glad you think so, my queen.”

“How’s about PowPow makes you some pancakes and fruit?” Atlas offered.

Her dark-blue eyes widened, and she kicked her feet to get down. “I help!” she said, eager to get to her uncle.

Atlas bowed. “Of course, Your Majesty. I am but a humble servant at your service.”

“’S’right! Don’t forget it!” she admonished, pointing one chubby finger at him.

Mila flicked her arm out toward the living area, and I followed her. She wore a man’s silk robe over what had to be one of Atlas’s T-shirts, because it came down almost to her knees. Her legs were bare, as were her feet. Her pregnant belly was just barely visible. A barefoot and pregnant joke sat on the tip of my tongue, but I didn’t dare. With Mila, she was liable to lob something at me when I wasn’t looking.

“How are you feeling, Mila?” I asked instead.

She lifted a hand and shook it from side to side. “Most of the time I’m fine. Hungry, pissy. Literally, I’ve got to piss all the time.” She placed a hand over her belly. “For the most part, I’m getting used to it. Weird though. You’ll figure it out when Monet gets pregnant again.”

Monet pregnant again.

The overwhelming happiness that flushed through my body was like an all-over feeling of rightness. I wanted to see Monet round with my child. More than once. I wanted a big family, and Lily would be an excellent big sister.

“Did Monet have trouble getting pregnant?” I found myself asking for information I hadn’t realized I wanted to know.

Mila obviously didn’t think it was an inappropriate question because she answered immediately. “Nope. The fucktard had bad sperm. Thank God she went to the sperm bank. Though it is kind of funny now that I look at you.”

I frowned. “Why’s that?”

“You fit the description of her donor. Over six feet, blond, blue-eyed, built. Monet wanted to pick a donor that resembled Kyle. Obviously, I encouraged her to embellish those traits a bit.” She chuckled.

“Where did she go?” I asked, not really sure why I did.

She snorted and put her feet under her ass, getting comfortable on the side of the sectional. “Why? You think you need to use the services of Berkeley Health and Reproductive Services?”

The coffee I’d swallowed moments ago swirled acidly in my stomach, and my mouth started to salivate. I pushed back the gut reaction and breathed through the eerie feeling that made my skin feel moist and clammy. I had to get my shit together and fast. This was not the time to go there.

“No reason,” I forced myself to mutter. It took everything I had not to ask more questions. Not because I didn’t want to know. I fucking did. Still, I thought I should ask those questions of the woman I loved, not her best friend.

Mila fingered one of her brown curls and tipped her head assessing. She squinted and bit down on her bottom lip. “What’s the deal with Matisse being at your house?”

I chuckled dryly. “Gotta love a woman who goes right to the point.”

She shrugged. “Never pretended to be sugar and spice.”

“More like hot sauce and a cold beer.”

Mila smirked. “Spill.”

I eased back, getting more comfortable on the couch, and sighed. “I don’t want her there, but Monet is not budging on the issue. I don’t know if she feels a sisterly pull or what the fuck it is. I just know I don’t trust her. Her eyes are blank.”