Love's Cruel Redemption (The Ghost Bird #12)(6)

He lingered there, his lips brushing my skin.

Instinct had me tilting my head just enough until his lips met mine. I wanted to kiss him. I missed him. A lot.

He kissed me with his familiar, strong kisses that sent my mind spiraling. He leaned into it and enclosed a hand around my elbows. He tugged it gently to urge me close to him.

Strong.

Steady.

He always made me feel protected and safe. He was a rock, always there, always ready for anything.

Slowly, I eased back, remembering the problem with Erica. “Hang on,” I said quietly. I needed to tell him about it.

His eyes widened and he appeared concerned. His breath was hot near my face. “Did I do something wrong?” he asked very softly.

“No!” I gasped, probably a little loudly, but I didn’t want him to get the wrong idea. “No, no, no, no.” I struggled a little, wondering how to explain to him about what happened with Luke earlier. I tried to smile for him so he knew it wasn’t too serious. “It’s something else,” I said a little softer. I touched his lips gently with a forefinger, to indicate the kissing. “Not this.”

He kissed gently at my fingertip then turned to me fully and held me by the elbows. “It’s okay...” He paused. “I think I know. Give me a kiss and I’ll go find the others.”

“Don’t let me give you the wrong idea...” I wasn’t totally sure he knew what I was thinking, and clearly my touching his lips didn’t tell him what I meant. He was thinking of something else. Should I just tell him about Erica now?

Yet, I wasn’t sure how to explain what happened without telling him about kissing Luke. The relationship between us all was a sensitive topic. I struggled to stay it delicately, but my brain was still waking up, trying to formulate words.

“Listen, I trust you,” he said. “If it is about Kota... I mean.” He shook his head. “Never mind. Should we wait until after breakfast?” He leaned in, lips puckered, aiming for my cheek close to my mouth.

I waited, ready to accept this and just talk to him later when we hopefully would get out of the house. Probably for the better.

Nathan connected shortly with his kiss.

“Hey! Stop it!” Jessica’s voice called out from the hallway.

Nathan pulled away from me instantly and spun around. Jessica stood just shy of the slightly open bathroom door, looking in. Her eyes were wide, her hands at her cheeks.

Exactly how long had she been standing there? It was obvious from her expression she had witnessed Nathan leaning in with lips puckered and intent to kiss, and from her angle, it might have been hard to tell if we connected.

“Jessica...” Nathan said. He moved his hand slowly up, showing his palms to her. “I don’t know what you might’ve heard but...”

Her eyes widened, and she opened her mouth again and shouted, “Kota! Kota!” With that, she turned and bolted.

My mouth wrenched open, ready to call out to her, to tell her it was okay. That what she saw wasn’t what she thought was happening.

As we peeked out into the hall, she was already gone. Too late to catch up with her.

I shared a look with Nathan. I had no idea what Jessica might be telling Kota right now.

“No matter what happens now,” Nathan said, “for the next few minutes, don’t freak out okay?”

It was too late for me. I knew in that moment it wasn’t going to go well.





Fallout




Nathan

––––––––

Shaking nerves rippled from Sang immediately after Jessica disappeared. She met his eyes, doubt and concern overflowing. It echoed his own feelings.

This wasn’t her fault. He should’ve shut the door. He should’ve been more aware. He should’ve been listening for Erica or Kota or anybody else coming down that hallway.

He knew how it might’ve looked, depending on exactly when Jessica showed up and what she was able to hear.

But he wasn’t about to let Sang take any heat for what was his fault. He didn’t exactly have a plan to fix this, and he wasn’t sure how, but he was absolutely sure he wanted to keep Sang from taking the blame for any of it.

“Wait here,” Nathan said. “Don’t leave this bathroom.”

She hesitated for a moment, an unspoken question in her eyes about what he was up to. Slowly, she started nodding, still appearing confused, but trusting him.

“It’ll be okay,” he said. “Don’t worry.” He wanted to hug her quickly or kiss her again. Only, after Jessica found them, he wasn’t sure how much time he would have before Kota showed up.

For Jessica’s and Erica’s sakes, if he wanted this to look like it was his fault and Sang didn’t initiate, he had to make it appear exactly like that.

With his heart heavy, he turned and walked out of the bathroom, closing the door behind him. He hated leaving her in there.

He crept down the hallway, trying to listen.

He counted, like Kota often did, starting at one and continuing up. For no reason other than to keep himself calm and not think too much.

Nathan stood on the edge of the hallway, peering out into the living room. He could hear Jessica’s voice somewhere deeper in the house. Erica said something following up, and then Kota talked over her and Erica quieted.