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ZEKE
Icrumpled my empty water bottle and threw it in the recycling can, grabbing a fresh one from the cooler just as Kenzie jogged over to me.
“Is he…”
“Not yet.” I pulled her close and pressed my lips to her forehead.
I scanned the surrounding crowd that was only growing by the minute. Carmel Cove’s Beach Bash was in full swing with games and events and local bands getting a spot on the stage set up in the sand. Kenzie had led the yoga class early this morning when the beach had been relatively clear, but now, hundreds of locals and visitors stretched along the length of the shore.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized this was the best possible place to deal with Stan. It was public. It was crowded. And for a man who cared a helluva lot about his image, it was the ideal way to keep him contained.
I notched my fingers under her chin and lifted it. “I promise, I’m not leaving this spot until Jake gets here.”
It was almost two which was when Stan’s lawyer said they’d be here.
Since he’d been served papers, we hadn’t heard directly from Stan or from Jake. I tried to remind myself it was only a few days, but Kenzie’s level of worry… worried me. Her appetite started to dwindle. Her sleep was restless. And the look in her eyes when I tried to tell her it was going to be okay—when I reminded her that our court hearing was at the end of this coming week—it was haunted. As though she’d been chased to the edge of a cliff by a ghost I couldn’t see.
But today, she’d see Jake. She’d spend all afternoon with him, and I’d handle Stan’s wrath. And hopefully that would be enough.
“Sorry, I know.” She sighed and wrapped her arms around my waist. “I’m just worried he isn’t going to show.”
“That would be a really big mistake on his part,” I said.
She was guaranteed visitation as long as she showed she’d been through treatment and rehab for her addiction and was staying sober. If he tried to cancel today… he wouldn’t. I knew enough about the man to know he’d show up here and try to control the situation just like he always did because that was who he was.
I captured her face between my hands and lowered my mouth to hers, claiming it with a slow kiss.
“Zeke…” she murmured, reminding me that we were in the middle of a crowded beach.
I drew back and put a few inches between us before my dick made a scene.
“Who gave you this bathing suit again?” I muttered, my eyes greedily eating up the sight of her in the hot pink bikini.
I’d kept a close eye on every inch of skin that peeked out from its seams with clenched teeth, prepared to tackle her to the ground if any piece of her wardrobe malfunctioned.
“Gwen.” Kenzie’s eyes twinkled.
I grunted. I’d always find her in a crowd, but the hot pink made her impossible to miss, especially the way she bent and stretched in the beach yoga class earlier today. There were definitely some positions I was going to put her back in later once we were alone.
“Here, drink some water.” I handed her my bottle.
“No, I’m okay. That’s yours.” She winced and then smiled. “I’ll get a new bottle for myself.”
“Considering I just had my tongue down your throat, I think it’s okay if you share my water,” I rumbled low, watching the color in her cheeks deepen.
For a second, I wondered if she knew I was just teasing her, but then she quickly took my bottle and replied, “You’re right. Sorry. Old habits.” She cracked the cap and took a long drink, and it almost masked the way her voice wavered.
What did she mean, old habits?Did Stan not share anything with her? That fit with his personality, but why would it make her refuse something I offered?What the hell had he done?My brow creased. It felt like I was missing something, but I had no time to ask.
“Zeke…” Her wide-eyed expression looking over my shoulder was all the explanation I needed.
I spun, instantly picking out Jake… and Stan coming down the steps from the boardwalk onto the beach.
“Mom!” Jake sprinted to Kenzie like he couldn’t get away from Stan fast enough.Like every other time.And I didn’t blame him.
The look on Stan’s face was sour as all hell, even with that fake smile on his face. I’d never seen a person so capable of emanating the ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ persona.
As soon as Jake reached Kenzie’s waiting arms, his water bottle crashed into the sand, and I smiled small as I picked it up; the kid was really a pro at dropping things.
