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“She did refuse. She told him that if he’d let her take me and go, she wouldn’t call on him fer anythin’,” I tell the man who’s now fightin’ back the beast roarin’ inside him. “He didn’t believe her. Even though she’d had me fer a few months by then and never once told him anythin’ about me. I have a feelin’ that was the real reason he was angry. He wanted her ta need him. I think he got off on the fact he was in control.”
“And yer ma was a firecracker, just like her wee girlie.” Rebel offers me a small reassurin’ smile, and I give him one back.
“Aye, she was headstrong. And that’s when he decided it’d be best ta be rid of her and put me into the system. He told social services I was an orphan and walked away. He made sure Ma couldn’t cause any trouble. I was already in my first home by the time she was killed.”
I can’t hold back the tears anymore, and they trickle like a slow, fatal poison down my cheeks. I swipe at my face, not wantin’ ta cry, but I can’t stop myself.
“My wee shinin’ star,” Rebel murmurs as he pulls me closer. His strong arms wrap around me, keepin’ me warm as I cry into his bare chest.
When I woke up this mornin’, I didn’t expect ta be makin’ a full confession of my time with Bragan. But as I cry I allow the pain to expel from my body. I don’t want ta hold onto it anymore. It’s time ta move forward.
“At least I know she loved me.” It may not make things perfect, but it does ease my heartache.
“So, that means she did want ye,” Rebel says. “You can’t keep thinkin’ that nobody in your life wants ye around. You’re mine, and you’re more than wanted.”
“I’ve just felt alone fer so long,” I tell him as the thoughts that have haunted me fer most of my life raise their ugly heads.
Rebel tips my head back, his fingers grippin’ onto my chin. Those eyes that remind me of cinnamon hold my gaze hostage.
“Ye’re not alone. Ever. In this house, ye have a family, and ye have me. And we’re goin’ta be with each other fer a long feckin’ time. Ye hear me?”
“I hear ye,” I tell him as I laugh through the tears. “I think we best get up and shower. And I’m goin’ta need ta wash the sheets.”
We’ve made such a mess. It makes me giggle when I think of wakin’ up beside him every mornin’, just like this. With a quick kiss, we get out of bed, and I’m already missin’ the closeness of his body against mine.
“I’m goin’ta shower,” Rebel announces, “Join me?”
I can’t help but throw a pillow at him and laugh. “No, ye’re goin’ta have ta behave. We have a full day ahead of us.”
Once I’m alone, I strip the bed and roll the sheets and beddin’ into a bundle. Then I get dressed, and makin’ a quick trip ta the utility room, I return ta the bedroom with clean beddin’.
Rebel stalks out of the shower, the towel wrapped around his waist and water still drippin’ from his toned, muscled torso. I’m distracted when I look at the beautiful man before me, and all thoughts of havin’ a picnic outdoors leave my mind.
“Stop starin’ at me, wee star,” Rebel warns, his voice takin’ on a mischievous tone. “Or we’ll be late fer breakfast, unless you’re the one offerin’ me a meal fit fer a hungry biker?”
Gigglin’, I race around the bed as he makes his way towards me.
“Go put some clothes on,” I tell him. “Or ye’re goin’ta be in trouble.”
“Ach aye? Will I now?” The challenge in his tone is clear, and I know if I don’t do anythin’ ta distract him, we’re goin’ta be in this bedroom all feckin’ day.
“I think I heard Aine awake, so best ye get yer clothes on,” I tease, and it causes him ta chuckle.
“Right, I can tell ye’re not goin’ta be swayed,” he says and shakes his head before he leaves ta go to his bedroom ta get changed.
It’s the first day we’re going’ta spend with Aine, which makes me smile. I always knew I wanted children, and havin’ her around will be practice fer me.
I’m lookin’ forward ta it.
TWELVE
REBEL
The kitchen is busy when I finally make it down. Aine is sittin’ at the long wooden table with a bowl of cereal in front of her. She looks up when I walk in and offers me a smile stained with milk all around her mouth.
“Hi!” Her voice is bright, happy, and I’m thankful she’s not feelin’ too sad because her ma’s gone. I know it’s not goin’ta be this easy every day. But I’m ready fer it.
