“Step back here,” the caretaker woman said. She led Mom and me several feet from the ramp.
The man pressed a button and the metal door slid open. Inside I could see the orange light of the fire. Then he turned a switch and the ramp moved, taking the box inside.
I watched it go in and saw the flames alight on the box. Just as the fire began to burn brightly, the man closed the door.
Peanut was free.
Chapter 22: Jenny
I was going to pace a hole in the floor. Phoenix was up on my shoulder, sleeping at last. I was afraid to put her down or she might wake up. She’d been fussing for hours. Growth spurt, maybe. Or a tooth coming in? She’d been drooling a lot.
My phone sat silent on the side table. I passed it, stopped, picked it up, saw nothing, and set it down again.
Corabelle was in Houston with Tina. Earlier today, they had taken her baby from his grave. I had no idea how that had gone, what state Tina was in, or when they were coming back. Or if Tina would.
I knew I was the wrong person to be out there. It wasn’t right to have a baby in her face when she was going through all that.
But I felt so helpless.
The door opened and Chance strode in. I held my finger to my lips, and he turned to close it carefully.
I tried not to feel frumpy compared to him, me in my chenille robe and messy bun with hair flopping out. He looked every bit the rock star in faded jeans and a tight black T-shirt. His leather boots were tricked out with silver chains. It was just right. The stylist had changed his hair when they shot his album cover a week ago. Now the dark locks were cut short and spiked up in front.
He was seriously hot.
I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear and patted Phoenix’s back. “Have fun at the Fire and Smash release party?”
“I’m not sure I’m sold on their sound, but there were good people there to chat up,” Chance said. He came over and took Phoenix from me, transferring her to his shoulder. She stirred a little, but he resumed the patting and she settled down again.
I arched my back, relieved to have my arms free. “I’ve been watching the Tweets and shares from the party. Some killer shots of you with that Grammy-nominated singer — what was her name?”
His lips twisted. “That Cheri girl. Yeah, I had a hard time losing her tonight.”
I laughed. “I saw. Every image had her fawning on your shoulder and you trying to look away.”
He seemed relieved I was taking that well. And I would. Women were going to be throwing themselves at him constantly. I had to get used to that. I couldn’t let it get to me. The moment I started to doubt him would be the day my fairy tale would end.
“So, you think she’s down for a bit?” Chance asked. The rumble in his voice went straight to my belly.
“Go for the swing. Improves our odds.”
He walked over to it and slowly, carefully, lowered Phoenix from his shoulder to the seat. I picked up a blanket thrown over the arm of the sofa and tucked it around her. Fate was on our side. She didn’t wake.
Chance didn’t wait for me to turn around, but put his hands on my hips and pulled me back against him.
“Somebody’s fired up and ready,” I said.
His fingers found the belt of my robe and untied it. “It’s so much easier to get you naked these days,” he said. “If I’m lucky, you’ll never get fully dressed again.”
“You’ll keep me barefoot and pregnant?” I asked.
“I’m going to do my part.” Her turned me around and tugged on the elastic band holding my hair, releasing it down my back. His fingers tangled into it as he drew me up to him.
I sighed into his lips as they lowered to mine. He smelled like wood smoke and aftershave. There must have been fire pits outside at the party.
“You taste so good,” he said against my mouth. “Drinking coffee at midnight again.”
“I wanted to stay up for you,” I said. I hadn’t been up for going. Prepping myself had seemed exhausting, and asking my mom to watch the baby until all hours wasn’t fair on a weeknight.
“So glad you did.” His hands slid inside the open robe. I had on simple cotton pajamas. Thankfully my boobs were cooperating these days and I wasn’t milky all the time.
His fingers flirted with the bottom of my shirt, then slid upward. My lack of bra meant he found what he was looking for right off. I relaxed against him, reveling in the feel of his strong hands on me. There was nothing like him.
He broke the kiss and moved down, lifting my shirt higher so his mouth could find a nipple. I clutched at his head, savoring each sensation. He knew not to get too crazy and let my milk down. He got it just right.
His fingers grasped the elastic waistband of my pajama bottoms and let them fall. I shivered a little at the chill and he pulled me tighter against him.
Now his hands were everywhere, my hips, my back, clasping my behind. His breath was hot on my skin.