Listening to his breathing go in and out was the most calming sound I’d ever heard. Add in his sexy ass smell and I couldn’t help but snuggle up closer on his chest. Grabbing the key resting on his pec, my fingers glided over the cool metal.
I searched my memory trying to recollect if Mom ever told me about this key, but nothing came up. I didn’t even recall how it got in my drawer, but damn was I glad it was there.
The fact that Deke found it and wore it for five years blew my mind and my heart. I always knew I loved that man, but this … right here … made me love him even more, and that scared the living shit out of me. He could destroy me, but I knew I couldn’t turn away from him. Ever.
Here I thought he was so pissed at me he wanted nothing to do with me, yet he held me close to his heart for five years without even thinking twice about it. Happiness swept through my body, my arms instantly wrapping tightly around Deke, squeezing him to me. I knew I was a lost cause.
“Hey.” Deke’s gravelly voice was sexy as hell.
“Sorry to wake you up.”
“You okay?”
“Yeah. I actually am.”
“You sure? No nightmares?”
“No. I haven’t been to sleep yet for that, but thanks for putting those thoughts in my head.”
Deke chuckled in response.
“If you were so mad, why did you wear this?” The long silence that drew felt like years. I lay on his chest, continuing my massage of the key around his neck.
Finally Deke spoke. “Hurt. I was hurt. But I missed you.” Deke took a long pause, breathing in and out slowly. “You were all I had, and when you left … I had nothing.”
“Did things ever get better with your folks?”
“No. Mom died hating me. Dad tolerates me, but that’s about all.”
“I’m sorry … You know I missed you, too.”
“I do know. Now.”
“I didn’t want to leave you.”
“You’re here now. Get some sleep, babe.” Deke kissed the top of my head as I snuggled closer to him.
My eyes grew heavy, but I had a question that I needed answered. “Deke?”
“Yeah,” he mumbled.
“Tell me about the tattoo on your back. The puzzle piece.”
“Pieces,” he corrected.
“Huh? I thought I only saw one.” Deke pulled out of my arms and rolled to his stomach. Kneeling before him, I studied the tat. It was one large puzzle piece, but the large piece was cut into three smaller pieces that were all connected to each other. The large piece looked as if it was cut from Deke’s skin. I traced it with my fingertip. “Tell me about it.”
Deke let out a large sigh. “This must be the day for all the skeletons to come out.” He groaned. “The pieces make up the three people who left me: Jaxson, Mom, and you.”
My heart lurched as he continued, “The piece is out of my body because the it is missing from me.”
“Oh, Deke.” I leaned down, kissing the tattoo. “I’m so sorry.”
Deke rolled over, circling his arms around me. “You’re here now. That’s all that matters.” His lips touched mine in the sweetest kiss before he pulled away. “Get some sleep.”
“K, ‘night.”
It took me a while to come down from the revelations of the day, but hearing Deke’s breathing slow, I finally drifted off.
Waking up, I felt like I was in a warm cocoon. Deke’s entire body was draped around me, practically lying on top of me. I loved it. I loved him, not that I would tell him that.
Deke’s hips bounced, causing me to jump. “Morning.” His gruff voice was sexy as hell.
“Morning,” I whispered softly.
“How are ya this mornin’?” Deke’s hand brushed across my face, sending chills down my spine.
“I’m good. I’ve got you here, what’s not to be happy about.” Looking up, Deke’s eyes flashed to something I couldn’t read. “What?”
“I’m moving in here with you.”
“You are … huh?” I grinned.
“Your Grams’s orders. I just wanna make sure you remember that from last night.” Deke’s voice was muffled as he continued to talk into my neck.
“It’s a good thing I’m in a good mood then, huh?”
“You want me here?” Deke raised his head, his eyes latching onto mine.
More than you could ever know. “Yeah. This is nice.”
“I’ll show you nice.” Deke’s mouth found mine, crushing down into a passionate kiss. All thoughts of morning breath were lost as only thoughts of him inside me swam in my head.
The day flew by. Deke needed to go pick up his things and stop by the bar, and I needed some time to get things organized. I called the security company, who ended up putting cameras up outside and some high-tech system that only Kinsley knew how to work.
I tried my damnedest to get some writing done, but that didn’t go so hot. I just couldn’t get in the groove. Most of my thoughts were on this moment right here, sitting in my dad’s driveway. After arguing with everyone that I could drive myself and didn’t need every one of them coming with me, I drove.
“You’re not going alone,” Deke growled. “If you don’t want me going, then take one of the girls.”
“No. I’ll be fine. I’m just going to Dad’s, and I’ll meet up with you at Sully’s. I’ll text you and call when I’m leaving. I’ll be fine.” I wasn’t backing down from this. There was no way I was showing up at my father’s new home to meet his new family with a security detail.
“No,” He growled. “Not happening.”
“You are not telling me what I can and can’t do. That is not how this works, Deke Sullivan!” I yelled at him.
“You don’t know me well, do you? I’ll be following you. Once you get there and you’re in the house, I’ll go to Sully’s. You call me before you get ready to leave, and I’ll come meet you,” he said as he scowled at me.
I stared at the man in front of me. Part of me wanted to kick him in the balls for being an ass. The other part wanted to hug him for caring about me. “Fine.”
Pulling up to my dad’s house, I could see Deke’s headlights reflecting the area around my car. Giving him a small wave, I made my way up to the house. I couldn’t help but feel a little cheated. The house was beautiful with flowers all in front and looked happy, and damn if I hadn’t had that since before he left.
The front door flew open as Sydney ran down the small steps. All thoughts of getting the hell out of there vanished as soon as I saw her excitement. I’d always wanted a sister, I just never envisioned getting one like this.
“Savannah!” she yelled.
“Remember, I told you to call me Vann.”
“Daddy says your name is Savannah, and that is what I should call you.”
I smiled at her sweetly, wondering why the hell my dad didn’t want her calling me Vann. “I told her that because I call you Savannah. I never liked the name Vann.” Dad stepped down the steps toward me.
I stared at him. I thought that he’d gotten over his dislike for the name a long time ago. He said it reminded him of a van not his little girl. “It’s okay.”
“I’m glad you came.”
“I told you I would.”
“Come on in. I want you to meet Julie.” The chill through my body held me on the spot. “It’s okay,” Dad whispered, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the front door.
Sydney grabbed my other hand. “I can’t wait to show you my room!” She was so excited, and it helped to relieve some of the tension.