"I didn't realize that you were the keeper of the sex lives of the family,” I said to him. I liked the horror in Noah’s expression to my comment.
"I'm not the keeper —"
"Here’s something you can put in your notebook or whatever you use to keep track of these things; I have no intention of marrying and having kids with Jess." The words felt disingenuous to me. Not because I wanted to marry her and have kids, but I did want to get to know her again. I did want to see where things might go.
"Just keep your mitts off her until dad is recovered." Noah walked out of the kitchen. I shook my head wondering what the hell had gotten into him. I followed him out to see where Jess was.
She emerged from the hallway, pointing back towards dad's room and letting Noah know where dad was. Then she went to the front closet, taking out a large bag, and headed to the front door.
She was leaving.
I rushed over to her opening the door to let her out, and I walked with her to her car.
"Everything alright with you and your brother?" she asked, her voice sounding a little tight.
"I think so. Although Noah doesn't seem to be Noah. Have you noticed the change in him?" I asked as we reached her old car.
"No, he seems the same to me. He kinda reminds me of a puppy dog."
I let out a loud laugh. Partly because it's an accurate description of them, and partly because no woman who was attracted to a man would call him a puppy dog. That meant I didn’t need to worry about her and Noah.
"I guess he's just worried about dad. We all are. I'm glad he's in such capable hands."
I wasn't thinking when I reached out and took her hand, holding her palm in mine. It was too late to pretend that I hadn't made that move, so I simply balanced her hand in mine without gripping it.
I was pleased that she didn’t pull her hand away. A hint of blush came to her face, but her expression was also sad, and I wished I knew why. Just as before, I felt a profound desire to protect her, even though she'd always struck me as a woman who would balk at that idea.
"Your father has a strong will and a lot of support, so there's no doubt he will do what he has to do to get well. I'm just here to guide that long,” she said, looking at her hand resting on mine like she wasn’t sure why she was allowing it.
"You're being modest." I used my thumb to gently caress the back of her hand, watching her intently to see if she'd pull away. Her breath hitched slightly, and it made me want to believe that the magic we had that one week in Mexico, might still be here.
Because I was a man of adventure, and willing to take calculated risks, I leaned forward and pressed my lips to hers. I didn't want to push my luck by devouring her, so I slid my lips over hers, lightly, gently, just long enough to know that she tasted the same, and that her taste lit me up.
I pulled back liking the slightly stunned look in her eyes. I helped her get in the car, shutting the door for her, and hoping that the old jalopy was road safe. I watched her drive away, noting her glance in her rearview mirror to which I waved and smiled, already planning the next time I would see her.
4
Jess
As soon as I was out of sight from Alex's house, and it was safe, I pulled over onto the side of the road. With my hands gripping the steering wheel, I worked to settle my nerves. What the heck just happened?
My emotions were a tangle of nerves. Had Carter just kissed me? Yes, he must have, because I could still feel the tingle on my lips, the taste of him lingered. The moment his mouth was against mine, all the memories and emotions and sensations from our cruise to Mexico, came flooding back. I wanted to melt into him, and fulfill the promise that his lips were making.
But now, with some distance, I could see it’s just a memory. The reality of our situation now was vastly different. It wasn't just that four years had gone by, or even that we had a child that he didn't know about. Overhearing Carter talk to Noah, about his intentions of never having family, had turned me cold inside.
I had wanted to be someone special to him on that cruise, but as it turned out, I’d just been another woman he encountered on one of his adventures. He was known for traveling a lot, and I figured there were countless women like me that had been swept up by the magic of him.
So, if he wasn’t a man to settle down, why did he kiss me? The only thing that made sense was that like the cruise, my time in his life would be temporary, and he figured he could sweep me off my feet for a few weeks, just like he had four years ago.
I still felt the need to tell him about Tanner, and at the same time, based on what he told Noah, I wondered if maybe it wouldn't be better to not say anything. My conscience told me that it was wrong not to let him know. He had rights and responsibilities. It was that last thought that made me shake my head, because I could just see him accusing me of using Tanner to get money. But even if he didn't, based on his comments to Noah, I felt confident that Carter would do the right thing, and provide support for me and Tanner, but the fact that he wouldn't want to be part of a family, he would do so reluctantly. It seemed like that was the answer, although in my gut it still felt wrong.
In the end, as I started the car to head home, I decided I had time. Perhaps my running into Carter was a one-time thing. Maybe adventure would call to him or the business would require him to travel again.
It took me nearly forty-five minutes to get from Alex's magnificent home on the ocean, to my tiny little bungalow, but that was about the time I needed to get my nerves in order again.
When I walked into the door, I heard a squeal of excitement, followed by running footsteps and my sweet boy emerged into the living room launching himself into my arms.
"Mommy you’re home."