As we walk back to the parking lot, I keep one arm around her back and the other ready to toss anyone out of her way. Unlocking the doors, I open the back, and she gently places him on the seat before buckling his belt and closing him in. I make no move to get out of her space when she turns around.
“Thank you for today, Holden. It’s been a while since we've had so much fun.”
Lifting my hand, I don’t miss the way she flinches, but I don’t draw away either. Running my fingers through the thick, dark strands, I cup the base of her skull. Looping the fingers of my other hand through her belt, I pull her closer.
Our lips are mere inches apart. “Me too, Noelle.” I don’t give her a chance to pull away before tasting her.Delicious.Powdered sugar and cinnamon. Her hands gracefully land on my chest as I drag her as close as I can, nary an inch separating us.
As much as I want to delve deeper into the kiss, I keep it respectable—not nearly as possessive as I’d like—before tearing myself away. Opening her door, I buckle her in the same way I did earlier before getting in the driver's side.
The ride is relaxing, filled only with the sounds of soft music playing through the speakers. Traffic is light, and all too quickly, I’m pulling up in front of her house.
Noelle is quick to exit, and before I’m around the vehicle to help her with a sleeping Sawyer, he’s in her arms. His grip around her neck appears suffocatingly tight. When she turns, I can see the stress lines on her face as Sawyer buries his head in her neck and hair.
Narrowing my eyes, I search her own. She’s trying to communicate something to me, and if I had to guess, she’s begging me not to ask her why the entire mood has changed. She’s pleading with me to let it go.
For now, I will. But I’ll be digging into her family life a little more tonight. Grabbing the kid’s backpack as well as her bags from the backseat, we walk up to the single-story house. It’s not well-manicured but not a mess, either. It’s average, I suppose. Taken care of.
Striding up the three porch steps, I hear her murmur, “Straight to your room,” before setting the boy down and reaching back to grab the bags out of my hand.
The door opens, and before I can ask her anything, a large, burly man is standing there, smelling of cheap cigarettes and even cheaper vodka. Sawyer darts past him and runs straight up the stairs. A door can be heard closing quietly.
Not comprehending what’s happening, I offer a hand. “You must be Sawyer’s dad; great kid you have. I’m Holden Adair.” He ignores my hand but lifts a brow at my name. I’m not ashamed to admit that I use it a lot. Usually, when I want people to understand who I am and just how far they can push me.
I’m not the prince Noelle inferred I was. I was just a shitty kid who caused more trouble than I should have gotten away with. My name has always been an advantage, and I get the feeling now is one of those times.
“Adair, huh,” he slurs, his bloodshot eyes looking me up and down, trying to gauge if he can take me on. I’ve seen it a thousand times. Though not many men try, but if they do, they fail.
“That’s right.” I grab the back of Noelle’s jeans and pull her closer to me.
“You think that gets you off kidnapping my kid?” The man’s body sways into the doorframe, and he doesn’t bother to catch himself.
“No kidnapping. Just a trip to the carnival.”
The man snorts. “Get inside, Noelle.” It’s my turn to raise a brow at him. “Fine. You got five minutes.”
Spinning Noelle around, I don’t wait for him to close the door before kissing her again. This time I go deeper. I take what I want from her because this clown needs to understand who she belongs to. Whose protection she’s under.
* * *
Noelle
I should be terrified; I should be pushing Holden away. But I want to drag him closer. I want to beg him to take me...us...away from here. I want so many things I can never have.
Uncle Seth slams the door shut and begins cursing. He’s drunk. Far worse than two nights ago. When Holden withdraws, I want to follow him, but I stay where I am.
“I don’t like him.” I want to laugh at his comment because that’s everyone’s reaction when they meet Seth. “I don’t want to leave you here. Either of you.”
Waving a hand in front of my face, I hope I succeed in masking my fear. “It’s fine. He’s just a cranky old man. He’ll be passed out by the time I go inside.” I’ve never lied to someone so much before.
I can feel the questions in Holden’s stare, but I don’t look up at him. “You’ll call me. Tonight. Ten o’clock. Don’t miss it.” He’s very demanding. I can only nod. “He lays one hand on you, and I’ll kill him.”
I laugh because he can’t be serious, but as Holden watches me walk inside, I have no doubt he would. After locking the door, I cautiously make my way to the stairs, intent on tucking Sawyer in.
“Who the fuck said you could take my kid anywhere?” My Aunt Karen’s shrill voice stops me in my tracks. Turning to see both people standing in the living room's archway, I know the question is rhetorical.
“It was a nice day out; I thought it would be fun.” I try to keep my voice neutral.
“Fun?” Seth barks out a humorless laugh as he gazes through the window by the front door. Likely to see if Holden is gone. “You never learn, do you?” He takes a few menacing steps forward, and I back away. My back hits the wall, and I drop my bags to the floor.