Shadows of the Past Page 20

  Mom laughs before she wraps her around him.

  "Welcome to my home, Oliver. I'm very glad to meet you." When she releases him, she gestures for us to follow her inside, where she's making supper.

  I take Oliver on a tour through the house, showing him the walls covered with pictures of Shannon and me growing up. He stops to study the few of me while I was pregnant. These pictures are bittersweet for me; even though it was hard, I loved being pregnant. It was everything that came after that I never want to go through again.

  Watching him look at these pictures makes me self-conscious. I was carrying twins, and I was huge. Shame had nothing on me those last few months. Mom used to joke that my belly entered the room a full five minutes before the rest of me did. When I tell Oliver that, he laughs heartily.

  "Your mom is a character." He looks at me out of the corner of his eye. "I like her. She reminds me of someone else I know."

  Continuing down the hall, there are pictures I haven't seen before. One of me the day before I went into labor, looking tired but happy, but the rest are my mom and sister. In the first few pictures, they look sad and drawn. Tired, but not the same way I was in the other picture. It's obvious I wasn't the only one hurting the past few years. I have this strong urge to go back to the kitchen and hug my mom again, to thank her for never giving up on me.

  Proving once again that Oliver knows what I'm feeling, he puts an arm around my waist, pulling me to his side so I can absorb some of his warmth.

  "Don't dwell on the pictures that show the pain. Yes, they were hurt when you pushed them away. But, look at the other pictures, both before and after the twins. Your mom loves you, no matter what."

  Looking at the photographs, I realize he's right. My mom and sister do look sad in the first few pictures, but it doesn't last. Soon, the pictures are of them smiling, of them living. They didn't let the tragedy break them the way I did, and even though they didn't feel the same emotions I did, it was close. Not only did they lose granddaughters or nieces, but they lost a daughter and sister as well.

  The front door slams shut and I hear my sister shout, "Mom? There's a limo parked out front. Did we win Publisher’s Clearinghouse or something?"

  My mom doesn't answer, and I hear Shannon's footsteps coming closer to the hallway where Oliver and I are standing. I try to get closer to him, and he tightens his arm around me, knowing I'm most nervous about her reaction. A mother will forgive her child for pretty much anything, but a sister could hold a grudge for life.

  Shannon comes around the corner into the hallway, stopping dead in her tracks when she sees us. Her eyes widen and her skin pales. I'm worried she's going to pass out.

  "Kayla?" she whispers, not much different from how my mom reacted. I just nod, waiting for her to blast me.

  "Where the hell have you been?" she yells. "Do you know how worried we've been? I can't believe you would just..." she starts to cry and is unable to continue. Shannon flings herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck, and I tentatively wrap my own around her waist. "I can't be mad at you. I'm just happy that you're alive."

  Pulling back, she brushes tears I didn't know I was crying from my face.

  "God, you're so stupid!" She buries her head back in my neck and squeezes me.

  Oliver removes his arm from my waist, backing away to allow my sister to hug me tighter. When I feel his warmth step away, it jolts me enough that I hug her back just as tightly. Shannon pulls back, her face wet with tears, but her smile radiant.

  "I can't believe you're here! Oh, Kay, I've missed you so much! There's so much I need to tell you..." she trails off when she notices Oliver standing in the hallway.

  "Well, well, well. Just who is this scrumptious piece of man?" she asks, eyes laughing as she goads me.

  Taking his hand in mine, I tug on his arm until he's standing beside me once more.

  "This is Oliver. Oliver, my sister Shannon." I introduce them quickly, wanting to get it over with quickly. My sister is beautiful and doesn't come with anywhere near the baggage I do.

  "Hi Oliver," Shannon practically purrs, winking at me as she holds out a hand.

  He takes her hand in his and presses a kiss to the top of it. I glare at both of them, letting them know they're skating on melting ice, and Oliver laughs.

  "It's not funny, Ollie. Those lips are mine." The laugh dies quickly, and soon he's glaring at me. Good, that's better.

  "Oh, Kayla, stop being so uptight. Take the stick out of your ass and relax for a minute." She flashes her left hand at me, showing off a huge engagement ring.

  I grab her hand, squealing over the ring, before I look up at her in shock.

  "When did this happen?"

  "Six months ago," she says with a shrug like it's no big deal. Before I can ask, she shakes her head. "You don't know him. His name is Phillip, and he owns a construction company here in town. Oh, Kayla, he's so sweet and he loves me so much. We're getting married in June." Excitement dances in Shannon's eyes and she bounces on the soles of her feet. "Please, tell me you'll come back for the wedding! You can be my maid of honor. Please, please, please!"

  My mom yells from the kitchen, "That's enough, Shannon! Leave your sister alone. She just got here for goodness sakes. I'm sure she isn't leaving in the next little bit."

  The lecture is so reminiscent of the way my mom has always reprimanded us that I grin at my sister, glad once more that I grew a pair and came home to face my past. She follows up with a call to supper, so I don't get to show Oliver my bedroom, which is probably a good thing. I don't remember what it looked like back when I lived here, but I'm sure the boy band and teen magazine posters would embarrass the hell out of me.

  Dinner is loud and boisterous and it's obvious Oliver has no idea how to handle us. He looks downright scared by how loud my mom and sister are, each trying to talk over the other to fill me in on the past five years. My mom is dating a nice guy named Mike, although according to my sister it's "nothing serious." By the way Mom's face lights up mentioning him, I suspect it might be more serious than she thinks.

  Mom’s still working in the diner, a place she loves, while my sister is putting her college degree to good use, teaching elementary school. Apparently that's how she met Phillip. He's a widower whose son was in her class two years ago. She's hesitant to say what happened to his wife, but she finally admits that the woman died in childbirth, an unexplainable complication much like my own.

  Once they finish catching me up on everything I've missed, they start grilling me and Oliver on how we met, how long have we been dating, what he does... The questions are endless.

  Oliver takes the lead, telling them about how his dog—who Emily is babysitting—knocked me over in a park before detailing the lengths he took to find me. It turns out he didn’t realize I worked in the hotel.

  “What?”

  “Yeah, we didn’t get a chance to talk about that part. Actually, I feel a little dopey. I thought you were a guest.”

  “I told you I had a boss.” I look at him like he’s nuts.

  “I was sort of not listening to that part. I assumed you were there with your boss. And you’re really beautiful when you’re ignoring me.” He smiles, showing me all of his teeth. “I told you, I’m not very clever.”

  Oliver continues, and makes it seem more glamorous than it is, especially when he tells how we started dating, only to break up after I found out he owned the hotel in which I worked.

  Shannon sighs, "It sounds like something that would happen in a movie. It's so romantic!" She claps her hands under her chin and grins goofily at Oliver. I have to laugh, because my life is nothing like a movie, even if Oliver is the perfect hero.

  CHAPTER 46

  It's late by the time we get back to the hotel. Oliver follows me into the room, shutting the door behind us and pulling me into his arms.

  "How are you doing?" I love that he's concerned about me, that he worries how today's events will affect me.

  "I'm fine. I'm gla
d it's over, that I did everything I came here to do. My mom and sister don't hate me, and that's a good thing." He nods, agreeing with me silently. "Honestly, now I just want to go to bed."

  I turn and press my chest against his. Stretching up on my toes, I press my mouth to his, eager to reconnect with him and wanting to show him how grateful I am that he came with me.

  Oliver catches on quickly, one of his hands moving up my back to tangle in my hair, holding my head still as he presses a kiss to my mouth. His other hand presses against the small of my back, keeping the length of my body pressed against his as he walks me backward through our suite and into the bedroom. He doesn't stop moving until the backs of my legs hit the edge of the bed, forcing me to fall backward. My legs fall open when I land, inviting him between them, pressing against me in a way that feels so good. We undress each other slowly, lingering in sensitive areas.

  As soon as we're both bare, Oliver runs the tips of his long fingers up my sides, briefly caressing the sides of my breasts before cupping my cheeks in his hands. The love in his eyes makes me feel breathless. He's letting me see everything, the way he feels, how strong his love is, and I know that even after everything that happened before, Oliver is going to be there for me. Knowing that makes me brave, and I push him over onto his back so I can straddle his hips.

  This particular position leaves me exposed, letting him see every little imperfection, but I'm through hiding. Oliver loves all of me, and he knows all my secrets now.

  "God, you're beautiful," he moans, running his hands up and down my thighs and letting me take what I need. There are so many things I want to do to him, to do with him, and I don't have a clue where to start.

  Tucking my hair behind my ears, I lean over to press my lips to his. I kiss him softly before trailing more kisses along his jaw, and down his throat the way he's done to me before. I suck gently on his neck, careful not to leave a mark before moving down his body. Oliver stays still, not moving while I explore his body. His chest has only a sprinkling of hair, and his six-pack abs are just begging for me to lick them.

  I make my way down his stomach, following his happy trail to the part of his body that's very excited to see me. Wrapping my hand around his base, I stroke him once, twice, and then a third time, watching his face as he clenches his jaw in pleasured agony. I don't have any idea what I'm doing; I've never been in charge like this before. Oliver lets me touch him for a few more minutes before his control snaps, and I'm flat on my back once more.

  "Are you trying to make me crazy?" he asks, his voice deeper due to his arousal.

  His hand travels down my stomach, before slipping between my legs. His eyes close when he feels how ready I am, but he moves down my body, pressing kisses on the few little stretch marks I've been so self-conscious about. The feeling of his lips on my skin has me squirming, especially since I know what's coming next.

  The first touch of his mouth on me has me arching my back off the bed in an attempt to get closer. My hands land in his hair and I know it's only going to take one touch of his tongue on the bundle of nerves he's avoiding to make me explode. I'm writhing beneath him, begging him to please be with me. I can't even describe the agony I'm in right now. I love the way his touch feels, but I need more.

  Oliver kneels between my thighs, watching me. I slide my legs up to wrap around his waist, pulling him into me. We both groan as he fills me, feeling so much more than just the physical sensations.

  He pulls almost all the way out before thrusting back inside me. Leaning over me, he takes my hands, entwining our fingers together and pinning me to the bed.

  I'm so lost in the sensations he's causing that I gasp when I'm suddenly airborne. Oliver pulls out of me before flipping us so that he's on his back, and I'm straddling him. We were in this position earlier, but it's different now, more intimate for some reason. The look on his face makes me feel powerful, and I sit up on my knees, hovering over him and slowly bringing him back inside of me.

  In this position, he touches me so deeply that every time I slide all the way down there's a small twinge of pain. It only adds to the pleasure as I begin to move faster and faster. I can tell by the way he's clenching his jaw that he's close. When he squeezes one finger between our bodies to press down, I shatter around him, which causes him to follow.

  My cries are loud, muffling his low groan of satisfaction. I fall forward, resting on his slick chest, completely sated and feeling boneless. He brings up a hand to caress my back while the other plays with a strand of my hair. I lay in his arms feeling both of our hearts race until our breathing calms.

  Oliver slides me off to the side so he can get up and dispose of the condom, but he's soon back in bed beside me. I'm lying on my side, facing away from him, warm and sleepy. He scoots over so the front of his body is flush against mine and wraps his arm around my waist, taking my hand in his and sliding his fingers in between my own. I'm asleep in minutes, completely secure in the knowledge that he'll take care of me.

  CHAPTER 47

  After three days of spending time with my mom and my sister, meeting her fiancé and catching up on everything I missed while hiding abroad, it's time to go home. I'm going to miss them both, but my life is with Oliver and Emily. I have friends and an amazing apartment, and I'm ready to enjoy where I'm going. As much as leaving my family behind, I know I'm doing what I'm supposed to. For the first time in years, I feel at peace.

  When they tell us that Oliver’s plane is ready, my mom steps toward me. We’re standing in the middle of the small room at Tetaburo Airport, surrounded by other people flying on private jets. Shannon makes a comment about how big Oliver’s jet is, and I elbow her. She giggles before saying, “Hug me, idiot. And don’t wait so long to come home this time.”

  “I love you, too. I’ll be here in June.”

  “You better be.” She kisses my cheek and backs away. “I’ll be out front.” She rushes off sniffling.

  Mom steps up and hugs me tightly. Her tears falling unchecked down her cheeks just like Shannon's.

  "It's okay, Mom," I tell her. "I promise I'm going to do better at keeping in touch. I won't disappear on you again."

  She pulls back to study me, smiling at whatever she sees in them.

  "You mean that don't you? No more hiding, no more running." Her expression sobers. "I understand why you felt you needed to leave, Kayla. Just please remember that you have a mother and a sister who love you and want the best for you. Don't cut us out of your life like we don't matter."

  "Yes ma'am," I say, properly chastised.

  Oliver grins hard and kisses the top of my head.

  “I’ll give you a moment. I need to chat with the pilots anyway.” He walks off to the other side of the room and meets the guys flying us home.

  I know the way I handled things before wasn't healthy. Everything reminded me of the babies, and it made staying here impossible. Now that I've put it all to rest, I can move on. I want to be happy, to be content with my life. Right now I am.

  I turn back to Mom and say, "He's quickly becoming the most important person in my life. That scares me so much. Oliver could break me, and it would so much worse than when Charlie left."

  "Charlie was an ass who didn't know what he was losing," she says sternly, placing her hands on my shoulders to keep me in place. "Don't base relationships on what Charlie did. Charlie isn't worth even a second though, he left you when you needed him the most, and he wasn't there in the end either. He doesn't deserve to have you so much as think his name.”

  My mom hugs me one last time, telling me, "I love you, baby girl.”

  “I love you too, Mom.” I release her and step away, trying not to cry.

  Oliver's arms wrap around me from behind and I'm thankful for the support he's giving me. Saying goodbye to people I love so much is hard.

  Suddenly, Shannon rushes back in. “Wait! I forgot!” She’s huffing and stops in front of Oliver Pointing a finger at him, she narrows her eyes to let him know she means b
usiness. "If you break my little sister's heart, I'll shove you in a box and bury you in my backyard, got it?"

  Oliver nods, "Yes ma'am. Loud and clear." Resting his hand on my shoulder, he whispers in my ear, "I won't break your heart, American Girl. You can trust me with that."

  “I know I can,” I answer, smiling.

  I hug them both a final time, as does Oliver before we head to the door where our plane waits. Mom and Shannon walk behind us as far as they are allowed.

  Just before we leave them, my mom says, "We love you, Kayla. Be happy."

  As we follow the pilots out onto the tarmac, I turn to Oliver and ask, "What did my mom say when you hugged her?" I know she thinks she was sneaky, but I saw her lean up and say something to him.

  "Ahh, she just told me to be gentle with you."

  Yeah, right...sure she did. My mom would have said way more than that, she's no wallflower, and she doesn't hold back with what she's thinking. That's part of the reason I left before. I knew she'd tell me how I should grieve instead of letting me go through it.

  "You're so full of it. I know she said more than that. Come on, spill...for me?" I give him the puppy dog look I always see Barkley give him, and he immediately relents.

  Sighing, he tells me, "She said to be careful with your heart, to not let you hide, to and force you forward. Oh, and she said no living together before we're married or she’d hex me." He says this with a completely straight face and my heart starts to pound. We just got back together; surely he's not talking marriage yet.

  "Relax," he laughs. "We'll get there. It just won't be today."

  Settling in for the long flight, I lay my head against his shoulder and murmur, "I love you, Ollie."

  He grins at the nickname and replies, "I love you too, American Girl."

  COMING SOON

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