Page 22 of Chasing Storm

I laugh at his surprise. “It’s a long story, which I’ll tell you later. Right now, I want us all to head back to the lake house.”

“Oookaaay.” Sean draws out the word. “Are we safe?”

“Yes. Devane had the hit wiped clean from the web and has a reward out for James’ location.”

“And what do you have to do for him?”

“You’re talking to Elijah Devane’s new accountant and financial advisor.”

He barks into the phone. “That’s it? How the hell did a small-time gangster decide to help you outandfront the money?”

“He’s not exactly a small-time gangster. I’ll tell you all about it when I see you. Right now, I’m going to fuck my wife.” Tea pinches her mouth shut and nips my arm. “Pack up, and head to the house. Are you far from it?”

“No. We’ve been in Iowa, and no one has followed us.”

“Good. Then I’ll see you when we get there. Keep in touch.”

We say our goodbyes and the line goes dead. Teagan tries to get up, but I push her onto her back and climb on top of her.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

She shoves against my shoulders. “Joey—”

My mouth covers hers, and the tip of my tongue outlines her lips. I suck on her tongue, and she moans. That right there is an aphrodisiac. I make love to Teagan for the umpteenth time before we prepare for the day.

I’m downstairs first, and the smell of breakfast hits me. Elijah is at the table drinking coffee and reading a newspaper. An actual newspaper. He glances up at me, then points to a table along the wall. Coffee, juices, and a buffet of breakfast items such as eggs, pancakes, rolls, and fruit. Normally, his cook offers to make us something when we wake, so this is new. I help myself to a plate, fill up, grab a coffee, and sit across from him.

Yesterday, I let my fear and insecurities get the best of me. Instead of talking, I almost hit him, which would have been a bad idea. I owe him an apology. Damnit! Apologies seem to be my thing lately.

Before I’m able to, he folds his paper, takes another sip of coffee, and says, “The cook made extra food for you two in case you wanted to take it on the road.”

Egg lodges in my throat, and I chug my juice to dislodge it. His thoughtfulness makes me feel more like a dick. Teagan doesn’t know about our altercation, and I want to leave it like that.

I clear my throat. “Elijah. About yesterday…”

He cocks his eyebrow and leans his forearms on the table. “Forget it.”

“I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve my…”

“No, I didn’t, but I get you’re a possessive asshole.” He smiles when he says it. “Let me give you some unsolicited advice. Back off Teagan. If you try to suffocate her freedom or lodge distrust into her character, your marriage will sink, and sometimes it’s hard to backpedal.”

“Are you talking from experience?” I bite off a piece of bacon.

“Engaged. I let my ego and wealth drive my decisions until it was too late.” It seems his relationship mistakes still haunt him. I remain quiet while he speaks. “Teagan loves you. Me and everyone else can see that. Unless she gives you a reason, be her partner and give her the space she’s entitled to.”

I’ve lost my appetite, staring down at my plate, nudging the eggs. He’s right and I hate that he is. It makes me appear…exposed.

“Joe.” My head pops up when he says my name. “You and Teagan are only twenty-three years old. What I’m saying is intended to help, not rub your nose in anything. It’s just advice from an old man.”

He offers another smile, opens his newspaper, and reads again. Teagan bounces down the stairs, freshly cleaned and fucked, taking my breath away. My fear of loss is the driving force behind my behavior. I lost so much in childhood that this anxiety perforates my soul when I think of losing Tea. And it’s all kinds of crazy loss I tumble around in my head. Death. Cheating. Her finding someone better looking. Richer. My head falls downward as I close my eyes and take a deep breath.

Tea kisses my cheek and walks over to the buffet. “Elijah, this is wonderful! I’m starving.”

He folds the newspaper and laughs. “Fill up. I told Joe the cook made enough for you to take along on your drive home.”

She spins, facing us. “We’re actually leaving today?”

I give her a pained expression. “Tea, there’s no reason for us to stay anymore.”

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