Page 23 of Everlasting Love

He says hello to each member of my family while holding Jasmine like it’s of no consequence. When it comes to my turn, I swallow the nervousness that seems to take hold whenever I’m in Shane’s presence. His eyes grip onto mine like a fist and don’t let go. “Violet.” His rich voice rumbles through me like a freight train straight to my lady parts and I’m surprised I’m still standing from that single word.

“Uh, hi, Shane.” I attempt to smile but I’m not convinced I actually make it happen.

“Pass me the casserole, Vi,” Gramma says as she pokes her hands through the open limo door.

I pass it to her, then push my loose hair behind my shoulder so I can reach forward to collect my daughter from Shane’s arms.I try to keep my eyes away from his face, focusing on Jas as much as possible without seeming rude. “C’mon, JJ. We need to get in the car.”

“I want Sane to come too.”

I grip her little waist, and Shane releases her, helping to transfer her to my arms. “Don’t worry, Angel, I’m coming too. I’ll be sitting there.” He points toward the front of the car, and my heart skips a beat at his term of endearment for Jas and the easy way it rolled off his tongue.

The smile on my daughter’s face is instant, and if I didn’t think it would be weird for me to be ecstatic that he’s coming, I’d smile too. I hold myself in check but my lips do tip up of their own accord at this news. Shane notices and his cheeks rise too. Jas gives Shane’s neck one last squeeze and then releases him, dropping her body weight into my arms, and even though I was expecting it, she knocks me a little off-balance. Shane quickly reaches around my body and scoops me into his with Jas sandwiched between us.

“You okay?” he asks as his eyes trace every inch of my face. His grip on me is sure and strong, making me feel safe.

I swallow the riot of emotions that have taken flight through my body and nod, grateful that Jas is tucked between us and he can’t feel the heavy thuds of my heart, making me almost dizzy in his presence. Once he’s certain I have my balance, he releases me and I say my thanks before climbing into the limo. I choose a spot right up front near Gramma, who’s sitting behind the driver—that way I can avoid looking at Shane. I’m aware of his every move as he closes the back door and makes his way to the front of the vehicle. When he climbs into the passenger side, I instantly realize my mistake. I may not have to look at him, but I’m surrounded by his spicy scent. It’ll be impossible to hold my breath the entire way so I’m going to have to suck it up and be a big girl and try not to let his intoxicating smell affect me toomuch; my first intake of breath is potent, and the next one is the same.

I wonder if I’ll ever get used to the way he smells and the effect it has on me. I imagine our paths are going to cross on a regular basis so it’s something I’llneedto get used to and train myself to ignore.

Jas bounces on my lap with excitement so I tighten my arms around her little body and kiss the top of her head, taking a moment to draw in her sweet apple-scented shampoo in an attempt to drown out the sexy smell of the man behind me.

I’m brought out of my head by Gramma’s finger poking my thigh. “Are you listening to me, Vi?”

I turn to look at her. “Huh?”

“I thought so. Off in a world of your own.” She raises her graying brow. “I said you two girls look adorable in your matching outfits.” She strokes her hand down Jas’s hair. “Did you plan it that way, or was it a coincidence?”

I chuckle. “Sorry, Gramma. Uh, I guess, I planned it that way. Sometimes Jas likes us to dress the same, though my dress isn’t quite as colorful as hers.” I squeeze Jas for good measure.

“Why don’t you have wainbow cowors, Mommy?”

IfeelShane tune into our conversation. “I suppose I could have bright colors on my dress but my favorite color is green while you likeallthe colors.”

“Why don’t you wike aww the cowors?” Little divots form between her brows and I hear Shane chuckle behind me.

“Idolike all the colors. Especially when I’m admiring the wildflowers in the park. Wearing lots of colors doesn’t suit me like it does you.”

“But you’re so pwetty, Mommy. You sould wear aww the cowors.” She squeezes my cheeks in her tiny hands.

I chuckle and rub her nose with mine. “Thank you, JJ.” This kid’s good for my ego.

As the limo pulls up a long driveway, Toby’s twin sister and brother-in-law’s home comes into view and all I can do is gasp at how gorgeous it is. If Toby is truly serious about my sister, her life is really about to change. We pile out of the car, Shane helping each of us with our balance. I’m the last one out because of where I was sitting and when his hand wraps around mine, shivers race down my spine. He gently tugs me to my feet and with his mouth close to my ear, and his warm breath ghosting across my flesh, he whispers, “Jasmine’s right. You’re pretty enough to wear all the colors.”

He pulls away and releases me before I have a chance to absorb his words. By the time I realize what he said, he’s moved away, leaving me in a puddle of goo.

It appears that Toby’s entire family has descended on us and I don’t have time to think about Shane’s compliment. I collect the casserole from Gramma so she can greet the two other elderly ladies who have come out to welcome us. I try to stay at the back of the crowd since I feel like a tag along but Kate, Toby’s twin sister, makes her way to Jas and me.

She hugs us both. “Hello again. We’re thrilled you guys could make it. I hope you’re feeling better.”

“Thank you so much for the invitation. We appreciated it since we were nowhere near prepared for the holiday. We are feeling better, mostly. I don’t know about Mom and Cass, but I still have occasional bouts of feeling weak and dizzy.”

Kate’s brows dip low over her gorgeous cobalt eyes which are exactly like her brother’s. “Let me know if it gets too much, and I’ll find you a quiet place to rest. Okay?”

Oh my gosh. How sweet is she? “Sure, thanks, but I don’t want to impose when you’ve already been so generous.”

She squeezes my arm. “I assure you, you won’t be imposing. Now, shall we go inside?”

A van pulls up as we make our way up the steps to the large front door, and I wobble a little as I spin around having turned too quickly. It’s taken me longer to get my appetite back and I’ve still been feeling light-headed since the stomach flu took us all out. Shane grasps my elbow and helps me to balance, his eyebrows cutting low over his warm chocolate eyes. “Are you okay? That’s the second time you’ve lost your balance today.”

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