Page 93 of Deserter

I held my hands out and she passed her up to me so she could get settled. Kate, who was having none of it, began fussing again in my arms. “Your mama’s coming, baby girl. Gotta be patient.”

She opened her eyes long enough to glare at me before unleashing the unholiest of screams. I winced and tried rocking her, which only seemed to make the cries louder. “Jesus, Darlin’. Daddy’s gonna need a new eardrum.”

Celia continued fighting with the snaps on her bra. “Screw it,” she grumbled before slipping the strap off and reaching up for Kate.

I passed her over with a grin. “You know, on second thought, Daddy’s gonna need something else.”

“I bet you say that to all the dairy cows.”

I cupped her chin and lifted her face up toward mine. “Look at me. You’ve got a body that would put aPlayboycenterfold’s to shame.”

She leaned into my palm with a small smile. “You’re just saying that.”

Bending until my mouth was next to her ear, I whispered, “I look like the kind of motherfucker that just says shit? It’s hard seeing you like this and keeping my hands off, but you bet your curvy ass that as soon as the doctor says you’re clear, I’m gonna be deep inside you.”

Celia released a shuddered breath. “Holy… okay.”

I nipped her ear lobe before straightening with a cocky smirk. “You need anything, babe? Water?”

“Do you mind? My water glass is on the dining room table.”

“I got it.”

Richard had disappeared again, but Norma still sat at the table, stabbing vegetables like they’d wronged her family. When I lifted the glass, she began shaking her head and wagging her finger at me like she was scolding a small child. “What are you doing? No, no, no, young man. We don’t take drinks into the den.”

Jesus fuck.

What was it with this woman? Had she taken classes on mastering the art of being a condescending bitch or had it come naturally?

I pinched the bridge of my nose with a sigh. “Your daughter needs a drink. Is that allowed?”

She pursed her lips before harpooning another carrot. “You know, I have to say that I was rather impressed with your table manners, Grey.”

I ran my tongue over my front teeth, trying to determine if she was paying me a compliment or not. “Is that so?”

“Oh, yes. You see, I just assumed that being raised like you were, you wouldn’t know your salad fork from your dinner fork.”

When she thrust her chin up at me in defiance, I immediately saw where Celia got it from. Unlike her daughter though, she didn’t look cute doing it. She looked like what she was—a bitter cunt who knew she’d lost.

My jaw tightened. “Raised like I was… and how was that, Norma?”

“Like an animal, I expect. But I suppose that even the most savage of beasts can be—”

I cut in. “Yeah, heard enough. We’re out as soon as she’s done nursing, and don’t hold your breath on us making a return visit.”

The back of her chair hit the wall with a dull thud. “She’s what?” She quickly got to her feet and marched past me.

I stared longingly at the liquor cabinet against the wall before following her into the den. She’d stopped in front of the recliner with her hands against her hips. Any second now, she was going to start foaming at the mouth.

“What are you doing?” She finally snapped.

“What? What’s wrong?” Celia glanced up from Kate with a frown, looking between the two of us for an explanation.

“What’s wrong?” Norma screeched, startling Kate to the point that she jerked her head back with a cry, milk running from the corner of her mouth. “Breastfeeding is for the poor, Celia! Surely, you can afford formula.”

“Why does it matter so goddamn much to you?” I growled.

“She had everything with us,” Norma patted under her eyes. “Everything. Now, look at her. Nursing her baby like something on the cover ofNational Geographic!”

---