Page 17 of Through the Fire

I turned to him so he could look me straight in the eyes. “On me, it’s not like that. I would never hurt her. She told me a little about what she’s been through. I only want to make her smile and help her heal.”

Jayce’s posture remained stiff for a minute longer. Eventually, he sighed.

“I trust you. I can admit she looks happy around you.” He eyed the girls where they were talking. “And she’s taken a liking to your baby girl. I’m sure that’s a rare sighting for them both.”

He called out to his sister to get her attention. She took Shy Shy’s hand as she walked closer.

“I need to go get ready for work. You ready to go?”

She shook her head and pouted. I was quick to offer a solution that lightened her mood.

“I can take you home if you want to hang out with us a little longer.”

She smiled brightly. “Thank you.”

“You sure?” Jayce asked going into protector mode like any big brother would. She nodded.

“Alright. Let me know when you make it home.” He turned to me and said, “Take care of my baby.”

“That’s all I’m trying to do.”

After giving out hugs, he left me alone with my girls. I tossed an arm over Island’s shoulders.

“What shall we do next ladies?”

* * *

“If you eat anything else,you’re going to burst,” I teased Island as she bit into an elephant ear. I’d watched the girl scarf down fries, a turkey leg, donut burger, chicken on a stick, and elote.

She shrugged without concern. “If I burst, just put me back together so I can eat some more.”

I laughed. “Okay, big back.”

After another two hours of exploring the carnival, Shyla was finally winding down. She’d gone from walking to resting in my arms, fighting to keep her eyes open. My mama flaked, so I held Island’s hand with my free hand as we walked to my truck.

I unlocked the doors then secured a sleeping Shyla in her car seat. After closing her inside, I turned to Island. I pushed her against the side, gripping her waist tightly.

“I’ve been waiting all night to do this.”

I didn’t give her a chance to respond before I attacked her lips. She melted against me, balled my shirt up, and tried to pull me even closer.

Her mouth tasted like the many foods she’d eaten, but I didn’t mind. I happily accepted her tongue when she slipped it inside my mouth. My fingers massaged her scalp as I fought my animalistic instincts from taking over.

“Your brother asked about us,” I confessed in a heap. Both of our chests heaved up and down.

“What’d you tell him?”

“That his sister is the prettiest girl in the world, and he doesn’t have to worry about her when she’s with me.”

Her bottom lip poked out as she turned into mush. She pulled at my shirt then buried her face in my chest. I kissed the top of her head.

“You make it so hard to resist you…”

“So, stop doing that shit then.”

“But what if—”

I cut her off by placing a finger on her lips.

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