Page 22 of Cross My Heart
“Um, yeay. I don’t need much. I’m sure whatever is in there is fine. Plus, the room is lovely, but thank you.”
Her response rankles me. I must be overtired because I take a slow step towards her.Then another, “Lanie, you’re going to be living here. You will need things. I will be the one to provide them. Is that clear?”
Her face goes ashen, then bright red. Her eyes narrow on me and I know she is pissed. Good, pissed off is better than whatever the fuck has been happening in the last few hours.
“Mr. Dexter Cross,” she starts. “I appreciate the offer, but as I have said before, I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself and will continue to do so.”
“Ms. Lanie Heart,” I mimic her body language. God, why do we revert to full names when we are angry, or pushing buttons,maybe that’s what we are doing. “I am not going to fight with you. Make a list, or I will buy out the drug store to stock your bathroom.”
Before she can say another word, I pivot and head out the door. “Goodnight, Lanie.”
Quickly shutting the door behind me, I take long strides to my room with a hard-on. Out of habit, I leave my door open to listen for the kids, and now for Lanie. Maybe having her share a wall with me wasn’t my brightest idea, but it’s too late now.
After changing and brushing my teeth, I climb into my bed yet lie there wide awake. It’s now been at least two hours since I left Lanie’s room. Her door is cracked open and her light is on.Not that I’m watching her room or anything.
Why the hell is she still awake? Maybe I should check on her? No, that would be weird. She has told me multiple times now that she can take care of herself.Great, I groan...now I’m talking to myself.
I roll over and try to put the thoughts of the pretty blonde next door out of my head and end up tossing and turning the rest of the night.
Lanie
Chapter 9
Iroll over and stretch. Yawning, I realize I slept well, so well, that it takes me a minute to remember where I am.Dexter Cross’s house. I glance over to the nightstand to grab my phone when I hear it again, the sound that must have woken me.
I sit up, it sounds like the song I sang to Tate last night. I peek at the clock, eesh, it's early, 6 am, but I’m wide awake now.
Sliding out of bed, I creep out into the hallway. To my left, I see Dexter’s door wide open. Okay, I might be drooling slightly. He is asleep on his stomach; the sheet pooled around his waist, which is such a shame.No, no, don’t think like that, you idiot.
I sneak over and very quietly close his door. I’m up and he must be exhausted, so I let him sleep while Isearch for the source of all the singing and babbling echoing through the otherwise quiet house.
Across the hall, I find Tate on the floor with his back to me and his two little sisters lying in his lap, looking at books. The room is decorated with little ballerinas. There is so much pink, it's hard to not think of Pepto-Bismol. I hear it again.
“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine...”
It’s so quiet, I wonder how I could have possibly heard it from my room. One of the girls lifts her head and sees me, I think it's Sara. I can’t help but wonder what their mother looks like. They all look so much like Dex. He must have some strong little swimmers.I groan,stop thinking like that!I scold myself. I want to slap my forehead, but Tate turns around, offering me a small smile.
“Don’t stop on my account. I love that you are so good with your sisters,” I smile at him.
Tate smiles in return but doesn’t continue singing.
“How come you didn’t get your dad or me when you woke up?”
He studies me for a minute and just shrugs, so I take a guess.
“Were you trying to help, maybe give your dad a little more sleep?”
Tate doesn’t look up at me, he just nods his head.Okay, I can work with this.
“That is so sweet of you, buddy. I want you to know while I’m here, you can always come to me; I won’t ever get mad at you for needing something. Would you mind if I gave you a hand?”
His eyes tear up, but he shakes his head.
I wonder what I said that upset him. “How about if I carry the girls downstairs? I can get you guys some breakfast while your dad sleeps. You can even help me cook!”
He peeks up at me and smiles. I have the urge to reach over and hug him, so I do. He stiffens for just a moment but then hugs me back. I feel like it’s my win for the day.
“Okay, buddy, let's head to the kitchen.” I settle Sara on my left and Harper on my right before following Tate down the stairs to the kitchen. I then stick each of the girls in their highchairs, they stare right at each other and start crying.
