Page 80 of Mine to Keep

Chapter16

Bryn blinked her eyes open. The smell of fresh soap assaulted her nostrils.

“Mommy’s awake,” Jamison said.

She shifted in the bed, painfully aware that she was naked, and her breasts were completely full of breast milk. She tugged the sheet over her body and pulled herself to a sitting position. “What time is it?”

“Six.” Jamison held Zadie between his legs. He wore nothing but his boxers, and it was obvious he’d just gotten out of the shower. “This little angel just woke up about ten minutes ago. We have a clean diaper, and we’re all ready for breakfast.” He pointed to her boobs. “Looks like you’re ready, too.”

She glanced down, mortified that she’d started leaking. Her cheeks flushed.

He leaned in and kissed her temple. “Do you want me to leave?”

“Um. No. This is just all kind of new to me.”

“You and me both.” He took an extra pillow and placed it on her lap for Zadie to rest on. “I made some decaf coffee. I’ll go grab you a mug while you get situated. Can I get you anything else?”

“I’m kind of hungry.”

“Do you like chocolate chip muffins?”

“That might get you a little treat this morning.”

He jumped from the bed and raced out of the room like a kid on Christmas morning.

“Oh, Zadie. What have I gotten myself into?” She pulled down the sheet and brought her baby girl to her breast. Zadie latched on immediately. The little bundle of joy glanced up, and Bryn could have sworn she paused and smiled. “You’re the most precious thing in the world.”

“I have to agree.” Jamison set a mug on the nightstand next to Bryn. He climbed back into bed, broke off a small piece of the muffin, and placed it in her mouth.

She forgot all about the fact that she was completely naked. She nearly moaned when the chocolate melted in her mouth. “I’ll take more of that.”

He plopped a piece into his mouth and then kissed her, swirling his tongue in her mouth. “I shouldn’t have done that while you’re nursing.”

“No. It’s fine, and it tastes better when it comes from you.”

He chuckled. “I feel like an asshole, but sitting here watching you nurse like this has to be the sexiest thing in the world.”

She glanced down and blushed. The sheet had fallen to her waist, and she was completely exposed. She should be utterly embarrassed, but she wasn’t. If anything, she felt totally at ease. “I don’t know about it being sexy, but it’s not weird.”

He fed her another bite of muffin. “It’s not like I want to ravish your body or anything, but this is beautiful, and being a mom is amazing.”

“Yeah, it is.” She adjusted Zadie before shifting and locking gazes with Jamison. “When I first found out that I was pregnant, Timothy had only been dead for a few days. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it all.”

“I’m not sure how to approach this subject, and I can’t do it while you’re sitting here like this.” He pulled the covers over her bare breast and put his arm around her, tugging her a little closer. “I recently saw something on television, and I couldn’t help but notice how much you looked like this woman who had been beaten by her husband.”

Bryn tried like hell not to tense up and panic.

“This crime documentary,” he continued. “It talked about how this man had died in a crash and then, a few weeks later, his wife died the same way. I know you don’t like to talk about it, but I wondered if maybe she could be your sister. Her name was Brenda Perish.”

Bryn gasped.

Zadie arched her back and let out a cry.

“Shhhhh, baby girl.” Bryn patted her daughter’s back and did her best to calm her. “No. That’s not my sister. Her name is Arleen. Why would you even think that?” she said with a combination of fear and anger.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I really didn’t.” He pressed his lips against her temple.

She closed her eyes. She should have known that her past would catch up with her and that she couldn’t hide. There was no place on this Earth where she could run and escape her husband’s family. Deep down, she knew that someone, if not the Perishes themselves, would put it all together, and she’d be outed. Then they’d come and find her and take her precious daughter from her for good.

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