Don't Break My Heart (Return to Redemption, Book 6) (9 page)

He squeezed the cheeks of her bottom as he stiffened and
then thrust several more times before sinking to the shower floor with her in
his arms. “Oh, Trisha, you’re magnificent.” He panted in her ear. “No other
woman has ever done that to me.”

“Done what? You did most of the work.”

“Maybe so, but your response was un-freaking-believable.”

“You made my body react that way.” She slicked his wet hair
back. “I didn’t have a thing to do with it. I was so impressed by your stamina,
I began wondering if you’re completely human.”

He rocked her in his lap, caressing her back. “When a man is
lucky enough to make love to a woman as amazing as you, he surprises even
himself.”

“Your humility just makes me want you that much more.”

“No humility here.” He hesitated a second. “In case you’re
wondering, I haven’t been a monk all these years.”

She hadn’t wondered, but now that he’d mentioned it, she
wanted to know. “So how many women have there been?”

“I’m a little ashamed to admit I can’t even give you a
guesstimate. I became a bit of a man-whore for about five years after you
left.”

Oh, Lord. It was a good thing they’d used protection,
although she really wasn’t surprised. Justin had the looks and smile of a movie
star with the body of an athlete. She doubted he ever had trouble finding a
woman—or women, plural—eager to jump into bed with him.

“I’m not telling you about my sordid past to boast or shock
you.”

“Then why are you?”

“Because I want you to know what a high compliment I’m
paying you when I tell you, you’re the sexiest, most responsive woman I’ve ever
had the pleasure of being with.”

“Maybe you just think that because you haven’t been with
anyone in a while. I’m sure that enhanced the experience for you.”

“That definitely made a difference, but I’m not talking
about the physical aspect. I’m referring to how great your eagerness makes it
for me.”

Apparently, he must have loved it when she’d let the entire
hotel know she was having multiple orgasms with a guy who hadn’t even taken his
pants off.

“You were just as enthusiastic back in college.”

Wouldn’t he be surprised to learn he was only the first of
four guys she’d slept with in her life and the
only
man who’d made her go nympho-crazy in bed.

“Anyway,”—he shrugged—“I think I spent so much time chasing
tail all those years because I was desperately trying to find what I’d lost
with you. That’s why I can’t stand the idea of not seeing you after we go
home.”

If he’d mentioned any kind of emotional connection
whatsoever, he might have swayed her decision to end things. In one breath, he
claimed he’d been crazy about her in college, but in the next he made it clear
he viewed their relationship as simply
amazing
sexual chemistry.

Justin’s preoccupation with how eager she’d been to have him
inside her proved it was mostly physical for him. He obviously didn’t feel
enough for her to risk getting her heart broken again. Not to mention, Haley
would suffer if they became involved and then broke up. As he’d pointed out
that afternoon, the child had already suffered too much loss.

Trisha buried her face in his shoulder, hiding her pain. If
she had any pride or the willpower of a flea, she’d pick herself up off the
floor, get dressed, and end it now.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t deny herself one more day and
night in the arms of the only man she’d ever loved.

Tomorrow would be here soon enough.

~*~

Justin glanced at the alarm clock as he pulled on his jeans
while Trisha washed her hair and finished showering alone.

Crap. He’d become so distracted by Trisha, he’d lost track
of the time. He planned to meet Haley for breakfast twenty minutes ago. He
poked his head into the bathroom and yelled, “
Querida
, Haley’s waiting for me. I’ll save you a seat in the dining
room.”

He opened the hotel room door to find Haley in the corridor
with her fist poised to knock. “Hi. When you didn’t show up, I thought maybe
you overslept.”

“I won’t be long,” Trisha called back as she emerged from
the bathroom wrapped in a towel. “It’ll only take five—”

Haley and Trisha stared at each other over his shoulder.

“Uhh.... ” Haley backed away, her hands raised. “I’m sorry.
I didn’t know you had comp—”

“It’s okay.” Talk about awkward. “I was just leaving to meet
you.”

Trisha collected her clothes that he’d tossed all over the
room. “I’ll just go in the bathroom and get dressed. You two go on ahead. I’ll
meet you downstairs.”

He stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind him.
“It’s not what it looked like,” he felt compelled to explain. “Trisha and I
dated each other back in college. It’s not like this was just a casual thing.”

“It’s cool. I saw the way you were looking at her while we
were skiing yesterday. I know you really care about her.”

He slapped the elevator’s down button. “And how was that? I
mean, how did I look at her?”

Haley shrugged. “I dunno. Whenever she wasn’t watching, you
stared at her with a kinda distant, wishful look, and you smiled like you were
rememberin’ stuff.”

Okay. Caught in the act. He stepped onto the elevator. “I
probably was thinking about the past. I was in love with her a long time ago.”
And he suspected he still was.

“Is she why you never got married?”

Probably
. “Maybe.
But it ended a long time ago, and we both have separate lives now.” He put his
arm around Haley’s shoulder to reassure her. “We were just catching up last
night. You’re the only girl I need in my life. We’re doing okay alone together,
right?”

“Yeah. Sure.” The elevator doors reopened on the lobby
level, and she stepped out before him.

“Your English teacher, Ms. Connors, told me she wants you to
try out for the spring musical. She thinks you’d be great in the lead role.”

“I know.”

“So?” He raised his eyebrows as he led her toward the
hotel’s restaurant.

“So what?”

“Are you planning to do it?”

“I can’t. Ryan is a shoo-in for Tony’s part. You’ve heard
him sing. So Dani should play Maria.”

“I think the most talented actress and singer should play
the female lead.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Have you discussed it with Dani?”

“No.”

He scanned the dining room and found Nick and Sam seated at
a table for eight with their daughter and Ryan. “Well, maybe you should before
you blow off the part. Are you sure she even wants to be in the play?”

“I’d have to kiss him,” she explained as she followed him to
the table.

“So you think Dani would rather have some strange girl
kissing Ryan instead of her best friend who she trusts?”

She shot him a pointed look and muttered, “Can we not talk
about this around them?”

“I can’t think of a better time.” He smiled at his brother
and pointed to the three empty chairs at the table. “I’m hoping you were saving
these seats for us and Trisha.”

“That was the plan.” Nick gestured for them to join their
party.

“What is it you don’t want to talk about, Haley?” Sam asked.

Haley shifted her gaze between Dani and Ryan and shrugged.

“Ms. Connors wants her to try out for the part of Maria,”
Justin explained, ignoring Haley’s glare. “She’s worried Dani will be upset if
she’s cast opposite Ryan. They would have to K-I-S-S....
passionately
.”

Ryan smirked at her. “You’re not dying for the chance to
finally lay a wet one on me?”

Haley rolled her eyes at him. “Not in your wildest dreams,
Rock Star.”

“You should try out,” Dani waved her hand in a poo-pooing
gesture. “You have the best voice in the school. Everyone loved you last
night.”

“Don’t
you
want to
play Maria?” Haley asked.

“Not really. Maria’s kind of a wishy-washy character. Anita
has snappier lines and gets to do almost as much singing and a lot more
dancing.”

Haley shrugged. “If you’re sure you don’t mind us kissing,
I’ll read for the part.”

“It’s not like Ryan’s gonna slip you the tongue or anything.
You can just mash your faces together to make it look like you’re kissing.”

Nick lowered his head, shaking it. “Please tell me my baby
girl didn’t just say that.”

“She said it,
mi
hermano
.” And his niece undoubtedly played tonsil hockey with Ryan on a
regular basis. He leaned to his left and mumbled softly to Nick, “You should be
happy if that’s the only thing she’s doing.”

“Tell me about it. I have nightmares.”

“About what?” Trisha asked from behind him.

Justin stood and pulled out the chair Haley had left vacant
between them. “About what Dani might be doing when she’s alone with Ryan,” he
whispered.

“Ahhh.” Trisha nodded and murmured, “Let’s hope it’s not
what we were up to last night.” She’d apparently stopped off at her room and
changed into her white ski pants and a pale pink sweater.

“Dani says Ryan and her parents are definitely goin’
snowmobiling with us this afternoon, Can Jamal come, too?” Haley asked.

Justin heaved a sigh. “I suppose. As long as his chaperone
gives him permission.”

Nick pointed at him and snickered. “Now who’s worrying?”

Trisha picked up her menu. “So what’s everyone having this
morning?”

“Yogurt,” Sam announced. “Between the ten courses at the
wedding and that buffet last night, I’ve already consumed my calorie allotment
for the entire next year.”

“Eggs Benedict with a side of bacon and hash browns,” Nick
said.

“Sounds good to me,” Justin agreed.

Sam shook her head at Trisha. “I hate men.”

“Amen. But I need something more substantial than yogurt if
I’m going to climb hills all morning while sledding.”

“Since Justin’s planning to eat like a horse, let him be a
stallion and pull you up the hills,” Sam suggested.

Trisha laughed. “I like the way you think.”

“Oh, man.” He groaned, rubbing his thighs. They’d already
gotten a strenuous enough workout that morning. “My legs are already aching.”

Trisha smiled sideways at him, her eyes wide with amusement.
“Gee, I wonder why? I guess you must be a mere mortal.”

She had no idea.

“Skiing always leaves my legs sore, too.” Nick selected one
of the warm cinnamon rolls the waiter had placed on the table.

“Skiing?” Justin looked at Trisha, and they both burst out
laughing.

“What’s so funny?” His brother frowned at him, wearing a
clueless expression. An enlightened look flashed in his eyes “Ohhh,
not
skiing.” Nick smirked. “I
thought
you looked a little worn out
this morning.”

“Oh, gross.” Haley made gagging noises as she pretended to
stick her finger down her throat.

“What?” Dani asked, confused.

“They’re talking about S-E-X.” Haley told her.

“You mean Uncle Justin and Ms. Mason?”

Haley rolled her eyes and shrugged.

Justin leaned forward and scowled at her. “Why don’t you
just announce it to the entire dining room?”

“What? I didn’t say anything. Besides, you’re always telling
me I shouldn’t do anything I’d be ashamed of people finding out about.”

“You’re right. I guess that means I’d better not bend the
rules and let you drive the snowmobile this afternoon. I wouldn’t want anyone
to find out I allowed someone who’s not quite sixteen to operate—”

“Oh, come on!” Haley huffed. “My birthday’s in less than two
months.”

Ben had offered him and Nick the use of the four snowmobiles
at his estate so the kids could legally drive them on private property—with
their supervision, of course.

He grinned at his brother. “Should we tell ‘em, or should we
let them sweat a while?”

“I vote for lettin’ them sweat.”

Trisha whispered in his ear. “You’re bad.”

“I know. And you love it.”

The waitress arrived to take their orders. A few seconds
after she left, Frankie wandered over to their table. “Hey, Trisha, I have a
little problem.”

“What’s wrong?”

“My mother slipped on the ice last night and broke her
ankle.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry. Is it a bad break?”

“Just a hairline fracture. But she’s in a bit of pain. Andy
offered to leave early and take her home. I’d like to go with them. Would you
mind driving my car back tomorrow?”

“Not at all.” Trisha waved her away. “Go take care of her.”

“I just feel bad leaving you to drive the two hours back
alone.”

“I’ll ride home with you,” Justin volunteered, doing a
mental happy dance. Apparently fate had decided to smile upon him and offer him
more time to convince Trisha to have dinner with him next week. “I rode up here
on the bus with my brother and a lot of the other Redemption residents. “Haley
can go back on the bus with Dani.”

“No, that’s okay. I don’t mind driving alone.”

“I insist. Otherwise, Frankie won’t be able to leave with a
clear conscience. You don’t want her lugging around a boatload of guilt for
abandoning you, do you?”

“All right. You can cut the theatrics and ride with me.”
Trisha shook her head at Frankie. “I swear, you should give
him
a role in
West Side Story
this spring.”

Frankie chuckled and handed her the car keys. “We have to
give him points for putting his heart into it.”

Okay, so maybe he’d overdramatized the situation a little.
He never claimed to be one of the Barrymores. Even though his performance
hadn’t earned any applause, it had gained him two more hours alone with Trisha
and possibly lunch on the way home.

Life was good.

Trisha couldn’t remember the last time she’d been sledding.
Haley opted for snow tubing instead. Just as Sam had suggested, Trisha hopped
on one of the sleds while Justin hauled them back up the hill, which had
resulted in a wrestling match in the snow.

They met Nick and Sam for a quick lunch at the hotel and
then the four kids and they all piled into the stretch limo BJ sent to
transport them to his estate. When they arrived, Ben’s caretaker took them down
to the equipment shed near the shoreline of the lake where four snowmobiles
stood waiting for them, fueled up and ready to go.

“We’ve had a good cold snap, so the lake should be totally
safe to drive on,” the man told them, handing them each a pair of goggles. “But
if you want to stay on the side of caution, I wouldn’t go out more than twenty
or thirty yards from the shore.”

“Okay.” Justin clapped his gloved hands together. “I think
each of the adults should pair up with one of the kids until we’re sure they
know what they’re doing. He put his arm around Haley’s shoulder. “I have dibs
on teachin’ Pinky.”

Jamal and Ryan were both already seventeen and had their
driver’s licenses, so Trisha said, “Why don’t I go with Jamal? I don’t mind
letting him drive.”

Sam rode behind Ryan, and Nick taught Dani how to operate
the machine. Within a half hour, Justin and Nick were both confident the girls
could handle the snowmobiles and let them drive. For two hours they all zipped
around the lake, racing each other, taking turns driving, and switching
partners.

The December wind bit into Trisha’s cheeks, making them so
cold they burned. Finally at about three o’clock, she and Sam agreed they
should all return to the hotel for some hot chocolate. As the eight of them
trudged up the hill to the mansion to ask Thomas to drive them back to the
resort, Haley suddenly dropped back from the group.

Trisha stopped and waited for her. When she didn’t catch up,
Trisha walked back to her. “What’s wrong?”

Haley turned away and shook her head.

Trisha stepped around her and discovered tears streaming
down the child’s face. “Sweetie, what upset you? Didn’t you have fun riding
with Jamal?”

“Yeah.” Haley sniffled and swiped her mitten across her
wind-kissed cheeks.

“What’s bothering you?”

She shrugged and sobbed, “My dad was supposed to teach me to
drive after my birthday.”

Trisha stroked her head. “Your Uncle Justin will teach you,
just like he did today.” She glanced up the hill where he waited for them
wearing a confused expression. She waved him away.

“I know he will. That’s what made me think about it.” She
wept harder. “I wanted my dad to do it. And my mom promised to give me the
necklace one of her friends bought her when I turned sixteen.”

Trisha’s stomach clenched. Oh, dear Lord. It had to be the
matching locket she and Lindsey had bought each other for Christmas one year.

“My mother wore it all the time. My dad didn’t know what
happened to it. He thought maybe, after the accident, someone stole it from her
body.”

How awful. “I suppose it’s possible. There are plenty of
dishonest creeps in the world.”

Haley glanced up at her. “You and Uncle Justin knew each
other in college. Since he and my dad were roommates, did you ever meet my
mom?”

How could she explain so the child could understand why
she’d lost touch with Haley’s mother?

Trisha sank onto a nearby boulder and held Haley’s hands. “I
did know your mom. We were best friends since third grade. She introduced me to
your uncle.”

“Why didn’t you stay friends?”

She shook her head and shrugged. “It’s something that will
be hard for you to understand.”

“I might only be a teenager, but I’m pretty smart.”

Her training as a counselor had taught her an
age-appropriate, redacted version of the truth usually worked best when dealing
with kids.

“You are. I think you know your mom became pregnant with you
the summer before college, right?”

“Yeah. That’s why she and my dad both quit school.”

“Well,
I
was
originally supposed to be your godmother. But then that fall, after I started
dating your uncle, I became pregnant, too. He’d already made it clear he had no
interest in getting married, so I didn’t want him to feel obligated. I ran away
and cut off contact with my family and all of my friends.”

“Did you have an abortion?”

“No. I lost my baby. I wanted to call your mom when it
happened, but I knew she was about to have you, and I hurt too much to face
watching her cuddle you. For years, I wanted to get in touch with her, but I
learned your dad and uncle had become business partners, and I didn’t want to
see Justin.”

“So you were supposed to be my godparents together?”

“Yes, sweetie. I still have the necklace that matched the
one your mom had. You remind me so much of her. I’d love to give it to you for
your birthday if you’d like.”

Haley’s mouth trembled in a tearful smile. “I would. I’d
like that a lot.” She threw her arms around Trisha’s neck and sobbed into her
shoulder. “I miss her so much.”

“I know.” Trisha rubbed her back. “I do, too.”

Haley stepped back, her mouth curved in a hopeful smile.
“Maybe you and Uncle Justin could get married now.”

“I don’t think so. We’re just good friends.”

“Friends with benefits. That’s what they call it when
friends sleep together, right?”

“Yes. But it’s more complicated than that.”

“He never got married. Maybe he loves you.”

If only that were true. “I doubt that.” Trisha stood and
held her hand out to Haley. “We’d better catch up. Everyone’s waiting for us.”

As they climbed the hill, Haley continued to hold her hand.
“Even if my uncle isn’t in love with you, I’d still like you to be my
godmother. My mom asked her sister to do it, but my aunt hasn’t lived in the
United States for most of my life, so I barely know her.”

Trisha squeezed her hand. “I’d like that a lot.”

Just as long as she could leave Justin out of her
relationship with their goddaughter.

~*~

Justin had no idea what Trisha and Haley discussed that
afternoon when they’d fallen back after snowmobiling, but he could tell it was
something serious because they both closed their lips tighter than a
century-old door on a humid day.

Upon their return to the hotel, the women of Redemption
voted that, since it would be their last night at the resort and the evening’s
dinner menu included numerous gourmet selections, they should make it a
dress-up night. Trisha and Haley elected to skip the cocoa and took the
resort’s shuttle into town with Sam and Dani for an emergency shopping trip.

The rest of the afternoon, he hung out in the bar with his
brother and Jake, shooting pool and watching ESPN on the large screen
television.

When Trisha and Haley finally returned at six, laughing at
some secret joke, they immediately abandoned him and disappeared into Trisha’s
room until dinner.

Ninety minutes later, they glided into the dining room
together, ready for a Paris runway. Trisha wore a sexy, sequined pants set in a
black, clingy fabric and Haley a red ruffled dress with a short matching jacket
and platform heels.

Evidently, Trisha had given the child some make-up pointers.
For the first time since Marc started allowing his daughter to wear mascara at
age fourteen, she didn’t look like an underage streetwalker.

“Wow. You both look gorgeous and very grown up.”

Haley blushed as Trisha dipped into a shallow curtsy and
murmured, “Thank you, sir.”

“Shall we?” He took them each by the arm and escorted them
to the table set for ten that included his brother’s party as well as Jake and
his wife Maggie. Jamal had persuaded Ryan to invite him to join them as Haley’s
dinner partner.

As soon as they were seated with Trisha between him and
Haley, the waiter took their order for cocktails while they all shared their
day’s activities.

When Trisha ordered a Virgin Mary, Justin teased her.
“What’d you do, join AA? You haven’t drunk anything alcoholic since we’ve been
here.”

Her face tensed almost as if his jest might hold some truth
in it. “No. I’m just eating so much I figure I should skip the hundred-plus
calories in the alcohol since I really don’t care if I have it. Dessert I would
definitely miss.”

“That’s a great idea,” Sam said. “I think I’ll do the same.”

Maggie shook her head. “Forget that. I just weaned Katie
last week to prepare to leave her home from this trip. I’m having a glass of
wine. I’ll diet on January second.”

When the drinks were served a few minutes later, Jake stood
and cleared his throat. “I’d like to propose a toast.” He held up his beer and
smiled down at his wife. “To the beautiful women of Redemption. You all look
outstanding tonight. Thank you for making it worth wearing a suit for you.”

Justin clinked his glass against Nick’s in agreement, adding
loudly, “And to BJ Elliott,”—he gestured toward their host seated at the next
table with the Fitzpatricks and Lamberts—“for his generosity in making this
such a great getaway.”

“You’re all quite welcome.” Ben nodded to them.

All through the candlelit dinner that followed, Trisha and
Haley whispered and giggled with each other as if no one else existed. He
should’ve felt insulted, however, he could only see it working in his favor in
the long run. Instead, he discussed football with Jake and Nick while he
enjoyed wild mushroom soup, a lump crab cake, a green salad, and juicy prime
rib.

The more he watched Haley and Trisha sharing bites of their
chicken Marsala and beef stroganoff, the more he started to believe Haley might
need a woman in her life more than she needed his undivided attention. She
clearly missed her mother.

Following a final course of assorted cheeses and fruit, the
rest of the evening passed in a blur. Throughout the hypnotist’s act and a
performance by the remarkable vocalist Ben had booked, all Justin could think
about was how to convince Trisha to continue their relationship. Every time
he’d broached the subject that day, she’d shut him down hard—especially around
Haley.

At eleven o’clock, a DJ took the stage to emcee a dance
party. Most of the guests elected to stay and wait for the midnight dessert buffet
BJ had promised earlier, at the end of their dinner.

As soon as the music started, Haley dragged Trisha onto the
dance floor and continued monopolizing her company. After three high-energy
numbers, the DJ reduced the pace with Billy Joel’s
She’s Got a Way
. Justin sauntered over to the dance floor as Haley
and Trisha left the crowd swaying to the slower music. He held his hand out to
Haley. “May I have this dance?”

“Me?” Haley did a double take. Trisha also looked a little
stunned that he hadn’t asked her to dance.

“Yes,
you
, Pinky.”
He smiled. “Why wouldn’t I ask my favorite girl to dance? Especially when she
looks so pretty.” He placed one palm on her waist as she clasped his other
hand. Trisha smiled and nodded at him over Haley’s shoulder, mouthing the
words,
good choice
.

They began dancing, and even though Haley stood taller than
usual in the platform heels she wore, she still had to look up at him. “I’ve
always wondered why you call me Pinky. This afternoon, Ms M. told me it was a
joke between you and my parents when you were all in college.”

Clearly, Trisha must have confessed to Haley that she’d been
friends with Lindsey. That explained their sudden bonding.

“That’s true. Your dad and I used to watch
Animaniacs
in the afternoons. One of the
cartoon segments was called
Pinky and the
Brain
.”

“I think I’ve seen reruns of it. They’re two
genetically-enhanced mice trying to take over the world, right?”

“Yup. Every time your mom or Trisha asked what we wanted to
do, your dad and I would look at each other and say—”

“Let’s try and take over the world!” she crowed, quoting the
mice’s classic line in the cartoon.

He chuckled. “Anyway, we argued about whether you’d be a boy
or a girl. Your dad claimed you
had
to be a boy because he could already tell you were brilliant since every time
he talked you kicked your mom.”

“He actually thought a girl would be dumb?”

“Nah, we just liked busting your mom and Trisha. We told
them having a boy would be much better because he’d plan to take over the world
instead of worrying about how many pink things he could buy. That’s when Trisha
said, ‘
Right, like The Brain is so smart.
Maybe it’s escaped your notice, what with you and Marc being so manly and
smart, but stupid old Pinky has top billing. So who’s the shrewd one
?’”

Haley laughed. “Every successful man has a smart woman
behind him, pushing him ahead.”

“That’s exactly what your mom pointed out.”

“I know.” Haley stepped on his foot for the second time.

He winced, making a mental note to send her for ballroom
dancing lessons.

“She used to say that to my dad whenever he bragged about
how well your business was doing.”

“Anyway, your dad and I started calling you
The Brain,
and your mom and Trisha
called you
Pinky
. Then when you were
born, you looked like a little pink lizard.”

“I did not!” She stepped away from him.

“No, you didn’t.” He pulled her back into his arms. “You
were beautiful—and very pink. The first time I held you and you squeezed my
finger, I knew your mother and Trisha were right about you being very smart.”

She rested her head on his chest and sighed. “I like that
story.”

He squeezed her tight. “I do, too, Pinky.”

~*~

After stuffing herself on chocolate cake with whipped cream
icing and a piece of cheesecake from the dessert buffet, Trisha accompanied
Justin as he walked Haley to her room.