Chapter 8 Healing
Corbin's P.O.V.
I can't believe I let them get away. I didn't think they would be in the same room. I figured I could get to Jordan first and then get Anushka and her daughter. Now they're gone. Whatever hotel they're staying at won't be as accessible, I'm sure of it. I just have to be smarter. If they go to the New Year's celebration on the beach tonight, it will be the ideal opportunity to get to them as hundreds of people will be around.
When my phone rings, I ignore it. Why did I agree to help this asshole? I don't understand why he has a problem with Jordan or Anushka. He doesn't tell me anything. All he does is give me orders. Well, this is the last time. After I kill the three of them, I'm done. As the sun sets, I head to the beach to wait. Three dead bodies are the price of my freedom, and tonight I will get my freedom.
Anushka's P.O.V.
We ordered pizza for dinner, and it was okay but not as good as New York pizza. Dakota and I put on the dresses we had gotten for the celebration. Mine is white with large pink flowers. It ties around my waist and only has one short sleeve, leaving the other shoulder bare. Dakota's is bright pink and ties like mine, but it has buttons inside to help it stay fastened. I fix her hair into little curls and pull mine up into a messy bun, with curls framing my face. We both have sandals, but we'll remove them once we're on the beach.
Jordan gave us the large bedroom, and he took the smaller one. He's already dressed in dark blue shorts and a white shirt when we walk out. He looks at us and rubs his eyes.
"Who are these two beautiful ladies I see before me? I must have the wrong room." Dakota giggles as she runs to him.
"It's me and Mommy." She says happily. Jordan looks at her and shakes his head.
"Hello, me, it's nice to meet you," she laughs as he holds his hand out to her.
"No, silly, it's me, Dakota. Do you like my dress?" She twirls around as Jordan looks at me. His eyes start at my face, and as they move down my body, it feels like he's touching me. The dress stops above my knees, and when I walk, it separates slightly, showing off my legs.
"You're beautiful," he says softly. My face burns as he continues to stare at me. It's crazy to begin something with a man I barely know. I'm either falling for a great guy, or I'm the biggest idiot in the world, and we're both going to be killed by him when this is over. Please let him be the great guy I think he is. I'm not usually this willing to share my daughter with anyone, but he's broken down all of the walls I've built around myself. I want to trust him. I want to feel again, but what will it cost me?
"Thank you," I reply. Dakota looks at Jordan and then at me. Uh, oh, I know that look. She's going to say something that will embarrass me.
"Mommies and daddies are supposed to kiss on New Year's. Will you kiss Daddy?" She asks me with her hands on her hips, raising her eyebrows at me. She needs to stop using my mom looks on me. She's only four.
"Yeah, will you kiss Daddy at midnight?" Jordan asks with a smile. Damn, now I'm looking at his lips. I haven't kissed anyone other than Harrison. That bastard stole all my firsts. My first kiss, my first time falling in love, my first time having sex. Looking at Dakota, I know he gave me the greatest gift of all, despite being a monster. He gave me my first child and the true love of my life.
"Come on, Mommy. Are you going to kiss Daddy?" Dakota asks, tapping her foot.
"I guess a kiss on the cheek at midnight will be okay," I tell her while avoiding Jordan's eyes. He walks over, takes me in his arms, and kisses me gently. It lasted only for a few seconds, but my heart stopped beating during those few seconds. When he pulls away, Dakota is laughing like crazy.
"I thought we needed some practice so we can get it right on the beach tonight." He doesn't let me go, and I don't want him to. I'm breathing heavily as I keep my eyes on his. Can a relationship that begins amongst all this chaos be real? Jordan moves his hand from the back of my neck to my waist.
"Practice makes perfect. That's what you say, Mommy. Come on, kiss again so it can be perfect." Whose side is she on? I gave birth to her and have taken care of her all of her life, yet she's ready to force me into something because she wants a daddy. Before you say anything, yes, I know she's only four. Since she thinks she's an adult, can I be a child and stick my tongue out at her?
"Can we practice again?" Jordan asks. Dakota runs to the window to look out as the sun sets and the lights on the beach grow brighter. I should say no, but I will follow my heart and not my head for once.
"Yes," Jordan smiles as he brings his mouth to mine. This kiss is deeper, and I close my eyes as our mouths move against each other. When I feel his tongue on my lip, I hesitate before slowly opening my mouth. When our tongues meet, my legs buckle, and I wrap my arms around him. My lungs feel like they're going to burst when he pulls away. I glance over and see Dakota still looking out the window. The last thing I want is for her to see me melting into a puddle on the floor.
"That was much better. I think we can top it tonight, though. At midnight, your lips are mine." Did he have to say that? Now, all I'm going to be thinking about is our kiss.
"I want us to stay together tonight, no matter what. We don't know who broke into our rooms or why, so we need to be careful. Are you guys ready?" Jordan rubs his hand up and down my back. The gentle way he touches me shows me how different he is from Harrison.
"We're ready, and we won't leave your side." I slide my hand into his and smile. It's a good thing we have two bedrooms. I'm not sure which one I want to sleep in right now. The logical decision would be for me to sleep with Dakota and try not to think about Jordan. However, something inside me wants to stay up all night in his room to see what else he can do with his hands, lips, and other body parts. He's woken something inside of me that I thought was dead. Maybe broken hearts can be healed.
