“Yeah, I remember.”
“Aunt Nancy told me that our father was her boyfriend and that him and Mom slept together one night while they were both drunk.”
“Are you serious?” he asked with concern.
“Apparently, he wasn’t happy Mom was pregnant and took off, leaving all of us.”
“What an ass**le. How could he leave his own children?”
“How would you feel if I searched for him?” I asked.
I could tell that bothered him by the way he got up from his chair and pulled a leaf from the tree. “Why would you want to do that, Rory?”
“Because I want answers. I want that bastard to tell me why he abandoned our mother and us!”
Stephen turned around and looked at me. “You always wanted the answers to everything, Rory. I think some answers are better left not knowing.”
I closed my eyes and slowly got up from the table. I walked over to Stephen and looped my arm around his, laying my head on his shoulder.
“He’s our flesh and blood. He’s a part of us and I want to know why he did what he did.”
Stephen wrapped his arm around me and pulled me into him, kissing the top of my head. “If it means that much to you, then find him. But I don’t want to know him and I don’t want you bringing him around me. Okay?”
I nodded my head as I hugged him tightly. Visiting hours were over and it was time for me to leave.
“I wish we had more time,” I said.
“Me too, sis.”
I gave Stephen a kiss and waved goodbye. Even though I knew he was okay and doing well, my heart ached every time I had to say goodbye. Guilt settled in deep inside and I couldn’t stop it. As I walked out the doors of Hudson Rock and over to the parking lot where I parked my car, I looked up and smiled at the handsome man in a dark gray suit who was leaning up against my car.
“What are you doing here?” I asked as I kissed Ian’s lips.
“I came to drive you home. I had Joshua drop me off.”
“How long have you been standing out here?” I asked as I hugged him.
“Just a few minutes. How is he?”
“He’s doing well,” I replied.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart? You look sad.”
I took in a deep breath as I looked into his eyes. “Guilt. Every time I leave here, I can’t help but feel consumed with guilt.”
Ian placed his hands on each side of my face before softly kissing me on the lips. “I understand the guilt, but I don’t think Stephen would want you feeling that way. He knows you had no choice.”
“I know and you’re right. Let’s go home.” I smiled lightly before kissing him.
Chapter 7
Ian
It bothered me that Rory was struggling. Not only about her father, but about the guilt she felt with Stephen. I got up from my office chair and stood in the entrance of the living room, where Rory was playing the piano. Words couldn’t describe the feeling that overtook me every time I heard her play. I walked to the kitchen and poured us each a glass of wine and then set her glass on top of the piano while I sat on the couch with mine. She stopped playing and looked at me.
“Keep playing, sweetheart. I just want to sit here and watch you.”
She flashed me a smile and continued playing. As I stared at her, I remembered the first time I saw her, when Joshua opened the door to the limo and set her in my lap. The pain on her face and the fear in her eyes as she looked at me unleashed a part of me I didn’t know I had. I instantly wanted to protect her. I’d never felt that way with anyone before and, to be honest, it frightened me. That was why I brought her to my house instead of the hospital. I feared that once they took her, I’d never see her again and I wouldn’t be able to protect her. I stared at her intently as her fingers hit the keys, and I watched her lose herself in the music. She possessed such talent and it made her happy. This girl, the woman who made me fall in love with her, was now a vital part of my life.
She finished her song, grabbed her glass of wine, and walked over to the couch. As I held my hand out to her, she gracefully accepted it and sat down beside me. After taking a sip of my wine, I set my glass down and wrapped my arms around her.
“I’ll never get tired of hearing you play the piano,” I said as I kissed her cheek.
“I hope not, because I plan on playing for you forever.” She smiled.
“You better keep that promise.”
I gently sucked her bottom lip as she continued smiling at me. I wanted her. I took her hand and softly kissed each finger.
“I love these hands. They’re very talented in more ways than one.” I smiled.
She closed her eyes and I knew she was highly aroused. I slowly laid her back and hovered over her as my erection was jammed between her legs.
“I need to f**k you, Rory,” I whispered.
“I want you to f**k me, Ian,” she whispered back.
My hand traveled up her shirt and under her bra. Cupping her bare breast, I smashed my mouth into hers, passionately, letting her know how much I wanted her. She wrapped her leg around my waist and returned the kiss with her tongue exploring my mouth.
“Hey, welcome back, bro,” Andrew said as he shut the door.
I broke our kiss and looked over the back of the couch. “Andrew, I didn’t know you were stopping by.”
“I called you a few times, but you didn’t answer your phone. Hey, Rory.”
I got up from the couch and gave him a light hug. “Good to see you, man.”
Rory sat up on the couch and gave Andrew a small smile. I wasn’t exactly sure what was going on with the two of them. Andrew had talked to me a couple of times and expressed his opinion that he didn’t feel Rory was good for me. I basically told him to mind his own business and that he needed to get to know Rory better.
“I think I’ll head upstairs and leave the two of you alone,” she said.
“You can stay, sweetheart.”
“No, it’s okay. Have your bonding time.” She smiled as she lightly kissed my lips.
As I watched her walk out of the room, Andrew poured himself a drink. “Glad you’re back, Ian.”
“It’s good to be back,” I said as I walked over to the bar and poured myself some bourbon.
“I take it things with you and Rory are good.”
“Things with me and Rory are great. I’ve never been happier. You should try it.” I smiled as I held up my glass.
“No thanks. Women just f**k you over at some point and end up ruining your life. I thought you and I were on the same page about that?”