AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His parents slipped around Jami, not looking back at Malcolm as they left.
The urge to pick up Jami and carry her somewhere private was overwhelming. Malcolm turned around instead, passing the bar to push into the kitchen.
“Forget it,” Reggie said as he flipped a burger.
“I wasn’t asking.” Malcolm shoved open the back door to get some air. He should have reconsidered. The memory of finding Raneer with his hands on Jami took Malcolm’s breath as his vision turned fuzzy at the edges. He turned to the wall, only letting himself punch it once.
“I’m sorry,” Jami gasped from behind him.
Malcolm hadn’t considered that she’d follow him. “Go back inside,” he said, not turning from where he stared at the wall. “I just need a minute.”
Her fingers grazed his clenched fist. “You shouldn’t be alone.”
Even that soft caress made him shake. Malcolm pulled free from her. “Please, Jami. This area must hold bad memories for you.”
“Oh.” The softly gasped word let him turn to face her.
“Don’t try to convince me you’ve forgotten.” Malcolm remembered the way she’d trembled as she’d watched him get cuffed. Her eyes had been huge in her tear-streaked face.
“I was worried about you.” Jami’s gaze darted around the dimly lit space. Behind her, the fading, orange sunset added its glow to the fluorescent light over the kitchen door. Her hands balled into fists at her sides, reminding him so much of his own. “It’s not what you think, you know. I remember how Andrew touched me, and I get so angry with myself.” She closed her eyes. “If I’d just punched him, or been able to get away, you wouldn’t have needed to save me.”
Malcolm shook his head. “He outweighed you, Jami.” In the fading sunlight, her haloed frame looked even more delicate.
“I’ve read there’re things I could do to get away, even so.” She stepped closer, her head tilting back so she could meet Malcolm’s eyes. “Maybe you could teach me some self-defense?”
His hand reached out for her, pushing her hair behind her ear before he cupped her face. He told himself he’d limit it to just that one touch, no matter how she looked at him. “You’ve already defended me tonight, just as you are. Thank you.”
Jami blinked at him, her cheeks bathed in the remaining light. “I was actually kind of mad at your parents.” She raised her fists, looking down at them. “It’s the first time in a long time that I’ve allowed myself to let some of the mad out. With my dad—” She swallowed, letting her hands drop. “It wasn’t fair to get angry with him.”
“You can’t turn off your emotions, Jami.”
Her hand came up to rest over his as her eyes squeezed shut. “Yes, I can.” When her eyes opened again, Malcolm felt sucker-punched by the glimmer in them. “At least, I used to be able to. That’s not as easy around you.” Her gaze dropped to his lips.
He pulled back. “There’s something I need to tell you. About your father.”
Jami’s shoulders stiffened. “Is this about the fire?”
Malcolm nodded. “The prosecutor said the video was circumstantial, and the arson investigator’s report was inconclusive. I’m sorry, Jami, but they won’t be charging Raneer.” The hospital had released the asshole. Malcolm had someone keeping tabs on him, but so far he hadn’t left his house.
She frowned at the ground. “Maybe it’s for the best. Andrew was right. I—”
“He was not right!” Malcolm swallowed when her eyes flew back to him. “You take care of people, too, Jami. You didn’t want your father dead.”
“No. I didn’t,” she murmured.
Malcolm reached for one of her hands, the size of his making hers feel even more dainty, especially when she linked their fingers. “I’d like to take you somewhere tonight,” he said. “If you want.”
“Would this be like a first date?” Jami asked, searching his face.
“No.” Malcolm couldn’t help but think about what they had done despite never dating. His body didn’t need the reminder. “But that’s a good idea. Sunday?”
“I was joking, Malcolm,” she said.
“I’m not.” He squeezed her hand. “But I can wait. No, tonight was to fulfill your other request.”
Jami frowned at him. “What request?”
He chuckled. So it was one of her spontaneous whims after all. “I guess it’ll be a surprise.” He tugged her toward the back door. “Come on. I’ve got a tavern to run.”
