Blindsided (Indigo Love Spectrum) Page 21

  “She does not hate you. Reese is sixteen. Girls are all over the place at sixteen, and her hormones are a little out of whack right now. I can talk to her for you.”

  “And say what? ‘How can you possibly hate your father, Reese? I’m madly in love with that man, and he’s just more wonderful than words can express.’ ” Norris smiled. “Something like that?”

  Dahlia laughed. “Not quite.”

  He snapped his fingers. “Darn.”

  “Norris, be serious.”

  “I am serious.”

  “More serious.” Dahlia reached into her purse. “I can call her right now.”

  Norris pulled her hands out of the purse. “Don’t bother, Dahlia. Thank you, really, but it won’t be necessary.”

  “I want to do this.”

  “Why?”

  She shrugged and walked over to the window. “Because.”

  “Because why?” Norris followed her to the window,

  taking in the breathtaking view it offered of the city.

  “Talk to me, Dahlia,” he said, dragging his fingertips against her arms. Her soft sigh hummed in his ears. Maybe he’d finally get a confession out of her. “Why do you want to help so much?”

  “Because I promised Gail I would.”

  “Is that the only reason?” Norris lowered his head, breathing in her sweet fragrance. She trembled against him. “Why are you so shaky?”

  “It’s cold in here.”

  “No, Dahlia, it’s hot in here.” Norris brushed his lips against her neck and clasped his hands around her waist. Dahlia’s moan grew into a whimper as her backside settled against his growing arousal. “What are you thinking?”

  “Maybe we should have gone to the lounge,” she said, her tone low, words breathy.

  “You were about to tell me something before you got the phone call about your sister.” He continued his assault of her neck. Her pulse points throbbed wildly against his lips. “What was it?”

  Dahlia breathed heavily. “I can’t—I can’t remember.”

  “You can’t remember?”

  “No.”

  “Maybe this will help refresh your memory.” Norris turned Dahlia around, crushing her body to his, stifling her gasp of surprise with his fervent kiss. Her lips relaxed and parted, welcoming his tongue into her mouth. Norris drew her closer, deepening the kiss. Her muffled sighs grew deeper. She curled her arms around his shoulders, holding him against the soft curves of her body, driving him crazy. Too crazy. He couldn’t lose control. It wouldn’t help matters. “Dahlia.” Norris slowly, painstakingly pulled away. “Dahlia, I’m sorry.” He licked his lips, holding on to the memory of her sweet mouth. “I shouldn’t have done that.” He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his slacks, trying to alleviate the pressure in his groin from pants that suddenly felt too tight.

  “You have to stop apologizing when you kiss me.”

  “I’d like to. It’s impossible to act like I’m not attracted to you, or that I don’t want to take you in my arms every time I see you, but I don’t want to be led by my physical need for you. Dahlia, what I feel goes so much deeper than that.”

  “As you keep saying.”

  “What do you say? And don’t tell me nothing. You had something on your mind before.”

  “Don’t tell me. You saw it in my eyes, right?”

  He nodded. “I did, and I felt it in your kiss just now. You’re not tired of denying it yet?”

  “Norris, I—”

  Her cell phone rang before she could answer the question.

  Norris rolled his eyes. “This is like déjà vu.”

  Dahlia walked over to her purse and fished out the phone. “Even more than you think,” she said. “It’s my father.”

  Norris returned to the couch and sat.

  “Hello, Daddy.” Her eyes brightened. “Really!” she exclaimed. “That’s great. No, it’s no problem. I’ll be right back. Bye-bye.”

  Norris smiled at her joy. “Good news, I suspect.”

  “Great news. Leslie woke up.” Dahlia expelled a breath. Her expression sobered. “She woke up.” Dahlia dropped next to him on the couch. “Oh, boy.”

  “Stop jumping for joy, Dahlia, I insist,” Norris quipped.

  “I’m happy, I am, it’s just . . .”

  “This strife with your sister, right? Seeing her means you’ll have to deal with it.”

  “Yes.” She sighed, wearily. “I don’t know if I’m ready to deal.”

  “Are you ready to tell me about it?”

  After several moments of silence she nodded. “Yes, I am.”

  Chapter 20

  Dahlia looked into caring gray eyes as she searched her heart for the right words. She didn’t want to sound as bitter as she’d been feeling for the last two and a half years, especially with her ill sister back in the conscious world. But finding the right words and then getting them out without the bitter undertones would be the real challenge. She groaned. This was so hard.

  Norris squeezed her hand, providing much-needed support. “I take it this isn’t about a pair of pumps she borrowed without your permission,” he said.

  “No. It’s about a husband she slept with behind my back. A husband she just had a baby for. The baby I wanted but Jonah could never give me.”

  Several quiet moments passed.

  “Maybe Jonah wasn’t meant to be the father of your children.” Norris pressed his hand to her belly, the look in his eyes one of love and hope. “I would love nothing more than to give you a child.” He shook his head, as if clearing away his wonderful dream and coming back to reality. “But we can talk about that later. Finish telling me about Leslie.”

  “Leslie.” Dahlia sighed, dismayed. “Leslie and I were so close. We’re ten years apart, but she was like one of my baby dolls come to life. I loved her from the moment Mama brought her home from the hospital.” Tears blurred her vision. “She was the maid of honor at my wedding. Twelve years old.” Dahlia sniffled. “That sweet baby girl, my sister, gave birth to my ex-husband’s baby, and almost died doing it. She almost died.”

  “Hey.” Norris brushed her tears away. “She didn’t die.”

  “Thank God.” Dahlia closed her eyes. “I don’t know what I’m going to say to her.”

  “What do you want to say?”

  “I don’t know. That I’m glad she’s alive, that her baby is tiny, but beautiful.”

  “And what about the not-so-cordial stuff?”

  “I can’t be cross. It wouldn’t be good for her.”

  “You think pretending you aren’t feeling what you feel will be? She’s not stupid, Dahlia. You haven’t seen her in years. You think she’s going to expect you to be happy that she had your ex-husband’s baby? Pretend like nothing’s happened?”

  “She could. I talked to her very briefly a few months ago. She seemed surprised that I sounded angry.”

  “You didn’t tell me about that.”

  “You didn’t know about her then. I didn’t see the point.”

  “How did the conversation go?”

  “I’d hardly call it a conversation.”

  “How do you feel about the baby?”

  Dahlia smiled. “I love him. He’s incredible, and so beautiful. Heartbreakingly so.” The burn of new tears stung Dahlia’s eyes. She closed them tightly, waiting for the sensation to pass.

  “You really love that baby.”

  “I do. In spite of his father.” She sighed deeply. “This situation is so difficult. I love the baby. I love my sister, and though I can’t stand his guts, a part of me will always care about Jonah. He was my husband. My first love.”

  “But not your last. The last is always the best. Especially when that love’s name is Norris.” His eyes twinkled.

  Dahlia smiled, appreciating the sincerity cloaked in levity Norris provided. She didn’t need to comment, and knew he didn’t expect her to. He was just being his wonderful self.

  “Seriously, now, talk to me.” Norris squeezed her t
high, his touch one of concern and caring. “What are you feeling? Tell me everything you want to tell your sister.”

  Dahlia returned to the window. “I can’t do that,” she said, knowing giving too much thought to those feelings would open a floodgate of emotions she wouldn’t be able to control.

  Norris followed and closed his hands around her shoulders, massaging her tense muscles. “If you don’t want to share this with me, it’s okay. Shout it out to yourself on your way back to the hospital. You need to do what you did a couple of years ago, Dahlia. Shed the weight that’s holding you down. Deal with this anger that’s keeping you and your sister apart. This anger that drives the fear that’s keeping you from admitting your feelings for me.”

  Dahlia turned around. The intensity in his eyes all but dared her to deny his words. She sighed. “Norris.”

  “Shhh.” He pressed his finger to her lips. “Don’t say anything. You have so much going on right now. You take care of you, and when that’s done we’ll take care of us.” He kissed her left cheek, her right cheek, her forehead, and then softly kissed her lips, managing to find a way to erase all the reasons she had for running from her love for him from her head. “Thanks for listening to me about Reese and offering to help.”

  “I can still call her for you.”

  “No, it’s okay. I’m hopeful things will be better in a couple of days. Julia and Lane are coming for a visit. Reese will get to meet some family I actually like.” He chuckled. “It should help.”

  “Sounds like it.” Dahlia stared at Norris, her heart full and heavy. She didn’t want him to go, but she couldn’t ask him to stay. He had to get back to Reese. “Call me when you land.”

  “I will.” Norris brushed his finger against her cheek, stirring those always-restless butterflies in her stomach. “I love you so much, Dahlia.”

  Norris brought her into his arms. Dahlia held him tight, breathing him in, not wanting to let go. I love you, too. Would she ever allow herself to say those words to him without fear of destroying herself in the process?

  “Call me if you need anything.”

  “Will you come with me?” she heard herself say. Norris pulled away, gazing into her eyes. “What?”

  “Will you come with me to the hospital? I would really like you there.”

  Norris smiled. “With your family and everybody?”

  “My brother is still in Japan, but, yes, with my family and everybody.” She closed her hands around his. “I want you with me, Norris.”

  “I want me with you, too.” He kissed her hand. “Let’s go.”

  * * *

  Norris and Dahlia walked hand in hand into the entrance of the hospital. Curious glances and stinging glares came from all sides. Even with the stares, Norris had never felt happier. His hand closed tighter around hers. Dahlia gave him a smile he readily returned. She still hadn’t said she loved him, but he was even more convinced that she did. They’d reached an unspoken understanding that buoyed his hope for things to come. She’d extended him an invitation to be with her family, and coming from Dahlia, that was a big step.

  The elevator hummed as they rode to the fifth floor. “Are you okay?” Dahlia asked.

  “Never better,” he answered. “You?”

  “I’m a little nervous about Leslie.” She whimpered softly and squeezed his hand. “Maybe I should have unburdened myself to you like you suggested.”

  “It’s not too late. This elevator has a stop button.” She laughed. “Don’t you wish everything in life did?”

  “Sometimes.” He smiled. “I can press the button.

  Give you more time.”

  “No, I’m good. I have you.”

  “Yes, you do, and you always will.”

  Their lips came together the moment the elevator doors opened at the fifth floor.

  “What the hell!”

  Norris pulled away at the sound of an irate man. Fuming eyes and flaring nostrils distorted the face of the tall, African-American man.

  Dahlia frowned. “What are you shouting about, Jonah?”

  Jonah? Norris gave Dahlia’s ex a once-over. The infamous cheating louse ex-husband. He shouldn’t have been surprised to see the man there, as he’d just become a father thanks to Dahlia’s sister, but surprised he was.

  “I’m shouting about this.” Jonah motioned his finger toward Norris. “Who’s your friend, Dahlia?”

  “That’s really none of your business, Jonah, but if you must know, his name is Norris Converse.” Dahlia slid her hand into Norris’s as they stepped out of the elevator. “Were you going somewhere?”

  “Yes,” Jonah answered, glaring at Norris.

  “Where could you go that’s more important than being here?”

  “That’s my business.” Jonah pressed the elevator button and waited for the car to return.

  Norris did not want Jonah to get away without having a few words with him. “Dahlia, I can’t go into the ICU with you, so I’m going to go make a few phone calls. Call me when you’re ready,” he said. “I won’t be far.”

  “Norris, where . . .”

  The elevator dinged, signaling its arrival.

  “I won’t be far.” He kissed her cheek. “Hold that elevator!” he called to Jonah, backing toward the open car.

  “Call me when you’re ready.” Norris slid into the closing elevator and met Jonah’s unhappy gaze. “We need to talk.”

  “I have nothing to say to you.”

  “So you’ll just have to listen, because I’ve got plenty to say to you.”

  Norris crossed his arms, studying Dahlia’s ex. He could see her finding the man intriguing. Jonah had style, flare, and intelligence marked by a Columbia MBA. And though no Norris Converse, he wasn’t a bad-looking guy, either. In fact, Norris saw a lot of his qualities in this man, which didn’t make him feel too good.

  The men stepped out of the elevator and walked outside to a sitting area a few feet away from the hospital.

  “Talk. I don’t have all day,” Jonah said.

  “I’ll make this quick. I don’t think you’re aware of how much you’ve hurt Dahlia, but I’m making this clear. I won’t let you hurt her again, and that includes whatever you do in regard to her sister.”

  “Oooh.” Jonah trembled in mock fear. “Is that my cue to get scared?”

  “I’m just making a statement of fact. I don’t know if you ever truly loved Dahlia, but I’m letting you know I do. She’s the most incredible woman I’ve ever known, and she deserves some real happiness.”

  “And you think you can give that to her?” Jonah’s derisive laughter rang in Norris’s ears. “You are fooling yourself. Dahlia is angry with me for cheating on her, but she loves me. She’ll always love me. And, yes, I did love her.” Jonah folded his arms and met Norris’s gaze head-on. “I know she doesn’t love you. She can’t.”

  “You’d like to believe that, wouldn’t you?”

  Jonah laughed. “Come on, man. I don’t doubt Dahlia likes you, but she loves me. She has a lot of anger. I saw Dahlia once after she found me with Leslie, and that was the next day when she arrived to pack her things and chew me out. Throughout the divorce, it was just her lawyer. She refused to see me.”

  “That should tell you something. I’ve been with Dahlia for a while, and you have done a serious number on her. But I think her biggest problem is you hurt her with her sister. I know Dahlia loved you once, but she loves me now.”

  “Has she said so?”

  Norris stared at Jonah for a long moment and said, “What do you think?”

  “I think you didn’t answer my question. You’ll be waiting a long time to hear those words from her, because she can’t say them to you. My name is seared on her heart, and no white-bread stud is going to change that.”

  Norris laughed. “That’s funny—white-bread stud. You know, you don’t sound very convincing when you talk about what Dahlia’s not feeling for me. But it’s understandable. You’re still steamed from the kiss you saw. You c
an’t deny the emotion in it, no matter how much you want to. Dahlia’s moved on, and she’s done it with me. She’s a special woman. Something you either never knew or chose to forget until it was too late. That mistake will never happen with me.”

  “I’m done talking.” Jonah stood. “I’m outta here.”

  “Wait a minute.” Norris walked in front of Jonah, blocking his path. “What are you going to do about Leslie and the baby?”

  “I’m not going to do anything about Leslie, but I’m going to take care of my son. That’s what I’m off to do now, stud. I have nannies to interview.” Moments later Jonah peeled out of the parking lot in a maroon Aston Martin.

  Norris expelled a breath. That went about as well as he had expected. He knew where Jonah stood with the baby, and Jonah knew where Norris stood with Dahlia. He looked toward the hospital, wondering if Dahlia was reaching a similar understanding with her sister.

  * * *

  Dahlia stared at the elevator long after it closed. A few phone calls. Humph! More like a meeting of the minds with Jonah. Could such a thing even happen with those two personalities?

  “Dahlia, I’m glad you’re here.”

  She turned to her father’s voice. “Yeah, Daddy, I arrived a few minutes ago.”

  The two walked in silence to the ICU.

  “Leslie’s been asking for you,” Wilson said when they reached the observation room.

  “What did the doctors say?”

  “She’s turned a corner. She’s still weak, but her pressure is down. They plan to move her to a regular room later today.”

  Dahlia smiled. “That is good news.” She looked through the window to see her mother fussing over her sister. Dahlia’s resolve faded. “Daddy, I don’t know.”

  “You’re going to be okay. Leslie’s weak, but she’s not fragile. And you’re a smart woman.” Wilson pressed his hand to Dahlia’s cheek. The warmth of his strong, gentle hand was the push she needed. “You’ll do what needs to be done. Just trust yourself, Dahlia.”

  She nodded and walked into the room.

  Nona left Leslie’s side and made her way to Dahlia. Earnest remorse had softened the fear and worry that had once hardened Nona’s face. Nona closed her hands over Dahlia’s shoulder. “I owe you an apology,” she said. “Even my worry for Leslie was no excuse to lash out at you the way I did.”