They’d taken another step. Perilous though it might be, surviving it, turning to one another instead of away was a new process for them. And when it happened as a matter of course, it meant everything.

He came hard and fast on the heels of her climax, holding her close, continuing a slow and easy stroke for long moments after that. “Better than drinks out at a fancy bar.”

Standing, he managed to keep her in his arms as they headed inside.

“And you don’t even need bottle service to have the best seat in the house.”

“Not our patio, Legs. Deep inside you. That’s the best seat in the house. And it’s all mine.”

As she fell asleep, she let the words sink in. Allowed herself to be happy as she lay sheltered in his arms.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

TWO DAYS LATER, Kelly, Vaughan and the girls, returning from a quick trip to the market to grab supplies for dinner, nearly made it to the elevator when she heard a voice and it sent a shiver up her spine.

“Take them upstairs,” she told Vaughan, planting herself between her family and her mother.

“Why? Who is that?” He peered closer and swore under his breath as he recognized Rebecca. “What’s she doing here?”

“I don’t want the girls exposed to her. Please.”

“I’m coming right back down.” He headed into the elevator with the girls, who’d begun to notice something was going on and had started to ask questions. Kelly just wanted those doors to close so she could deal with the trouble on her heels outside the view of her daughters.

“They wouldn’t let me upstairs. I said you had me on the list. They said I needed a key card.”

Kelly led her mother away from the elevator and back to the front doors. “Why are you here?”

“Ms. Hurley, is everything all right?” the daytime doorman asked.

They never should have let Rebecca in. Her mother wasn’t allowed in the apartment. She didn’t have a key card on purpose. But Rebecca had a way. She most likely freaked the guy out into letting her inside.

“It should be.” Kelly turned back to her mother. “Not going to ask again. Speak or get out.”

“I knew it. I saw those pictures and your rep and his were totally silent. I knew then that you’d let that bastard back into your life. What’s wrong with you? Didn’t he embarrass you enough the first time? How can you do this? Are you going to quit even the few jobs you do take now to be home at his beck and call?”

“Don’t worry, it has nothing to do with your bank account.”

“You need to think. With your head and not what’s between your legs. A man will always steal your vitality,” Rebecca hissed, bitterness flowing from her. “You let him ruin you before. Are you so desperate for love you have to do this again? What sorts of jobs can you get when people think of you as rejected goods? You were young the first time. Still vibrant.” Her mother looked Kelly up and down, clearly displeased with what she saw.

Kelly started to fall back into that place where she felt fat, ugly and not good enough. And then she caught the look on her mother’s face that said it had been her intention to push that insecurity.

Ugh. Twisty, crafty bitch. “Shut up. I know I asked you to speak, but that was a mistake. Shut your mouth. You’ve registered your opinion. I’ve given it the weight it deserves. Don’t come here again. Or to the store. If you want my money to keep your lifestyle up, you will shut up and leave me alone.”

“I’m your mother. I made you!”

“Thank God I survived it. My children are upstairs. Where I’m going. Don’t come back. Don’t talk to the media. I’ll continue to put money in your account but if you start shit I will cut you off for real this time.”

“After all I’ve done for you? You ungrateful bitch. Always have been lazy. If I hadn’t pushed you where would you be?” Her mother used a patented Rebecca move, grabbing Kelly by her upper arms to shake her.

“Take your hands off her. Now.” Vaughan had returned, full of rage.

“You! I don’t—” Rebecca cut off in midrant as Vaughan pushed himself between them until her mother had no choice but to let go.

Vaughan pulled out some money from his wallet and shoved it at her. “Cab fare.” Without moving his body, he turned his head to get the attention of the doorman. “Can you please hail her a cab?”

“Right away, Mr. Hurley.”

Vaughan moved to give the guy a tip and Kelly heard him also say that Rebecca was not to be allowed back inside for any reason.

Kelly looked at her mother, shaking her head. This was what the woman brought to her life. Dread and negativity. There was no way she’d let her kids be exposed to this creature.

Sharon might be toxic in her own way, but this was hatred, pure and simple. She was there because she couldn’t deal with the idea of Kelly being happy.

Again Rebecca and her superfast violence struck, her mother grabbing her arm and yanking in a way that felt far too familiar.

Kelly righted herself and pulled free as Vaughan rushed over. “You can’t hurt me into compliance anymore. I’m bigger than you are now. Get out of here before I reconsider my generous offer and call the police instead.”

“Get out, Rebecca. Don’t think of harming my family again. You’re done now,” Vaughan said.

“Or what? You gonna hit me, big man?” Rebecca taunted.

Vaughan’s smile was not joyous in any way. “I don’t need to use my fists to beat the hell out of you. Understand that. Money and power are far more painful and far less trouble for me to use to shove you out the air lock of Kelly’s life.”