What's Left Of Me (The Firebird Trilogy Book 2) by Jennifer Loring Read Free Book Online Page A

hot, frothing water. Massage jets eased the tension from her muscles but not from her mind. No Alex. Not even a call, and her attempts had gone to voicemail. He could’ve met up with Jacob and gone out somewhere. She consoled herself with that possibility, but she couldn’t put out of her mind what must be on that video. What he’d deemed so depraved he’d break down over it.
    The front door opened and closed. Keys clanked on the counter, then footsteps padded up the stairs. She watched the doorway. Alex peered in, caught sight of Anya, and leaned over the bassinet to give her a tender kiss. Then, straightening, he gazed at Stephanie from across the room. His stare fell upon the tips of her breasts visible above the water.
    She pressed a finger to her lips before licking them. No speaking, not right now.
    He stripped off his clothes, his exquisite, tattooed body awakening her appetite for him. She shifted to make room, and Alex climbed into the tub. He remained flaccid even when she straddled him. With his hands on her waist, he closed his eyes and nestled his face in the crook of her neck.
    She laid her cheek against his hair and circled her arms around his broad shoulders. “You know you can tell me anything.”
    “Not this.” He let out a heavy, shuddering sigh. “I don’t want Anya to grow up hating me.”
    “How could she ever hate you?”
    “The way I treated people…I don’t hate women.”
    “Who said you did? Alex, what is on that video?”
    Alex cradled her head and, having compelled her lips to part, slid his tongue slowly over hers. He captured her bottom lip between his and sucked on it before letting go. A delicious distraction, but not enough to quell her fears.
    “I’m worried about you, Alex.”
    “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”
    “I know that.” She stroked his hair and gazed into his eyes, portals revealing a terribly frangible creature within the suit of armor he’d constructed to protect it. They were watering, looking back at her but their focus turned inward, toward whatever secrets he withheld. Stephanie grazed her fingertips over the firebird on his arm. When are you going to give him the hope he needs?
    “Your biopsy,” he said softly. “How did it go?”
    “We should have results in a week, maybe less.” She lifted her chin, hoping to inspire in at least one of them a confidence she didn’t feel. The burning sensation under her breastbone persisted. “Alex, I need to know you’re okay. For Anya.”
    “I don’t know if anything is okay. Not you, not me. Do I?” He broke eye contact. His shoulders sagged, and his face slackened with the exhaustion of so many burdens. “I’m tired. I’m going to bed.”
    Her hands fell away from him, having lost their purpose. Suddenly cold, she chafed her arms instead. “All right.”
    “Good night.” Water cascaded from him as he rose and grabbed a towel. After drying off, he gave Anya one last kiss before disappearing into the bedroom.
     
    ***
     
    Stephanie bypassed the main office for the elevator to the executive offices two floors up, where the receptionist buzzed Jessica. “Go on in,” she said cheerily. With a painful, taut smile, Stephanie politely nodded.
    “Well hello!” Jessica edged around her desk and hugged her. “How’s Anya? You look great, by the way.”
    No excuse to avoid getting back in shape with a gym in the house, but she couldn’t make the inside match the outside. “She’s wonderful. And thank you.”
    Jessica settled back into her leather chair and arched an eyebrow. “And how are you? What brought you back so soon?”
    “I…” Stephanie laced and unlaced her fingers. “God, I feel like the worst mother ever. I’m already dying to go back to work. Is that horrible?” Dismiss it as baby blues. Please. I don’t love having shit up my arms when I change a diaper. I don’t love waking up to high-pitched shrieks at three in the morning. I don’t love wondering if she’s died