C.A.K.E novel Chapter 19

Flanked by two of her eternal protectors, Arden spends the duration of the car ride being coddled by them both at alternate intervals.

Warren allows Elliott the lead role, keeping his inquiries about how she's feeling to a minimum and resisting the urge to place her in one of his impenetrable bear hugs.

Taking notice of her father's restraint, she lifts her head from Eli's shoulder and reaches over to take Warren's hand. They share a quick look, as he gives her hand a gentle squeeze.

Traffic is more of an issue heading south than usual at this time of day, which leaves Arden with more time to mull about in her own headspace than she'd like.

On nights when the past isn't haunting her dreams, Casper fills that time slot. The stress of today has pulled her even deeper into the guilty pleasure.

Until a few weeks ago, she was a married woman who enjoyed her life. She had a husband and two kids whom she adored, and a successful business. Things were far from perfect. But everything made sense.

Then he showed up with his deep brown eyes, six-foot-three build of hard-won muscle, and his smooth words. And that damn British accent was just the cherry on top.

She doesn't even know Casper. Yet she's risking her relationship over him. And for what? A couple of intoxicating, passionate kisses?

Trouble always comes knocking when she's the least prepared to deal with it. Now that the portal's been opened, it'll be one problem after the other. She can feel it.

Elliott shifts beside her, snatching focus from her thoughts for a moment. The bit of sun that's permitted past the window's heavy tint hits his face and illuminates his blue eyes. The light casts broken shadows across his skin, providing the perfect backdrop for his fair features.

His pensive pose reminds her of the first days of their relationship when she used to spend much of their time together just staring at him. All of that goo-goo-eyed infatuation gifted her with the ability to decipher his mood by his body language. His current posture gives rise to a new level of anxiety for her.

He's leaning against the door with one hand perched on his chin. The lines forming on his forehead and the frown turning down his lips tell her that he's blaming himself for all this.

Eli is quick to shoulder the world's burden, a trait that makes arguing with him impossible. She can't be upset with a man who always admits when he's wrong and tries to see her side. It's like having a shouting match with a monk who broke his vow of silence just to assure you that he feels your pain. At some point, you just look like an asshole who gets off on the harassment of a gentle soul. And she sure as hell feels like one right now.

She betrayed her marriage vows today, several of them. There's been attention from a few men over the years. Especially from black men who feel compelled to inform her that she's missing out on being with a “real,” man.

She realized a long time ago that a real man is much more than his skin color or whatever might be stretching out his boxer briefs. A real man doesn't have to inform the world that he is such. It's very apparent in the light in his woman's eyes, and her willingness to shout his praises from every mountain top and anthill alike.

Her husband is everything she ever wanted and needed. She can't figure out how a stranger has managed to turn her world on its head in such a short time. If she could just put her finger on whatever it is that has her drawn to Casper like a moth to a scorching flame, she could stamp out the culprit and get back to her usual self.

Arden steals another glance at Eli, relieved that he seems too absorbed in his own emotional sludge to notice that her palms are sweating despite the crisp climate of the car. The inner tempest that's roiling in her gut keeps her as the lone passenger of its displeasure cruise.

Before her grip on reality can become any rockier, they're driving through the gates of her family's estate. Coasting up the tree-lined road that leads to the main house, she's anxious to see Rowan and Teagan.

Their driver brings the car to a stop right in front of the steps of the wraparound porch. Eli's parents and the kids must have been watching for them because they're all outside before Othello has a chance to put the car in park.

She can't contain the smile that spreads across her face when she sees Rowan and Teagan running down the steps. The slight sting in her cheek reminds her of the cut on her otherwise smooth skin.

Reaching down into her handbag, she slips on a pair of wide-rimmed sunglasses and pulls on her sweater. Then she removes the pins from her hair and tousles its curls, coaxing them into a face-framing bob. She checks her appearance in the rearview mirror.

The oversized glasses hide the mark on her cheek, being further obscured by her dark hair. Her sweater is concealing a couple of smaller scratches and bruises. The bandage on her hand can be explained away as a kitchen mistake. Now somewhat presentable, she lets Eli help her down from the backseat.

Ro and Tea rush their parents, taking turns smothering them both. They all hang onto each other like the other might float away. Rowan puts a death grip on Arden, while his sister throws her arms around Elliott.

"Mom ..." Ro bends to rest his head on her shoulder. She closes her eyes and embraces him even tighter, letting her son's heated tears stain the cashmere of her cardigan.

"It's okay, sweetheart," she whispers. Planting a kiss on Rowan's cheek, she softly rubs his back as he cries into her hair. She breathes through the tears that are cracking at her own voice. "We're all okay. It's over."

Rowan's breathing returns to a more normal pace after another minute or so. When he pulls back from her, she reaches up to wipe the tears from his face, earning a sad smile from him. Allowing Arden just enough space to walk, Ro hangs onto her hand. She greets her in-laws with Rowan attached to her side like Velcro.

John and Diane both hug and kiss Arden with as much enthusiasm as the kids. They spend more time fussing over her than they do with their own son.

Diane is especially relieved to see that she is still in one piece. She latches herself onto Ardi's other arm and doesn't show any sign of leaving her side anytime soon.

Once they're all done gushing over the two jailbirds, everyone files inside to the house's main living area. They all settle into the sitting room and start in with a line of questioning about the past few hours.

Arden and Elliott exchange frequent looks with each other when the twins begin to ask about things that might be best left unsaid. They haven't had a chance to discuss the most diplomatic way to tell Ro and Tea that their mother has given vindictive a whole new meaning. Remaining quiet for now seems like a better option. Rowan and Teagan must get the picture because they drop it. Something else has caught their attention anyway.

"What happened to your hand?" Tea asks, pointing at the gauze circling Arden's hand.

"I um . . . cut myself this morning at work." Her uneasy laugh fills the air. "You'd think I could handle a knife by now."

Both Elliott and Warren clear their throats. No one else in the room seems to be buying that explanation either. Before anyone can ask about the reason she's still wearing sunglasses inside the house, she excuses herself to her childhood bedroom.

Inside the four walls that could tell her life story, she strips off her clothes and throws them into the wicker hamper in the linen closet. She turns on the shower and allows the water some time to heat while she examines her face in the mirror.

A mild bruising has begun to surface around her cheekbone. Her fingers offer a hesitant touch to the faint markings that are now visible on her neck and upper arms. Those will be ugly by tomorrow morning.

An overwhelming combination of helpless frustration and sadness overtakes her. With the steam from the shower building around her, she rests her palms on the pedestal sink and lets the tears flow at will. The release lasts a few tortured seconds before she cuts it off with a harsh swipe of her hand. She sighs at her reflection and opens the medicine cabinet.