Temporary Home by Aliyah Burke Page A

body immediately reacted. Like it hadn’t with Laila.
    “Get things straight with Laila?”
    “Not sure,” he replied honestly. “She isn’t having a good time right now. This is hard on her.”
    Roxi stiffened. “It’s hard on a lot of people, you can’t be thinking it’s a walk in the park, seeing Master Guns lying there, weak and sick. He was a father to you as well.”
    Resting his head on one hand, he lay on his side and used his other hand to swipe her hair off her shoulder, allowing him to see her face. Her eyes remained transfixed on the glossy pages before her. His fingers skimmed along the smooth skin of her neck.
    “He is more of a father than I ever knew a man could be to a child.”
    She looked at him. “Tell me how you met him?”
    He hesitated, his reaction instinctive to someone asking him about his past. But he was lost in her eyes, drowning in her compassion.
    “Never mind. Tell me about some of the things you and Laila did growing up together.”
    So he did, took a deep breath and began to tell her of the times he’d spent with Laila and Dean. Those magical times when he hadn’t had to be at a home where he didn’t feel like he belonged and had been able to be with the people who meant more to him than he’d ever believed possible. Even Terrance and Lenore had been important to him. Those four had taught him what a family was supposed to be like. How it should be—filled with love and support.
    Roxi pushed the magazine away and mimicked his position. She listened to his story with rapt attention without interrupting him. He could see her feelings on her face as he continued.
    The room shrank to just the two of them on the bed. Nothing else mattered. Him and her. That was all there was.
    “Can I ask you a question?”
    He nodded.
    “He didn’t adopt you? All that time you spent with him and he didn’t try?”
    “No. He left so often with the Corps, the state wouldn’t allow it. He did try.” He swallowed as he recalled the places he’d been sent. “He would always come visit, though. And he came to get me, so I could attend Laila’s parents’ funeral. I was in another part of the state by that time. Older and angry. But then he showed up and I wanted to be angry with him as well, but I just couldn’t. Then he told me why he was there. I’d never felt hurt like that before.” He smiled sadly. “Her parents were so wonderful, never treated me like an outside white boy who didn’t belong. Lenore always smelt like some home-baked goods. And Terrance taught me about cars and how to fix them. Some visits, the three of us, Terrance, Dean and myself, would be out most of the day under the hood of a vehicle.”
    She trailed her index finger over his hand, now on the bed. In and out of each digit, over the knuckles—a soothing, sensual touch.
    “You and Laila learned to get over your differences?”
    He watched her touching him. “Yes. Eventually. We’re both a bit headstrong.” He lifted his shoulders in a laconic move. “She’s my sister. We’ve always kept in touch.”
    “I see that. You’re much different with her.”
    “How so?”
    “More open. She sees the Sam you hide from the world.”
    “Does that bother you?”
    “On some level, yes. But, I also know I’m not held in the same regard as Laila. You have every right to your secrets, Sam Hoch. We all have them.”
    Roxi was right about that. She wasn’t held in the same regard as Laila. For in no way did he view this sexy woman before him in any sisterly fashion. And had no plans to do so. He captured her fingers with his and stroked them as he brought them to his mouth. Nipping the tip of her thumb, he then licked away the bite.
    “You are a beautiful woman, Roxanne Mammon.”
    “You sure you’re okay with Eric following you around?”
    Her change of topic was abrupt and he wanted to draw her back to a more intimate one but let it go. “He’s fine. Great kid.”
    “He is that. Ritchie will be here the