Free Endless by Tawdra Kandle Page A

the
table—she called my mom Nora , did you hear her? And then she
did that on purpose, you know. She mentioned Rafe’s name because
she wants to come between you and me. And that was what pushed me
over the edge.”
    Michael turned me in his arms. He held my
face in his hands and stared into my eyes. Nothing, no one, not
one thing will ever come between us. She can talk about Rafe, she
can wear her fancy clothes. . not going to matter. I love you. Lean
on me. Trust in me.
    I smiled up at Michael, feeling whole and
healed for the first time all day. “Always,” I breathed, just
before he lowered his mouth to mine.
    The kiss began as a tender reassurance but
quickly turned passionate, as Michaels’s desire surged into me. My
lips opened beneath his, and I angled my head to give him better
access. His hands moved to my back, holding me closer, ever
closer.
    I moaned against his mouth as my fingers
played at the back of his neck. I pressed closer, standing on my
toes to be nearer. Michael ran his hands along my sides, and there
was no hesitation this time. His fingers tangled at the hem of my
cotton shirt and dipped beneath until I felt their warmth against
my skin. He skimmed the top of jean skirt, ran up my spine. . .
    “Ahem!”
    I jumped a mile. I was so involved, so
focused on Michael and his thoughts, his lips, his hands. . .I
hadn’t even heard Marly approach. And usually I was so sensitive to
her mind.
    Michael didn’t move an inch. He kept his
hands where they were and just turned his head to look at his
mother. I dropped my forehead to his shoulder, hoping that my face
would stop burning before I had to look at Marly.
    “I’m sorry to interrupt.” She managed to keep
the humor in her voice to the bare minimum. “Tas, your parents and
the others were concerned. I volunteered to come check on you—I
thought I was probably the best person for the job.” She leaned on
the porch railing, gazing out on the expanse of green lawn. “So. .
.are you okay?”
    I peeked out around Michael’s arm. “Define
‘okay’.”
    Marly laughed as she glanced at me. “I think
‘okay’ means that no one has to duck and run for cover from
exploding crystal.” She moved closer to us and patted my shoulder.
“Although honestly, I was happy to see you toss that glass at her
head. If you hadn’t, I might have.”
    Michael kissed the top of my head. “That’s my
mom. Always willing to resort to violence in defense of those she
loves.” He moved his hands from under my shirt and smoothed my
hair. “Think you can handle going back in?”
    I sighed heavily. “Yes. I can handle it. But
Cathryn better watch her back. Or at least her head.”

 

     
    When Marly, Michael and I returned to the
dining room, it was as though nothing had ever happened. The glass
was gone, no stain remained on the wall, and my parents were deep
in earnest conversation with the Landowers and Mr. Watson.
    “Oh, Tas, I’m glad you’re back,” beamed my
mother. “It’s been so nice to visit with Theresa. You know, I’ve
never talked with someone else who has an extraordinary child.”
    “They actually have support groups through
the Institute,” put in Mrs. Landower. “It’s been such a help to so
many of us.”
    I pulled out a chair near the doorway and
sank into it. Michael remained standing behind me, his hands on my
shoulders.
    “I’m still not clear on how your daughter
uses her gifts to help others, John,” my father, ever vigilant in
his protection of me, remarked. At least one of my parents seemed
to be maintaining some sort of neutrality.
    “Well, we wondered about that, too, Rob,” Mr.
Landower answered, slapping a hand on the table. “We’d worked hard
all our lives to try to stop Melissa from using what she could do.
And it wasn’t easy. But here with Carruthers, Melissa works with
people who might make some bad choices, and she helps them to see
thing more clearly. And it’s made her life so much better.”
    My parents