EIGHT

“We just-“

“Yes,” Jon said.

Huh? Bella’s head whipped around and she stared dumbfounded at the man to her right. Was he on drugs? Then she looked over at Dorothea and a phantom memory of an interview she once saw flitted through her brain. Wasn’t his ex-wife a blackbelt or something?! “Umm…Jon,” she began.

Jon slid his hand into hers. “We did have an accident, and that kept me from being exactly on time, but yes, I’m seeing Izzy.”

Again, she was pretty sure her jaw was hanging slack like a simpleton. “We are-“

Jon cut her off again and linked their hands. “It was as much a surprise to me as it was to her.”

“You can say that again,” she managed to spit out. She peered around Jon’s shoulder to the Bongiovi clan that was way too quiet and then leaned back. Then swore mentally in as many languages as she could remember when she realized she left her hand in his. She tried to disengage, but he held fast, linking their fingers until her palms, all the way up her arm tingled at the contact.

Oh holy hell.

Jon felt the jolt of awareness and the instant connection and wished his family was anywhere but there, right that moment. He didn’t dare look at Izzy right now, unsure if she was going to slug him or say something to break apart the story. Or both.

He wasn’t sure what possessed him to say it. He’d intended on saying the complete opposite, but watching his ex-wife’s haughty reaction to the thought of Izzy being his girlfriend had pushed the very last button.

Dot had pretty much told him he’d be begging to come back to her someday. And for a time, he’d considered it regardless of his pride. She was everything he knew and counted on. But the more time he spent away from her, the more he realized that her lack of support irked him. Her snide comments about touring and projects grated. Her constant bad attitude had left him with a bad taste in his mouth. She had everything, and he offered her all, but it was never enough.

He’d never been enough for her.

And he didn’t want her leftovers anymore. He wanted more. He turned toward Izzy and found surprise lurking in her dark eyes, but no scorn. Confusion and a hint of retribution that was sure to be had by the tilt of her mouth. He glanced down at her mouth, then back up to her eyes and his gut jerked at the instant response.

He’d need to taste her soon.

Turning back to Dot, he took a little satisfaction in the anger that crept into her tired eyes. Keeping his fingers loosely twined with Izzy’s he crouched down to Jake’s height. “I’m not sure how serious things are yet buddy, but I like her.”

Jake looked at his dad, then up to Bella and then returned his striking blue eyes to focus on his. “Does this mean I get more Christmas presents?”

A quick snort of laughter popped free before he could stop it. And to think he was worried about the psychological response to him dating? Jon ruffled his hair. “Greedy boys only get coal in their stockings.”

His mouth turned up into the same crooked grin he shared with Jon. “Is that what’s going to be in your stocking too, Dad?”

Jon rolled his eyes and stood up. He was far too much like him to be safe in society. “Oh yeah, I’ve had enough of you for one day.”

Jake’s grin only widened as he wrapped an arm around his waist. “You always say that Dad, and you always come back for more.”

Bella couldn’t stop the snort.

Dot couldn’t stop the sneer.

Steph and Jesse stood and filed out behind their mother as she stalked up the main aisle. Steph stopped and brushed a quick kiss at her Dad’s cheek. “She dresses a lot better than the last girl you brought around.”

Jon’s eyebrow winged up. “I never bring girls around.”

“Exactly.” She turned to Bella with a smirk. “Great boots,” then she was gone.

Jesse passed his dad with a thumbs up, “Definite hottie, Dad.”

Dumbfounded, Bella watched the kids file up the aisle behind Dot and the still sleeping Romeo. She let them go ahead a bit and followed Jon out of the row and yanked him back before he made a step up the incline. “Wanna explain that one to me, Slick?”

Jon grinned. “Helluva first date, huh?”