Chaos (10 page)

“Your parents—”

“Wait, it’s not as bad as it sounds. I didn’t say it right.
My dad said those things to tease me into not being afraid. It was a game we
played all the time, you know, me, his little girl, tougher than a bunch of big
old Marines. And Mom always phrased lectures like that so I wouldn’t think I
was the only kid who wasn’t supposed to do something. After that night, I made
sure I had a light on in my room and begged my mom for a nightlight in the
bathroom whenever we moved. They always seemed to forget about it so I just
kept turning it on every night. I also kept a flashlight by my bed and in my
book bag.”

“I bet you also stopped letting it show when you were
scared. Campini, you’re welcome to relax when you’re with me. In fact, I hope
you know that you never have to pretend with me.”

“After tonight, I do know that. I was surprised that you
didn’t ask me to leave when you got home. I wouldn’t have thought that you’d
want me to witness that side of you. You always act tough too.”

“No, I act tough when I’m on duty. At home, with friends, I
try to be as open as possible. We are friends, aren’t we?”

“What do you think? I’ve been talking to you in the dark for
more than five minutes.” She sighed. “You were wrong about a few things
earlier. First, Kiley has always been the honestly tough one. She believed it
was me and I never bothered to correct her. And I didn’t offer to help the Kid
personally the few times I tried to talk to him about getting away from the
gang. I would have no idea how to do that so I told him that he should call you
if he was in trouble.”

“But that is helping. You realized you couldn’t do it alone
so you told him to call someone who could. I promise you that I will if he ever
asks, Campini.”

“I know that, McKade. I wouldn’t have told him that if I
didn’t believe it. Even though you were an asshole to me, I still expected you
to be decent to a kid who’s asking for help.”

“Thanks, Campini. And thanks for trusting me like this. Want
me to turn the bathroom light on now?”

“No, I’m okay like this. It’s not as bad as I thought it
would be.” She was silent for a few minutes. “Actually, it’s kind of nice. I
can hear your heart beat so I’m okay even when we’re not talking. As long as
you don’t die, I’m fine.”

“You got a deal on that one.” Shane wished she’d meant it
the way it sounded. He was getting too used to her being with him. She’d be
off, chasing storm destruction in less than a week and he was going to miss
her. “If you get scared, just poke me and say something so I know it’s you.
Don’t worry about waking me up. I really won’t mind.”

Alyssa was enjoying the intimate feel of lying there in the
dark, talking with him. All the nights she’d spent with other men and she’d
never even considered letting one of them turn off the lights. In fact, if one
had suggested it, Alyssa was sure she would have kicked him out or gone home.
Then again, no one else figured out her secret so a discussion of turning off
the lights wasn’t a possibility.

“McKade? Thanks again.”

“No problem, Pix. I’ll be here any night you want to hang
out in the dark.” He kissed the top of her head.

“McKade? You’re really considering getting out of the city.”
It was a statement, not a question.

“I’m ready to consider all sorts of options.”

“McKade? Will you drive me to the airport Tuesday? It’s okay
if you don’t have time. I just thought…” She stopped when he put a finger on
her lips.

“Sh, of course I’ll take you. I’ll even give you one of
those long, passionate goodbye kisses at the security check that makes everyone
else wonder about you.”

She giggled at the thought of it. “Well don’t expect me to
sit on the plane and sniffle about how I’ll miss you or anything like that.”

“Oh, horrors! Somehow, I can’t picture that. I would
appreciate it if you didn’t rejoice so loudly the whole plane knows that you’re
glad to be rid of me.” Shane hoped he was wrong that she would feel relief when
she was away from him.

“McKade? I know this sounds bizarre but the last few weeks
have been okay. I honestly think I will miss you.”

“I’m going to miss you too, Campini.” He chuckled. “Man,
that’s not something I ever expected to hear myself say.”

“McKade? Is this as weird for you as it is for me? I
honestly believed you hated me.”

“No more than I thought you hated me. It is kind of weird
but nice too.”

“McKade? Are you too tired to kiss me good night?”

“I’ll never be that tired, Pixie Queen.” He shifted her in
his arms so they could join their mouths. After a soft lazy kiss, Shane felt
his weariness leave him. He groaned when she returned the probing of his
tongue. “I’m not feeling at all tired anymore. Hey, Campini, ever make love in
the dark? I could be your first.”

Make love, not have sex! Whoa, this wasn’t the way they were
supposed to be. They were friends, sure but they were really just having fun.
He must be more tired than he wanted to admit. That had to be it. Yeah, he was
so tired that he didn’t know what he was saying. “Mm, I think I’m going to like
being in the dark with you.” She slid her hand over his stomach and wrapped her
fingers around his rapidly hardening flesh. “Oh yeah, I’m definitely enjoying
the dark at the moment.”

“Me too,” Shane said as she deepened their kiss. When Alyssa
pushed him to his back, he didn’t resist.

“You too tired for this?” Alyssa asked as she straddled his
hips, trapping his hard cock between them. Without letting him respond, she
leaned forward and captured his mouth for another kiss. Shane tried to embrace
her but she stopped him. “No. You just lie there. Let me do all the work.”

Shane groaned when Alyssa started to rub her wet slit along
his erection. She was holding his hands on either side of his head.

“Whatever you say,” Shane gasped as her pointed nipples
caressed his chest.

For the next few minutes the only sounds were those of
mutual appreciation as Alyssa teased them both by sliding her body over
Shane’s. Their breathing was becoming labored as their excitement grew.

“Pix,” Shane practically pleaded.

“You ready for me, McKade?” she asked even though it was
more than obvious. “Ready to be my first in the dark?”

“Please,” he moaned. “Have mercy. I’m too tired to have much
stamina tonight. You keep that up much longer and I’ll come too soon.”

Alyssa lifted her hips and sank onto his cock. They groaned
as her soft wetness engulfed him. “Can’t have that,” she declared, starting to
move on top of him.

She could feel the tension rapidly building in Shane’s body
and realized how much control he usually had. She’d known he was a considerate
lover, always seeing to her needs first but now it seemed he was even more so.
Sensing he wouldn’t be able to hold his climax off much longer, she sat up,
running her hands over his chest, and began to stimulate her clit.

“Aw fuck, Pix, that’s not fair. Doing that while I can’t
watch,” Shane growled, his hips lifting up to meet her as she rode his cock.

“Take it easy, stud. We’ll do this again.” Alyssa shivered
at the tone of his voice. Perhaps there was something about this darkness stuff
she hadn’t considered. Taking away her ability to see heightened her other
senses in a delicious way.

“Oh yeah,” he grunted. “Often.”

Alyssa chuckled and then gasped. Her body had caught up to
his and she was as ready to explode as he was. “Now, McKade,” she cried as the
first wave of pleasure surge through her. “Come now.”

His response was to grip her hips and hold her tightly to
his groin as his cock pulsed within her clenching sheath. She collapsed on his
chest, riding out the residual passion until she could move.

Later, after she had gotten a cloth and cleaned Shane up so
he didn’t have to move, she switched off the light and snuggled against his
side.

“So, what do you think, Pix?” Shane wondered, sleepiness
evident in his voice.

“Dark is good,” she laughed. “Now shut up and go to sleep.”

“I’m claiming this room,” Alyssa announced as soon as she
finished looking around the gatehouse that was on the property Kiley and Jordan
were moving to as soon as they returned from their honeymoon.

“Then I’ll take the other small one. We’ll leave the big
bedroom for real guests.” Shane dropped the bag of his clothes inside the
doorway and followed her to her room. “Here’s the rest of your stuff. I guess
we should put it away so they notice it as soon as they check.”

“Great. Then we can find Jesse and see if he’s ready for
lunch. Brett should be back from the house he’s looking at by then. You’re
going to miss having him and Jordan around, aren’t you?”

“Yes but its not like we spent all that much time together
in the city.”

“Doesn’t matter. Kiley and I only met up maybe three or four
times a month. I’m still going to know she’s more than ten minutes away.”

“I know what you mean. Somehow it feels like my little
brothers are all grown up now, even though they have been for years.”

“Yeah but now they’re moving away, just like Kiley is.
They’re starting lives of their own. Ones that they picked for themselves,
without consulting us. The thing that gets me is that I’m the one who moved
here because Kiley was already here.”

“I bet you told her you were coming here to check up on her
though.”

“Yeah. Am I horrible for letting her think she needed
looking after when I’m the one who wanted to be close to her?”

“I don’t think so. It just means you love your cousin. We
both know she wants you nearby and doesn’t care what got you there.”

“Do you think she believes I’ll end up in this town too?”

“I’m sure she hopes you will. But we’re less than an hour
away. Brett’s planning on driving back and forth often until he’s done at the
agency. It’s not really that far. You can still visit on the spur of the
moment.”

“We could shock the hell out of them and drive out together
sometime.”

“Anytime. You know how to reach me and, in return, I’ll let
you know if I’m coming in case you want to join me.” Shane wondered if they’d
ever really do it or if what they’d begun would evaporate while she was gone.
Both their lives would continue in different paths over the summer. There was a
very real chance that seeing each other again could be too awkward to overcome.
“How long do you think you’ll be away?”

“Depends on the weather. If there are lots of storms right
away, I could be back in a month. If it’s a calm season and most of me really
hopes it is, I could be gone all summer.”

“If you let me know when you’re coming home I’ll meet you at
the airport.”

“Oh. Thanks. Gonna bring your career wife with you?”

“If one shows up by then, sure. After all, you’ll see each
other at the occasions that I know Kiley’s going to plan.”

“Of course. Go unpack, McKade. I want to look around the
house before lunch,” she said stiffly.

“Taking before and after pictures?” Why did he feel as if
his queen had just dismissed him?

“Not really. You should know I don’t generally leave home without
my camera. Who knows what I could find in a quaint, old town like this.”

“You look at the world in a different way,” Shane stated, so
quietly that she met his gaze.

“I doubt that.” She shrugged. “I just think about what I see
in terms of a viewfinder. You see things every day that are worth framing but
you haven’t trained yourself to see them. That’s why I usually have a camera
with me. To capture things when I come across them since most can’t be
recreated. Besides, you see things differently too.”

“Me?”

“Mm, you constantly scan whatever is around you for
potential danger.”

“I don’t…” He paused, cutting off his first response. “Well,
yeah, maybe I do. Force of habit, I guess. I have to do that when I’m working
so I probably do look around even when I’m not.”

“I’m not criticizing you, McKade. Don’t get all weird on me.
I’m just pointing out that we all look at things in our own way. Now go unpack
or I’m not going to wait for you.”

* * * * *

They were walking back from lunch when Alyssa’s cell phone
rang. “Hello.”

“How’s my favorite cousin?” Kiley asked happily.

“Kiles! I didn’t think I’d hear from you.”

“I couldn’t let you go off on your next assignment without
hearing you tell me again how you’re going to be careful.”

“I promise that I, at all times, will do exactly as the
experts I’m with tell me to do. I will not wander off on my own, unless it is a
bright, sunny day and they guarantee me that there is absolutely no chance of a
storm of any magnitude, even a shower. I will call you often and I will keep my
phone on so you can call me. You, in return, will try not to worry too much
because I don’t want you to neglect that husband of yours. If you call me and I
don’t answer, you will leave a message and wait for me to call you back. I plan
on showering while I’m away and I don’t want the National Guard barging in on
me.” She rolled her eyes at the group. “Kiley, I’ll be fine and I’ll be back
before you know it. Hey, guess where I am.”

“Okay, I’ll bite and let you change the subject. Where?”

“I’m about a block from your house. We just had lunch at
that little place you told me about. It’s great, just like you thought it would
be.”

“You’re at our house? Who’s we?”

“Brett, Jesse and Jordan’s brother. I brought my car today
along with some stuff to keep in the gatehouse. Brett was coming to look at a
house and Jesse is working on your security system. Oh, he says to tell you
that it’ll be in before the movers bring your things.”

“Shane’s with you? Wait, Jordan wants to talk to him.”

After the phones were passed, Shane teased, “We saw the
video you sent Max. Is your honeymoon going as well as it seemed?”

“Even better! My wife is spectacular.” Shane could hear her
laughing in the background. “So, you’re hanging out with the group?”

“Yes, we all bumped into each other last night and decided
to make a day of it. This is a great town you picked.”

“Yeah, that’s why we picked it. Let me have Brett a sec. I
don’t know how much longer I can ignore the sexy, already stripping beauty
who’s shamelessly tormenting me and staying just out of reach.”

Shane chuckled and turned over the phone to Brett. “I’m
amazed that the two of you called.”

“You know how concerned Kiley is about Alyssa’s upcoming
trip. She wanted some more reassuring before Lyss actually gets close to a
storm. Should I be worried?” Brett knew he was asking about Shane and Alyssa
but hadn’t said their names so Kiley wouldn’t.

“I am a little.”

“Which one?”

“Honestly, both, but not right now.”

“So it’s good?”

“Monumentally so and completely without a clue. I know you
have better things to do at the moment so I won’t keep you. We’ll talk more
when you’re home next week. Max is good but I guess you know that. He said
you’ve called a few times and he thinks it’s funny the way you always have to
say hi to Wanda so she doesn’t feel left out. I’m sure, as his nurse, Wanda has
managed to let you know that there’s no change since you’ve been away. You can
imagine his face when he saw you with that bird. And, since the rest of us can
imagine what went on after you turned off the camera, I’ll say so long. Do
either of you need anyone else?”

“Kiley wants Alyssa back and tell Jesse I’ll catch up with
him next week.”

When Alyssa spoke again, she was surprised to hear Jordan.
“I’ll keep her from going too far overboard for you, Lyss, as much as I can
anyway.” Jordan knew the next few months while his cousin-in-law was chasing
storms were going to be very trying for his new wife.

“I appreciate that but don’t be a nag. I don’t want you two
fighting because she’s worried about me. I really will be as careful as
possible, Jordan. And I will be back as soon as I get what I need. If it’s
taking too long I’ll come for a visit.”

“Lyssa, what are you saying? Jordan looks serious.”

“I promised him that I’d be careful and said he shouldn’t
nag you for me. I love you, Kiles. Stop worrying. At the moment, I’m surrounded
by three very masculine, capable men who will protect me should the sudden need
arise in this mellow, little town you’ve chosen.”

“I’m sorry. I know I’m ridiculous but I think I’ll blame it
on the emotionally charged state my husband is keeping me in. I love you too.
Now you go have fun with the guys and I expect you to play nice, with all of
them.”

“I am being nice. McKade and I have declared a truce until
you’re home to referee. You have fun too. Kiss my cousin-in-law for me.”

“Oh, I assure you. I will!”

After Alyssa hung up she stomped silently in front of them.
When they reached the house she flopped onto the porch steps. “I hate that
she’s spending her honeymoon worrying about me.”

“I don’t think she’s spent every minute on you, Alyssa.”
Brett sat next to her as he motioned for Shane and Jesse to leave them alone.
“You saw the video. Do you really believe her thoughts are ever away from
Jordan very long?”

“No and I do know she only worries because she loves me.
I’ll even admit that I like knowing that wherever she is, she cares about me.
I’ve been doing my best to be more open with her since my birthday.”

“She has mentioned it and how much it means to her too.
Thanks for not hating me. You got caught in the crossfire and I said things I
shouldn’t have. I should have apologized long before now.”

“No, you should never apologize for saying something that’s
entirely true. Especially when my behavior was hurting a friend of yours. I wish
someone had pointed that out sooner.”

“Thanks but I shouldn’t have been so blunt.” Brett was
sitting so their shoulders were touching. “Shane seems more relaxed today.”

“I think so. What’s he going to do?” Alyssa was more
concerned than she wanted to admit, even to herself.

“Don’t know yet. It was nice of you to stay last night. Lots
of women would have bailed at the bar.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not lots of women. I don’t know. It just
seemed like someone should stay, like I should. I made him some tea.”

Brett laughed and nudged her shoulder. “Ah, you do want him
to fall in love with you.”

“Shut up, Hudson. I was being nice. That’s it.”

“Sure thing, Alyssa.” He gave her a knowing smile.

“Okay,” she said sarcastically. “Just make sure you keep
your mouth shut once they’re home.” She considered her next words and decided
to ask her question. “How come we didn’t connect?”

“Like you and Shane did? I have no idea. If you think about
it, we seem perfect for each other. You’re gorgeous and interesting and I am
extremely attracted to you. I gotta tell you that you had quite an effect on me
when you walked into the bar in Shane’s jacket but it was momentary lust. The
majority of the time, the attraction is purely friendly.”

“See, I don’t understand that. You’re quite charming and
very easy on the eyes. I like being with you. You even understand what I’m
trying to show in my photos without me explaining them to you.”

“You’re forgetting one thing though. We don’t have any
chemistry, not like you and Shane do. I’ve known him as long as I’ve known
Jordan and I’ve never seen him act like he does with you. He hasn’t even been
as unreasonable with Jordan as he is with you. I saw a change in him on your
birthday as soon as he realized that you were Kiley’s cousin and it’s getting more…
I don’t even know what the right word is.”

Brett hesitated. “Last night was a first. Shane doesn’t let
himself meltdown like that or if he does, I’ve never seen it. He’s always had
people, friends, around him but none that he seems particularly close to. I
don’t think he makes a habit of letting his more personal thoughts show.”

“That’s what I figured when he thanked me for taking care of
him last night. All I did was boil water and put a plate in the microwave.”

“And let him talk without judging him harshly. You didn’t
put him down for being human. Believe me, there are plenty of women who would
have scoffed at him as soon as he started to say he was frustrated with his
job. You’re special, Alyssa. Are you going to break his heart?”

“Oh come on, Brett. There are no hearts involved here. He
told me about the woman he’s looking for and trust me, what he described was
definitely not me. We’re having some fun together and we agreed to be friends
when the spark goes out. If you think I’m special then maybe you need to find a
different bunch of women to hang out with.”

“I already know that and when I have some time I intend to
work on it. We’re not talking about me though.” He knew she was uncomfortable.
“All I’m trying to say is that Shane cares about you. More than I could get him
to admit. Probably more than he realizes. He hides behind his cool, tough guy
image. You’ve gotten past that, whether you know it or not and that’s going to
make him freak at some point. Please, for both your sakes, don’t push him away
when he acts like a macho jerk, okay? Take a minute and figure out why, if you
can, before you lash out. You may not think so but you could hurt him, badly.”

“I think you’re completely wrong and extremely misguided but
how about if I agree, just to humor you? I can’t promise not to fight back if
he starts it but I will try to stick around and talk after we’re done yelling.
Why aren’t you worried about me and having this conversation with him instead?”

“I’m going to. I don’t expect it to go as easily as it has
with you. Last night, when I said that you were mad at Jesse because you were
worried about Shane, I know I got you thinking. That means this discussion
wasn’t entirely unexpected. Shane’s going to be blindsided when I tell him the
same things.”

“So don’t tell him. Brett, I mean it. There really isn’t
anything like you’re implying going on between us. I think he said all that
stuff last night because he was tired and pushed beyond the limit. I just
happened to be there. We sort of have an agreement that what goes on between us
stays between us. I guess he decided that that includes conversations too. I
realize that he cares about me in his own way, just like I care about him in
mine. And yes, we have a hot thing going at the moment but there’s no way it’ll
last. Why, then, if you already know he’s not going to want to talk about this,
are you going to force him to? Don’t you think he has enough on his mind right
now? Why do you want to add to that by bringing up something that isn’t really
a concern in the first place?”