Irresistible Forces (McKingley) (14 page)

“He was sitting on the kerb looking all lonely and someone needed to take him home,” Jackson Carlyle answered with a devilish grin on his face.

“More like I was coming out of the airport and ran into him.” Tarak Brady snorted, pointing at Jackson. “And he begged me to come help him get you and all the luggage you probably had.” Tarak glanced at the pile of suitcases then her. “And he was right.”

Deyon laughed. “I couldn’t not shop while I was away. It’s for the store.”

“Sure, all of it is for the store.” Jackson walked over and picked up a suitcase.

Tarak joined him. Deyon frowned then went after him, stopping him from picking up anything.

“Your leg is bothering you.”

“Leave it, Deyon.” Tarak’s lips pulled in a tight line. His thick, curly lashes framed icy green eyes, and his face showed strain.

“Not working on me. If you try to pick up one bag I will make you regret it. And you’re not going to your house, you are coming home with me for me to take care of you,” Deyon stated.

“Dey—”

“Shut up.” Deyon looked at Jackson who was biting his lips. “What are you waiting for? The suitcases won’t move themselves to your truck. Get moving. I need to get Tarak home.”

“For God’s sakes, Deyon. Stop,” Tarak protested.

“That growl won’t work on me.” Deyon led him to the car, putting her hand around his waist. “It’s either me or I’ll call Rissa or Lis.”

“Damn you.” Tarak growled. “I’m not an invalid.”

“I didn’t say you were. Now be a good boy and get in the truck.” Deyon opened the back door. “Lay out to prop up your leg.”

“Leo is a lucky man,” Tarak said, kissing her cheek.

“He is, although he’s an idiot,” Deyon said.

Tarak nodded then got in the vehicle as she’d said. Deyon closed the door before going to help Jackson with her things.

He went to protest. “I’ve got—”

“You want a piece of me too?” Deyon stared him down.

“Not at all, Divalicious.” Jackson put his hands up and let her do as she wished.

They got her bags and went on their way to her home. Deyon watched out of the windows, longing to see Leo.

* * * *

Leo held his cell, listening again as he had for the last three weeks. Deyon’s voice came from his cell’s voicemail.

“Oh…I thought I would get you but…that doesn’t matter. I’m going out of town for a few weeks. I have to do a favour for a friend.” She paused then said, “Think about what I said, Leo. We’ll talk when I get back.” Another silence then, “That is if you get your head out of your ass.” She hung up.

Leo clicked on the phone, thinking again how even in her message she sounded so cold. Over three weeks and the only time he’d heard her voice was from her voicemail, where she’d called him an ass. Well, telling him to get his head out of it meant he was being an ass, any way he worded it. He couldn’t say Deyon hadn’t kept in touch—she’d emailed him often to let him know what she was up to. The messages, however, had nothing to do with them. Leo sat back on the couch, placing his cell beside him. He picked up his remote and keyed the TV to the program he had taped. Deyon flashed on the screen.

Her one-time only return to the runway to model had created a frenzy. Leo watched as she moved down the runway in the strut that had made her famous. The woman known as Queen came after her in a regal movement that made her seem haughty. Leo’s hand clenched on the remote as the tall Caucasian man stopped, waiting for them. The women posed together at the end of the runway then the man strolled up behind them. The media said this man they called Prince—his real name was Chandler—strode with a sleek grace, but all Leo saw was a man who was heading to his woman.

Yes, Deyon was his. The joker came between the women and slid his hand along Queen’s ribcage, pulling her against his left side then inhaling deeply and pressing a kiss on her cheek. Leo tensed even more.

“Don’t you do it,” he growled.

Prince—or Chandler or whatever the hell he was called—of course couldn’t hear him. He moved his hand in the same position on Deyon. Leo stared at his hand on Deyon’s bare skin then grunted as he pulled Deyon into his right side. Chandler inhaled, nuzzling the side of Deyon’s face. It seemed so intimate and personal. Chandler looked between the two women, all his attention on them. The threesome standing on stage weren’t looking at the audience, just each other—capitalising on it being just about them. Then in unison they lifted their heads and watched out. Even through the camera, Leo could feel the sizzling sexuality between them. He hated the look on Deyon’s face out there for anyone to see. The only thing that calmed him was that he knew what she looked like in the throes of passion and that wasn’t it. Leo clicked the remote to pause when the camera panned to her, freezing her on the TV screen. A ping made him look at his cell then pick it up.

I’m at my house and going to bed. Deyon.

That was all the text said. He hadn’t even known she was returning McKingley—if he had, he would have picked her up at the airport. Leo stood, cutting off the TV, already moving towards the door. He slid his feet into his sandals and went to his vehicle. Later, when he walked to her door, he thought of what he would tell her. Leo paused, pulling out his key then put it back knocking on the door.

Moments later it jerked open. “Shh…Tarak is sleeping.”

“What? What’s he do—”

“Keep your voice down,” Deyon said, taking the same stance she had weeks earlier by the door. “What do you want, Leo?”

The fury he’d had bottled up for three weeks exploded. “Is that all you have to say to me? You’ve been gone weeks and no call, Deyon.”

“I emailed you. The phone works both ways.”

Leo paused, conceding he hadn’t tried calling either. “Fine, but come on, Deyon, you just left when we were—”

“You were acting as you are now. Like an asshole,” she stated. “If all you came here for is to yell at me and wake my house guest then good night.”

She slammed the door in his face. Leo stood there shocked. He heard the locks being turned then the alarm arm. In disbelief he stared at the door.

“Go home, Leo,” her voice came over the intercom.

Leo glared at it, knowing she could see. He turned on his heels and walked away. Outside he stopped then went back. Using his key, he opened the door then disarmed the alarm before reactivating it again. Leo turned to face Deyon who stood across the room.

“Look, Leo, I’m tired. I had a long ass trip and I don’t want to deal with this now.” Deyon put her hand on her hip.

Leo closed the distance between them, getting into her space. “Fine. But I’m not sleeping alone. I’m used to being with you and I’m staying.”

Deyon studied him then stomped towards her bedroom. Leo watched her then went to the opposite side of the house—he figured she’d put Tarak in one of the bedrooms there. He pushed open the only door that was partially closed and stood in the doorway. He saw Tarak sprawled in the centre of the bed with his hand under his pillow.

“No need to get the knife. It’s only me,” Leo called.

“I knew it was.” Tarak turned onto his back, watching him. “Sorry, it’s automatic.”

Leo studied the man who had been adopted by his family in every way but on paper. “You need to take better care of your leg.” He figured that was why Deyon had brought him home.

“God, all of you are a pain in the ass. Especially your woman.” Tarak sighed. “I wanted to get home and pushed to get here. Since I’ve moved back, I don’t like being away from McKingley. And my leg is sore because of it. I’ll be fine.”

“Make sure you work out to loosen it.”

“Deyon already said so.” Tarak smiled.

“And she lent you a knife, since I know you couldn’t have taken one with you on the plane.”

“She did and showed me her new weapons. Damn, I love a woman who knows her weapons.” Tarak laughed.

“Did she show you the gun?”

“Uh-huh. I’m going to have to come back to try it out.” Tarak studied him. “You know, women tend to react better to sweet words than yelling.”

Leo winced. Tarak with his sensitive hearing would of course have heard them, even though he hadn’t been near the door.

“Hardy ha ha. You are so funny.” Leo stepped back. “Get some rest. See you in the morning.”

“Fix it, Leo, or you won’t like the repercussions.”

“Don’t threaten me, Tarak,” Leo replied good-naturedly. “It’ll be okay.”

Leo knew it was Tarak’s way to be protective of those he loved. And from the silence on the subject of him and Deyon in family emails, he knew the rest were waiting to see what happened. Their family was close but knew when to back off. In this case, what had happened between him and Deyon wasn’t their business until it was sorted out. He put the door as he had found it then went to Deyon’s bedroom. The lights were off except for one lamp, on what he had come to think of as his side of the bed. He went there and undressed then slid between the cool sheets. Leo turned off the light then looked at Deyon’s back. He moved closer then pressed against her back and put his hand over her belly, cuddling her. She tensed then relaxed.

“I’m sorry, Deyon.”

“For what?”

This time he had the answer. “For all what you said. Also for being an ass and taking out my frustration on you.”

Deyon turned to face him. In the light coming in from the windows, Leo could see her clearly.

“I don’t have a problem with you taking out your frustrations or snapping at me, Leo.” With her pale-grey eyes she studied him and she said softly, “But next time, and there will be many, don’t you ever leave like you did.”

“I won’t,” Leo promised.

“Good. Because your deputy told me harming a cop could get me arrested.” Deyon turned away, moving back against his chest. “Although tasing you might be worth it.”

“I missed you whispering sweet nothings to me,” Leo teased.

Deyon yawned then said sleepily, “Just you wait, buddy. I have an earful for you.”

Leo grinned. He couldn’t wait to hear them. He pressed against her—he was hard, but he’d wait until morning. Let her say what she needed to then he’d make love to her. His cock hardened further as he thought of sinking into her heated core. He listened to her breathing slow as he held her.

Chapter Ten

Leo rolled over, reaching for Deyon. He frowned when his hand meet cool sheets. Opening his eyes, he sat up and glanced around the empty bedroom. Noting the time, he got out of the bed and pulled on his pyjama bottoms she had left out for him on the chair then headed out to the hall. At the cusp of the hall to the living room, he saw the TV was on.

“Deyon.”

“She’s left for work,” Tarak said.

Leo approached the couch, coming to stand behind it and looking at Tarak where he was slouched on the cushions.

“So early.”

“I guess. I don’t know when she usually leaves.”

“Okay. I don’t have any clean uniforms here so I’m heading home to get ready for work. Do you want me to give you a lift?”

“I can’t leave. Deyon told me to stay here.” Tarak chuckled.

“No one can keep you where you don’t want to be,” Leo countered.

“True. Although it would be delightful if Deyon tracked me down and tied me up. Then brought me back here and she threatened me, I’m staying until she gets back. I’m not pulling one of my hocus pocus now you see me and then you don’t shenanigans.” Tarak rolled his eyes. “Deyon has a colourful way of putting things.”

“That sounds like something Deyon would say. Hell, she’d do it too.” Leo laughed. “So I’ll leave you to it. Do you need me to bring you anything from your house?”

“Nope. I’m good. Deyon already retrieved my e-reader.” Tarak pointed to the centre table. “And anything else I need.”

Leo knew he was obsessed with the thing—Tarak loved to read. “What historical romance are you reading?”

“I don’t know what you are referring to? I don’t read such things.” Tarak shifted lower on the seat.

“You’re such a liar.” Leo headed back to the bedroom, shaking his head.

“They’re good reading. I’m learning about history,” Tarak called.

Leo didn’t answer. He got dressed then left Tarak in the house. Outside he was surprised to see Tarak’s truck. He wondered how Deyon had retrieved it without someone to help. He’d ask her later.

* * * *

Later that day, Leo entered Deyon’s, glancing around. He hadn’t had a chance to come by since the fire. Heck, he hadn’t wanted to come by with Deyon not there. Everything looked fine now and the shop was busy. He went in search of Deyon.

“She’s in her fitting room,” the store manager told him as she hurried past.

Leo changed his course and went the way she stated. As he got closer, he was curious at the crowd that was in doorway of the fitting room.

“What going on?”

The people looked at him but none answered. They returned their attention to whatever was going on but made space. Leo moved into the area they left and stopped, his fists curling. The view before him was almost as it had been on TV. Deyon was posing with the joker and the Queen. But this time he was viewing it up close and personal. Leo looked at the rest of the people in the room who were bustling around doing something or the other, then narrowed in on the small man who sat in what looked like a director’s chair.

“More passion,” the man called. “Kiss Deyon.”

“The hell he will,” Leo roared.

Everyone stopped and looked at him. Those in the doorway with him chuckled. Leo strode forward and when he got closer he was surprised to see Lis rise from where she had been crouching. There was a camera in her hands. She looked amused.

“Who is this man?” The photographer in the chair got down and came to him. “Get out. We agreed you locals can look from the doorway. Now shoo.”

Leo glanced at Deyon. “Did he just say
shoo
?”

She nodded. Leo focused on him, looking down at the man who arched an eyebrow.

“You think you can intimidate me.” He sneered and took a step towards Leo.

Leo was amused by his sputtering. “In case you missed it, I’m the police. So if you touch me, I will restrain you.” He looked at Deyon. “He’s a flighty little thing.”