Irresistible Forces (McKingley) (2 page)

Leo tightened his hold. He didn’t like hearing that at all. The idea of her lying in the entryway of the house made him furious.

“Calm down, Leo. I’ve done it before and there has been no one to bring me inside. I just lay there until it was bearable enough for me to get inside. I always make it through fine.” Deyon’s voice was strained.

“You should have called me or one of the family if you’re feeling like this. You don’t need to be alone.”

“I know, but they hit so suddenly and randomly.”

“When was the last time you had one?” Leo pushed open the door with his boot.

“A year.”

He carried her across the spacious room to her king-sized bed. Gently, he placed her on top of the quilt. Leo squatted by the bed. He removed her shades and put them on the nightstand then focused on her pushing her hair gently back from her face.

“Where’s your medicine?”

“I… It’s been so long it’s probably expired and I didn’t get a refill.” Deyon gritted her teeth.

“Deyon—” He growled but cut himself off.

There was nothing to be done about that now. Leo stood and went to the attached bathroom. He got a basin and quickly filled it with cool water while grabbing a cloth. He searched the medicine cabinet and pulled out some over-the-counter pain pills. Returning to her bedroom, he placed the items on the floor by the bed. The pain pills he set on the nightstand. He left rapidly, going back into the hall then down to the living room and making a right into the kitchen. Even in the dark he knew his way as he went to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water before retracing his steps to the bedroom. Deyon was curled up in a ball, moaning. Leo knelt by the side of the bed, got some pills then opened the water and gently lifted her to give them to her. She moved the water away after just taking enough to swallow the pills. Leo didn’t push for any more, knowing she was probably feeling nauseated. He reached for the cloth and wet it before placing it over her eyes.

“Thanks.” Her voice was hoarse.

“Shh…no talking. Later we talk,” Leo stated.

“Oh shit, that’s your lecture voice. What did I do now?” Deyon lifted one end of the cloth, watching him.

Leo stifled a smile. If only she knew how much lately he’d been enjoying their lectures. She would get agitated and start tapping her foot, making her full breasts bob, then she would bite her lip causing them to plump even more enticingly. Finally, when she’d had just enough, she would roll her eyes, shifting around on whatever she was sitting on, moving her body so sensuously he was hard pressed to not push her over and have her right wherever they were.

“Driving. But we’ll discuss it later. If I rub your temples will it help or hurt you?” Leo asked.

“It would feel good, but you don’t need to do that. You’ve done enough,” Deyon protested.

“Hush, woman.”

“Enjoy my not being up to responding to that while you can. Now get to massaging me.” She smiled then winked.

“I’ll massage you anywhere you want.” It was a promise and he stared into her open eye.

Deyon looked startled then speculative. “When I’m feeling better, we’re going to definitely talk.”

“That’s why I was coming to see you,” Leo admitted. He’d decided to stop beating around the bush and just make his intentions known.

“Wh—?”

“Shut up, Deyon.” He touched her fingers, moving them off the cloth.

Leo smoothed the cloth over her eyes. He rested his fingers on her temples and started massaging. She moaned softly. The sound made his cock even harder. He shifted, trying to get space in his slacks. Leo continued his ministrations then removed the cloth, rubbing along the top of her forehead outwards down to the sides. He alternated the cool water and massaging. A few times he changed the water and kept working on the migraine she was experiencing. Slowly, Deyon relaxed then went lax as she drifted off to sleep. Leo placed the wet cloth in the basin. He leaned over and put his hand on the bed under his chin, studying her face. Asleep, Deyon was even sexier. Her thick lashes fanned out just below her eyes and her lush lips were slightly parted as she breathed deeply.

Suddenly she sat up. “I can’t sleep in this.”

She went to swing her legs off the bed and Leo stilled her. Deyon blinked, opening her eyes. Her unfocused gaze cleared and she looked at him.

“I’ll get it. Stay.” He moved her back gently to where she had lain before.

“On the chair.”

Leo turned to where she gestured then retrieved the clothing. He shook it open and bit back a groan—it was one of her short, flirty housedresses. This one was burnt orange with dark red flowers. He returned to the bed. Deyon reached for it, but he held it out of her reach.

“You’re not undoing all my hard work. Stay there,” he snapped.

“No one asked you to. Don’t get nasty with me.” She mirrored his tone.

Leo smiled. She was starting to feel better. Deyon was very independent and didn’t like leaning on anyone.

“Okay. I don’t want to argue with you. I’ll help you into it.” He silently cursed himself for setting himself up for the torture of seeing her almost naked and not being able to touch.

“You just want to get a look at my goodies,” Deyon teased.

“Yes, but when you’re well enough we can both do something about it,” Leo countered.

Deyon’s gaze went wide then narrowed. A look of speculation filled her eyes then she smiled, a small twist of lips. Deyon sat up and he helped her. Leo gritted his teeth as he removed her blouse then pants. His hand shook at the first view of her cream coloured bra and matching high-cut panties. Both were lacy and looked so tactile. Leo focused on the dress he had to put on her. Quickly he covered her up, breathing a sigh of relief. Deyon ran her cool fingers against the side of his face. He lifted his head, meeting her pale-grey gaze. Leo swallowed at the desire he saw there. He resisted the invitation and slid her back into place on the bed. Deyon shifted on top of the quilt.

“Pull off the quilt,” she demanded.

Leo did as she bid, gulping as she moved to the side. He pushed it under her body then she rolled back towards him. The dress hiked up, showing even more of her long legs. Deyon’s body pressed against his chest. She moaned, a wanton sound. Leo finished pulling the quilt out then knelt again.

“Sleep.”

“I—”

“Do you want the headache to come on stronger? I know it isn’t fully gone.”

“No, it isn’t. It’s just lurking in the background waiting to pounce again.” Deyon sighed.

“Rest. I’ll be here when you wake.” He ran his finger down her cheek.

Deyon studied him then spoke, “I’m gonna hold you to that.”

“I want you to.”

She kept her gaze locked with his before her eyes drifted shut. Leo kept watch as her breathing deepened and she went back to sleep. When he was sure she was out, he went into the other room to make a call. Once finished, Leo returned then lifted the chair he’d retrieved the housedress from and carried it to the bedside. Sitting, he crossed his arms over his stomach and observed the woman who had got under his skin. They’d have to talk about what to do about it once she woke. Leo pulled off his boots and socks. Removing his gun belt, he stood then placed it on a table by where he knew she kept a gun safe behind the picture on the wall. He relaxed against the high-back chair, shifting to get comfy. The sound of Deyon’s soft breathing filled the room.

* * * *

Deyon blinked, stretching as she woke. She was thankful the migraine had gone. Mentally she made a note to get her prescription filled. She rarely got migraines, but when she did, and didn’t take her medicine, they lasted longer than they should. This time it hadn’t and she knew why. Deyon turned her head and a smile curled her lips as she spotted his large feet. They were propped against the bed. Leonardo had sexy feet— all manly, big and looking so touchable. Not that she had ever touched them, but she’d fantasised about it. About a lot of things she’d like to do to Leonardo Wright. Until recently, she might have called him Leo out loud, but in her head he had always been Leonardo. His name matched the man—a compelling face that made her pulse race and panties get wet. All those things were Leonardo.

Deyon raised her gaze, studying those long, muscular legs in his uniform. The sheriff uniform he wore should be listed as its own lethal weapon. It was hell on the pulse and made her want to rip it off. His broad chest was showcased in his shirt, but it was better viewed bare as she had seen it at various times when they were around his family. His dark sienna skin offset his light brown eyes. Rugged, masculine features and a short haircut matched his strong, confident and straightforward personality. The combination of his traits was what had got him elected as Sheriff of McKingley and made him the man who awakened things inside her that she’d not pursued in a long time. She’d known him a long time and had been studying to gauge what was in his psyche. She still hadn’t figured him out and wanted to get deep within the layers of who Leonardo Wright was.

She could have approached him before but hadn’t for two reasons. One, he was the older brother of her friend Arissa, which would create problems if they didn’t work out. Deyon knew when it came to relationships, she was passionate and went all in with no holds barred. She expected the same from her partner. Which led to her second reason—with Leonardo she already knew she would accept nothing less than a relationship. But seeing the way the man had his pick of women and how he’d dated some of them for a short time, she was not about to be another notch on his belt. She wouldn’t call Leonardo a player by any means—women loved him and if he was interested he accepted their advances, but for some reason his interest in the ladies he dated didn’t seem to last long. That was the one thing she couldn’t figure out. What kept his interest? Leonardo was a complex man and she wanted to figure out what made him tick, then make him hers. Deyon remembered what he had intimated earlier—seemed as if he wished to be hers. But she wasn’t one to pussyfoot around—she needed what he expected to be laid out clearly. They would make it clear what they each expected.

Deyon slid out of the other side of the bed and stood. She looked once more at the big man sprawled in the chair then strode out of the room. In the darkened hallway, she made her way to the living room then towards the kitchen. Inside she turned the dimmer switch on at a low setting. She noted it was already after ten p.m. No wonder she was feeling hungry—she’d been asleep for hours and she’d missed lunch. She’d arrived home a little after five o’clock, later than she usually did on a Friday. Fridays at her store were her early day, and she usually left at twelve to start her weekend. Unless there was something pressing, she didn’t work on the weekends anymore—the perks of being the boss. A sound caught her attention and Deyon headed towards the living room. Hearing it again, she realised it was a knock on the door. Deyon went to it, wondering why they hadn’t rung the bell. It could only be one of three people who were knocking directly. Anyone else would have pressed the bell outside the building, which would have come through the intercom and they would have to be let in. Deyon opened the door.

“Shouldn’t you be in bed?” Arissa Wright, one of her best friends, scowled.

“Why?”

“Migraine. Leo called me to get this.” She handed her a pharmacy bag.

Deyon took it and hugged her. “Thanks, I didn’t get it refilled.”

Deyon spotted the man waiting on Arissa. She released Arissa and waved at Deiter, Arissa’s fiancé. He’d moved in with Arissa upstairs for now while they looked for a place of their own. Deiter nodded at her, smiling before turning his attention to Arissa. Deyon noted the possessive look on his face.

I want someone to look at me like that.

Arissa spoke again, capturing her attention. “You should know better than letting it run out.”

“I know. I know. Won’t happen again.”

“It better not, I had your doctor add refills on it so you have no excuse,” Arissa said.

Arissa was a doctor at the hospital. Deyon figured Arissa had contacted her doctor to have them call in the prescription.

“Thanks again.”

“Thank Leo.” Arissa craned her neck as if trying to see inside. “Where is he anyway?”

“Sleeping. He watched over me,” Deyon said.

Arissa focused on her, her gaze questioning. Deyon shrugged, not saying anything. Until they talked, there was nothing to tell.

“Listen to his lecture and actually do as he says,” Arissa said.

Deiter laughed behind her. Deyon glared at the big German. He smirked. Everyone knew of Leo and his lectures. He was an equal opportunity lecturer—anyone he viewed as family or friend might be made to sit through what he called ‘a talk’. Deyon swore the man took too much joy in lecturing her. Deyon glanced at Arissa.

“I was making something to eat. Do you all wanna join me?”

“Nah. I’m beat and going to get an early night.” Arissa walked over to Deiter, sliding her hand around his waist.

He rested his arm over her shoulder. “Make sure you take care of yourself, we all care about you. Feel better, Deyon.”

Arissa waved and they headed to their apartment. Deyon leaned against the entryway and watched as they disappeared inside. She stepped back, closing the door then turning. Deyon gasped as she hit a solid body. His manly scent surrounded her as he steadied her. His large hands rested on her cloth-clad hips as he held her in place. She wished he were touching bare skin. Deyon raised her head and met his light brown gaze. Leonardo’s lids were practically lowered over his eyes.

“Deiter was correct. We care about you. You need to take better care of yourself, Deyon.” His deep voice rumbled out of his chest.

The broad expanse was pressed against her breasts making them tingle. Deyon shifted her legs, almost straddling his thigh. Leonardo’s hands tightened on her hips. Deyon licked her lips wanting a taste. He followed the motion then dipped his head.

Yes. Kiss me. Make it hard and good.

Chapter Two

Deyon closed her eyelids and opened her lips, waiting for the press of his. None came, making her frown. She blinked, opened her eyes and stared into his—Leonardo’s gaze was intense and she could see the desire, but he didn’t make any further move to close the distance.