Irresistible Forces (McKingley) (4 page)

He viewed the men watching her. They were as captivated by her strut as he usually was. Deyon stopped before him and smiled widely.

“This has been a fun day. If could kiss you, I would show my appreciation.” She smiled a sassy grin.

He stifled a groan. Him and his stupid rule. Deyon thought he was torturing her, but in reality he was tormenting himself. Deyon pulled him along and he followed her to another exhibit.

* * * *

Leonardo relaxed in the booth at Morrow’s after their scrumptious dinner. Deyon rested against his shoulder as she listened to the live band the supper club had playing. She hummed under her breath, swaying to the music. It was driving him crazy. Deyon had a dreamy smile on her face. She turned to him, cupping his cheek and moving close to him so he could hear her.

“You having a good time?”

“Yes. I’m enjoying being with you,” he whispered against the side of her face.

“It would be better if we could kiss. But your rule, at least until you break it, says no. So I’ll settle for this.” Deyon scraped her nails gently inside the open neck of his shirt.

He groaned, putting his hand over hers. Raising her hand, he squeezed it and slid out of the booth. He helped Deyon out then intertwined their fingers, guiding her through the aisle towards the exit. He was glad he had already paid the bill because he couldn’t have waited for it. Outside in the slightly cool night, Leonardo led her to his brown F-150 King Ranch SuperCrew truck. He helped her in then looped around the hood to the driver’s side. Inside the cab, he started the truck and got them on their way. She was silent leaning against the seat as they went towards her home. Leonardo gripped the wheel of his truck.

Be strong. You can resist stripping her and having her.

He repeated the words to himself in the forty-five minutes it took him to get to her house. In her driveway, he parked then got out and opened her door. Placing his hand at the small of her back, he stifled a groan as he touched bare skin. The dark grey halter-top shirt she wore dipped low, stopping just above the swell of her ass. Her dark green pants flared at the bottom to her ankles offsetting her high-heeled sandals that were the same colour as her shirt. He figured the entire ensemble was from her shop, Deyon’s. They had everything from accessories, clothing and even shoes. Their lingerie was also spectacular—Leo moaned at the thought. Leo was impressed that Deyon created all the clothing and some of everything else that she carried in her store. The bulk of the rest of the things were done by designers she employed.

Leonardo couldn’t resist smoothing his thumb over her naked back. She shivered, pressing against his frame. He kept them going towards the house, quickly. Her chuckle was wanton and beckoned his raging libido. He took the key, opening the door before herding her inside. Leonardo unlocked her front door then stepped back as Deyon entered. He placed her key on the table she kept by the entry way and walked rapidly to the outer door.

“Bowling tomorrow. Six o’clock. Night,” he said, beating a hasty retreat.

“Leonardo.”

He ignored her surprised call and got out of there. In his truck, he spun the wheel and drove off.

Why are you leaving? She wants you. Follow nature and get on with it.

“You need to keep control, old man.” He didn’t know if he could, but he was determined to try.

Chapter Three

“Control,” Leonardo repeated what had become his mantra in the month he’d been dating Deyon.

Every time he saw her, it was getting harder to resist the temptation that was
Deyon De’clare.

Then why are you resisting, you ass?
A voice that sounded suspiciously like his older brother Dimitri Wright came in his thoughts.

It was exactly what Dimitri and his other brother Jonathon had said in varying ways. Their family was close and he hadn’t even made it home from his first date with Deyon before he’d had calls about what was going on. He’d admitted they were dating and had told everyone to mind their own business. Leonardo knew it was useless to say so, but he had tried. His siblings had interjected in his business until their parents had put a stop to it. Leonardo knew that was a reprieve. His parents were also curious, but more patient in waiting to see what would happen. Eventually they would ask outright, but for now, he was grateful for their holding everyone else off.

Leonardo focused back on the building that housed Deyon’s—the business had the same name as the woman who had got under his skin. He rolled his shoulders then exited the vehicle. As he strolled to the door, he exchanged greetings with various residents of McKingley.

“Afternoon, Sheriff.”

“Afternoon, Miss Sadie. How’s the hip feeling? I’m expecting that dance on Saturday.” He slid his hand under her elbow, steadying the woman as she walked beside him.

“You’ll get that dance if you want it, young man. However I think your dance card might be filled with a certain young lady.” Her smile was wide and knowing.

Leonardo didn’t question how she knew—Miss Sadie, who was the third oldest resident of McKingley, seemed to know everything that was going on. For a woman who was ninety, she was spritely. They had all worried when she had hurt her hip but from how she was walking she was doing much better. Nothing slowed her down.

“Since we are heading the same way, may I escort you?” Leonardo took off his hat, holding it over his heart.

“You’re such a charmer. You’re my favourite Wright man.” Miss Sadie glanced around then put her hand by her mouth. “Tell any of the other men in your family and I’ll deny it.”

Leonardo laughed. Miss Sadie told all of them that. She was a flirt.

“I won’t. And you’re my best girl.” He opened the door for her.

“Now lying to an old woman is a sin. Here comes your best girl. I’ll settle for second and if she’s stupid enough to dump you then you’re all mine.” Miss Sadie winked.

“Trying to steal my man, Miss Sadie. Don’t make me take out your other hip.” Deyon kissed the woman on her cheek then turned to Leonardo.

He steeled himself for her touch. Deyon groped his butt—something she did regularly since they hadn’t kissed. It was within his rules, and she took pleasure in telling him so often. Deyon smiled. Leo focused on
Rhianna who had walked up with Deyon.

“Hi, Rhianna.”

“Hey, Leo.” Rhianna was dressed as was her norm in jeans and T-shirt.

She preferred to be more casual than Deyon. Leo studied the woman whose features looked a lot like her sister’s. She studied him with light grey eyes and with a grin on her face that Leo knew meant she was up to something.

“Give me a few minutes while I get Miss Sadie’s things.” Deyon led the woman away.

Leonardo watched the two of them talking as they moved deeper into the store.

“Is his ass as firm as it looks?” He clearly heard Miss Sadie ask.

“Firmer. You should give it a squeeze sometime.”

“I just might, since the owner of the ass is giving me permission. I might give him a heart attack though, they think I am a stuffy old lady.” There was teasing in Miss Sadie’s tone.

“Now, Miss Sadie, lying so blatantly is a major sin.” Deyon laughed, a rich sound.

“Don’t tell Pastor. He’s been trying to pick me up for ages. I’ve been having to turn him down telling him I’m an innocent woman. Poor man is heartbroken,” Miss Sadie replied.

Leonardo stifled a laugh. No one in town bought that big fib. Miss Sadie was irreverent and loved by everyone. Thinking of the older residents of the town, Leonardo made a mental note to check in on the others. He did it regularly to make sure they were okay and didn’t need anything.

“Ogling her butt in public. Shame on you, Leo.”

Leo started, forgetting Rhianna was standing beside him. He glanced at her and didn’t reply.

“How are things at the centre?”

Rhianna was second-in–charge at Oasis, the community centre owned by his sister Katiya, which helped lots of residents by offering classes and other social functions.

“Things are well.” Rhianna brushed her
short, curly dark brown hair from her face then
placed her arm in the crook of his elbow and led him towards the exit. “Don’t hurt my sister, Leo, or I’ll have to hunt you down.”

She patted his hand and continued alone towards the door. Leo stared after her. Rhianna, just like her sister, made an impression
as she walked to the door—the sisters made the simple act of walking so graceful and sensual. To Leo, Rhianna’s movements were more reserved while Deyon’s were all power and passion.

Leo went to sit in one of the chairs in the sitting area that was closest to the door. He noted the one on the other side had a few people there too. He inclined his head to those he recognised. The one he didn’t stared at him. Leonardo knew it was the uniform—he’d been told he could be intimidating in his sheriff uniform. He amused himself by looking out of the plate glass window that had the name of the store scrawled across it with the logo of the shop. The people on the sidewalk most of the time paused, glancing in. He turned his head, studying the eye-catching displays Deyon kept by the windows. He returned his attention to the passing pedestrians.

“Ready,” Deyon spoke, capturing his attention.

Leonardo stood, joining her. He did what had become a normal thing when he was around her—he placed his hand on the small of her back as he led her to the door. As they went by, he observed the looks they were getting. If there was anyone in McKingley who didn’t know about them, they would before the day was done. Outside, he lowered his hand and they intertwined their fingers as they strolled towards where they were going to lunch.

“It was a nice surprise that you called to go for lunch. A quickie would be good too,” she teased.

Leonardo tightened his hold on her fingers then relaxed. “Wicked woman.”

“I try. So, how’s your day going?” she asked.

“I had to go by the Conner place again.”

Deyon started laughing not even asking what had happened.

“I swear, if I have to go out there one more time I’m going to arrest him. I don’t know why he doesn’t give up on shooting that damn rooster. It’s too evil to die.”

“Was he naked again?” Deyon wiped her eyes with her fingers.

“Yes. His willy all out to see as he chased that damn, demented rooster.” Leonardo chuckled as he thought of the sight.

James Conner was new to town and had bought a parcel of land close to where Deyon was located. What no one had told him was that he’d inherited Sigmund the rooster with the land. No one knew when Sigmund had become part of the ranch—he just was. Sigmund would be all-sweet between certain times, but he was ornery when the clock hit two-seventeen a.m. At that time, every day, he crowed incessantly until six seventeen a.m. James hadn’t been told that little quirk and had thought it was nice at first. Now the man was determined to shoot that ‘damn singing fucker’, as he called it. Sigmund was wily and couldn’t be shot or caught. Lots of folks had tried, but Leo had to give James an ‘A’ for being determined.

“Who called you?” Deyon asked because no local would call. It had become funny how determined James was. Even though people were starting to think of him as a local now, they were still amused by his determination and had bets on who would win. Sigmund was in the lead for coming out on top.

“Another tourist who was driving in the area heard the gunshot.”

The same thing had happened four times in the last week.

“I’m tempted to have a sign made to put out there that says ‘Ignore the gunshots—lunatic chasing a rooster ahead’.” Leonardo smiled, imagining trying to get that approved by the city council.

Deyon laughed again then wiped her eyes once more. “I could imagine a vote for it. Yay to vote to appease crazy. No to enjoy him running around after the ornery rooster.”

“Or…”

They made teasing jokes of different votes as they had their lunch. Later Leonardo escorted her back to her store, holding her hand. He followed her inside and waited patiently as she talked to a few employees and customers as she went. They passed into the back and she led him into her office before closing the door. Deyon released her hold on his hand. Leonardo opened the door before going farther into the room.

“You don’t trust me to be alone behind closed doors?” She leaned against the desk.

He knew why she thought that—he’d avoided being alone with her in any room. There was only so much control he had. Leonardo moved between her legs and stifled a groan when she widened her stance. He enjoyed these moments of teasing after they’d been out. Today was the first time they’d had lunch together during their workday, and he wasn’t about to leave without it. He placed his hands on the desk on either side of her hips.

“Myself. Don’t trust myself,” he replied.

“Hmmm…good to know. Note to self—get Leonardo behind closed doors alone.” She slid her hands up and down his forearms.

Leonardo braced himself harder on the desk. When he had made the rule that touching was okay, he’d forgotten how tactile Deyon was. He’d seen her many times stroking weapons and fabrics with the same sensual way. On his skin, it only made him even hornier. He stepped back, touching the brim of his hat.

“I’ll call you later,” he stated.

“I’ll be waiting.” Deyon lowered her lids, running her hands down the front of her short skirt.

Leonardo swallowed, knowing what that meant. Since she couldn’t kiss him or touch him where she wanted, Deyon used her creative mind to tell in detail what she wanted to do. Their nightly conversations had become another form of torture. He pivoted then left.