Risky Pleasures (12 page)

She looked down her nose and said in a haughty tone, “I’m a Wright, I don’t need your son’s money. I don’t need anyone’s money.”

They clashed gazes for a few moments and she saw Victoria try to regroup. Taking advantage of her silence, Delicia pressed forward. “You aren’t worth that man’s love, never have been and from the looks of things, you never will be. Leave him alone. Leave me alone. Leave us alone.”

Victoria’s eyes narrowed in anger. “My son will come to his senses and get rid of you, even if you are a Wright.”

“Is that so? Well, in that case you have no reason to stay on my porch. Get the hell off my property.” Turning around, she reached for the doorknob.

“We’re not finished.”

Delicia pivoted back. “Yes, we are. Get your ass off my property or I’ll call the cops on you. And, in case you were wondering, my brother is the sheriff.” She stared at the evil woman. “You set foot on my property again and I’ll have you arrested for trespassing.”

“You wouldn’t,” she seethed.

She licked her lips and leant forward. “Try me,” she dared.

“This isn’t over,” Victoria said, stomping down the path to a waiting vehicle. “He will never be yours. Never!”

Foot tapping, Delicia crossed her arms and glared her out of the drive. Rage flowed hot and fast inside her, but she kept it in. She’d always tried to be good and stay calm, but damn if that woman didn’t make her want to just…

The roar of a motorcycle brought her head up. She watched the red and black Ninja roll up her drive. With a smile, she headed down to meet her visitor. A welcome one, this time.

“Thom,” she said, when the engine fell silent. “What are you doing here?”

He removed his helmet and grinned at her, then lifted a brow and delivered a wolf whistle. “Look at you. Damn, Lis, you look hot.”

“Thanks. What are you doing here?”

“I came by to drop off a…” He trailed off and got off his bike. Once his helmet sat on the seat he pulled her in close. “Oh, sweetie, what’s wrong?”

Until he asked the question, she hadn’t realised there were tears streaming down her face. She sank against him, trusting he would keep her up. He smoothed his large hands up and down her back. She wanted to get away. Before something else happened she couldn’t control.

“Come on,” he said.

“Where?”

“I’m taking you home with me.”

She sniffed. “Don’t you have a hot date or something like that?”

“She’ll keep.”

And just like that, Delicia knew it would be okay. That was why she loved Thom so much. He was the perfect friend. He wouldn’t ask nosy questions like her family and his loyalty was to her, not one of her brothers, so nothing she said to him would go any farther. He kissed her cheek.

“Get on the bike, I’ll grab your keys.”

He jogged off and she grabbed the extra helmet before carefully pulling up her dress a bit so she could straddle the bike. While she waited, she called Archer. Nothing. She hung up with a sigh. Moments later, Thom came back and got on. She slid her arms around him and soon the powerful engine turned over and he got them on the road to his place.

Once they arrived, they rode the elevator in silence to his third storey loft. She kicked her heels off by the door and padded barefoot across his smooth wooden floor. As she made her way to the kitchen, he picked up the phone and made a call. She tried to reach Archer at the same time, but it went straight to his voicemail so she hung up, biting the inside of her cheek.

“Sorry, darling, something came up and I won’t make it tonight. Yes, I’ll make it up to you, promise.” He hung up and walked to stand in front of her.

“I am sorry I’m making you miss a date.”

“No one makes me do anything, Lis. She’s a piece of ass, you…are my friend. You’ll always come first.”

She gave him a wobbly smile and he spun her in the direction of his bedroom.

“Get changed into something more you.”

She didn’t argue and soon wore a baggy shirt and pair of his shorts. Thom was in the kitchen whipping up some food and she sat on one of the stools. Barely breaking in what he did, he reached into the fridge, withdrew a lager and slid it to her. Then he went back to cooking.

“Archer and I were supposed to go to Morrow’s tonight,” she said after a good, healthy swig of the lager.

“I figured you were going somewhere. You don’t wear dresses.”

She stared at her painted nails and her lips curled in disgust. “No, I don’t.”

“So what happened?”

“I don’t know. He didn’t show. But his mother did.”

Thom said some words that would have made trucker blush. He knew about Victoria. “Let me guess, she wasn’t exactly throwing out the welcoming mat.”

Another few sips. “I don’t know why it bothers me. I know she’s a bitch. But Jesus, Thom, his ex-wife is living in his house. I offered for him to stay with me, but she’s living there. Like she has every right.”

He set a plate full of steaming food down before her. Her stomach growled at the fare. Soon he joined her at the island.

“So the bitch is at his place, Lis. He’s staying with you. That should tell you all you need to know.”

She sighed. “I know, it’s just…missing the date, not answering calls and the mother showing up on my step is kind of overwhelming.”

He stared at her so long she began to shift on the padded stool.

“What?”

“Are you okay? I know you’re busting your ass for this triathlon, but are you ensuring you get enough sleep, Lis?”

“I…” She shrugged. “I don’t know, Thom.”

“Okay then, what you need is a night of movies and junk food. Come on,” he ordered, grabbing his plate and walking towards his sofa.

With a smile, she followed him. She knew he would listen to her and even give her advice whether she wanted it or not. But, bless him, he also knew when to back off and let her have her space. Like now. Movies were non-threatening.

She sat down beside him and grabbed his remote. Flipping through the selection, she found the one she was looking for and pressed play. She took the nail polish off and felt better. The beer, food and movies helped her relax and she fell asleep, finally free of the worries that had been racing through her mind.

* * * *

Come morning, Thom had waffles, eggs and fruit ready for her. After they ate, they went down to his bike and he gave her a ride home. Her heart jumped at the sight of Archer’s large white truck parked in the drive. She hopped off the idling bike and gave Thom a hug, conveying her gratitude. The slam of a screen door had her glance to the porch.

Archer stood there, arms crossed over his bare chest, pants hanging low on lean hips and enticing her all too much even from the distance he was. She swallowed, flexing her fingers in the material of her dress, then she waved to Thom before walking up to her house in heels, and Thom’s clothing.

Indigo eyes watched her walk the entire way. She wasn’t sure what to make of his silence. Archer was laid back and easy going but this…something screamed danger and damn if she wasn’t a bit hesitant.

His look burned her and he flicked those intense eyes between her and the motorcycle. His large body blocked the door. She trailed her hungry gaze over him, his golden skin. Hard muscular physique with defined pecs and abs she’d never get tired of exploring. Powerful legs encased in jeans and he had bare feet. Back up to his stony expression. His tousled dark brown hair appeared as if he’d been raking his hands through it.

She swallowed. “Good morning, Archer.”

“Are you okay?” he questioned through clenched teeth.

“Yes.” And she was. She did feel much better now.

“Good.”

She glanced at him. “Excuse me, I need to get ready for work.”

The fire in his eyes vanished and she felt goosebumps pop up on her skin. Silent, he slipped aside and held the door for her, ever the gentleman, her Archer was. She moved by, doing her best to ignore the scents which made her think of nothing but him and her. The door clicked behind her and she’d gone three steps before he spoke.

“Delicia.”

She turned and was taken aback by the emotion in his gaze. “Did you have a good night, Archer?” She didn’t want to fight, just wanted to get ready for her day.

“No.” His muscles rippled. Damn man truly was a work of art. “Did you?”

“After a fashion,” she admitted. She tossed the dress at him. “Here, in case you wondered what I was wearing last night.”

He snatched it out of the air and pain sliced across his expression. “I called you, Delicia,” he said.

She rubbed her eyes. “I called you, too, Archer. I have to get ready for work.”

“Shower in a minute, we need to talk.”

“I don’t need a shower. I did that at Thom’s. So talk.” She rotated to walk back to her room, only to find herself pressed against the wall with Archer blocking her in.

“You’re wearing his clothes.” The sentence was low and angry. “You smell like him.”

Lord it was hard to think when she just wanted to kiss him. “I stayed at his house. And like you said—”

“Five seconds,” he growled, interrupting her.

“Excuse me?”

“Get out of his fucking clothes, Delicia.”

“Are you jealous?”

The gleam in his gaze gave the answer. “Three seconds.”

Delicia stripped the shirt off and pushed the shorts down. “Better?”

“No. Not until you smell like me and tangerines like you usually do.” He kissed her hard, demanding her submission. As soon as she gave it, he backed off. “Why?”

“Your mother showed up at the door when I was expecting it to be you. Then Thom arrived and I really needed a friend. I had to get away.”

She could see the agony in his expression, but his touch on her remained tender, yet possessive.

“I called, but you didn’t answer,” she said.

“I’m so sorry, Delicia. It was the accident on Canyon Road.”

“I figured it had to do with work.” She shook her head. “I have to get ready to go in.”

He lifted her in his arms and carried her to the shower. “Mine!” he growled as he slanted his lips over hers.

Oh, yeah. She could definitely get used to showers like this.

Chapter Eight

Archer leaned against the railing and watched as the first few males crossed the finish line. His heart was up in his throat as he waited for the woman who wore number two-oh-one. He’d been living at her house since his mom and Lacy had arrived. They didn’t seem in any rush to leave McKingley and while he hated them in his house, he loved being in Delicia’s with her.

It had been almost two months since their missed date at Marrow. Things had been rocky, but they’d moved passed it—or so he’d hoped. When he’d woke this morning and found her already gone, he’d called his dad in to cover for him and headed up near Taos to be there for her. None of her family was going—when he’d asked her, she’d just shaken her head and said no.

Given what Leo had told him the night at the accident, it surprised him none of her family would show. Personally, he wasn’t about to miss this for anything. He’d only seen her once and knew she hadn’t seen him. Pride filled him at the knowledge of what she was doing. People jostled him on each side, but he refused to give an inch. He would be at the finish line when she crossed.

“Not surprised to see you here.”

The voice from beside him drew his attention away from the exhausted runners. He bit back a snarl as he looked over and saw Thom standing there in a sleeveless white shirt and a pair of shorts. He really didn’t like this man, or how close he was to Delicia.

“Look, man. I know you don’t like me, but don’t you think for Lis’ sake we should at least try to get along?”

“Why?”

Thom laughed. “Because I’m not going anywhere so you may as well get used to me. She’s my friend.”

“The kind of friend who you let wear your clothing and sleep over?” Anger began to grow as he recalled that morning when she’d arrived on the back of his motorcycle.

“That’s exactly the kind. The kind her boyfriend should have no problems trusting her with. Because Lis and I are only friends.” The reprimand was there, and not all that subtle.

Archer reined himself back in and swallowed, the dry air making him long for a nice cool drink. “Why are you here?” he asked.

“I always am. Lis never had anyone else to come with her so I always do. I was shocked to see you weren’t driving her, but now that I see you here, I’m guessing she just kind of left.”

“I woke up and found she was gone.”

“Well, am I correct in understanding you’ll be taking her home today?”

“Yes.”

Thom nodded and peered around him. Archer didn’t know what it was, but he felt the prickle go up over his spine and he, too, glanced off to the approaching runners.

He skimmed the men until his heart thudded loudly. There. Delicia ran behind two men, the white and green of her outfit identifying her. Her bone straight hair bounced in its ponytail and was a darker honey hue than normal. The sun glistened off her sweaty body.

The closer she came the harder his heart pounded. Her sunglasses obscured his view of her eyes so he had no clue if she knew he was even there or not. Thom began to move and Archer followed. He watched some cross the finish line and collapse. Delicia crossed amid resounding cheers, for she was the first woman to do so. Thom’s arms were there and Archer almost snapped at him until he heard what he said.

“Walk, Lis. Don’t fall over. Walk and cool down.”

She took some water from an attendant and dumped it over her head as she did as Thom ordered then tossed the cup to the side. Archer followed and they got out of the way of those still crossing.

He stood silent as she paced around, cooling down. She stayed focused on Thom and he didn’t much care for that.

“All right, Lis,” Thom said. “You should be fine now. I’ll see you back in McKingley.”

She reached for him. “How am I supposed to get home, you dolt? I rode with you.”

Thom grasped her shoulders and turned her. “You have a ride home.” Then with a kiss to her cheek, he slipped off into the crowd.

“Archer?”