Seduction's Dance (McKingley Series) (4 page)

“No. He ran, the bastard, but I was faster this time. Crow now, you fucking bird.” James looked gleeful.

Shannon pushed Dimitri back then got off the rail and bent over to look at James.

“You caught him now, are you ready to make friends?” Shannon watched the pout appear on James face. “We both know you’re not going to kill him. Admit it, you like the ornery bird. He reminds me of you.”

James glanced at Sigmund then sighed and threw him. Sigmund dropped on the ground away from them. The bird glanced at them, shaking its feathers. As James went to get his boots, Sigmund rushed up behind him. James turned just before he reached him holding up a finger as if warning. Sigmund continued to him then pecked at him without connecting then dancing back. Then did it again.

“What are you doing, crazy bird?” James demanded.

“Sigmund. Call him by his name. I think he wants to play.” Shannon watched as the bird did it again.

James stared at the bird, crouching before running to it, touching it then taking off again. Sigmund chased him. Shannon stared as her cousin ran around the yard, playing with the rooster.

“Oh, my God. He thinks he’s playing with a dog,” Dimitri said.

Shannon chuckled, agreeing with him as James picked up a stick and threw it. Sigmund did indeed run after the stick and bring it back.

“Your cousin is one strange man.”

“Good thing he found a weird rooster. Come on. You can get some sleep on the couch while I get some shut eye in bed.” Shannon headed toward the porch steps.

“So I’m spending the rest of the night?”

“Technically you already did. It’s after two in the morning. And yep, on the couch alone. I want those blueberry pancakes. Can you cook?”

“Yep.” Dimitri put his arm around her waist as they descended the stairs.

Sigmund ran up to them squawking.

“No, Sigmund, they are friends,” James said then grinned. “I’ve got a guard rooster. How cool is that? Come on, Dimitri, come play with us.” James beckoned.

Dimitri hugged Shannon then ran toward James. Sigmund chased him. Shannon sat on the step watching her crazy cousin, his rooster and Dimitri. They were all laughing and having a fun time.

They are lunatics.
She shook her head.

The men spotted her then whispered to each other. She was too far away to hear what they were saying.

They made a ‘come on’ gesture to her, chanting, “Shannon, Shannon.”

There was no way was she going to play with them. James knelt saying something too low for her to hear to Sigmund then the rooster came toward her. Shannon eyed the ornery bird as it came closer to her. Sigmund cocked his head to the side as if studying her then opened his mouth.

“Cock-a-doodle-doo!” Sigmund pecked at her shoe.

“Ohhh… You’re going to get it.” She rose and chased the bird.

Shannon ignored the men who were leaning on each other laughing at her as she ran after the rooster. Soon they joined her and they all were playing with Sigmund. Later, after the sun rose, Dimitri made breakfast. James had finally put on some pants. Shannon glanced outside to her porch and spotted Sigmund perched on the rail. He’d followed James, not letting him out of his sight. It seemed as if James had indeed inherited a guard rooster.

Shannon peered across the table at Dimitri. She’d got a man who seemed to understand her. Only time would tell if he really did. It was going to be interesting finding out.

* * * *

Shannon entered the bar, checking around for Dimitri. She finally saw him sitting in a booth and her heart started to race. Shannon wiped her palms on her jeans knowing they were clammy. The way Dimitri affected her made her libido go nuts whenever she was in his vicinity. If she thought about him, or anything that reminded her of him, she got breathless and horny. Shannon made her way toward him. It was six weeks since she had first seen him here. Now they were dating and she was having a good time with him. They spent most of their time at her house, though on rare occasions they came to the bar.

Dimitri was just like her—he didn’t like going out much. They had more fun at the ranch. James had taken his being around in stride and had even put Dimitri to work for the minimal chores they shared around the ranch. The ranch wasn’t a working one, but they had a few horses they kept. Shannon remembered she wanted to ask Dimitri about going riding, as he’d mentioned he could ride. She arrived at the booth then he stood and kissed her gently then went to seat her.

“I need to clean up.” She showed him her dirty hands. “My tire went out on me and I had to change it.”

“Okay. Do you want me to order if the waitress comes by?”

“Get me a—”

“Steak with garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus. I know what you like.” Dimitri smiled.

“You do, Mister Smarty Pants. What do I want to drink?”

“Give me hint. Alcoholic or not.”

“Not.” She waited, curious what he would say.

“A&W Cream Soda.”

Shannon chuckled. “You do know me. Get me that.” She kissed him.

“Okay. Oh, I found this place that makes cream soda. I heard it’s the best. I’ll tell you about it when you get back.”

Shannon nodded then headed to the bathroom. She washed her hands then lifted her head meeting her gaze in the mirror. She wiped off her hands with a paper towel, still studying herself in the mirror. After throwing out the paper, she straightened her glasses. The sound of the door opening behind made her know she wasn’t alone. Shannon didn’t look, but knew from the sound of footsteps it was one woman who was in heels. Finished, she turned to leave. A woman was blocking the door while another leaned against the counter. Shannon realized she had been mistaken.

“I don’t know what he sees in you.” The first woman was beautiful and in red. The outfit showcased all her assets.

The second woman was dressed more casually in jeans, T-shirt and sneakers—she didn’t look like she would be a friend with the other who was dressed so expensively. Shannon did note the one in red was indeed in heels. Personally she didn’t see the use in wearing them. Give her flats or sneakers, she was good. Shannon calmly waited for them to speak again.

“What, are you mute?” the woman in red said.

“Just waiting for you all to get to the point.” Shannon included the woman leaning against the counter in her glance.

“This is all her. I don’t do the drama bullshit. Just waiting to see if you need help.” The casually dressed lady studied her nails.

“Dimitri can do better than you.” The expensively dressed woman spoke again.

Shannon studied the woman. “Are you an old girlfriend?”

“No we’ve never dated. B—”

“Ahh…so you wanted him and he didn’t want you.”

The woman’s face changed, becoming furious. “You’re rude.”

“And you’re acting like a scorned woman when you have no right to. He didn’t want you so move on.”

The woman stepped toward her. “I should deck you.”

“What’s stopping you? Because I’m a cop? Don’t let that stop you. But just know I will retaliate. I can break your arm in three places with one blow. It hurts like a bitch,” Shannon stated.

The woman glared. “You threatened me. I’m going to report you.”

“Look, I have no patience for dumb or whiny people and you are coming across as both. You accosted me in the bathroom. Which really is beneath any woman to do to another. Get some pride. Dimitri didn’t want you, and he is with me. Get over it and move on.” Shannon gave her the facts not caring either way what the woman thought.

The woman sputtered then hissed. “You’re a rude b—”

“Shut up, Fannie. You’re whiny and dumb, now either apologize or hit the road.” The woman straightened from where she had been leaning on the counter and jerked her thumb toward the door.

The perfectly made-up woman glared at the one she came in with. “I’m going to tell Simon that I couldn’t get along with you.” She sniffed.

“Please do.” The woman tone was sarcastic.

Fannie turned and stormed out. Shannon studied the woman who was left.

“Why would you be with such a vapid woman?”

“Blunt. I like that. I’m Carmen Kincaid, by the way. And that wasn’t my idea. My brother has atrocious taste in women. Fannie didn’t think it through. Coming in the bathroom to confront a woman of a man you want with the sister of the man you are dating. Simon is going to hear about this. He’s gonna get an earful for setting me up to have dinner with that woman. He was the one who I was supposed to be meeting here.” Carmen moved toward the door, holding it open for Shannon.

“Are you trying to be friends? I don’t like much people.” Shannon exited.

Carmen laughed. “Oh, man, you tell it like it is. I wasn’t, but you might not like much people, but I think we might become good friends. Give me your number and we can make plans to get together. Either at one of our residences, because I don’t like going out too much.”

Shannon stopped and studied the woman more closely. Carmen’s black hair with honey highlights was at the top of her head in a messy ponytail. Her skin—the color of coffee with a hint of cream—was free of makeup. In Shannon’s opinion, she was beautiful, especially with her hazel eyes and the teasing grin on her lips. Something about the woman was familiar.

“I know you from somewhere.”

“I work at the same fire station as Dimitri. I’m a fire fighter. You can ask him about me if you want. Then let me know about hanging out.” Carmen turned and started to walk away.

“Wait. I didn’t say I wasn’t going to give you my number.” Shannon moved toward her.

Carmen turned to face her. “Just for the record, I don’t much like people either. But you, I’m willing to make an exception for.”

Shannon chuckled and they exchanged numbers.

* * * *

Dimitri glanced toward the ladies’ room across the room, wondering what was taking Shannon so long. He finally saw her come out followed by Carmen Kincaid. She was a fire fighter at the station he worked in and he knew she was very good at what she did. At the firehouse, the men treated her like one of the guys. Carmen knew the job and they respected her for it. She and Shannon spoke for a few moments then Shannon headed toward him. The waitress arrived, putting the food down.

“Just in time,” Shannon said sliding into the booth.

He lowered his head and she said a brief prayer then they started to eat.

“I saw you talking with Carmen.”

“Yes. She was in the bathroom when I was accosted by a woman who wanted you.” Shannon’s reply was matter-of-fact.

Dimitri lowered his fork. “Excuse me?”

“Doesn’t matter. I set her straight.”

Dimitri was curious to hear the story. “About…?”

“That you’re with me and she should have some pride instead of accosting me in the bathroom.”

Dimitri snorted. He could imagine Shannon’s face as she told the woman that. She continued to eat calmly. Watching her turned him on—it was amazing how every little thing she did turned him on. They had only kissed, nothing else. Dimitri knew he could have pushed for more, but he held back because he wanted her to take them to the next step of their relationship. That was how he viewed what they had—a relationship. Dimitri wondered if that was how she felt too. Shannon spoke her mind however, and up to this point she hadn’t said anything. Dimitri scowled, imagining she wasn’t thinking beyond their next date.

“We’re in a relationship,” he stated firmly.

Shannon looked startled at his abrupt words. Dimitri silently cursed himself. He was usually smoother with women, but Shannon wasn’t like any other woman and that put him off how he usually acted.

Shannon smiled that teasing grin he’d gotten to know so well. “Is this a ‘you man and me woman’ declaration? Wanna drag me off to your cave?”

“Maybe.” Dimitri resumed eating.

Shannon chuckled then stated, “Of course we’re in a relationship. I don’t just let any man play with our guard rooster.”

Dimitri laughed, still amused by the way Sigmund had become so protective of James. The rooster seemed to think he owned James—he’d even heard James tell Sigmund he didn’t. The rooster did still crow every night, but James had gotten earplugs—the two of them had come to a truce and bonded. Dimitri had also become fond of the ornery bird.

“Good to know.” Dimitri touched Shannon’s hand.

They chatted as they ate then after they’d finished, they left the bar and headed to their next destination. Half an hour later, Dimitri handed over their tickets and they entered the arena. They made their way to their seats.

“About time you two got here,” Deyon said.

“We’re just on time. Hey, Leo.” Dimitri seated Shannon next to Deyon.

Leo waved and Dimitri took his seat on the end. He didn’t pay any attention as the women spoke with each other. The lights flashed and they became silent along with the rest of the arena. Soon the contestants entered the ring.

“Harold is a great kick-boxer, but Kevin has more snap to his blows.” Shannon sat forward.

Dimitri watched her instead of the competition. Shannon was moving and bobbing in her seat as she watched the contestants.

“Come on. You can do better, Harold!” she screamed.

Dimitri was enthralled. She was into the kickboxing competition. Shannon turned to Deyon and the women dissected what he was doing wrong. Suddenly they stood and hollered. Leo leaned over and Dimitri mimicked him.

“We’ve hooked up with some bloodthirsty women.”

“And you love Deyon for it.”

“Yeah, I do. The way she holds a gun or handles a sword, man, she knows what to do with it.” Leo leered.

“I don’t need to know about your kinky love life, little brother.” Dimitri pushed at his shoulder playfully.

Leo moved back to his seat chuckling. The women sat looking between them questioningly. Dimitri wasn’t saying a word.

“Knowing Leonardo, they are talking about sex. He has a one track mind,” Deyon said.

Dimitri looked beyond the women to Leo. “Boy, does she know you.”

“And she is grateful for it.” Leo put his arm around Deyon.

“Really.” Deyon sounded haughty.

Dimitri laughed, recognizing her tone. Leo was going to pay for that crack. He heard whispering but couldn’t make out the words. He noted Leo was talking in Deyon’s ear.