Seduction's Dance (McKingley Series) (8 page)

“So,” Mama Wright had said, “tell me how the wedding plans are coming along for everyone.”

He’d been able to feel the collective groan from all of his siblings. Katiya and Warrick had answered first, then Arissa and Deiter. Then it had fallen silent.

“Lis?”

She’d lifted her head. “Yes, ma’am?”

“Wedding plans. I’ve not seen your dress ideas. You know you have to let Deyon know with enough time, so she’s not rushed to finish. Plus we need to know the date. How many times do I have to tell you this?”

On one side of Dimitri had been Harmony, Jonathon’s fiancée, and Lis on his other. Both women had tensed at the same time.

“Apparently as many as I have to tell you to let it go, Mother.”

“Mind your tone, young lady.”

“I’m sorry, Mama, but I’m tired of going through this all the time. You’re not listening to me.”

His mother had put down her fork and knife before leveling a haughty stare at the baby of the family. “I have six children. Five of whom are engaged, and therefore five weddings to plan. That’s not easy. So if I am asking for a bit of cooperation from you, I really don’t see how that is so difficult for you to give.”

“You’re not asking, Mother. You’re demanding. All the time. I’m busy. All of us are. If I wanted to spend what free time I have looking at dresses or sampling cakes then I would. But I don’t. I don’t want the fairytale wedding. Give it to Katiya and Arissa. I don’t need it.”

“All girls—”

Lis had shoved her chair back and bolted to her feet. “No. Not me. I’m never going to sit still and be a pretty dress-up girl for you, Mama. Not like your other daughters. And I’m sorry that’s disappointing to you, but I’m not going to change.” Tears had leaked down her cheeks and she’d bit her lower lip. “Let me make this as clear as I can. I’m not planning one. I don’t have to. Archer and I are already married. I’m sorry, Daddy.”

She’d whirled around and ran off. Harmony had slid her chair out then had gone after her, mumbling her excuse. He’d stared around the table at everyone. Looking at his brothers, he’d noticed the truth in their eyes. They’d known. He, on the other hand, couldn’t have been more shocked.

Dinner had basically been over since that announcement. He’d helped clear the table after that and had finally made his way to the door after saying goodnight to his family. His mind had whirled with all that he’d heard at dinner. Despite his initial feeling of disappointment, he’d found himself grinning as he worked on his rock-climbing machine. For all her frailness as a child, it appeared his sister had guts and determination to do what he never would have believed she could do. He didn’t know Archer that well, but all he cared about was how he treated Lis. And based on that, the man was just fine in his book.

After his workout, he’d showered and settled down on his couch with a file from work and a beer in his hand. He’d read deep into the night until his eyes screamed at him to allow them some rest. Frustrated for not being able to reach Shannon, he’d crawled between the sheets of his large bed, wishing she were there with him, her lush figure pressed against him.

He’d woken to not only his phone ringing but also his beeper. With a curse his mother would not even want to know he knew, he’d reached for the phone, already knowing the day was going to be a long one. He’d been right. Some days he loved being correct, however, this hadn’t been one of them. A house fire this time. Deliberately set, and they’d lost two small children.

* * * *

He sat at the bar and nursed a drink. It was here he’d actually met Shannon Conner, after another house fire.

“You look like you had a rough day.”

As if he’d conjured her up, a sultry voice commented from behind him. He smiled as he turned in his chair. Shannon stood there in a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved shirt with a wolf on the front. Her hair was braided and hung over one shoulder.

“Hey, beautiful,” he said, taking a hand and drawing her close. “How are you doing?”

She leaned in and kissed him. Nothing but a light connection of lips, but it rocked him nonetheless.

“I’m okay. How are you? I heard about the fire.” She moved around and sat next to him.

He readjusted so he could still stare at her. “I think it’s the same person. The signature is the same.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Me too, but not as sorry as that bastard will be once he’s caught.”

“Sure it’s a male?”

Ever pragmatic, his Shannon. “No, but I would hate to think of a woman deliberately setting fires that take the lives of children.”

She blinked. “Why? I would think you would hate anyone doing that, not just a woman.”

“Women are supposed to be maternal. You know that whole mothering instinct. The bond which grows when they carry life.”

Her expression remained skeptical. “And men paternal. It doesn’t matter if it’s a man or a woman. The fact they are doing this is still so horrific. I don’t think a woman is more nurturing to a child than a man. I’ve arrested enough women to refute that claim some people make. Truthfully, in my experience, I’ve found women to be more vindictive and much more devious in what they do when they’re pissed off.”

He nodded in agreement. She made a very good point there.

“Enough about me,” he said after she’d ordered a drink. “How are you doing? Has Mario left you alone?”

“I’m fine. Riding with a rookie for the week until his training officer comes back from his time off.”

He frowned. “A rookie?”

“Yes. New kid. Smart and a fast learner.”

He didn’t like that. Rookies made mistakes. And that could cost Shannon her life. He kept his discontent to himself though, knowing full well it would not be appreciated. Her drink arrived and he looked at it, frowned and looked again.

“What are you drinking?”

“Ginger ale. I’m on my way in to work. Stopped in when I saw your vehicle.” She drank it swiftly and put it down. “You have a good night, Dimitri. I have to get going.” Shannon swung off the seat and pecked him quickly on the lips. “See you later.”

He caught the back of her shirt before she could get very far and pulled her to him. “That’s not a kiss.”

“I know,” she said, eyes sparkling. “But you’ve been drinking. I don’t need to show up to work smelling like alcohol.” Another cheek kiss. “Bye.”

As she walked out, and after he’d finished staring after her like a hungry predator, Dimitri spied a man in the corner who had left his seat and gone after Shannon. Mario. Possessiveness welled up inside him and he tossed some money down then followed as well.

Chapter Six

Shannon rubbed the back of her neck and watched as her current partner left the convenience store with coffee. She grinned at him and he shook his head.

“This is your fault, Conner,” he griped good-naturedly.

“That is a staple for all cops. And about time you started drinking it.”

“I’m addicted. I didn’t think we were supposed to have addictions.”

She laughed and climbed into the driver’s seat as he got in the passenger side, already sipping his hot beverage. Hers, from the start of the shift, was still there beside her. She had settled into working nights now and wasn’t sucking it down as if it was air. Tonight was their last night working together.

“So, why are you so tired, Nick? Girlfriend keeping you up?”

He flushed as he buckled himself in. “Something like that.”

“Something, huh? You do know that a mumbled response like that makes a good cop want to dig and find out the details.”

He laughed as she backed out of the parking spot. “I had heard you were so quiet and serious.”

“I am, but I like you.”

She spoke the truth, she did like him. He reminded her a lot of her cousin, or rather, how James had been before he’d joined the Navy. Good outlook on life and a wonderful attitude. How long it would stay with him working the streets, she didn’t know. Granted, McKingley, New Mexico wasn’t anything like Los Angeles or New York City, but they did have their fair share of crime.

McKingley was growing and with growth, especially rapid growth, increase in crime occurred. She loved it here, though. She’d not been born here, but it felt almost like this was her hometown. It was definitely her town. She would do anything to protect it.

The radio squawked and she listened in as they got a call. Hitting the lights and siren, she gunned the powerful engine and raced off to the address.

After the shift was over, she headed out to her jeep, sliding her sunglasses on to block out the bright sun. She’d had fun with Nick but would be very glad to have her own car back. And the solitude she got riding alone.

She drove to the ranch and smiled at the sight of the vehicle before her house. On the porch was a man she had become very accustomed to seeing. Dimitri lounged against a post, presenting her with a picture that evaporated her exhaustion in seconds.

Climbing out, she swung her bag over her shoulder. “Morning,” she called out.

“Morning.”

“What are you doing here? Don’t you have to be at work?”

“Day off. What about you?”

She grinned. “Well, I live here, so it’s natural for me to arrive on occasion.”

His smile made her knees weak. “Not what I meant, woman.”

“Oh no? What did you mean then?”

He approached her. “You know what I meant.”

She did. “I’m done with training. I get ninety-six hours and I’m back on days.”

He nodded. “Ninety-six.”

“Yes. Why, something you had in mind?”

The heat in his eyes told her just what that was. He took her bag from her shoulder and carried it inside. She trailed after him, mesmerized by his firm ass in his jeans. She gave a short bark of laughter.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing, I was just thinking.”

“About?” he prompted.

“How much alike you and Leo are and yet how very different.”

He dropped her bag on the chair by the door. “What do you mean?”

“Have you two never looked at each other? I mean really looked?”

“He’s my brother.”

“Who you could be a twin with.”

He frowned and she laughed. “Wow, from the look on your face it’s like I just said I killed your dog. This isn’t a bad thing. Just that the two of you look an awful lot alike despite your age difference.”

“So you find him attractive?”

She shrugged. “Sure, I guess. I don’t look at him in that light. He’s my boss.”

“And me?”

She sidled up to him, kicking the door closed behind her. “Are definitely not my boss. And you, I most definitely find attractive.”

He wrapped his arms around her and tugged her until they were flush against one another. “Is that a fact?”

“It is.”

“And what do you propose we do about it then, Deputy Conner?”

“I don’t know about you, but I could use a shower.”

“I could too,” he said, his eyes burning her. “However, since we do live in the desert, I think we should get dirtier first and then clean up.” He winked at her, his intention perfectly clear. “You know, with needing to conserve water and all that.”

She went to work on his shirt immediately. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of his exposed chest. Lord, help her, she just wanted to touch, lick and bite him. Delectable. All hardness and defined muscles. She spread her hands over him and smiled at his responding rumble.

* * * *

Two hours later they were sprawled in bed. Shannon lay upon his chest with nothing more than the robin’s egg blue sheet covering their lower halves. Beneath her ear, his heart beat out a consistent thump and soothed her further. She had no intention of moving. For right now, this was her idea of heaven.

Still, he hadn’t completely relaxed and so while she traced abstract patterns on his bare chest, she went against her nature to not pry.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Nothing,” he replied after a moment’s hesitation.

“You sure? Because you still seem quite a bit tense.”

“It’s just family stuff.”

She got the hint—he didn’t wish to discuss it. So she nodded and let it go. What else could she do?

“I found out that my baby sister is married.”

Okay, apparently he did want to discuss it. “That’s great isn’t it?” She’d met Lis a few times at accidents and once at the annual police versus fire softball game.

“Well, I… Of course, it’s just that, she didn’t tell any of us.” He moved and she waited until he stopped to resettle. “Not true, she told my brother, Jonathon, who a little bit ago told Leo.”

“And you’re hurt because she didn’t tell you?”

“Of course, she’s my baby sister. I saw the hurt look on my mom’s face.”

“No offense, Dimitri, but maybe she just didn’t want the huge production.”

He tensed. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t be crazy. Anywhere around town here, you can hear a hum of gossip surrounding the upcoming Wright weddings. I hear it mentioned at least once a day, I can’t imagine what it’s like for the ones who are actually going through the act. I don’t know her that well, but she is more subdued than her sisters. Look at it from her point of view. Every decision you try to make about what is supposed to be
your
day evaluated and possibly told how wrong you are. All these people in your business. It’s not like your family is in obscurity here in McKingley.”

“I’m her brother.”

“And the oldest. James and I are close, but he can be an overprotective bear when he thinks he knows better than I do. She’s the baby of your family. I remember the incident with your cousin Justin. And I saw the result. Noticed how often Leo was swinging by to check on her, how often he called to make sure she was okay. Hell, even how he tried to tell her she should take some time off work and recover. I felt smothered and it wasn’t even for me.”

He fell silent and she wondered if she had overstepped. Dimitri sighed heavily and tightened his hold on her, his hands stroking up and down her back.

“Point taken, Deputy Conner.”

“You know she loves you, but cut her some slack. Archer seems like a perfectly nice guy. And we both know every single one of you Wright brothers had him checked out even though he grew up in this town with you.”