The Best Thing Yet (10 page)

“What about him?”

“He’s one of Arissa’s older brother’s. I’m close to them. They are the family I mentioned that sort of unofficially adopted me. If you had only told me her full name I could have put you in touch with the family.” Tarak bit his lip.

“You mean—”

“Yep.”

“All this time of trying to find her and her family lives in McKingley? And you know them. Hell, from what you told me I could have asked anyone in town and they could have told me about her,” Deiter said in disbelief.

“Yep.” Tarak’s eyes twinkled.

“Fuck.”

“Yep. Potty mouth is what happens when dealing with the crazy Wright clan.” Tarak started to laugh.

“Why didn’t you just recognise her name when I mentioned it earlier in the store?”

“The same reason it didn’t mean anything when you told me a few months ago. There are probably thousands of Arissa’s in the world. How was I to know she was the same one I knew? Besides, I didn’t even know she was back. Haven’t been keeping up with the family emails. Which I know I will be hearing about. Oh well.” Tarak shrugged.

Deiter blew out a breath. All the months of searching and the answer had been right in front of him. He smacked Tarak on the shoulder.

“Let’s go so I can talk with her.”

Tarak said, “One more thing. Be prepared to deal with her family if you do convince her to give you a chance. They are really close-knit. And her brothers and male cousins well they all…have a unique way of looking at things.” The glint in his gaze was even more gleeful.

“I’ll deal with whatever for Arissa,” Deiter vowed.

“I hope you mean that, buddy. And so we are clear. Hurt her and I will skin you, friend or not,” Tarak stated.

Deiter didn’t doubt his words. Tarak led the way as they passed through a tastefully decorated living room then through a chef’s dream of a kitchen to a glass door. They went outside. He locked gazes with light brown eyes.

“What’s he doing here?” Arissa said loudly enough to hear.

“I invited him,” Tim said lazily.

“You had no right,” she said furiously.

“You need to talk and you will after we eat. Now, sit,” Tim said in a calm tone.

Deiter didn’t like the way he spoke to her. Like they knew each other well. Arissa took a step towards Tim. A tall, large man stepped between them. He placed his hand on her shoulder, pulling her against his chest and spoke in her ear too low for Deiter to hear. Not only did he have to contend with Tim now, but this other man had his hands all over her.

“Fine, Jackie. I’ll let it go for now. But Tim, me and you are going to have words about this,” Arissa said.

“Anytime, Rissa.” Tim smiled and winked.

Arissa scowled then walked over to them. Deiter watched her sure stride. It was all confidence and sensuality. Arissa ignored him as she hugged Tarak, then stepped back.

“Tarak, it’s good to see you. I heard you were back. How’s the leg and lungs?” Arissa asked.

Deiter waited for the familiar snap and coldness.

“Working on it. Didn’t know you were back. Along with that reprobate Jackie boy.” Tarak’s response was mild.

“It’s not my fault you don’t check emails or deem to reply.” There was a reprimand in her tone then she continued, “I’m going to take a look at your leg. And I’m bringing Jackie. I want you to go by The Oasis and use the pool to work the leg.”

“Stop ordering me around.” Tarak growled.

“I will when you stop being an ass. Let us help you. We’re family.” Arissa squeezed his arm.

“Ah, shit. How long do I have before the rest of them descend on me?” Tarak sounded resigned.

“Hell, you’re lucky they left you alone for as long as they have.” Arissa was sympathetic.

“Leo has been by bugging me. That alone should grant me a reprieve.”

Arissa laughed. “It should but it won’t. Because of Leo you’ve had over two months of being closed off. No more. I’ll be by to check on you tomorrow,” Arissa said.

“God, you are such a pain in the ass.”

“Yep. Now let’s eat.” Arissa linked arms with Tarak and led him away.

Deiter didn’t say anything at the slight. He strolled over and sat beside the older man in a Hawaiian shirt.

“You’re the bloke who didn’t call.” The crisp British accent coming from the man in the floral clothing threw him for a moment.

“Yeah.”

“You are so screwed,” he said.

“Jorge,” Tim said sharply.

“What? He is.” Jorge harrumphed then stood and went to join Arissa on the other side of the table.

Tim put a plate and a beer in front of Deiter. He looked askance at Tim.

“Better eat to get strength. You’re going to need it.” Tim walked away.

Deiter observed the others as they chatted, teased and ate. He picked up his fork and ate his food, listening absently at the conversation flowing around him. After he was done he leant back and slowly drank his beer. Darkness descended and lights came on automatically, illuminating the area of the patio. He took in the spaciousness of the area. Just like the house it had lots of space. They only sat on a small part of it. He turned his attention away from everyone and to the view. Letting his mind drift, Deiter relaxed.

“Why are you here, Deiter?” Arissa demanded.

He gave her his attention after glancing around and realising they were alone. Placing his beer down, he stood and held out his hand.

“Walk with me.”

Arissa didn’t take it. She walked across the cobblestone floor then down the path. Lights were all around the area making it easy to see, showcasing the beauty of the backyard. Various trees ranging from empress, eucalyptus and weeping willows were spread around the area closest to the house. Random areas with a plethora of seating—stone benches to tables and chairs and a low couch shaded by a lean-to—were spread throughout. Arissa stopped under the shadowed area of one of the willow trees. She pressed her back against it.

“Talk, then go.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Deiter said.

“You did on the cruise,” she lashed out.

“That was unavoidable. I’m sorry I didn’t get to say something to you.”

“That I wondered about but I figured something really urgent came up.”

“It did.”

“Fine then, that is that.” Arissa nodded abruptly.

“I’ve been trying to get in touch with you.”

“You had my info.”

“I didn’t. I thought I did but somehow I left it on the ship. And they wouldn’t give me any information on you. No matter how much I asked.” Deiter frowned.

“I would hope not. But you knew where I was from.”

“I did. But do you know how many Arissa Wright’s there are in Chicago? Hundreds. Hell, I called them all and still couldn’t find you.”

“Actually my number is unlisted. But that doesn’t matter. I didn’t put it together at the time but you’re the Deiter that Tarak talks about in his emails and calls. You could have just asked him how to find me.” Arissa shrugged.

“Hell, until tonight I didn’t know you knew each other.”

“How’s that?” Arissa didn’t seem to believe him.

“I mentioned your first name to Tarak but never your last name. He didn’t make the connection you were the same woman from the cruise I was trying to find. I did try to find you, Arissa,” Deiter insisted.

“That’s probable. Tarak only knew I was going on a cruise but not which one.”

Deiter moved closer, his pulse leaping. She seemed to be actually listening.

“But none of it matters. What we had was just a fling on a cruise. I’m over it. We both can go on with our lives.” Arissa’s tone was cool. Her words weren’t what he wanted to hear.

She straightened and went to pass him. Deiter caught her. Arissa went to throw him but this time he countered her and pushed her until her back again rested against the tree. He crowded her, pinning her to the tree. Arissa moaned softly as their bodies touched. Deiter groaned, inhaling her scent. In that second, it was as if his soul settled.

“It was more than a fling. I still want what I said on the cruise. For you to give us a chance at building more,” Deiter said huskily.
I want you to be my wife.
Deiter didn’t say it out loud, knowing she would need time to come around to his way of thinking.

“What? You expect me to forget not hearing from you for three months? For me to just trust you, to drop at your feet and say yes please take me? If it is then you’re delusional. Our time has passed. It is not going to happen.” Arissa sounded resigned.

“No, I don’t expect any of that. That is not the woman I met on the cruise and I got to know. I want that woman. I will gain back your trust and we can find out if we actually have something. How long are you in McKingley?”

“I live here now. Just moved today. But—”

He interrupted. “Good. We live in the same place. One obstacle out of the way.”

“What you live here? I thought you were visiting.”

“Didn’t Tarak tell you? I live here now. Been staying with him. I have a job as a linguist professor at the university.”

Arissa frowned. “I didn’t know that, I knew about Tarak’s injury and he moved back. But not about you moving here. Then again, I haven’t been keeping up with the family going-ons that closely, since work was a mad house and I was getting ready for my move.”

“It has to be fate that you and I are living here now. It’s a perfect opportunity to work to something more. Give me a chance. Or are you already taken by Tim?” Deiter bit out.

“Don’t pull this possessive shit on me. We’ve already had this conversation.” Arissa pushed at his chest.

Deiter didn’t move, saying defensively, “Seems like you all are really friendly.”

“Emphasis on friendly!” she snapped.

“And Jackie is a man, not a woman, like you led me to believe.”

“I never said such a thing.”

“You did on the cruise.”

“No. I told you the friends coming with me were women. Deyon and Sarah are. Jackie wasn’t booked to come with us. If this is going to work, you’ll have to get over your jealously. I won’t stand for it. I have lots of male friends. Some very touchy feely and I won’t censor myself to appease you,” Arissa said through gritted teeth.

Fierce joy filled him. “I can accept that. Thanks for giving me a chance.” Deiter kissed her hungrily.

Arissa rested against him. He suckled her tongue, cupping her ass. The need to have her rode him. He reined it in reluctantly—he would wait at least for a little while so they could become comfortable again with each other. He withdrew, kissed the side of her mouth then released her.

“I’ll be by tomorrow at nine a.m. for our date,” Deiter said, then strode away.

 “I haven’t agreed to a date,” Arissa cried out.

“You did, and I’ll be here tomorrow morning.”

“What the hell kind of date starts at nine a.m.?” Arissa sounded disgruntled.

“Wear comfortable clothing and boots. Pack something dressier for later, we’re going to dinner too,” Deiter said.

He didn’t look back or stop. Arissa was silent. Deiter smiled. He already knew what they had had been real, he just had to convince Arissa. And he would. Of that he was sure. Whistling, he went back to the house.

Arissa sagged against the tree. Deiter’s swagger as he walked away infuriated her. The stubborn man thought he could convince her to actually open herself up to him again. No matter his explanation, he had left and not contacted her as he’d promised. And the devastation she’d felt when he hadn’t wasn’t something she would go through again.

But damn, he can kiss.

She raised her hand to her still tingling lips. In the months of dreaming of him, she had thought she’d remembered everything about him. She was wrong. The softness of his lips and possessiveness in his touch had been more intense than she’d remembered. His herbal scent had been even more intoxicating. That muscular body she knew so well had felt harder than before. He’d made her feel cherished and feminine, wanted and desired.

“Snap out of it, Arissa. He’s not good for you,” she muttered.

“Seems as if the man knows how to handle you,” Deyon said.

Arissa gasped, looking towards her. She scowled as she spotted not only Deyon, but also Tim and Jackson. Tim and Jackson were on either side of Deyon. She was draped against Jackson, and Tim against her.

“Nosy.”

“It was a hell of a show too.” Deyon fanned herself.

“One I did not want to see,” Jackson said.

“Ditto,” Tim said.

“How long were you all spying on me?”

“Just in time for that damn hot kiss. Was it as good as it looked?” Deyon asked.

“I don’t want to know,” Tim and Jackson said together, both looking pained.

“Even better,” Arissa said, smiling widely.

The men groaned painfully.

“Go girl.” Deyon moved from between them.

She linked her arm with Arissa and led her towards the house. Jackson and Tim followed.

“What are you wearing to your date?”

“I don’t have a date.”

“Please. You know you are going. I can have two outfits delivered from the boutique. A sporty one and a dinner one. Both geared to bring him to his knees. Well, if that is what you want?” Deyon waved her free hand.

Arissa harrumphed. Deyon was right, she would go. She thought about Deyon’s offer. “Okay. But this is only one date.”

“Keep telling yourself that, dear.” Deyon patted her hand.

Arissa refused to even contemplate more. She’d go out with Deiter, once. Just to show him that it wouldn’t work between them. Well. Maybe a few times to be sure. But she would not let herself even consider more with him. No matter how damn sexy he was. Or how he made her want to jump him. Once Deiter saw how wrong they were, they could be friends. After all, with him being friends with Tarak, they would see each other. No need for it to be uncomfortable between them.

A few dates and then you are in the clear. You can do this Arissa.
With her mind set on the course of action, Arissa ignored the twinge of regret.

Chapter Seven

Man knows how to be on time.
Arissa knew that from the cruise ship, he’d always been spot on. She pressed the button on the security system fitted with a camera to see who was outside to let him in through the outer door. She smoothed her hands down her jeans as she walked down the stairs towards the front door of her apartment. The clock on the wall by the door showed nine on the dot.
Can’t ignore it any longer.
Halting before the door in the good-sized foyer, she tugged on her sweatshirt and sighed. The weather had dropped about twenty degrees with the cold front that had moved through late last night.