“That you father was Winston?” Martha shook her head. Zoë squinted at her mother. “Everyone thought so, until a few days ago, even Kelsey and Ramsey thought you were their half sister.” Martha’s eyes watered. “Winston thought it was better that way.” She took a calming breath. “If I’d admitted who your father was, I’d have jeopardized his career.”
Not Calhoun! Zoë stiffened at the thought of that bigoted old man siring her. No wonder her mother had never wanted to speak about her father! Zoë tried to change the subject, “That sounds like what my boyfriend always tells me.” Who would have believed her mother had once fallen for the same line?
“Zoë, take it from me, don't get involved with a married man. And whatever you do, don't believe a word a politician tells you.” Martha licked her lips. “Except for the MacLennans, every politician I’ve ever known has been a lying hypocrite.”
Zoë blinked in confusion. Was her mother saying she it wasn’t Calhoun? When Calhoun had been in office, politicians had flocked around the house like flies over a carcass. “How have you managed to stay at Beja Flora so long if you feel that way?”
“Tenacity.”
Zoë frowned. “Mom, who was my father?”
Judging by her expression, this was the question Martha had been dreading. “Marvin Frederickson,” she whispered. Zoë’s mouth dropped open and she shook her head. No, this couldn’t be. “I thought he loved me and wanted to marry me.” Martha's tone was disparaging of the naïve girl she'd once been.
“You're lying.” But it all sounded so familiar that Zoë knew it must be the truth.
“I wish I was.”
How could she have fallen in love with her own father? Zoë shook her head. “He can’t be my father.”
“He was the one and only.” Martha wiped tears from her cheeks. “I wish I'd seen him for what he was.”
“Does he know?”
“Yes.”
How could Marv have started up with her, when he knew she was his own child?
“I was so stupid.”
“Me, too.” More stupid than she’d ever imagined. “God, I can't believe this.”
Chapter Sixteen
The headlights from Doran’s Suburban glinted off Beja Flora’s dark windows as he parked the Suburban. When he turned off the ignition, cutting the strains of a Brahms waltz off in mid note. Kelsey stared at the grays and blacks of the landscape and wondered what he planned to do.
Doran stared out the front windscreen, as if he felt as uncertain as she did.
A whippoorwill’s lonely call rent the silence and its mournful tones gave a sense of separation to them, as they sat in their cocoon of metal and glass. She’d felt disconnected from everyone, except she hadn’t known how abandoned she felt until Devlin Doran had walked into her life and presented her with the Blessed Promise.
“We should go in.” His tone was tender as the night and twice as desirable.
Go in and face another sleepless night, knowing that he was so near and yet so untouchable? She’s much rather spend the night in the car, watching the sun rise and wash away the shades of gray and night. Unable to speak past the lump of disappointment in her throat, Kelsey nodded.
“But I don’t really want to be inside,” he added. “How about a walk, or are the gardens just for show?”
Anything was better than the prison of her bedroom walls. Kelsey got out of the vehicle and walked toward the kitchen garden, where fireflies danced in the air. The soothing fragrance of rosemary washed over her. This was much better than being inside; at least there was the illusion of romance. A door slammed behind her, then she heard him set the car’s complicated alarm system. Soon, his quick footsteps approached. A heartbeat later, his arm wrapped around her waist. She didn’t resist when he pulled her close against his side and matched his pace to hers. "How come you never wait for me to open the door for you?" He asked.
"You're my employee, why should I?"
He stiffened. “Is that all I am to you?” He released her and all but pushed her from his side. A sense of desolation nearly overwhelmed her and tears blurred her vision. Putting one foot in front of the other, and using sheer determination, she strolled through the herb garden’s winding paths; new scents washed over her with each step. Lavender, symbolic of love and relaxation; Grandma Rose’s scent. Anise for protection and to cover the scent of whisky on breath; Grandfather Calhoun. The pungent smell of mint surrounded them, and Kelsey inhaled deeply. If her tears wouldn’t give her away, she’d have explained the herbs to Doran, as her grandmother had enlightened to her.
“Smells good.”
It was hard to keep the pennyroyal from wandering. She gulped, knowing that her silence condemned her as much as the sound of misery in her voice. “The Ancients believed that if you tied sprigs of mint to your bedpost, it would sharpen your thinking.”
“Ever tried it?”
Kelsey shook her head. "Devlin, I'm sorry for what I implied." She swallowed. "Truly, I don't think of you as an employee."
He gestured to the moonlit garden. “So, you know what all these plants are?”
She nodded, while she swallowed the lump in her throat. “Some of their lore, too. Lots of times, that’s the fun part.”
“Tell me more.”
Kelsey stroked a velvety leaf. “This is licorice. The Druids used it to treat sore throats, colds and asthma. Today, it’s mainly considered a flavoring, but some people chew the root to help them break nicotine addictions.” Doran plucked off a leave and popped it in his mouth. She smiled. “If you have high blood pressure, you’d better spit that out. Historically, licorice roots were believed to bring fidelity and passion to a sexual union and they were chewed to increase sexual vitality.” Instead of spitting, he plucked another leaf, and held it toward her lips.
She nibbled it from his fingers.
Surprise flickered deep in his moonlit eyes.
He faced her, and cautiously placed his hands on her waist. “This is awkward.”
“What is?”
“Emotions. It’s easier to protect someone when-" He shook his head and looked up at the stars. After a long moment, he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close. As she hugged him back, his heart drummed against her ear. “Feelings aren’t controllable.”
True. They could be hidden, but they were as impossible to command as they were inconvenient, and falling in love in the middle of a campaign plagued by reporters and murder attempts was about as problematic as it came. But, that didn’t matter when she felt so protected and cherished in his embrace.
She stood on tiptoe and kissed the corner of his mouth. He lowered his head and kissed the tip of her nose.
Kelsey stretched higher, but Doran groaned and tucked her head under his chin. His heart hammered against her cheek. “Let's not make a public spectacle in the middle of the garden.”
“But you don’t want to go inside.” Was there anything more perplexing than a man?
“No.”
“When is your partner going to finish checking the security system?”
“He’s done and he says the cameras are turned off in my room.”
“But you don’t believe him.”
He stroked her spine. Sensual ripples of pleasure fluttered across her back. “Quinn has a history of designating himself as my protector. While I believe he’s got the feed to the guards on closed circuit, I'd bet money that he’s watching me, himself.”
“What about my room?”
“That’s about as public as the auditorium stage.”
Her face burned at the way she used to stand half naked in front of her closet, choosing what to wear. She felt the heat of a blush burn her cheeks. “My bathroom?” Were the damned guards getting an eyeful when she bathed?
“No cameras there. You aren’t thinking that tile would be comfortable, are you?”
“This is worse than being a teenager.”
“Tell me about it. I thought of going to my place, but didn’t know wh
o was tailing us.” He paused for a few heartbeats. “And I didn’t think you’d appreciate another photo in the paper with speculations about who I am and what you were doing with me first thing in the morning.”
“But you lost the car following us?”
He made a rumble of agreement. “The one I saw.” She didn’t know why she was surprised. "A true pro might have managed to match my moves, but it would have been dangerous."
“But not past the gate. I have an idea.” Kelsey pushed out of his embrace and twined her fingers through his. Turning down a lavender-lined path, she led him through the cypress hedge and into the rose garden, which surrounded her grandmother’s beloved gazebo and several replica Greek statues. The spicy floral scent permeated the air.
“Smells nice,” he said. When he acted like she’d brought him here to sniff the flowers, Kelsey pulled him toward the center of the garden, where Grandma Roses’ ancient white-lattice gazebo stood, then she opened the squeaky screen door and ushered him into the shadowy interior.
“Watch your step. This building hasn’t been used much since Grandma died.”
He paused at the threshold. “Can you turn on a light?”
“Sorry. There isn’t any electricity out here. No electricity, no cameras.”
With a sound of pleasure, he drew her into his arms and started giving her butterfly kisses across the forehead. When he kissed his way down to the tip of her nose, she pulled him toward the antique green velvet fainting couch.
Kelsey edged Doran’s jacket off his shoulders and tossed it to where the armchair had always sat. Stealth combined with darkness and heightened the sensation of every touch. As the humid air caressed her skin and their shared kisses increased in passion, Kelsey knew she had never been so ready for anything or anyone in her life. As she edged backward, her shins touched the back of the couch. She pulled Doran down.
He held her and listened to the night sounds, then he began kissing her again and she was kissing him back with a passion she never knew she possessed.
Her heart hammering with a mixture of pleasure, anticipation and momentary misgivings, she sat down on the chaise. He followed her, sprawling on top of her, yet not crushing her as Bryon had the few times he’d crawled on top of her. Kelsey pushed away the unwanted thought and focused on Doran.
Since she’d blatantly shown him how much she wanted him, why hadn’t he yanked off his clothes and thrust into her? Of course, she wasn’t about to instruct Devlin Doran, not when her toes were curling and he acted as unhurried as if he’d barely begun.
Kelsey wanted to touch his flesh, as she had once before. Her fingers slid to his shirt’s buttons and she worked them open, one by one. With a groan, he changed position. She moaned as he drug his lips from hers.
He gave her a quick, closed mouth kiss, and sat up.
Kelsey blinked hard, too abandoned to trust her voice. Instead of fleeing for the door, he shrugged out of his dark jacket and detached his shoulder harness. “Don’t want either of us to die for love,” he murmured.
How obtuse could she be? Kelsey sat up, next to him and took off her shoes, then her jacket. As she raised her hands to unfasten her blouse, he caught her fingers and brought them back to his own buttons. His fingers moved to her top button. “Christmas has always been my favorite holiday, because I get to unwrap gifts.” He paused and looked her in the eye. “But I’ve never had such a wonderful gift, as the one you’re giving me.”
Unable to speak, she pulled his dark silk shirt out of his trousers, pressed her forehead against his chest and went with the fantasy of tracing his nipple with her tongue. He shivered. “Sorry, but I’ve wanted to do that since we were interrupted-“
“Don’t apologize and don’t stop,” he said gruffly.
She tilted her head, trying to see him between the shadows. “So it didn’t bother you?”
“You mean you don’t know?” His tone held disbelief. She shook her head. He froze for a moment, then seemed to come to a decision. “In that case, you’re going to find out just how it felt.” Slowly, and with excruciating anticipation, he unbuttoned her shirt and removed it. Then, he unhooked her bra, lowered his mouth to her breast and gently suckled.
Her body turned into a molten mass of yearning and the reality of the old gazebo dissolved into a heady sensation of mingled touch, smells, heavy breathing and unbelievable sensations. Slowly, he removed her clothing item by item, taking time to nip and caress each new inch of exposed skin.
When she tried to grasp the shredding remnants of thought, she pulled off his shirt and unbuttoned his trousers. His breath went in sharply. “Don’t.” He stilled her hand. “I’m supposed to protect you.” He cleared his throat. “I’m having enough trouble keeping that in mind, already.”
Feeling curiously bold, she said, “You’re off duty, now and we’re safe here.” Before he could protest, Kelsey leaned forward and kissed him the same mind-bending way he kissed her when he wanted to win an argument. Heat that had more to do with desire than the humid night coiled through her.
With a sigh, Doran pulled her down onto the chaise and wrapped a strong leg around her. Their bodies fit together as if they were meant to lie together, always, but she wanted more than caresses, kisses and hugs.
Much more.
And Devlin Doran gave it to her at his own leisurely pace, as if he cherished every moment of the sensual torture he was putting them both through. He seemed to anticipate what she wanted before she even knew; he was already filling the ache or soothing the spot with a tender touch. Easing down the chaise, he kissed her belly button, then he worked his way lower, until he suckled a spot that sent flurries of desire spiraling through her. She gasped at the sheer pleasure. When she couldn’t take another moment of his tender kisses and gentle touches, he stood up and pulled off his trousers and underwear. Kelsey noticed that all her garments had already been shed, but that didn’t mean anything, because she could make out Devlin’s silhouette against the inky night and her mind was consumed with sheer, unadulterated lust.
There was a rustle of foil, and a moment later, he was back beside her. Hot as desire and hard as need. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this,” he breathed. Then he entered her. She arched toward him, wanting more and getting it.
His hands kept wandering, seeking and his tongue tasting. Kelsey had experienced moments like this in her dreams, but never in real life and for ever move he made, she repaid it in full measure, all the while feeling as if she’d been a tightly wound flower bud, which was unfurling into a complete responsive blossom.
Higher and higher her senses spiraled.
Harder and harder her heart hammered.
A moment before she went over the brink, Devlin kissed her, effectively intermingling and muffling their cries of ecstasy.
In the aftermath, her skin seemed more sensitive than ever before and she reveled at the way their perspiration blended. Hearts hammering in unison, Devlin Doran curled his body around her and held her tight.
Kelsey went to sleep in his arms, more content and peaceful than she’d ever felt in her life.
Chapter Seventeen
Waking up to birds singing and dawn rising seemed surreal, inhaling the intoxicating scent of thousands of blooms roses felt sensual as the languid, humid heat. Finding Kelsey burrowed against him, made Doran want hold this moment for the rest of his life.
But he’d scheduled an early meeting with Quinn and didn’t want the master of two-plus-two to figure out why he cancelled their late-night appointment. Carefully, he extracted his long legs from Kelsey. Then, he covered her with his shirt. He put on his trousers, grabbed his holster and quickly went to the house for a quick shower.
Anxious to get back to Kelsey, before he’d even left, Doran sped toward the interstate. Luck favored him with green lights and light traffic all the way until the exit for his office. As he turned onto the ramp, the bottom of the hill changed from yellow to red. He braked, but something snapped and the brake
pedal slammed to the floor. Damn! He should have checked the lines and not assumed the security system would hinder everyone. The Suburban picked up speed as it hurtled toward the red light.
He grabbed the handle for the emergency brake and pulled.
Nothing.
A chill ran down his spine as he rammed the transmission into low. As if in slow motion, the cars crawled along the converging road, oblivious of the impending disaster.
Gears howled and sweat broke out in beads, then began to trickle toward his eyes.
Still too fast. Please, God, don’t let any innocents get hurt. He’d wanted to believe Kelsey and her family were innocent dupes, but the car had probably been tampered with the same place Ramsey’s car had been sabotaged: Beja Flora, with Ling hiding in the background. He couldn’t give up and let Ling win. Ling wouldn’t stop with one life. Quinn and Kelsey would follow, as would all the innocents Ling offered his poisons to.
One-hundred-feet. Not slowing fast enough. He forced the transmission into park. The tortured gears squealed.
Fifty feet and still moving forward too fast. Doran spun the wheel and did a one-eighty. Horns honked. The car behind him swerved out of the way as the Suburban skidded uphill, then vaulted into the grass.
With a pop, one tire blew.
A moment later, all was silent. Doran laid his forehead on his steering wheel and thanked God for granting some prayers. Then, he asked forgiveness for forcing Kelsey to endure what he’d just been through. He exhaled, grabbed his phone and dialed Quinn.
ooo
Long after dawn broke and she heard Doran leave, Kelsey lay on the chase staring at the peace rose, which had clung to an ancient trellis, which had protected them from prying eyes last night and still hid her this morning.
She inhaled deeply, as her thoughts drifted to the past few hours. Doran’s enticing scent permeated every pore of her body. Dreamily, she slipped into his shirt and her own skirt, then she carried the rest of their clothing and hurried into the main house before Martha or anyone else noticed her absence.
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