He took a step forward. For a moment, Sky thought he might drag her from the store, and then he took a calming breath. “You need a little time. Since this backward town doesn’t have a decent place to stay, I’ll be in Bar Harbor at the Colonial House. When you come to your senses, I’ll be waiting for you.” Without another word he opened the door and was gone.
The minute Sky was alone, a stream of silent tears began to fall. She had no control of them. They flowed as if her heart would break, but it couldn’t break because it was already broken. It had been for five years.
When the doorbell chimed, she wiped her eyes furiously. With her back to whoever entered, she choked, “I’m closed. Can you please come back tomorrow?”
“Baby, it’s me.”
The second she heard Leo’s voice, her sorrow turned to anger, but it didn’t stop the tears from racing down her face. Once again, she spun around. “Why?”
He frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“Wrong? What was last night? A fantasy fuck so you could tell all your friends you slept with a congressman’s daughter?”
He flinched as if he felt her verbal slap. “I’m too late.”
“For what?” She laughed but there was no humor in her tone. “Did you want to personally watch my world fall apart?” Her tears kept falling even when an awkward smirk touched her lips. “Uh. Then buddy you’re not too late.” She spread her arms out wide. “Just take a look around.”
A sense of dread crawled across his face, but she didn’t allow it to suck her in.
“You have to listen to me,” he pleaded. “I didn’t know we’d hook up last night.”
“So that would make a difference?” She lowered her arms and shook her head. “You’ve done everything possible to get me out of your precious town and you’ve succeeded. Plus you managed to wreck my life in the process. You’re a damn good cop, Officer Caan.” God. She felt drained. “Go on. Get out of here.” Then she turned her back to him once again.
“What happened, Tempest—Skylar?”
Her hands shook as she attempted to place red mosaic tiles in a mason jar, but kept missing, spilling them all over the table. “If you head down to Bar Harbor, you can get the sordid details from the horse’s mouth. My father is staying at the Colonial House until I come to my senses.”
“Skylar, I’m so sorry.” His apology sounded sincere, but she knew it was only a masquerade. Who would know better than she the games that people play to get what they want?
“No need.” She started to pick up the mosaic tiles one at a time, holding the jar stable as she placed them inside. “You were just doing your job.” He was a cop. She was a runaway. She must have been crazy to think anything would come from spending one night together.
His boots moved across the floor, alerting her to his approach. “Let me make this right.”
Please don’t touch me, she prayed. “I think you’ve done enough.”
“Please, baby.” His warm hand splayed across hers and she jerked away.
With a heavy heart, she closed her eyes. “Just go.”
When she heard his boots retreating, it was bittersweet. She gave him enough time to get down the street and then she turned around. There was no need to keep the store open. As she headed for the door, she was met by Tabby. Sky didn’t know whether to let her friend in or to turn the lock and disappear into her RV. Tabby made the decision for her when she pushed the door open.
“Skylar Wellington?”
“Looks like the rumor mill is alive and well.”
“Remember this is a small town. The minute your dad arrived your secret spread like wildfire.” Tabby’s voice softened. “You okay?”
“No.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“No.”
“Then how about you and me head over to the diner and I’ll buy you breakfast.”
“Thank you, but I’m not really hungry.”
“Then how about you and me head to your RV. You can have a drink. I’ll sip on some tasteless water. We can talk about the weather. Christmas. Leo.”
Moisture filled Sky’s eyes. She tried not to let them fall, but the tears came anyway.
“Oh, honey.” Tabby wrapped her arms around her. She held her while Sky wept. When her tears finally dried, Tabby released her and locked the shop door. “Let’s get out of here.”
Sky followed Tabby out the back of the store, pausing only to pick up her jacket before they walked around the corner where Tabby’s Jeep was parked. Without speaking, they climbed into the vehicle. Tabby turned the ignition key on and they took off down the road. Sky didn’t know where they were going nor did she care. They rode in silence until Tabby pulled off on a side road and stopped at the pier.
“Let’s walk,” she said.
Sky slipped on her jacket before she got out. A gentle breeze chilled her face as she joined Tabby and they walked side by side toward the pier. Seagulls squawked overhead. Whitecaps rolled over the ocean, washing upon the shore, carrying stones and sand back to sea. Down the way, a man stood by himself fishing. A couple and their two children were walking on the beach. Tabby stopped midway down the pier, placed her forearms on the rail and looked out over the water toward several fishing boats. Sky did the same.
This was just what Sky needed. Companionship but without all the questions to which she wasn’t sure she had answers. “Thank you.”
Tabby glanced toward her and smiled softly. “We’re friends. That’s what friends do for each other.”
From out of nowhere, Sky admitted, “I slept with Leo.”
“Hmmm.” Tabby didn’t seem too surprised.
“He’s the reason my father found me.”
“Oh no. What did he do?”
“From what my Dad said, Leo ran my fingerprints. The only thing I can think of is he used the sculpture he purchased at the auction or he took something from my place.”
Tabby’s eyes widened.
“He deceived me. All the while he was just trying to get information from me.”
“Do you really believe that, Tempest? Or is it Skylar?”
“Sky.” And no she didn’t believe it. But why did he do it?
“I’ve known Leo ever since he came to Whispering Cove. He’s an honest man. Sometimes maybe a little overzealous, but he wouldn’t intentionally do anything to harm you.”
“But he has,” Sky insisted.
“Did he? Or did he just speed up the inevitable? Wasn’t it only a matter of time before the truth came out? Sky, aren’t you just a little bit relieved that you can quit hiding? That you can finally be who you want to be?”
She hadn’t thought of it that way. No more running. No more hiding. “My father won’t give up.”
“Then it’s time you face him and straighten him out.”
That was easier said than done.
Chapter Eleven
Leo stood before the doors of the Seafarer. His plans for tonight had gone to hell. He still had no idea how to approach Skylar or what to say to her. Cramming a hand in his pocket, he entered the establishment and glanced around. The concert had attracted nearly the entire town, so the place was almost empty. Which left him with his choice of tables. Selecting one out of the way, he took a seat and eased back into the chair. He had been on top of the world when he left her RV this morning. Now look at him.
“What can I get for you, Officer Caan?” the new waitress asked.
“A beer and whatever the special is tonight.” He didn’t have much hope that what he ate tonight would sit well. He had really screwed things up with Skylar. The good news was that she hadn’t left. The bad news—she and her father were the talk of the town.
When the waitress delivered his beer, he immediately took a drink. As he tipped his glass for another sip, the door opened and Charles Wellington walked in, two bodyguards flanking him. He waited a second for someone to seat him. When no one approached him, he shook his head and selected a window seat. His goons took convenient positions t
o watch the front and back doors as well as the kitchen.
Leo fought the need to speak up for Skylar, but he’d done enough. He didn’t want to make things worse for her. He had just finished the thought when she walked into the restaurant and went straight to her father. The man rose and proceeded to pull her chair out. She sat down, brushing her hands down the conservative dress she wore. He was pretty sure it wasn’t something she’d pulled out of her closet.
Her rigid posture was the exact opposite of her father’s. Since she hadn’t run away and she hadn’t returned to New York, Leo’s suspicion was that Skylar planned to have a come-to-Jesus talk with her father.
From where Leo sat, he could see her weary expression. For the first time, it appeared she wore absolutely no makeup. Her eyes and nose were red. She’d been crying. He just hoped she remained strong, because she was going to need it. Wellington wasn’t the type of man who accepted no for an answer.
At first their voices were low, just a murmur. Five minutes in, Wellington slammed his fist on the table and Skylar flinched. Leo jumped to his feet as the blond bodyguard looked at him and shook his head. Since Wellington restrained his aggression, Leo sat back down, but he didn’t take his eyes off them.
“No.” Skylar’s voice pitched. “There’s nothing you can say or do that will make me return.”
“Matt. Carl.” At their boss’s request, they moved toward Skylar.
This time when Leo rose, he didn’t sit back down. Instead he approached the table. The blond bodyguard stopped him with a palm against his chest. Leo looked down at the man’s hand and calmly informed him. “If you want to keep your hand, you’ll remove it.”
“This isn’t any of your business,” Wellington growled.
“I’m afraid, sir, it is. Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Officer Caan.”
A dark shadow moved over Skylar’s eyes.
Wellington eased back in his chair. “Then you understand why I’m here.”
“No, sir, I don’t. Miss Wellington is of age. She’s old enough to make her own decisions. From what I understand, she wishes to remain where she is.”
Wellington shot forward. “That is unacceptable.”
“Leo,” Skylar whispered. “Don’t antagonize him.”
“No, sir.” He reached out and squeezed her hand, attempting to reassure her. Then he narrowed his eyes on her father. “What is unacceptable is that you feel you have the authority to coerce her into complying. The law is clearly on her side. If you require proof, I can escort you to the police station and provide you with the actual document.”
Wellington slowly got to his feet. “Young man, if you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay out of our business or by tomorrow I will have your badge on my desk.”
Leo held on to his anger by a thread. “Do not threaten me.”
Skylar’s eyes widened. “Leo, don’t.”
“I would listen to her if I were you,” the blond bodyguard murmured.
But Leo ignored him. “Perhaps it would help if you knew who you are dealing with.” He had never used his family’s name, but for Skylar he was willing to make an exception. “My father is Marvin Caan—Justice Marvin Caan of the United States Supreme Court.”
The blood drained from Wellington’s face.
“I see you’ve heard of him.”
Evidently Skylar had too because her jaw dropped and she stared at him with disbelief.
Her father stood, quietly glancing from his daughter to Leo. “What interest do you have in my daughter?”
“Sir, I mean no disrespect—” Leo caught Skylar’s attention and held it, “—but my relationship with your daughter is between the two of us.” He waited for a response from either Wellington or Skylar that never came. Instead her father sat back down.
“Officer Caan, would you like to join us for dinner?”
Leo had not expected that. “I appreciate the invitation, but we have plans for tonight.” He extended his hand to her. For a moment it appeared as if she would refuse him. He didn’t realize he held his breath until she took his hand and the air in his lungs gushed out. “Good night, sir.” With a slight tug, he pulled Skylar to her feet and into the shelter of his body. When he placed his arm around her shoulders, Wellington smiled.
“Skylar, your mother will expect you to visit soon, and bring Officer Caan with you.”
She stared at her father as if he had grown two heads. Then she silently nodded.
When they stepped outside and the door closed behind them, Leo took her into his arms. “I’m sorry, Skylar. My curiosity got the best of me. I had to find out who you were.”
She stared directly in his eyes. “You didn’t purchase the piece just to get my fingerprints.”
“God no. It’s a work of art. But more importantly, it’s a part of you. You put yourself into everything you make.” He thought he saw her blush but couldn’t be sure as they stood beneath a dim streetlight. The clouds had moved in once again, choking out the moon.
“Leo?”
He cupped her cheeks. “Yes, baby.”
“Can we get out of here, I’m freezing?”
Placing a palm in the small of her back, he guided her toward his truck. “My house or yours?”
“Yours. I want to know more about the son of a Justice.” She stopped before the passenger door of his vehicle. “And Leo?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you.” She leaned into him and pressed her lips against his.
He wrapped his arms around her and deepened the kiss. When they parted he asked, “For what?”
“Freeing me.”
Nothing more was said as he drove to his house. When he pulled in front of the two-story overlooking a cliff, they both got out and walked side by side to the door. Unlocking the door, he moved aside and she stepped in, looking around.
Walking into the living room, she turned to him. “It’s beautiful.”
“Thank you.” The moment felt awkward. Leo wasn’t sure where he stood with her. “Are you hungry?”
“Not especially.” She ran her fingers along the mantel where he had placed her artwork.
“I think it’s too late to attend the concert.”
“Probably.” She strolled to the large Christmas tree in the corner, watching the lights blink on and off.
“Would you like to watch a movie?”
With her back to him she shook her head.
“Skylar, you’re going to have to help me out here. What do you want?”
She pivoted, her gaze locking on his. “You.”
When she reached for the hem of her dress and pulled it over her head, his heart leaped into his throat. She kicked off her heels and reached down, slowly rolling her silk stockings off one leg and then the other.
Holding the pair of stockings in one hand, she stretched out her arm. “Here. You wanted my stockings for your mantel.”
Leo’s pulse sped. She looked amazing in her red lacy bra and a matching thong with a snow-white ribbon in the middle of the elastic.
“Your stockings on my mantel and you beneath my tree. What more could a man ask for?” As he approached her, he stripped off his shirt.
She reached behind her back, unclasped her bra, and it fell to the floor.
He gave a hop as he toed one shoe off and then the other.
When he was close enough for her to touch, she placed her fingers in the band of his jeans and pulled him the rest of the way to her. Then she worked to unfasten his buckle. The button and zipper were next. Her cool palms smoothed across his chest, down his abdomen, and then her fingers disappeared beneath his skivvies, dragging them down as she eased to her knees.
Leo’s breath caught. He couldn’t keep his eyes off her. Slender fingers encircled his shaft, rasped over sensitive flesh as she stroked from base to crown, not once, but twice. Holding him in her grasp, she leaned in, raising her gaze to meet his. The carnal grin that spread across her lips had his knees shaking. His cock bobbed and a slick pearl of precome
beaded at the slit. When her pink tongue swirled around the crown of his cock, his toes curled against the tile on the floor.
“Damn, baby. Do that again.” He’d never seen anything as erotic as Skylar on her knees before him. When she repeated what she’d done before a shiver raced up his spine.
Taking his balls into her other palm, she rolled the taut sac and continued the slow strokes along his shaft. He speared his fingers in her hair, directing her mouth to his needy flesh.
But instead of taking him into her mouth, her hot tongue trailed along an engorged vein. The thrust of his hips was involuntary. She laughed softly before she began to kiss and lick his dick while her fingers massaged his balls.
As she teased him, perspiration slicked his body. When she traced a scorching path along the sensitive ridge, his hips jerked. Her tongue snaked to delve into his slit and his knees almost buckled.
“Sweet Jesus.” His breathing turned rough, choppy. How the hell would he live through this?
The dark desire burning in Leo’s eyes ignited her arousal. She hadn’t realized it until now, but she was affected as much as he. Her breasts hung heavy. Her nipples stung. The area between her thighs grew moist and achy.
To extend his anticipation as well as hers, she parted her lips slowly and descended, taking only the head into her wet mouth, and suckled. His testicles tensed in her palm, growing harder. It was amazing how her touch affected him. Excited to learn more about him, she took him deeper.
“Oh God,” he groaned.
She tried not to fall into a predictable rhythm, keeping him on edge by changing her motions often. Then she would hum to create vibrations she knew he felt because he released a sharp hiss. One moment she massaged his balls. The next she plunged fast, swallowing around the head of his cock and twisting her fingers at the base or stroking up and down.
He stared at her, panting and thrusting his hips. “Skylar… Please.”
She didn’t know exactly what he wanted, but she sensed he was close, and then he confirmed it.
“Baby. I’ll lose it.”
Stockings (Whispering Cove) Page 12