It didn't take long to shower and find every bruise and sore spot on her body from the explosion, but none of it seemed to matter. She was happy. She was with Ilya and he said he loved her. He made her feel loved. He made her feel so beautiful and sexy she didn't mind wrapping herself in a robe and finding her way to the kitchen.
He'd pulled on a pair of jeans. They were only partially buttoned, leaving his body, so defined with muscle, for her to enjoy. She sank into a chair at the table, drew her knees up and watched him as he moved around the kitchen with sure, purposeful movements. This side of him fascinated her.
"Ilya Prakenskii, all domestic."
"One of us has to be," he pointed out, flicking her a small grin.
The flash of his white teeth sent a small, thrilling somersault sliding through her stomach. She loved making him happy. And he was happy. His melody was joyful, bright colors shining occasionally through that dark shield he always wore. She saw it for what it was now, a cover to keep him safe.
"Fine. I'll admit I'm not great in the kitchen. Hannah loves to cook and bake, and she totally rocks at it. I can make tea though."
"Tea?" His eyebrow shot up. "We're going to have sons, Joley, lots of them. I don't think tea is going to be a big hit on the menu."
She rubbed her chin on her knees and eyed him warily. "Now it's sons. Are you obsessed with having children or something? Because this isn't the first time you've brought the subject up. And I don't like the sound of that word 'lots.' "
He stirred the spaghetti sauce. "In the interests of disclosure, I'm just warning you so you can't ever say you weren't prepared."
She put on her fiercest scowl. "I've disclosed to you that I haven't a clue how to take care of a baby. I'm an artist. I sing onstage and travel around the world. I can hold them, but the entire baby thing is just plain scary. Do you have any idea what it takes to be responsible for a child? I made myself read parenting books, and no way am I trying that."
"I haven't a clue what it takes, Joley. I'll be relying solely on you and your experience." He blew on a spoonful of sauce and tasted it.
"What experience, you crazy man? I have no experience."
He added oregano. "Sure you do. You were raised in a family. You have good parents, a pattern to follow, and we'll just go by what they did."
"You make it sound so easy. Do you really want children, Ilya? Is it that important to you?" She sighed. "If it is, give me a few years and I'll give it a try."
He glanced at her over his shoulder, and his smile had turned into a knowing smirk. "A few years? You think we should wait a few years?"
She shrugged. "We haven't even got to the marriage part. We're at the getting to know you part."
He stirred the sauce again, and she could see from his profile that he was still smiling. "We're past the getting to know you part. That was this past year. Now we're at the we'd better get married fast part."
Joley wrinkled her nose. "You aren't making any sense. We don't want to rush into anything. We have plenty of time to work everything out."
"You said you'd marry me."
She nodded, biting down on her lip. She had said it—and she'd meant it—but that had been in the heat of the moment. Now she wanted to be a little more cautious. "I did say I would, but I was thinking of a long engagement while you got to know my family and maybe figured out what kind of work you wanted to do. Because you're not going to be working undercover anymore, right? Not with a wife and family. You have a lot to think about." That sounded very well thought out and intelligent.
"As long as you're touring and making appearances, I'll be working your security."
He flashed one look at her—the kind that sent tremors down her spine and made her all too aware of the dangerous man she'd committed herself to. He didn't really argue. She'd realized that about him. He would try a short discussion and then he did things his way, expecting everyone to fall in line with his orders. Joley didn't mind that in the bedroom, but he wasn't going to just dictate the rest of her life to her.
"Has it ever occurred to you that I might worry about you, Ilya? That I don't want to take chances with your life? Most of the time I need security for normal reasons, just to get through a crowd, but once in a while there's a real threat. The last person I want in jeopardy is you."
He turned and faced her, looking so incredibly sexy he took her breath away.
"I have no experience with anyone wanting to look out for me. Not even as a small boy." He flashed a small grin at her. "This will be interesting, learning how best to react when you talk this way to me."
She held her breath. "How do you feel like reacting?"
"Honestly?" He put pasta onto two plates, added the spaghetti sauce and two pieces of warm bread. He put one dish in front of her and the other on the side of the table facing her. "I want to sweep the counter clean and put you on it and feast on you in thanks."
The low, wicked voice sent a flood of damp heat between her legs. "That's a good reaction." She tried to keep her voice steady as she twirled pasta onto her fork. "I do need a little fuel and then you can do whatever you want."
The blue eyes glittered at her and her heart jumped.
"Why don't you untie that robe for me?" he suggested.
"It wouldn't be very sexy if I dropped spaghetti down the front of me," she pointed out. "And you're making me so nervous I just might."
His white teeth flashed again, and this time he looked like a wolf. "If you dropped spaghetti down the front of you, Joley, I'd be more than happy to use you for a dinner plate."
She laughed, happiness warming her. "Okay, just stop right there and behave yourself. I'm getting this image that just is so wrong."
"Really?" His eyebrow shot up. "I've got a very erotic one. Want to try it?"
Chapter 16
"WOO hoo, Joley!" Rick said as they entered the suite. "You were on fire tonight. We were all so worried about you after the bus blew up; we thought for certain we'd have to cancel, but no, you just keep rockin', girl!" He picked her up around the waist, lifting her into the air, and swung her around.
Joley caught a glimpse of Ilya's face before she lost sight of him in the mad spinning. A secret grin tugged at her deep inside. He definitely didn't share well with others.
Keep smiling, lubov moya, you think this is funny having another man touch you? The edge to his voice held a warning.
It's not another man, it's Rick. She felt sassy, ecstatic! She had given another great performance in spite of every threat. Only two more shows and she would be home.
Precisely. There was a bite in his voice.
Just like that her body stirred to life. She put her hands on Rick's shoulders and stepped back. "Crazy man, but seriously we all rocked. I wasn't the only one out there exposed, we all were, and I'm so glad we made the decision to go on tonight together."
"No one is going to dictate to us whether or not we perform," Denny said.
"Damn straight," Logan agreed.
She couldn't help herself, she glanced at Ilya standing by the door. He didn't look uncomfortable, he never did. Just—hot. Sexy. His eyes shifted around the room, but she knew he saw her. Watched her. The thought was arousing.
Leo ruffled her hair. "Well the lights caught that bandage just right and highlighted the bruises and we're going to get so much publicity—all good—because you are the ultimate pro, baby. No one can touch you."
Joley laughed. "Well, I'm hoping not. I felt a lot safer with all the heightened security. I noticed everyone has to have a picture on their IDs."
Jerry nodded as he handed her an ice-cold bottle of water. After a grueling two-and-half-hour performance under hot lights, she was tired and sweaty and coming down from an adrenaline high. "We made sure you were totally protected, Joley. And it's going to stay that way. You don't go anywhere without a bodyguard, and when you're getting through a crowd, I want security lining that rope to ensure your safety."
"You've been talking to Jonas, haven't you
?" she said accusingly, and flung herself onto the couch beside Tish. She leaned over to kiss the baby's hand. "Hello, little angel. You're so perfect. She's so beautiful, Tish."
"Jonas called me," Jerry said hastily. "And you okayed keeping him in the loop."
Joley laughed again. "Jonas out of the loop would be Jonas sitting on top of me. There's no such thing as keeping him out of it. He sort of steamrolls his way wherever he wants to be."
All the while she was rubbing her palm up and down her thigh. He was only a few feet away, the crowd separating them, but they could have been alone the way her body felt. Ilya. Her Ilya. Wickedly she brought her palm to her mouth, breathing warm air on the center. Her lips brushed back and forth, feather-light. There was something very sensual about sex in a roomful of people when no one else had a clue. It was wicked and exciting and very naughty.
She felt him jump in her mind. Knock it off. The voice was a growl. A rasp. She found it sexy and too hot to resist.
Her eyes collided with his. The blue had gone to a molten sea, turbulent and wild. She let her gaze drift lower and was more than satisfied at the obvious bulge in the front of his jeans. She grinned and gave a small salute before responding to the teasing from the band.
"Well, boys, since I have no bus, and you're all pulling out tonight for Sacramento, I think I'll just put my feet up here and relax."
Brian threw a crumpled up program at her. "Not funny, little Miss Diva. You get to take a plane."
Joley started to contradict him. She was thinking of making the ten-hour drive with Ilya, but she hadn't checked with him. Instead she licked the center of her palm twice with wicked intent and pressed another kiss there before taking a drink of the ice-cold water.
I will retaliate.
Hmmm. I think I'm pretty safe with all these people around. Her body grew hot just thinking about how she was tormenting Ilya. The palm thing was going from the con side of her list to the pro side very quickly. Glancing around the room to make certain no one was watching her, she took another long, slow lick, curling her tongue around the center, envisioning his hard, thick erection in her mouth. She heard his swift intake of breath in her mind, and she smiled secretly, holding her palm against her heart.
Keep it up, Joley, and I'll throw you over my shoulder, carry you into your dressing room and put you on your knees so you can put that mouth to really good use. His voice was dark with arousal and the threat of wicked, sensual punishment. A shiver of excitement went down her spine. She actually felt her nipples harden and her womb clench in anticipation. Belonging to Ilya was exhilarating.
Some perverse, wicked part of her wanted him to do just that. Really? Would you like my mouth around your cock right now? Me kneeling in front of you? Maybe you really are into bondage and you like the image of me with my hands tied behind my back, helpless while you slide down my throat. Sounds kind of kinky but exciting. I might like it.
His low, telepathic groan was harsh with arousal, sending hot flames licking over her skin and spreading like a firestorm through her bloodstream.
Tish leaned close to her. "Does your hand hurt?"
Around them, the room was alive with everyone pouring drinks, toasting, laughing, happy with the success of the show. Ilya stood only feet from her, his blue eyes burning with hunger, yet never once did he shift his position or stop the restless search of the room. A part of her wanted to shake his control, but mostly she was just happy. She sat beside Tish and felt grateful that she was back. Things had always been good when Tish was around.
"My palm itches a little." She closed her fingers around the center to hold Ilya to her there. "Tish, I did want to say, whatever is happening with you and Logan, this is the way it was meant to be. All of us together like this, a family. You brought us here. All your work, your belief in us, all those posters you made, the website you created, you even designed our first cover on the CD we sold at bars. This is your success as well as ours."
As if confirming what Joley had said, Logan spun around, his eyes bright with success. "Tish, come here, honey." He held out his hand to her.
Tish pressed Lissa closer to her. "Don't leave when the others do. Stay, just a few minutes so we can be alone. I need someone to talk to."
"Sure, but right now, let me hold the baby. Logan looks like he wants attention." She was shamelessly playing matchmaker, but she was happy and she wanted Tish to be happy as well. She held out her arms for the baby.
Tish hesitated, confirming Joley's suspicion that she was hiding behind the baby. Reluctantly Tish gave Lissa to her and stood up. Joley watched her cross to Logan's side. She didn't pull back when he wrapped his arm around her and held her close, but she didn't lean into him either. Body language suggested that Tish was conflicted, and it wasn't difficult to guess what she wanted to talk with Joley about.
You look good with that baby. When you have mine, you'll have to sit naked with all that beautiful soft skin, with our child in your arms, at your breast, and I'll just watch until it's my turn.
She sucked in her breath. Her breasts ached, sending little sneaky curls of heat radiating from her nipples to her feminine sheath. Muscles rippled and her body softened, went damp. Her breath left her lungs in a little rush. More than the words and the erotic images he thrust into her mind, it was the sexy sound of his voice. The tone played over her skin like caressing fingers, or worse, a stroking, sinful tongue.
No babies. I told you that. They're fine asleep, but I'm not so good with them when they're awake. You'll just have to be content with suckling all by yourself. She felt very daring teasing him. If she could have, she might have taken another long, slow lick of her palm, but she wasn't all that adroit at holding babies and she was afraid she might disturb Lissa.
"Hey you," Brian said softly, dropping into the vacated seat beside her. "How are you feeling? They escorted you in so late that I didn't really get much of a chance to talk to you about what happened. Let's see your head." He swept back her hair and whistled low under his breath. "Black and blue and swollen. That looks nasty."
"It hurts," Joley confirmed, stealing a quick glance at Ilya before meeting Brian's eyes. "How 'bout you? Are you doing okay?"
"I went to see Sergei," Brian said in a rush. "I had to. If he was the one who ordered that bombing, I had to try to stop him."
Joley shook her head, glanced around and lowered her voice even more. All around them, the band, their women and friends partied, but she and Brian were isolated by secrets. "You shouldn't have gone, Brian, it's too dangerous."
He slipped his finger into the baby's hand and watched her curl tiny, soft fingers around it. "I don't know what to think—what to believe. He swore—looked me right in the eye and swore—he would never harm you because you're my family and he knows that. He said he had loaned Ilya to you now, when he needed him most, to make certain nothing happens to you—that he did that for me. And God help me, Joley, I believe him."
Joley pressed her cheek against the baby's face. She ached inside for Brian. She knew what loneliness was. And she knew heartache. Brian was a good man and he deserved to be happy. He'd sacrificed any relationship to keep their band going, and now, when he'd finally found someone he could love, it was the wrong person. She wished she could find a way to help him. "Brian, you know I love you very much," she whispered softly. "You're an amazing person. I'm sorry about Nikitin. I really am."
"You're wrong about him. You could be wrong. I know he was once involved in the mob. He was born into it, but he's worked hard to become a legitimate businessman."
"I wish I could say I believed that, but it just isn't true."
"How do you know? You're obviously falling for his bodyguard. Did he tell you that?"
Alarm bells went off. She sat up straight and tried not to look frightened. "No, of course not. My family is in law enforcement. I told you that. I had them double-check, but I think you can dig up the facts yourself, Brian. I'm not saying that to hurt you. If I thought for one moment there wa
s a chance this was all a mistake, I'd totally be on your side, but you know better. Deep down, you know better."
"People change, Joley."
"I know they do, Brian." She couldn't stop the flick of her gaze to Ilya.
Do you need me, lubov moya?
She moistened her lips. She didn't want Ilya to draw Brian's attention. No. Please don't let him even notice you. He's searching for someone to blame and I don't want it to be you. He's still talking to Nikitin, and Nikitin is trying to convince him that he's just a misunderstood businessman. I don't want Brian to think you've given me any information. She nuzzled the baby again to keep her gaze from straying to her bodyguard.
"I'm just saying maybe Sergei was into some things he shouldn't have been…"
"Brian, maybe you're right, you could be right, but until you know, you can't be with him. It's too dangerous on so many levels. Finish the tour. I'll ask my family to help, and we'll quietly investigate him, not to put him in jail or anything, but to make certain it's safe for you."
Brian ran his fingers through his hair several times. "I hate being so alone, Joley. I can't live like this anymore. With Sergei, half the time we just talked, just laughed together. We didn't have to go out, party, any of that, we were just quiet together and that was enough."
She wanted to weep for him. "Come to Sea Haven with me after the tour. There's something about the town, the people, all of it. The sea is wild there and the sunsets are beautiful. I'd love to have you stay with me. The big house is mostly empty because all my sisters are treacherous wenches and they're getting married. Every last one of them with the exception of my baby sister Elle. She's the only one left with a brain."
He reached over and took Lissa out of her arms, cuddling the baby close to his chest. "I've always envied you your family, Joley. Do you know how really lucky you are? We always had money, but I preferred to hang out with Denny, Logan and Rick and the others, anywhere but home. Alcohol was a huge problem. My mom died in her early forties, but it didn't slow Dad down at all."
Drake Sisters 06 - Turbulent Sea Page 28