Love Me Deadly

by Linda Verji

  Reggie heard beyond the blasé ‘yeah’. He heard the hope behind it. Erica hid behind her anger but she wanted a repaired relationship with her parents. He’d heard it when she’d poured out her past to him; heard the disappointment, guilt, sadness. He wanted to do nothing more than to fix it for her, to make her happy – and yet he couldn’t. This was her journey.

  Instead he leaned down and gave her an upside down kiss. The moment their lips met the familiar zing of pleasure caroused through him. Her mouth was soft beneath his, soft and sweet. He could kiss her all day.

  “Do you have to sleep in the guest room?” she asked when he separated their lips. Sitting up on her hunches facing him, she suggested, “Why don’t you sneak into my room when they fall asleep. It’s right next door to you.” She waggled her eyebrows. “And we share the same bathroom.”

  “As tempting as that sounds…” He shook his head. “…No.”

  “Reeeeegggie,” she wheedled.

  “No.” No way was he ruining his reputation with her parents and risking a future with her.

  She wrinkled her nose. “You’re such a square.”

  He chuckled as he dipped down for another deep kiss. Coming up to her knees, she slung her arms around his shoulders and pushed her breasts against the hard planes of his chest, instantly igniting sparks of desire. His arms automatically tightened around her as he lifted her to wrap her legs around his flanks and stood. For a while he held her like that, suspended around him as he drunk her in.

  Her lips and tongues soothed over his intoxicating kisses. She was like a drug, dulling his common sense and sharpening his arousal. It took a door slamming at the other end of the house to drag him back to sanity.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to sneak in to see me later,” she said between fast paced breaths when he reluctantly ended the kiss.

  No he wasn’t sure! Nevertheless, he set her back on the bed – after one last hard kiss of course. It probably would’ve been a longer kiss if his phone hadn’t rung then. He extracted it from his pocket only to find the most unlikely of callers. Immediately his anger spiked. Sucking his teeth, he slid his finger across the ‘reject’ icon.

  “Who is it?” Erica asked just as the phone began ringing again.

  “Brooklyn,” Reggie said, his irritation barely restrained as he reached for the ‘reject’ icon again.

  Erica stopped him with a firm grip on his wrist. “No, answer it.” He looked up from the phone to meet her eyes. The anger in their depths reflected exactly what he was feeling. She repeated, “Answer it.”

  His eyes never leaving hers, he swiped the answer icon and barked, “What?”

  “R…Reggie?” Stuttering, stumbling Brooklyn was back. “C…can..can I see you?”

  “No,”

  “Pl…Please Reggie, we have to talk,” she stuttered. “I love you so-”

  “Stop,” he cut her off. “I don’t know what delusions you’ve carrying around about me but you need to get them out of your head.”

  “But you love me.”

  “Are you crazy?” His brow furrowed in bafflement. “Listen here, we’ve taken out a restraining order on you. You ever call this number again, or Erica’s, or her parents, or anyone we know, your next call will be to your lawyer from a police cell. You got that?”

  “Reg-”

  “Good. Stay away from us.” He cut the call, too angry to continue listening to her, and threw his phone to the bed.

  Erica was even more pissed off than he was. She hopped off the bed and started pacing the length of the room, her eyes glints of anger. “That bitch, why can’t she leave us alone?” She didn’t wait for Reggie’s answer, instead she stopped pacing, her body rigid with tension. “Did she say where she was?”

  In the face of Erica’s anger, his own dissipated. Reaching for her wrist and drawing her closer to him, he sighed. “No, she didn’t.”

  Erica kissed her teeth. “I swear when I see her again.” She whirled on him. “You better not try to stop me from beating her ass.”

  Despite himself, Reggie chuckled. “Brooklyn won’t even know what hit her.”

  “Stop.” She mushed his head away when he nuzzled into her shoulder and snaked his arms around her. “I’m angry.” But then giggled when his hand touched a spot she was particularly ticklish at. “Ugh! Reggie.” She protested with more giggles as she turned to face him. “Stop.”

  “Uh uh.” His eyes met her own twinkling ones. Then suddenly the humor melted from her gaze replace by tenderness.

  She cupped his cheek, her gaze searching his face for a prolonged moment before she uttered those words. “I love you.”

  Reggie’s heart almost stopped beating. It lurched in shock as did the rest of his senses. Never in a million years had he expected her to say it first and for a split second he thought he’d misheard her until she repeated, “I love you so much.”

  His reaction was as automatic as his elation. His hold around her tightened and he dipped down for a soul-searing kiss. When he came up for air, he returned for air, “I love you too.”

  Erica couldn’t believe she’d said it first either.

  At that moment it’d seemed that if she didn’t say it she’d burst and Reggie’s reaction had been well worth the price. He loved her too.

  “How serious is it between you two?” her mother asked, as she spooned a mixture of mushrooms, pecans, cherries and other ingredients into the cavity of the turkey on the counter.

  Erica’s automatic acerbic response would’ve been to tell her to mind her own business. But unexpectedly, she found herself curbing her tongue and saying instead, “We’re just seeing where it takes us.”

  “Kids these days.” Sandra shook her head. “In our times you knew where you were going or you didn’t get on the train.”

  Erica bit back on her retort that Sandra had hopped on someone else’s train. She could feel Reggie subconsciously prodding for her to be good even though he was in the other room watching a game with her father.

  If she had any doubts that she loved him that crushed them. He brought out the best of her and even though she’d shown him her jealous unforgiving and stubborn side, he’d never given her anything but support. Where else was she ever going to find another man who took her for all her faults?

  Taking a deep breath, she thrust her knife violently into the carrot, splitting it in two as she offered her mother a noncommittal.”Mm.”

  “Does he treat you right?” Sandra asked.

  “Yes.” Erica nodded. “He does.”

  “He better.” Her mother brandished her spoon threateningly and despite herself Erica smiled. In came the good memories, banishing for a moment the bad ones. She recalled how her mother had always been protective and caring of her. Any other woman would’ve been resentful of being forced to raise her nemesis’s daughter. However, none of Sandra’s actions had ever revealed that Erica was anything less than her daughter.

  Casting furtive glances at the rotund woman who was now pushing the stuffed turkey into the freezer, Erica reluctantly acknowledge that Sandra had done right by her and been everything she needed in a mother. And she missed her.

  Resolving to do better in mending their relationship, Erica asked, “I thought you said Aunt Gina was coming over.”

  “She is.” Sandra’s breath hitched as she reached for a mixing bowl from the cabinet. “But you know how she can be? Preaching fire and brimstones at the table. I told her everyone was coming tomorrow so we’d at least have some peace and quiet for one day.”

  Erica wasn’t the only one who’d called a ceasefire. Her father seemed to have warmed up to Reggie too, probably because the whole Brooklyn thing had been cleared up. By the time they called them to dinner-table, there was a distinctly cheery air to the room. They settled in for a jovial dinner punctuated by Sandra’s weepy declarations of how glad she was that Erica had come home.

  Looking around the table Erica realized that she felt happy. For the first time in a long time sh
e was with everyone she loved, not hiding behind anger and hurt. Her world was finally spinning the right way on its axis. Nothing could go possibly wrong. Life was good.

  After making one last failed attempt at convincing Reggie to sneak into her room, she kissed him goodnight then stepped into her room. It was like taking a trip back into the past. Her parents hadn’t changed her room one bit.

  It was still painted a pastel green. Pink disco-like balls still hang from ceiling, illuminating the room in a glowing pink. The colorful strings of beads she’d made in eighth grade still floated along the edges of the windows rattling each time the breeze blew in. They’d arranged her wide bookshelf more neatly then she’d ever kept it but all her favorite books were still there. They’d even left up her framed-in-white photos of 112, and the violin she’d taped on the wall during the days when she still harbored the delusion that she had a musical bone.

  Erica smiled as she set her suitcase on the striped pink and white coverlet. She spread her sleep-shorts and matching tank top on the bed, before stripping out of the clothes she was wearing and covering her hair with a shower-cap. Wrapped in a towel, she strode to ensuite bathroom.

  The door leading into the guestroom was tightly closed. She was tempted to knock on it and tease Reggie a little, to let him know what he was missing. Realizing that she’d be hurting herself with unquenched desire as much as she was hurting him, she resolved to let him be. She was kind of pleased that he wanted to impress her parents anyway.

  Water rushed from the showerhead, cascading over her and washing away the suds covering her face and body. Her eyes closed she soothed the warm water over herself. Perhaps it was the rush of water that kept her from hearing the sound of the glass door sliding open. She only felt the sudden blast of cold.

  Opening her eyes, she turned to glance over her shoulders.

  And her blood paused in its tracks.

  Erica barely had a moment to react before Brooklyn rushed towards her, a knife glinting high above her head and madness smoldering in her eyes.

  CHAPTER 22

  Erica swung her arm out just as Brooklyn’s knife sliced through the air. She felt the sharp sting before she realized that the blade had slashed into her arm. Her flesh opened up in a large gush that immediately bubbled with blood, but was just as fast washed away by the water still pounding from above.

  She screamed as Brooklyn raised the knife again, and acting purely on instinct Erica grabbed the other woman’s arm. For a frail woman, Brooklyn was surprisingly strong as she pressed the knife downwards. Nevertheless, her strength was no match for Erica’s. Erica tightened her grip on Brooklyn’s knife arm warding it off as she threw her fist.

  Her punch caught Brooklyn in the jaw and her neck snapped backwards. Somewhere in her subconscious, Eric heard someone calling out her name from outside the bathroom but she was too intent on defending herself. She moved forward with the intention of slamming another punch into her but she was in barefoot and the floor was wet. Her sole slid on the slippery floor and she fell ass first to tiles, hitting the wall behind her with a sickening thud.

  Pain. Everywhere. Her head, her back, her butt; it rippled through her with stinging cruelty sending stars careening in the back of her eyes and temporarily putting her out of action.

  It was all the time Brooklyn needed to recover.

  “They’re mine.” Her teeth were gritted in a snarl. Her brown eyes floating above Brooklyn, sick rage pulsing through them as she raised the glistening blade again. “You can’t have them.”

  For a moment, Erica really thought it was over for her. She lifted her arm to block the downward spiral of the knife, readying herself for the pain when it plunged into her skin again. But the pain never came.

  And suddenly Brooklyn was gone. Just like that.

  Brooklyn was lifted off her feet, almost floating in the air, as with a loud scream she went keeling backwards. It was only when she was out of the cubicle that Erica saw Reggie behind her, with a firm grasp on the crazy lady’s arms and waist.

  Erica had never been so happy to see anyone before.

  In the aftermath of the attack, Reggie kept close to Erica. He couldn’t leave her not when he’d almost lost her. And he almost had. If he hadn’t heard her scream through the wall that separated the bathroom from his room and broken through the door he might’ve been too late.

  “Is it too tight?” the female paramedic asked as she wrapped up Erica’s arm.

  “No, it’s -” Erica started but her words were broken into by Brooklyn’s cries coming from outside the house.

  “No, she can’t steal them from me. She can’t steal them from me.” Brooklyn screams and gnashes punctuated the night air rising high above the wailing of police sirens as they carted her off. “They’re my family. He’s the father of my baby.”

  She had really gone off her rocker.

  Reggie wished she’d done it somewhere else. Erica’s face was ashy with delayed fright and she bit her lip as she looked out the window. Seeing her distress, her father and mother flunked her protectively with Sandra wrapping her arm around Erica’s waist. Reggie felt useless as he watched the paramedics tend to her and her parents soothed her. It wasn’t a great feeling especially because he felt like it was his job to take care of her. But he couldn’t exactly push them away.

  His turn came after the paramedics left with a recommendation that Erica see a doctor the next day and the house once more settled into quiet. Erica rebuffed her mother’s efforts to sleep with her, but once silence reigned he pushed the doors between them open, made his way through the shadowy room and crawled into bed with her.

  The tension of the last few hours drained out of him when she immediately curled into him and threw her arm tightly around her waist. He held her just as tightly.

  “Hey.” Her voice was muffled against his t-shirt but he heard her anyway.

  “Hey.” He could only see the outline of her face and her eyes in the darkness as he cupped her face and asked, “How are you feeling?”

  “Like I got stabbed by a crazy lady.” She laughed. He didn’t think it was funny.

  He drew in a deep shaky breath as he ran his fingers along her bandaged arm. “I almost lost you.”

  “I’m here.” She arched upwards and her lips met his. Her mouth went soft and hot beneath his as he kissed her so soundly she couldn’t possibly mistake how worried he’d been about her. Reluctantly he ended the kiss but didn’t loosen his hold on her.

  “I love you,” she whispered and his heart squeezed in his chest. What he wouldn’t do to hear her say those words to him each night. He supposed he had Quin to thank for his current position. If it wasn’t for the other man’s mistakes, he wouldn’t have her and would probably still be craving her from afar.

  “I love you too,” he returned before kissing her tenderly. He cradled her in his arms, his face nestled in her hair and his fingers absently playing with hers.

  It was long before she spoke and when she did it was a murmur in the hushed darkness. “Why do you love me?”

  Even then he heard her. And he heard the hint of vulnerability in her voice. It baffled him because what was there not to love about her.

  “How can you love me?” she clarified. “I made you jump through so many hoops before I let you in. I’m jealous. I have a bad temper. I’m stubborn. I hold grudges -”

  “Erica, stop.” He interrupted with a laugh, amused that she thought her faults would be a deterrent to him.

  “No, I’m serious, Reggie.” Erica traced a finger over his lips. “You’re such a good guy that I’m sure you could get a woman who’s perfect. Why would you choose me?”

  “Because I’m not looking for a perfect woman.” He kissed the finger that was still wandering over his mouth. “I’m looking for a woman that’s perfect for me. And that’s what you are. You’re generous to a fault, loyal, hardworking, caring, independent…everything I need. If I have to deal with a little drama here and there, I’m game.”


  She was silent for a while as if contemplating his words. He stayed silent for a while waiting for her response. When it came it wasn’t what he was expecting. “Are you saying I’m also dramatic?”

  His laughter was both exasperated and satisfied. “Don’t forget funny.” She joined his mirth with soft chuckles of her own. Shifting slightly on the bed, he added, “Besides I’m not perfect either.”

  “Don’t I know it,” she scoffed.

  “What?” His voice rose in mock affront. “Name any faults I have.”

  “Don’t even get me started,” she sounded amused as she added, “Reverend Reginald, apprentice to Dr. Phil McGraw.”

  “Are you saying I’m preachy?”

  “Oh, is that what that guy is?” Even with the room eclipsed in darkness, he could imagine her eyes widening with pretended innocence as she said, “Who knew.”

  “Cheeky,” He laughed and chucked her under the chin, even as he reminded himself that her humor was yet another reason why he loved her. She didn’t know how much he loved her. He would move heaven and earth for her if that’s what it took to keep her love and love her for as long as she’d let him. He urged her to rest her head on his shoulder. “Come on. You need to rest.” Before she could protest, he reminded her, “You promised the paramedics that you would.”

  “Okay,” she huffed before shifting her weight completely over him. Not surprisingly, she soon drifted into sleep, holding onto him as if she’d never let him go. And he prayed she wouldn’t because she belonged with him. She was his.

  His to love. His to protect. His to hold.

  Thank you for reading Love Me Deadly. I hope Erica, Reggie, Brooklyn and Co. entertained you. Brooklyn’s story doesn’t feel over. She’s been arrested right now but I’d love to take a peek into what happens to her, and her poor baby, after it. I’m not sure she’d make good romance material though or whether she’s even redeemable. Let me know what you think.

  Meanwhile please take a look at my other books. And if you enjoyed this one don’t forget to recommend it to your friends and family. I would also appreciate it if you could leave a book a review on Amazon, Goodreads.com, iTunes, Barnes & Nobles and/or your retailer of choice to help spread the word.