Lone Star Burn_Watching you
Page 8
Shaking her head, she tossed her hair up in a ponytail with the tie from her wrist. “I don’t think so.”
“You don’t have to. I do.”
“We’ve only met in cities.”
He dragged a fingertip along the bottom of her sports bra. “Because you, Teena, crave the anonymity. Come to Fort Mavis with me. Let me share the sunsets, the starlit nights with you.” He sat and settled his hands on her shoulders.
She chewed on her lower lip. “I have to get my run in, so we can get to everyplace.” She stepped away.
He wrapped his hand in her ponytail.
“What?” she asked.
“Be safe.” A brief kiss and he escorted her to the door.
Wonder if I pushed her too much. It may be the only way to get her to see I want more than clandestine meetings in hotels in a city neither of us live in.
He went back to her bedroom and tugged on his jeans, leaving them unbuttoned before he made his way to the kitchen. He began making some breakfast, wanting to keep her to himself for a bit longer. They could go for the beignets later.
The door opened. “Hey Teena, I need to get those red pumps from you that you—Oh, damn. Well, hello there.” A lean black woman with short hair stood there, mouth open in shock.
“Lola Francone, I presume?” Patrick wiped off his hands and moved toward her.
Her response was to yank out her phone and place a call. “Mellie get over to Teena’s. He’s here.” A frank appraisal. “Hell yes, he’s fine as shit. And he’s cooking breakfast. Shirtless. I don’t know, haven’t asked him yet.” She ended the call and met his eyes. “Yes. I’m Lola. It is so nice to finally meet you.”
“You knew about me?”
“Teena tried to keep it a secret but hey, we’re nosy friends.” Another personal perusal. “What’s for breakfast?”
He stopped and retreated to behind the counter. “Quiche, hashbrowns, and fruit salad.”
“She off running?”
He nodded and got the orange juice. “Can I pour you some?”
“Where is he?” a woman hollered, the door banging open once more. “Damn, no wonder she kept you to herself!” She approached, kicking the door closed behind her. Navy blue slacks and a white button down, accented by the gun at her right hip and the badge on the left.
“Mellie?”
“That’s me. And you are?” She had short natural curls the style highlighted her sharp cheekbones.
“Patrick West.”
“His name’s Patrick, Lola. Not hard to find out, you just have to ask.”
“Bitch.” Lola flipped her off. “And at least he knew my last name. Just your first. But look at him, you should be distracted as well.”
Their banter had him smiling. It was either that or run for DC and the hope of hiding. Obviously, there existed a strong bond of friendship between them.
Mellie sauntered up to the counter and slid over one of the four bar stools in the open kitchen. She gestured to the juice by his hand and he silently poured her a glass.
Lola made her way closer and took the juice from her friend.
“Would you like a glass?” he repeated the question he’d asked her before Mellie had arrived.
“I can share hers.” Lola sucked her finger into her mouth. “Or yours.”
“Don’t scare him, Lola. Teena will kick your ass.” Mellie hooked her hand on the butt of her gun.
“She doesn’t scare me.”
Mellie snorted. “She’ll stop sharing her shoes with you.”
Patrick coughed to hide his amusement at Lola’s pure panic stricken expression.
Lola bolted to the bedroom he’d just spent the night in with Teena and came out moments later with three pairs of shoes in her arms. All stilettos and she held them to her chest.
“I’ll be right back. And Hot Guy, no telling on me or I’ll give you some sort of deranged bug that will make you insane.” She was gone.
“Should I be worried?” He checked the quiche.
“Oh, definitely,” Mellie replied “She’s certifiable. But we keep an eye on her and keep her in check.”
“And she is a geneticist?”
“She is but she’s freaky scary smart and could without a doubt whip up some dangerous virus to give you if she wanted to.” Mellie got some coffee. As she added creamer and brown sugar, she stared out the window. “Marshal or not, we will kill you if you hurt her.”
“So I hear,” he remarked.
“Papa Howard?”
“I believe I’m even more scared that you have a name of who may have threatened me already.”
“And here I thought most feds were dumb. Looks like you’re figuring it out. All three of us are a little crazy and Papa Howard is our second father. He’s a lot calmer than Teena’s dad. Teena’s old man was a cop, Lola’s an enforcer.” A wicked grin crossed her face as she stared at him. “You don’t want to know what mine does.”
No, he really didn’t. He opened his mouth but that damn door swung open once more.
“Look who I found!” Lola cried out.
Patrick glanced over in time to see Lola and Teena enter. The woman of his heart wore a panicked look on her face as she met his gaze. He smiled and calmly waited to see what might happen next.
Chapter Six
Teena wanted to run, Patrick had been alone with not just one, but both of her friends. For how long, Lola wouldn’t tell her. She smelled food cooking and her stomach rumbled. “I see you met the girls.” She felt proud her voice didn’t waiver. Too much.
“I did,” he answered with a smile. “I believe they’re joining us for breakfast. How was your run?”
He’s just acting like this is normal everyday behavior for them to barge in and invite themselves to share a meal.
“Good. I’ll be right back, gonna clean up.”
Lola pushed by her. “Take your time. We’re fine out here with him while you go.”
Teena noticed the look of appreciation Lola sent the shirtless man in her kitchen. She met Mellie’s gaze and her friend gave a small nod. Mellie would keep her in check. Even so, she took one of the quickest showers in history.
Departing her room, she tugged the hem of her shirt down over her hips. She walked into her open kitchen and moved to Patrick’s side where he stood talking to Mellie.
Lola was just sitting there, staring at him with lust in her eyes.
“What’d I miss?”
Patrick turned to her, dropped an arm around her and kissed her lips. She sighed and pushed up slightly on her toes to mash their lips together more.
“Don’t mind us.” Mellie’s dry tone broke their kiss.
“Never do,” she retorted.
Mellie made a very unflattering comment to her in Cajun. She responded in kind and just shook her head at Patrick to waylay the question she knew he had.
Breakfast went well, they ate and talked. As they separated, both women hugged her.
“Don’t muck this up. I like him,” Mellie said. “He’s good for you.”
Lola smiled. “I’ll take him if you don’t want him anymore.”
“Lola, he’s not a toy I’m sharing.”
She shrugged. “He makes your eyes smile.” Lola pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Okay, I’m going to go see what I can do today. Bye!” She bounced off, back in her own little world.
Patrick wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on the top of her head. “They are something else.”
“An acquired taste. But they are my girls and haven’t ever let me down.”
“Lola is different.”
“Yes, she is. She’s come a long way. She doesn’t really like people and tends to speak her mind. Smart as a whip and has four degrees, actually.”
“I like them.”
“They liked you as well.”
“What’s her obsession with your shoes?”
“She likes mine. I’ve purchased her some like I have but she still wants to borrow mine, so I buy more and leave t
hem in my closet for her to take when she wants. Not sure, one of her quirks.” She thought about his question from prior to her running. “Thank you for breakfast. I thought you wanted some beignets.”
“I wanted to keep you to myself longer.”
She chuckled. “Didn’t work out so well, did it?”
“I need your friends to like me. So I’m fine with it.”
“And you?” She turned, so she could meet his gaze.
“And me what?”
“Do you have friends in Fort Mavis that I need to like me?”
One side of his mouth quirked up. “Does this mean you’re coming with me?”
“It means I’m asking if you have friends there.”
“I do. I grew up there. And I know they’ll like you but I’ve told them about you from the moment we met.”
“Why?”
“So they’d stop trying to push girls on me. When they knew I was yours, that stopped,” he stated it so matter of fact. As if it wasn’t something he had to think about and create an answer she may want to hear, but it fell from his tongue as if it were the truth.
Her skin pebbled as pleasure washed over her with his words. “I’m not sure what to make of you West.”
“I’m easy enough to figure out. Now come on. You’re supposed to show me the city and unless you want to get undressed, I suggest we leave and be out amongst other people.”
She dragged her tongue along her lower lip and pushed her hands beyond the waistband of his pants. “If we go later, it will be warmer out, probably more people.”
“But we probably won’t get as sweaty out there as we’re about to in here.”
She grinned. “I was hoping you were going to say that.” Teena pushed his pants down. “We can go out later.”
Patrick claimed her mouth and nothing else mattered.
Three hours later, they sat on one of the St. Charles line of streetcars passing Tulane University, she had her head resting on his shoulder as he looked around. She loved this city, loved what it offered her. Even having lived here her entire life there was always something new to discover. But today she was doing what he wanted to do, later she would take him places that weren’t in the tour guides, but this was one she enjoyed doing.
“It’s a beautiful city,” he murmured in her ear.
“It is that.” She fought a yawn…he was wearing her out. In a delightfully good way, but she was exhausted.
“You’re tired.”
“I’m fine. I will need a bit more sleep in Texas though. Where am I staying?”
“With me.”
“You have a house in Fort Mavis?”
He laughed. “I do. I love my hometown and bought one.” He tugged on a curl. “Does this mean you’ll come with me?”
“I’ll meet you there. I have some more things to do but yes, I’ll come see you in Fort Mavis.”
“Excellent. I want you to see my town.”
She may not be all up and excited about going back to his home but she couldn’t deny what he’d said earlier. She did love the country, it did calm her despite the fact she lived in a city. She needed both.
That night as she closed her eyes, wrapped safely in Patrick’s arms, she felt content with her decision. She wasn’t going to say he would be the future husband but she felt good about where their relationship was at and the direction it was headed. She wanted it to work out.
αβ
Patrick looked around his house.
“It’s fine.”
He turned to stare at his friend, Jake. “What?”
“Christ, you’re worse than a woman. The house is clean, all is well and your woman will be here in a little bit.”
“I want it to be perfect.” He’d had his eye on a ring he wanted to grace Teena’s left hand.
Jake headed to the door. “I’ll swing by and meet her later, but I have to get going. Not good for me to be late to work.”
Alone, Patrick paced. It had been two months since he’d seen her in New Orleans. She’d been sent on a few assignments as had he and their schedules just hadn’t meshed. Until now, but she was already two hours late and now he worried that she’d been called back to work.
He pulled out his cell and scrolled through to her name and number. Finger hovering over the call button, he took a deep breath.
His doorbell chimed.
“Just come back in Jake.”
“I’m not Jake but can I come in?” Teena’s voice wove by the door to his ear.
He tossed his phone to the couch and yanked her into the house, kissing her.
Patrick pushed his tongue deep into her mouth, stroking it along hers. Her body trembled in his arms and she sank her hands in his hair, tugging slightly as she nipped his invading tongue. His cock went rock hard and he backed her to a wall, using it as support for her, while he tugged her shirt up.
She purred as he covered her breasts, thumbs skimming along the taut nipples hiding behind her satin bra. He pushed up her shirt and bra, freeing her boobs. Then he took her nipple into his mouth.
“Oh God,” she panted, pulling on his hair harder as he laved attention from one tip to the next. She repositioned her hands on the waist of his pants and undid the top button, sliding her hand down and curving her fingers around his cock. It jerked at her touch and he bucked his hips.
Patrick lowered the zipper on his pants, taking possession of her mouth once more, yanked hers pants down and lifted her as she kicked free of one leg. He grunted in pleasure as he pushed into her wet heat with a single stroke. She wrapped her legs around him, holding him as deep as he could be.
He thrust in and out of her, faster until they both came hard at the same time. Staring down at her, he gave her a soft kiss. “Hi,” he whispered.
“That is one hell of a welcome.”
“We’re just getting started. I’m going to tell you right now, I’m in love with you. I want to marry you. Full disclosure, just so you know where my mind is.”
Her eyes widened slightly before her internal muscles flexed around his cock. “I love you too, West. Have for a long time now, just was too damn chicken to do anything about it.” She rotated her hips and he groaned as he hardened once more. “Can I have an encore of that welcome?”
“Hell, yeah.” He kissed her again. Later, he would show her off to his friends. Right now, she was his. Teena had been his since the first time he’d seen her and started watching her. He didn’t plan on letting her go.
This woman was his future. His life. Patrick could see family and kids with no one else.
More from the Lone Star Burn series
For those who aren’t familiar with the Lone Star Burn series by Ruth Cardello, here is the series in order for you to check out. Stories are hot, funny, and all around wonderful.
Taking Charge
Tycoon Takedown
Taken Home
Additional Books by Aliyah Burke
Sensual Romance Publishing
Holiday Surprise: Unwrapped
Raw Exposure
A Knight’s Vow
Lion of Midnight
If You Dare
His Purrfect Mate
Megalodon Team
Kincade’s Rose
Harrier’s Healer
Connelly’s Flame
Greeley’s Spyce
Vittano’s Willow
Dimitri’s Moon
O’Shea’s Love
Chayton’s Tempest
Haikon
A Love for Lera
Rakes & Rogues
What the Earl Desires
Her Reluctant Viscount
Her Pirate Rogue
Cottonwood Falls
Relentless
Fracture
Ravish
Spark
Savor
Intensity
Inferno
Snake’s Salvation
Born to Fly
Landing in Love
Zulu Spectre
Hearth, Holly, & Hon
or (3 in 1)
It Could Happen Again
Tungsten Protective Services
Down Range
All In (Kindleworlds Hot SEALs/Tungsten Protective Services crossover novella)
Twisted E-Publsihing
Graham Family
Justice Is Always Ready
And We’ve Come Full Circle
Denim & Spurs
With This Ring
Dream Lover
You Don’t Know Jack
Totally Bound
Preconception
Seducing Damian
Through the Fire
Serial
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 1
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 2
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 3
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 4
Keeper of the Stars Pt. 5
Astral Guardians
Chasing the Storm
Highlands at Dawn
Fields of Thunder
Branded by Frost
Driven by Night
Moon of Fire
Interludes
Temporary Home
Alone with You
Till We Ain’t Strangers Anymore
In Aeternum
Casanova in Training
Harbour of Refuge
Protected by Shadows
Polar Opposites
Code of Honour
A Marriage of Convenience
The Lieutenant’s Ex-Wife
A Man Like No Other
When Stars Collide
All Romance E-Books
D.A.R.K Cover, Inc.
Breaking All the Rules
Trust Me
Alphas series
It Was Always You
Fearless series
One Cold Night
Dubious series
Say You’re Mine
Entangled
Code Name: Papa
Kindleworld
Icy Dare (Dare to Love Kindleworld series)
The Wedding Snafu
Delay of Game
All In (Kindleworlds Hot SEALs/Tungsten Protective Services crossover novella)
Other collections
Dutch & Lobo (in In the Trenches collection)
On the High Seas (in What White Boyz Desire collection)
Love Under the Endless African Sky
Co-written with Taige Crenshaw
Unbreakable Bonds
Kemet Uncovered:
Talios
Devi
Linc
Saffron
Taber