Not Quite Right (Indigo Love Spectrum)

by Tammy Williams

  “Besides, I’ve lived enough years where I don’t have to hide anything I do,” Jean finished.

  She didn’t have to hide anything, yet Steed knew she was hiding something. Maybe she would share at dinner. “Whatever you say, Nana.” He kissed her cheek. “See you later.”

  * * *

  “There’s nothing I can say to make you stay, Steed?”

  Steed stared at Claudia Preston in disbelief. This woman could inspire many a blonde joke. She had accosted him in the driveway of the ranch the moment he returned from visiting his siblings, and he’d spent the last several minutes trying to get rid of her.

  “No, there’s absolutely nothing you can do.” Claudia’s two hands felt like ten, moving from his hair to his back to his bottom in a continual motion. The disappointed pout on her overly made-up face did nothing to soothe Steed’s growing irritation. He put up a valiant fight to keep the woman’s paws at bay, but he was losing the battle. “Why are you here?”

  “I wanted to say good-bye. It’s going to be dark soon.” She blew in his ear. “I give great good-byes.”

  Claudia pinched his bottom. Steed jumped. “Hey!” he yelped. “I said good-bye to you weeks ago.”

  Her phony high-pitched laugh rang in his ears. “Oh, Steed, you’re such a kidder.”

  “Who’s kidding?” He continued to fight her advances. “I’ve told you I’m not interested or available. Why won’t you get that?”

  “Because the only woman I ever see you around is your grandma, and she likes me.”

  Steed frowned. Could Claudia be that something Nana was keeping to herself? He shuddered at the thought. She wouldn’t do that to him. “Nana likes everybody,” he said. “It’s a blessing and a curse.”

  “Did your time in South Carolina turn you into such a sourpuss? You used to be so much fun.”

  “I grew up and learned life isn’t all about fun.”

  “You’re such a cop, Steed.” Claudia draped her arms around his neck, stabbing his shoulders and collarbone with her pointy elbows. “Loosen up.”

  Claudia’s eager lips covered his mouth. Steed pressed his lips together, fighting to keep the woman’s seeking tongue from entering his mouth. He continued his struggle to push Claudia away, working feverishly to pull her spindly arms from his neck, and snake-like leg from around his waist.

  “Steed!”

  His body froze. He’d dreamed of hearing that voice, so real and close, but never in a nightmarish situation like this. Released from Claudia’s grip, he turned to find his worst fears realized in the shiny pools filling the dark eyes he loved so much. His heart dropped to his stomach. This was bad.

  “Darci.” Steed approached, brushing his hands over his mouth and swallowing the knot forming in his throat. “I can explain,” he said. “This is…”

  “Not what it looks like?” Darci finished.

  He nodded. “Yes.”

  “This woman is your secret love, Steed?” Claudia gave Darci a cursory glance. “No wonder you kept quiet.”

  “Shut up, you!” Steed fired back. Taking a tentative step forward, he reached for Darci’s hand. She quickly snatched it away. The look in her eyes cut him like a knife. “Please, let me explain.”

  “I don’t want to hear it.” Darci wiped away her tears. “I shouldn’t have come here.”

  She raced off into the rapidly darkening night. Steed called to her, begging her to return, but she kept on running, never once turning back.

  CHAPTER 25

  Darci ran and ran. To what, she didn’t know. She wanted to be wherever Steed wasn’t. Who was she kidding? She could run forever and never get away from Steed. He was in heart, and he had stomped all over it.

  “Darci! Darci!”

  The sound of Steed’s voice thrust her into high gear. She didn’t want to talk to him, much less look at him. The chilly wind whipped at her face, her lungs burned, and her newly healed ankle tingled from the unexpected workout. Refusing to stop or turn around, Darci ran on until she couldn’t slow herself down. She felt herself tumbling forward, but before the plush grass could meet her, a hand wrapped around her arm pulling her back.

  “Darci, stop! Please, stop!” Steed held her against him, his strong arms tight around her, but not punishing. “Calm down,” he urged.

  She battled against him. Hair flew about her face. “Let me go, Steed! Let me go!”

  “Never! Darci, what you saw…”

  She stopped abruptly and met his gaze. “Was some gorgeous blonde all over you!”

  “Yes, she was all over me, while I was trying to push her away. I don’t want any part of her. You must know that.”

  “I know what I saw, and that was your hands all over her.”

  He raised his hands in surrender. “You know what, you’re right. How can I ask you to deny what you’ve seen with your own two eyes?”

  “Indeed!”

  “But isn’t that what you asked of me? To ignore what the evidence said in Warwick’s case and believe and trust in you?”

  “That’s different.”

  “No, it’s not. Because in both instances, what we saw wasn’t what it appeared to be. I knew Claudia years ago, but it meant nothing. She showed up here tonight and kissed me. I was trying to get away from her when you came up, Darci. I swear.”

  Steed hesitated whenever he had to think of the right thing to say, but there was none of that this time. He held her gaze and had his say. Darci felt relieved and the slightest bit foolish. He was telling the truth. “She went after you, huh?”

  “Like a woman possessed.”

  Darci chuckled. “I guess it’s that animal magnetism.”

  “You believe me?”

  “Yes. I’m sorry I jumped to the wrong conclusions.”

  “Don’t apologize. I’m just glad you believe me.” His finger trailed along her cheek, a simple touch she felt from the tip of toes to the roots of her hair. “When I first heard your voice, I thought I was dreaming. But with Claudia groping me, it felt like a nightmare. I was afraid I had lost you forever.” His thumb brushed her lower lip, and her whole body tingled. “Now, with you standing right here, so real and so beautiful. Oh, Darci, I just…”

  Steed pulled her in his arms, crushing his lips to hers. Darci willingly surrendered to his charms, losing herself in the movement of Steed’s tongue against hers, and his strong, yet, gentle, touch on her body. She’d missed his kisses and the feel of his scratchy whiskers against her face. She’d missed his arms being around her. She’d missed him. And she wanted him—badly.

  The feelings of need, want, and desire Steed stirred in her scared Darci to death. Would giving up her vow to wait be so bad when she was giving herself to the man she loved so much? Wanting something that felt so right couldn’t be wrong.

  Steed held her tighter. His every touch, kiss, and caress said things mere words could never convey. Darci’s inner conflict continued. If Steed’s hard, warm body said one more yes, there was no way she could say no.

  “Ahem!”

  The unexpected sound broke the kiss and ended the fierce battle Darci’s body and heart waged with her head to give in to feelings and urges that defied her once-unflagging mindset. Maybe this exaggerated cough was a sign. Although at present, she wasn’t sure how good a sign it was.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt,” said the smiling older woman.

  Steed waved over the lady Darci knew to be his beloved grandmother. “Nana, there’s someone special I want you to meet,” he said, resting his arm around Darci’s waist.

  “If the special someone isn’t Ms. Darci Clarke, you’re going to have a whole lot of explaining to do.”

  Steed chuckled. “Fear not, Nana, this is the lady herself.” A sense of pride washed over Darci as Steed hugged her close to him. “Darci, this is my nana, Jean Reynolds.”

  Darci extended her hand, feeling a nervousness she hadn’t experienced since her first on-air interview. “Mrs. Reynolds, I’m so happy to finally meet you.” She smiled
.

  “It’s Nana, and what’s this with a handshake?” Jean pulled Darci into a hug. “That’s a down-home welcome,” she said, pulling back. “I’m so glad you’re here. How was your flight? Was everything comfortable for you?”

  “It was wonderful. Thank you.”

  “Fine. That’s real fine.”

  Steed looked from Darci to his grandmother. “Am I missing something?” he said.

  “Your grandmother called me,” Darci answered. “She was as worried about you as I was, and asked me to come down.”

  “I knew you were up to something.” Steed kissed his grandmother’s cheek. “I owe you one.”

  “Seeing that big smile is all the gratitude I need. You two look so happy. I hope this means whatever problems you had have all been worked out.”

  “I think we’re fine,” Darci said, “but I suspect Steed is still wrestling with something.” Her hand moved up and down his arm. “Your time away hasn’t helped much, huh?”

  “It has,” he said. “I told Nana earlier I’m leaving here to deal with some things.”

  Jean shook her head. Worry etched her wrinkled face. She touched the hand Darci had wrapped around Steed’s arm. “Try to reason with him. I’ve done all I can do.” She rubbed her hands up and down her arms. “I don’t have anyone out here to keep me warm, so I’m going back inside. You two take as much time as you need, and when you get hungry there’ll be some supper in the kitchen. Your bags are already inside, Darci, and Steed can help you get settled in whenever you’re ready. I’ll see you young people later.”

  Darci kept her eyes on the woman until she disappeared in the distance. She frowned at Steed. “Do you want to have your grandmother so worried?”

  “Of course not, but Nana knows…”

  “She knows you’re about to do something foolish, and she doesn’t want you to do it. Neither do I.”

  Steed groaned. “Darci, I have to do this.”

  “What is ‘this’?”

  “I’m going to New York. I have to talk to Pete. I need to see if there’s the slightest bit of guilt in him when he learns I know what he did.”

  Determination filled Steed’s eyes. Darci pressed her hand to his cheek. “This is very important to you?”

  “Essential.”

  “Okay, I won’t try to stop you.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I’m just going to go with you.”

  * * *

  “It’s been a while since I enjoyed a leisurely evening stroll, but that one I really needed,” Darci said, patting her flat stomach as she entered her bedroom. “Your grandmother is a terrific cook.”

  Steed followed Darci into the bedroom and joined her on the bench at the bay window. She’d been yapping a mile a minute about everything but what he needed them to talk about—this decision she’d made to accompany him to New York.

  Darci stared out at the starry sky. “It’s such a beautiful night. This ranch is absolutely gorgeous, Steed. I’m still amazed at how green everything…”

  He pressed his finger to her lips. “I don’t want to talk about the ranch or Nana and her cooking ability.”

  “So let’s talk about your mom and Josh. They are very nice. You know, you have your mother’s smile. Too bad you don’t use it as often as she does.”

  “Darci, you are not going to New York with me,” he managed to slip in before she started talking about his sister and brother who had completed the unexpected family reunion.

  “Yes, I am.” She moved to the bed.

  “Why are you being so stubborn?”

  She laughed. “That’s funny coming from you.”

  “I’m serious.”

  “I know that, too.”

  Steed sat beside her, groaning. “Why won’t you hear me out?”

  “I hear you. I’m just not listening to you. It’s pointless to argue, because I’m not going to walk away from you when I know you need me.”

  Her squared jaw and steadfast pout dared him to fight her on this. Steed was too touched to try. It was strange and wonderful to have somebody care about him so much. Somebody he loved so much. “Fine, you win.”

  “I knew I would.” Scooting widthwise on the bed, Darci reclined on her elbows. “Nana told me I’m the first girl you ever talked about.” She smiled.

  That explained her determination. Nana had shared all his secrets, just like she’d shared his mother’s album of his baby pictures. He shuddered at the memory of Darci cooing at his toothless grin and bare bottom. Steed flipped to his stomach and propped a pillow under his chin. “Nana talks too much.”

  Darci laughed softly. “No, just enough. Your whole family showed up tonight. I feel honored.”

  “I think the honor was theirs, meeting the Darci Clarke. I’m glad my family met you.”

  “Me, too. I was a little nervous at first, but Nana made me feel right at home. Everybody’s so nice. Nothing like the guy I met in Sterling three and a half months ago.”

  “Back then I had this pushy lady all over my back. I’d say we’ve both come a long way since then.”

  An easy silence filled the room. Darci’s intoxicating scent worked its magic, and all that mattered in that moment was having her in his arms. He leaned over her, practically tasting her sweetness before their lips met.

  “What time does the flight leave tomorrow?”

  Steed pulled back, confused and a little surprised by her question when their lips hovered mere inches apart. “Six.”

  Darci looked over his shoulder toward the alarm clock. “It’s eleven now.” She toyed with the loosened top buttons of his shirt and then slowly unfastened the others while trailing hot kisses along his chest. The soft touch of her fingertips felt like down feathers against his taut nipples, driving him crazy and turning him on. “We should get some rest.”

  “Yeah, we should,” he said, making quick work of the buttons on her blouse and sliding the silk material off her shoulders and to the floor. “But I’m not sleepy.”

  “Me, either.”

  Steed claimed Darci’s lips in a desperate, starving kiss as their bodies fell to the softness of the bed. Eager tongues advanced and retreated, while busy hands explored. Three weeks without her kisses, her touch, and her nearness had felt like a million years, but one moment in her arms made up for the torture he’d endured from being without her for so long.

  His lips left hers, traveling along her neck, down to the valley of her perfect breasts. Steed cupped the firm, heavy mounds through the satin and lace of her bra. Her nipples hardened against his hands, and her blissful cries increased. Sliding the material aside, he divided his attention between each aroused tip, suckling like a starving babe.

  Darci lips grazed his shoulders. The gentle, yet fiery touch of her fingers trailed a slow path across the planes of his back, to his denim-covered backside where they squeezed and caressed, and back again. He grew harder against her. A deep moan rumbled in his throat. Soft, tender, passionate, and intense, Darci’s motions on his body were as dynamic as the woman herself. She was everything he wanted, and more than he could ever dream possible.

  Visions of Darci’s beautiful nude body writhing in orgasmic pleasure from the many ways he would love her, please her, and taste her raced through Steed’s mind. The bulge in his jeans tightened.

  Darci moaned softly, deeply. “Steed,” she murmured.

  A shiver raced down his spine at the emotion in Darci’s voice. A thousand, a million times he’d heard his name called, but never like that. Take me. I’m yours. I want you. I need you. I love you. He gazed into her eyes to find every emotion that breathed life into the simple utterance staring back at him. In that instant her name became indelibly seared to his heart. He belonged to her, and he only wanted her to belong to him. “Say that again,” he said.

  “What?”

  “My name. Say my name.”

  Her brows stitched into a curious line. “Guys really say that?”

  Boisterous laughter shook Steed�
��s body. “Oh, my beautiful Darci.” He smacked her lips and pulled her up. “Yes, guys really say that, but I didn’t mean it like that. I wanted to hear my name again because I loved the way you said it.”

  “You never asked me to do that before.”

  “You’ve never said my name like that before.”

  Darci curled her arms around his neck, bringing him to rest on top of her. “Steed,” she said with a kiss. “Steed.” She kissed him again. “Steed.” She gazed deeply in his eyes, softly stroking his hair. “I love you.”

  “And I love you. So very much.” He pulled away and handed Darci her shirt. “That’s why we have to stop.”

  “What?” She shot up. “Stop?”

  “Yes.” Steed couldn’t believe he’d said the words, and neither could his throbbing erection, but he meant them. He stood and pulled on his shirt. “It’s not time yet.”

  “It feels like time to me.” Her eyes drifted to the zipper of his jeans. “It definitely looks like time.”

  “Maybe for now, but I remember what you said before. You want to be married, and you should have that. You deserve to have that.” And after tonight, he had every intention of making sure she had it—with him. Steed checked his watch. “We both need to get some rest.”

  Darci patted the space beside her. “You can rest here.”

  Steed glanced at the knot in his pants. “No, I can’t,” he said, buttoning the shirt and allowing the long tails to conceal his aroused state.

  “You’re not going to try to leave without me, are you?”

  “I’ve thought about it, but I won’t.” He bussed her cheek. “Good night, Darci.”

  His mind on a very cold shower, Steed left the room to find his mother turning the corner toward him. “Mom?” The house had over twenty bedrooms, and his mother’s was clear on the other side. “What are you doing over here?”

  “I was on my way to your room. Is everything okay?” Beth tightened the belt of her housecoat as she looked over his shoulder toward Darci’s door. “You two didn’t have a fight?”

  “No, Mom, we didn’t have a fight. Why would you ask that?”