by L. P. Dover
“We’re safe now.”
“No,” I cried. “We could’ve been killed.”
His muscles tensed. “I know. If you weren’t with me I would’ve dragged that fucker out of his car and beat the shit out of him.”
He probably would’ve done more than that. “I know you’ve pissed people off, but I didn’t think they’d go as far as to try and kill you.”
“Or you,” he added.
Then the reality set in. “Oh my God. What could you have possibly done to someone where they’d do this?”
“You’d be surprised. Let’s talk to the police and see what they can do. Whoever it is, they fucked up big time bringing you into it.”
Taking my hand, he started for the door, but I stopped him. He tried to play it off, but I could see the rage in his eyes; it scared me. “Promise me, whatever happens you won’t do anything stupid. I don’t want you going after them on your own.”
His jaw clenched and he sighed. “I’m sorry, love, but I can’t. If I find out who did it, nothing’s going to stop me from fucking them up.”
***
FOR THE REST of the week, Kyle rode with me to work, constantly staying on alert. We were both on edge, studying people as they came in and out of the gym. I don’t think I’d seen him smile since the incident. He was on a mission and it was controlling his every move. The police couldn’t find the vehicle, and to be honest, I didn’t think they cared. When Kyle had walked into the station, there were people in there who knew him and clearly loathed him from the glowers they threw in our direction.
“Thank goodness we leave tomorrow,” I said cheerfully, hoping to get a reaction.
He scoffed and lifted a pair of weights making the vein in his forehead bulge. “Yep, to a place where even more people hate me.”
I stood in front of him, but he wouldn’t look at me. “Kyle, don’t be like that. If we have to, I’ll call Mason to see if there’s anything he can do. You can’t let your vengeance control your life.” Sweat broke out over his brow, his jaw tense. And again, he wouldn’t look at me. Anger coursed through my veins and I was ready to snap. “Dammit, Kyle. That’s enough!” I shouted. He froze and finally met my eyes. “I need you with me in this. Don’t push me away.”
Throwing the weights on the floor, Kyle grabbed my face, his gaze wild. “Why can’t you see that I’m not pushing you away?”
I stepped back and away from his touch. “Then what are you doing? You haven’t made love to me since that night. If you’re afraid of me getting hurt, you obviously don’t know me very well. I can take care of myself.” Turning on my heel, I stormed to the back room but didn’t get very far before he grabbed my arms and hauled me around.
“Goddammit, Megan, I love you,” he shouted, squeezing my arms. Gasping, I stared at him wide-eyed. “The other night scared the fuck out of me. I could’ve lost you and all because of some cocksucker who wants to pay me back.” He stepped back and let me go, his hands shaking. “The anger I feel inside is consuming me. It’s all I can think about. I’m not going to be able to rest until it’s over.” His gaze met something over my shoulder and then he stalked off toward the back while I stood there frozen.
He loves me.
“What’s going on?” a voice called out. I jumped and turned around, hurrying to dry my tears. It was too late, Tyler had already seen them. Coming back from his honeymoon to me crying was not the way I wanted him to return to the gym. His jaw clenched as he moved forward, his angered gaze glaring toward the back hallway. “I’m going to ask again, what’s going on?”
I ran into his arms and he let me cry, his body tense, ready to attack Kyle. If only he knew Kyle was the one trying to protect me. “I think someone’s trying to kill him, Tyler. And we don’t know who.”
Kyle didn’t want me alone so he stayed at my house while I packed for our California getaway. Greg was going to stay with Nic while we were away. I was glad she had him. I wanted to tell Kyle I loved him back, but there was never a good time to do it. It was as if we didn’t even have that conversation. Sometimes I wondered if I just imagined him saying it because it was what I wanted to hear. Maybe I had.
We got to Gabby and Pax’s house right on time and they were outside waiting on us. Gabby’s eyes went wide when she saw the damage to the side of Kyle’s truck and rushed around to open my door. “Holy hell, you were right. That is bad.”
I slid out of my seat and chuckled. “I told you.” I had warned her beforehand not to mention the incident.
“Well, come on in. I have a pint of Ben and Jerry’s waiting on you. I figured we could change into our skimpy bikinis and eat it out on the beach.”
Rolling my eyes, I knew what she was doing. By the disgruntled look on Kyle’s face, maybe it would spark some kind of emotion. “Sounds good to me. Let’s go.”
“And you, my friend,” Paxton put his arm around Kyle’s shoulder, “are going to help me fix this piece of shit.”
I glanced at Kyle one last time before grabbing my bag out of the back of his truck. He looked pained, but I had to hope that Paxton could talk some sense into him. Side by side, Gabby and I strolled down the pathway to their front door. “Do you think Paxton will be able to help?” I asked, keeping my voice low.
We made it inside and she shut the door. “I hope so. Kyle doesn’t look so good. But if there’s one thing you need to understand about these fighter boys, it’s that they don’t take kindly to people messing with their women. They all deal with it differently. Kyle’s just letting his anger cloud what’s really important.”
“I sure hope he figures it out soon. I miss the way things used to be.”
She led me outside to the guest house and opened the door. It was supposed to be a pool house, but they had converted it to a mini suite. “Have you still not had sex since the incident?”
I walked inside and tossed my bag on the bed. “Nope. We went from being all hot and heavy to nothing.”
“I guess, since I won’t be hearing you guys have sex, you can stay in the main house. But if things get too weird being with him you can always stay in one of the guest bedrooms.”
Opening up my bag, I pulled out my bikini and tried my hardest to smile. “Thanks Gabby. I appreciate it. We’ve been sleeping together in the same bed, but I think he spends more of the night lying awake.”
Sadly, she nodded. “I know it sucks, but he’ll come around. Now get changed and I’ll meet you by the pool in ten. I’ll get our ice cream and we can head down to the beach.”
She shut the door behind her, leaving me to my thoughts. I didn’t like what went through my mind.
***
I KNEW I was hurting Megan, but I didn’t know how to handle what I was feeling inside. I’d never loved or cared about anyone other than my family. I never gave a shit about a woman until her. When that fucker tried to run us off the road, all I could think about was keeping her safe. It was then I realized my feelings went deeper than I’d initially thought.
“Dude, are you going to help me or not?” Paxton asked, snapping his fingers in front of my face.
We’d spent hours on the truck, getting it prepped to paint again. It was late and Gabby had brought us dinner. Not once had Megan come out to see me. I was fucking up and I didn’t know what to do. “Sorry, brother. I have a lot of things on my mind.”
“I see that. You’ve been staring at the door for the past couple of hours. Want to talk about it? I could feel the tension between you and Meg.” He sat down and opened a couple beers, handing me one.
“Fuck, I don’t know. How did you handle this shit when Rage was after Gabriella? The thought of someone going after Megan to get to me makes me feel homicidal. I can’t shake it.”
He nodded, looking at me with haunted eyes. “Trust me, I know. That’s why Rage didn’t live long enough to go after her again. But the last thing you need to do is alienate Meg just because you’re scared of her getting hurt. If there’s one thing you haven’t learned about our women it�
�s that they’re tough as shit. Megan knew what she was getting into being with you, just like Gabby knew with me. She loves you, Andrews. Don’t be a fool.”
“I doubt that,” I grumbled, sucking down half of my beer. “I told her the other night I loved her and she didn’t say a goddamned thing back.”
He chuckled which pissed me off. “Probably because she was shocked speechless. No one would ever believe something like that would come out of your mouth. Gabby didn’t tell me you dropped the L-bomb.”
“Yep, and she hasn’t spoken about it since.” I finished off my beer and Paxton tossed me another one.
“Maybe if you stopped being an overprotective ass she’d be more open to talk to you.” I glared at him and he shrugged, taunting me with a smirk. “What? It’s the truth. I’ve been there, so I know.” Instead of opening the beer, I got up and started for the door. “Where ya goin?”
“To find Megan. Hopefully I haven’t fucked things up.”
“Good luck. I’ll just be in here fixing your truck,” he hollered back, laughing.
I rolled my eyes. “I’m paying you extra, stop your bitchin’.”
Instead of going around the side to the guest house, I opened up the front door and waltzed inside. I figured Megan would be with Gabriella, but that wasn’t the case. Gabby was alone, watching TV in the living room. “Hey,” I said, announcing my presence.
Sighing, she kept her eyes on the television and waved. “Hey, yourself.”
“Where’s Megan?”
“Out for a walk. I offered to go with her but she wanted to be alone.” She still wouldn’t look at me so I turned and headed for the back door. “Kyle,” she called. I glanced at her over my shoulder. This time she did look at me, her narrowed green gaze warning me. “Please tell me Pax was able to talk some sense into you. I’ve said all I can to Megan, basically telling her that all you fighters are stubborn jackasses and to not take it personally.”
I snorted. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”
She shrugged and turned back to her show. “Don’t mention it. Now go and find her.”
I headed out to the beach. There weren’t many people out, so it didn’t take long to see her. She was standing by the water’s edge, her hair blowing in the wind. What if I was too late? Women used to put up with my bullshit without question, but Megan was different.
One step at a time, I approached her slowly, waiting for her to turn around. When she didn’t, I stood there like an idiot not knowing what the fuck to say.
“Do you want to know what I thought when you said you loved me?” she asked, keeping her eyes on the water.
Here we go. “I don’t know. Anger, disgust, revulsion? Take your pick.”
She swirled around, crossing her arms. “Is that what you think? Why the hell would I be here if that’s what I thought?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. When you didn’t say anything back I figured you were appalled at the thought of me loving you.”
Uncrossing her arms, she stood there with pain in her eyes. “Kyle, no,” she murmured, closing the distance. “I had never felt happier in my life to hear those words. I’ve never had anyone say them to me and mean them.”
“So what are you saying? Does this mean you’re not mad at me for acting like an overbearing, idiot boyfriend?”
“No . . . for that shit, I’m still pissed.” Chuckling, she jumped into my arms and I held her tight. “But I’ll get over it if you promise not to ignore me anymore. I love you, Kyle. I’ve wanted to tell you for days now.”
I kissed her hard, loving the feel of her body against mine. I’d missed her touch and the way she smelled. Before, I was addicted to the fight and nothing else. Now, I couldn’t get enough of her. She was what I craved and she was mine to protect. I may be a hated man and deserve to have my career taken away, but nothing and no one was going to take her away from me.
A mischievous smile splayed across her face. “You have a lot of making up to do. And you can start by taking me back to the guest house.” Holding onto my neck with one hand, she massaged my dick through my shorts with the other.
Groaning, I carried her as far up the beach as I could before I couldn’t go any further. It was dark and there was no one around. I wanted her pussy around my cock so fucking bad. Dropping to my knees, I laid her down in a grassy patch, surrounded by huge boulders.
“What are you doing?”
Spreading her legs, I pushed her underwear to the side and freed my cock. “I’m going to fuck you, right here and now. I can’t wait any longer. And then tonight when we’re in bed, I’ll make love to you the way I should have this week.”
It was going to be a long, enjoyable night.
***
OUR TIME WITH Gabby and Pax ended up being epic after Kyle and I made up. It was almost enough to help us forget that someone wanted to kill us just a week ago. The key word being almost.
Gabby hugged me tight. “I guess since you and dipshit made up, I can allow him to come to the wedding,” she said, winking.
I looked over at Kyle who had a huge grin on his face, talking to Pax. “Thanks Gabby. The past couple of days have been amazing. I appreciate you letting us stay here.”
“Anytime, my darling. I’m glad I was able to talk some sense into your bonehead of a boyfriend.”
“Are you always going to call him names?”
She glanced over at him, pursing her lips. “Probably. But I say them out of the utmost love for you.”
“I heard that,” Kyle called out. “And it’s okay. Gabriella can call me any name she wants as long as she doesn’t try to kick my ass.”
Smirking, Gabby lifted her chin and faced him. “If you keep your head out of your behind, we’ll be fine. Now you two be careful heading back to Vegas.”
I hugged her again. “We will. I’m going to stop and see Cindy on the way back. I want to tell her how sorry I am about not coming to Darryl’s funeral. I can’t believe I didn’t know about it.”
“She’ll understand,” Gabby murmured.
I could only hope so. Kyle and I hopped into the truck, waving at them as we pulled out of the driveway. Darryl’s house was only fifteen minutes away and the entire time I tried and failed to keep my thoughts from straying to his kind smile and witty personality. He was an amazing man and my heart hurt just knowing I’d never get to see or talk to him again.
“You okay?”
I swallowed hard and blinked away the tears. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking about Darryl.”
Kyle reached over and clasped his fingers through mine. “His wife will understand. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
The rest of the ride went in silence. When we pulled up to the house, Cindy was outside chasing a little puppy around the yard. Her hair was still the same auburn with wisps of gray and naturally wavy. She didn’t recognize Kyle’s truck, but when I stepped out she rushed over to me, greeting me with a warm smile and a hug.
“Well, look who it is. What brings you back to California?” She acknowledged Kyle with a nod.
“We came to visit some friends and also so I could see you. Cindy, I have to apologize right away.” I shook my head and started crying. “I had no clue Darryl passed away until last weekend.”
Her smile faltered. “I wondered if you’d show up, but then I knew you probably didn’t want to come back here so soon after . . .” she trailed off.
Kyle furrowed his brows at me and I shrugged. I had no clue what she was talking about and before I could ask, she continued.
“I wanted to call you, but I could barely breathe after he died. Why don’t you two come in and visit for a minute? I’ll wrap you up some cookies for your trip back.” She whistled for the puppy and it came bouncing back to her.
“Chocolate chip?” I asked.
She chuckled. “Your favorite.”
We followed her inside and sat down in the living room while she ventured off into the kitchen. I leaned over toward Kyle. “She used to bake me cookies all the
time when I still lived around here.”
Cindy came back in and passed me a container filled with chocolate chip cookies. When she sat down, her little chocolate Lab puppy tried desperately to jump up into her lap. She bent down and picked him up, his tail wagging in excitement.
“Thank you for the cookies. I missed them. Nic’s an expert at baking, but cookies aren’t her strong suit.”
Cindy smiled. “That Nic is such a feisty girl. Please tell me she’s not getting you into trouble.”
Laughing, I patted Kyle’s thigh. “She’s not, but I can’t say the same for this one. Cindy, I’d like you to meet Kyle,” I said, looking up at him. “Kyle, this is Cindy.”
He extended his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
She took his hand and shook. “Likewise. I have to say, it’s nice to see a smile on Megan’s face.”
“Well, I’m glad I was able to put it there,” he murmured, taking my hand.
“Me too.” I glanced over at the little puppy and giggled. “I see you have a new friend. He’s adorable.”
Lifting the puppy in her arms, she nuzzled her nose against him. “My daughters thought he’d be able to keep me company. I have to say, they were right.”
“How are Raina and Jillian?” I asked. I wanted to talk about Darryl but I didn’t want to just jump into it. It’d only been three months since his death and I knew it was still a sore subject.
“Oh, they’re doing well. Raina’s in her final year of med school and Jillian just found out she’s pregnant with her second. She visits me almost every day.”
“I bet she does.” I paused and took a deep breath. “I really am sorry for not being here for you. But, when you said you understood why I didn’t want to come back, I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.”