by Siera London
“I’ll be back. Get comfortable on your stomach, Lina. It’s going to be a long night for you.” Gideon entered the adjoining bathroom, found what he was looking for, and returned to find a very naked Lina gracing his bed.
“Did I tell you having large hands makes me a natural masseuse?”
“No, but I can’t wait for you to touch me,” she grinned. Neither could he.
Gideon stripped down to his boxers before straddling Lina’s hips. He poured some oil into his palms, rubbing his hands together before touching Lina’s flawless skin. The scent of toasted almonds filled the air, and he grinned when Lina took a big breath in, before snaking into the mattress.
“Relax, sweetness. This will feel good.”
A grin split her lips. “It already does.”
Gideon couldn’t help laughing.
The oil helped his hands glide across Lina’s skin. He cupped her shoulders, kneading the tension from her knotted muscles. He played with the dimples above her buttocks, stroking and massaging, until she groaned in pleasure. Smiling, Gideon reveled at how Lina’s body reacted as he slowly worked her body.
He pressed deeper into her muscles, drawing out soft moans of satisfaction.
“That feels good, Gideon. Don’t stop.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice.” He stroked every inch of her body until, her breathing became uneven, her muscles tensed and she cried out his name in ecstasy. He felt like he’d been worked over right along with Lina. Was this how all their discussions about family would end? He hoped so.
Walking down the stairs to find Team Rice around the longest oak table Lina had ever seen in a house brought a smile to her face. How cool was this? For most of her life, she sat at a small rectangular table in the kitchen while her mother cooked. Phoenix, with his dark eyes, to die for lashes and jet colored hair falling past his shoulders studied her.
“Good morning, you two, hope you got a good night’s rest,” Gideon’s father said.
“We certainly didn’t,” Ian coughed behind his coffee mug. A man she didn’t recognized rose from the table and crossed the room to Gideon. Both men stood surveying one another, before the stranger threw his arm around Gideon for a brief moment, then stood back. He was a lean man with piercing green eyes, golden brown waves, and frameless glasses.
“It’s good to have you home Gideon.” Expecting the customary it’s good to be home response from Gideon, Lina watched as the room’s occupants fell into quiet at Gideon’s lack of response. Lina glanced around the room taking in the different measures of disappointment and frustration on their faces, but the pain and sadness in Jacob’s eyes spurred her into action. Pasting a smile on her face, she placed her right arm around his waist. Initiating physical contact with Gideon was something she rarely did, then action garnered the desired response. He turned lowered his head, holding her captive in a heat gaze as a thick arm pulled her close to his side. She had his attention. With increasing pressure, she dug her nails into his right flank, until he got the message. He pushed out a low hiss through clenched teeth.
“Thanks Caleb.” Gideon’s reply was appropriate, but his voice was blunt. “What time did you get in?”
Caleb choked on his coffee, as Nairobi busied herself studying the ceiling.
“Thane told me you are a nurse. I could have used a little mouth to mouth just then,” Caleb said while grinning at her. Lina’s mouth fell open.
“I’ll give you fist to mouth resuscitation. You want it now or later?” So this was the life of a large family, jealousy, threats, strained conversations, and accusations around the breakfast table. She loved it.
“I’m Caleb by the way. Been awhile since you lived in the main house. Guess you forgot the walls are thin.” Lina had the decency to blush, but it was invisible to the naked eye. Gideon glared at every person in the room. His face hardened as he noticed Phoenix was staring at her.
“Phoenix, I hope you have the number to your medicine man because he should start heading this way.”
“Why is that big brother?” Gideon visibly bristled at the words big brother.
“Let your eyes roam my woman again.” Lina felt herself being pulled. Her back made contact with Gideon’s chest.
“I have a question for your woman, but I don’t want to offend her.” Lina felt her spine stiffened. Here it comes. Rejection. Was his family questioning his choice in her? He would doubt the connection they shared if his family disapproved of her. She would be alone, again. Never one to walk away from a fight she gave Phoenix his opening.
“What’s your question?” she heard herself ask. He took a slow drag from his coffee mug.
“You got any sisters?”
“Sisters?”
“Yeah, that don’t mind gettin’ a little Indian in them.” His wide grin was pure devilment.
“Phoenix!” Lina looked up to find a red-faced Jacob.
“We must’ve dropped you out of the saddle too many times. Head into town and stop by my campaign office. Talk with Fallon about increasing my social media presence.”
“How about I use social media to contact Fallon?” Phoenix’s face held a wicked grin.
“That wouldn’t get you out of the house and away from your brother’s…guest,” Jacob said. Phoenix crossed the room. She jumped when he placed a quick kiss to her cheek.
“Man…,” Lina said touching her cheek.
“I like your spirit, Lina. Welcome to the family, lil sis.” Gideon growled at Phoenix from behind her.
“Medicine man,” Gideon ground out. But Phoenix had placed his cup in the sink and was at the door.
“Don’t forget about my request, lil sis.” Phoenix tossed up a salute before walking out the door.
“Is the mountain cabin available?” Gideon asked no one in particular.
“Yep, you’ll need fresh linens and some food.” Jacob responded as he placed his coffee mug in the sink.
“Everything still in the same place?” Gideon asked.
“It’s home, son. Home doesn’t change.”
“Lina and I are moving out today.” Her eyes flew up to Gideon’s.
“We just got here. I don’t want to be in the middle of nowhere.”
“Don’t worry. The cabin is at the back of the property and the foot of the mountain.” She knew uncertainty was reflected on her face. “We’ll have more privacy.” She lowered her head in embarrassment remembering all the knowing looks she got when they first entered the kitchen.
“Thane can drive up enough supplies to last you a couple of days,” Jacob spoke up.
“Lina and I left in a hurry. I need to borrow a truck.”
“We kept your truck tuned-up. It’s in the rear barn.” Jacob gestured behind him. “The keys are on the pegboard by the door.” Gideon’s arms around her waist stiffened. The tension level in everyone’s face had increased by fifty percent.
“We won’t be gone long. We need clothes. Lina needs a descent pair of shoes.” She looked down at her dust covered sandals.
“Lina you can shop in my closet.” Nairobi said. Lina opened her mouth to refuse, but Nairobi held up a hand. “Before you refuse, we have two women’s clothing stores in town. Unless you like an array of sunflowers, butterflies, bumble bees and ladybugs across your chest and back, and on your feet you are going to be disappointed.”
Since she put it that way, Lina didn’t have a choice. “Okay, thanks Nairobi.”
“I have skinny jeans in sizes sixteen and up.” That announcement brought a smile to Lina’s face.
“Perfect.”
“Clothes bridges all gaps,” Nairobi joked.
“I’m in the loft over the rear barn. Gideon knows where it is.”
Again, what the flagnoid?
Lina let her eyes climb the walls of the Rice family barn. It resembled a mini replica of Noah’s Ark. She spun in a circle marveling in the vastness of the space.
“What is this place, exactly?” Lina asked.
“It’s a bank barn.
” Gideon stated like that explained everything.
“Oh my goosebumps, rich people have an upgrade for everything.” Lina laughed at the absurdity.
A grin split Gideon’s lips, before he tossed his head back and laughed.
“You are such a city girl. Bank refers to the type of design, not the owner’s bank account. The barn is built into the hillside. The banks of the landscape allow more than one entrance to the second and third levels.” Lina nodded her head in understanding.
“This is a lot of space.” Lina gave him a quick glance, hopeful that her snooping went undetected.
“Jacob was a large animal veterinarian. There are a lot of nearby ranchers in the area. He’s semi-retired now. But most of the folks around here are loyal. He’s too kind hearted to turn people away. Nai helps him care for the animals and maintain the out properties.”
Okay he was the first to mention her name, this was her opening.
“You and Nairobi seem close.”
“We graduated in the same high school year group.”
“Right, makes sense. I guess…graduate from high school together, she moves into the loft and your truck is in her barn.” Gideon’s laughter filled the room.
“You’re jealous?” Her feet left the ground as Gideon lifted her in the air and spun her in a circle.
“That happy, huh?”
“Yes, ma’am. It’s about time. And there’s nothing between Nairobi and me.”
“Not now or not ever?” She had learned from experience that to get the correct answer from a man, a woman had to phrase the question exactly. Gideon narrowed his eyes at her.
“This is not a game between us. There has never been any romantic involvement between me and Nairobi. I consider her a part of the Rice family.” The way he phrased his response it was like he wasn’t included in the Rice family. From Lina’s perspective, he did more to exclude himself.
“Don’t you mean your family?”
“Jacob and Emma Rice took me in when my mother didn’t want me anymore. I am grateful. But we are not family.”
“Gideon, that doesn’t make sense. You may not share the same blood with your father and brothers but you obviously trust them or we wouldn’t be here.”
“Let’s not analyze…”
“Hear me out.” The look on his face told her he was resigned to let her speak, but he wouldn’t hear her.
“When we left Shell Cove, you said you were taking me home. Home is not Waverly Falls, it’s this group of people that you consider family.”
“I don’t have…,” Lina held up her hand to stop him.
“Why didn’t we go to a hotel or some other remote location?”
“Because.”
“That’s not an explanation.”
“Because I know the Rice’s will help me keep you safe.”
“Why are you convinced they will help? From what I’ve noticed, you haven’t been to visit in some years.”
“I haven’t been back since sophomore year of college.” Lina was doing the math in her head.
“Ten years.” Was he insane? He showed up, with her in tow, and he didn’t consider them family? Only family would accept this nonsense. But the psychiatric nurse in her would not let her speak the words aloud.
“How many non-family members would open their door to you, with a woman they don’t know in tow, after ten years of no contact?”
“Limited contact,” he muttered.
“What was that?”
“They call, I answer. I’ve talked to Ian.”
“He’s the lawyer, right?” Gideon nodded his head in agreement.
“Jacob has known me since I was born. My mother lived with her folks about five miles up the road. He’s a generous man.”
“Yes, your father is very kind. I like him.” Lina saw the hint of a smile cross Gideon’s face before he steeled it away and the hard lines returned to his face. “I don’t have a father.”
“Look Gideon, my father is gone and my mother refuses to give me any details surrounding his death. I wish a man had volunteered to step in and help my mother, be a father to me. My mother is still alone, and I don’t have another sole in this world other than her to call my own. So, if Jesus can accept Joseph, you-Dr. Rice can cut Jacob some slack.” He looked floored by her rant. Good. Jacob had welcomed them both with open arms and she liked the man. Jacob was the best kind of father. Father to another man’s children, what could be more noble?
“I am sorry I upset you.”
“Don’t sabotage our accommodations,” she joked. “As your guest…” The smile fell away from his face.
“You are not my guest. After what happened between us in that bathtub, we need to discuss our relationship. Talk about our future together.”
“Yes, we do.” Blood on stone tablet she reminded herself. Though she acknowledged a part of her wanted Gideon any way she could have him, that approach would damage them both.
“Am I the pause button in your life, Lina?” She was incapable of pausing anything where Gideon was involved. Fast forward was the only button that functioned in her lust filled brain. “The temporary place holder in your relationship journey?” Could the man be further in left field?
“You’re asking if I’m using you.” Yes, he had been there to keep her safe, but he had to know she loved him. Correction-cared for him. Love was off the table. “The answer is no. I genuinely like you Gideon. I want to be with you. I would never do that to another person.” Having to answer this question caused a painful ache in her heart. He of all men, knew her.
“Don’t look so hurt, sweetness. I wanted to hear you say that you desire me for the man I am.” She breathed a sigh of relief.
“I know you Lina, but I want to know all of you.” She stiffened. He was talking about sex.
“Stop minimizing my words. This is beyond our physical relationship. I want you to know me, too. And yes, sharing your perfect body with me is one part of it.” She gave him her best stop playing expression.
“Your body is perfect for me. I’m a big man and when I grab a hold of a woman I want to feel her touching me everywhere.” Her breath came in shallow, rapid pants.
“Put your mojo back in the bottle, mountain man. I’m not looking for a romantic involvement.”
“Good. Because you already found me.” He closed the distance between them, capturing her face, he lowered his mouth to hers and feasted on her lips.
Chapter 15
In the daylight, the drive into downtown Waverly Falls was a visit down memory lane he preferred to avoid. Main Street was near deserted, though it was approaching noon. The crisp, chilled air was a stark contrast to the near tropical conditions in Shell Cove. The weather reflected his mood. The sooner he figured out who was stalking Lina, the faster he could leave this place in the rear view mirror. Ned’s Country Store looked untouched by time. Lina was in the fitting room. The clothing selection was worse than Nai’s description.
“Gideon Spieth?” He stiffened at the sound of his birth name.
“You look just like your mother. I’d recognize you anywhere,” Mrs. Nedstetter’s thin voice cut like barbed wire.
“Hello, Ma’am. The last name is Rice, now.”
“That’s right. Emma and Jacob took you in.” He ground his teeth as the old wounds re-opened. The older woman ensnared him with a critical eye. All the old insecurities reared their vicious heads. He felt unworthy, less than, just like that.
“You look like you’ve done well for yourself,” she gave a faint smile.
“Graduated from medical school a few years back.” The woman’s brows disappeared into her hairline. Did everyone in this town think so little of him?
“I had heard something about you getting some education. Jacob must be real proud. You paying him back by making something out of your life.”
Where the hell was Lina?
“So, you a real doctor now?”
Did she think he was a witch doctor?
“I’m not
sure what you mean, by that.”
“Well, my niece tells everybody she’s a nurse.”
“Nursing is a noble profession.” He was going to pull Lina out of that dressing room if she didn’t materialize in the next thirty seconds.
“Yes indeed, but she completed a nursing assistant certificate program over at the trade school on Fifth Street.” He saw where this was headed.
“I’m a psychiatrist. No trade schools involved for me.” Not that he had a problem with trade professions. In healthcare, it required the collaborative effort of every department working together to care for the patient. From the housekeeping staff that carted away infectious material to the surgeon ablating blood vessels. Each one depended on the other. But he didn’t feel like getting into that right now.
“A psychiatrist,” she frowned. “I guess that’s better than nothing considering your background.”
“Lina,” he yelled over his shoulder. Not caring who heard the throw away Spieth boy bringing the rafters down. She was at his side before he could blink.
“Hey. You should have told me you were an impatient shopper.” She brushed against his arm. His tense muscles immediately relaxed.
“Looka here, you must be new in town?” Mrs. Nedstetter’s eyes were practically glowing demon red. The whole town would know he was back in town within forty-five minutes.
“Hello, I’m Lina James.” A bony hand, dotted with brown age spots shook Lina’s hand in a loose grip. The old woman’s attention stayed on him as she spoke.
“You got yourself an interesting accent, missy. Gideon Spieth, you come back home with a big city girl?” Lina’s back went ramrod straight beside him.
“The county fair is in town. You two should head on over there. You being a big time doctor now.”
“Thanks for telling us.”
“Nobody gets to see you out by the falls. Folks round here didn’t think you would amount to a hill of beans. You should go to the fair. Show off your big city girl.”
“Some beans, grow into bean stalks,” Lina chimed in. Her pure saccharine smile warmed his heart. He loved it when she was in she-cat mode.