“If I have anything to say about it.” She grinned. “But that’s not the point. Cam and I took a risk getting involved…”
“How so?”
“We took the risk of getting hurt, or pissing everyone off, or ruining what we have here. But we did it, because the prospect of walking away from each other—away from something that could mean something, something that could change both our lives in a really amazing way—was far riskier.” Kristi shivered and pulled her towel more tightly around her. “In this game, when you lose, it sucks. But when you win…there’s nothing like it.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting this guy, KK—”
“I’m looking forward to it too, Patrick.”
“—But I gotta say it, if I don’t like him, ain’t nobody gonna wonder about it.”
Kaitlin grinned. “I wouldn’t expect anything less. But you will like him. I promise.”
“I better.” He sighed and leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “Now Kristi and I gotta go inside.”
Kristi blinked. “We do?”
“We do.” Patrick tipped his head toward the house. “Drew’s coming. And Kaitlin has something to tell him.” He squeezed her hand for reassurance. It didn’t help.
As Patrick and Kristi went inside, Drew came out, grunting a greeting to them as they passed.
He set his beer on the table as he sat down. He stared at her for a long while before he spoke. “Kaitlin, I need to talk to you.”
“I need to talk to you too, Drew—”
He ignored her. “What the hell is going on with you? You seem…different.”
She suppressed a smile. For Drew to notice anything that wasn’t on fire was a huge step. But this wasn’t going to be a fun conversation for either of them.
“There is something different, Drew. And I want to tell you about it.”
“Is it that guy?” He spat the word, the way one might say serial killer or vegetables.
She nodded.
“I knew it. But listen, Kaitlin—”
“Drew.” She put her hand on his. Felt his fear, his angst. She sent him a trail of peace, praying for his acceptance. “This guy is it for me.”
Yes. He was. She’d realized the truth of it. No matter what he felt for her. No matter what happened or didn’t happen between them. He was it.
Aside from the fact she’d never had feelings like this for a man before, aside from the fact it was delightful to finally be able to touch someone without pain—he was, simply said, the most wonderful, courageous, amazing person she’d ever met.
Drew paled. His hand went cold. “It? As in it, it?”
She smiled. “It, it. I know you have feelings for me. And I know you have for a long time—”
“I do, Kaitlin. I lo—”
She couldn’t let him say it. “But Drew. It’s not meant to be. Us. Please understand. You are incredible. Cute. Funny. Sexy.”
His blush rose. “You think I’m sexy?”
“You’re very sexy. But you’re not the one for me and…” She shrugged. “I’m not the one for you.”
“But, Kaitlin—”
“Drew.” She silenced him with a look, let it speak for her. He knew her. He’d known her forever. He knew she was rarely, if ever wrong. And he knew she was stubborn when she needed to be. “Just, no.”
He gaped at her, a shattered expression on his face. After a long moment, he said, “You’re sure about this?” His jaw clenched. His eyes shined suspiciously.
“Very sure. As sure as I’ve ever been.”
He blew out a breath and stood, turning his back to her, leaning against the rail, staring out toward the hidden sea. He might have dashed at his cheeks.
Her heart clenched. “One day you’ll see. You’ll meet someone and it will be perfect and you’ll see.”
He burbled a laugh. “Any idea when I might meet this perfect woman?” He threw out his arms, and yelled into the shadows, “Where the hell is she?”
Kaitlin shook her head, though he wasn’t paying attention. His body, his awareness, was angled away. “One day. When you’re both ready.” She joined him at the rail and gently rubbed his back, ignoring his flinch. “You’ll find each other,” she whispered, “I promise.”
“Aw, shit, Kaitlin.” He whirled and tugged her into a hug, burying his damp face in her shoulder. She held him and patted him and enrobed him in what she hoped was an inspirational cloud. “I thought… I really thought…”
“I know.” More pats. “I know.”
He yanked back and frowned at her. “I hope you’re happy with this guy.” His tone was fierce. She would have thought him angry, if she hadn’t known him so well.
“I hope so too.”
“If he hurts you, I swear, I’ll break him in half.”
She chuckled. “I’ll be sure to let him know.”
“And if you ever, ever change your mind—”
“I won’t.”
“But if you do, ever… I’ll be here waiting.”
“Thank you, Drew,” she said. But in her heart she knew it wasn’t true. He wouldn’t be waiting long at all.
Chapter Twelve
Parker was nervous as he took the ferry ride to the island on Saturday, and not just because Gilley reported he’d hit a snag in the search for Tucker’s wife. But because he’d received a text from Kaitlin. A horrifying one. It said: My friends can’t wait to meet you.
Why the prospect made him shudder and lose all appetite for food, he wasn’t sure. He’d met a few of her friends. Spent a lovely day with Holt and Emily not catching any fish. They both seemed very nice, even Holt, despite his intimidating exterior.
He’d met Drew too. Once. On the ferry.
Parker hadn’t cared for his possessive attitude. He suspected the hardest part of the day would be meeting Drew. And not choking him. Or getting choked.
But Parker knew how close Kaitlin was with this group of friends. Over their many dates, she’d shared stories of their adventures in college, and after. He’d seen her fondness for them in her eyes, heard it in her tone.
If the two of them were to have something lasting, he knew he needed to win their acceptance.
So he was a little nervous.
Okay, scared shitless.
When the ferry docked he sent her a text and she responded. We’re at the house, she said. Come on by.
Shit.
He stopped by Ash’s place and dropped off his stuff first. He thought about making a drink to calm his nerves and then decided it might not be wise. He definitely wanted to be on top of his game. He had to make a good impression.
His feet felt like lead as he trudged over to the house next door. It belonged to Lane Daniels, but Kaitlin explained they all co-leased it and traded off weekends. The only saving grace in all this was that all of them wouldn’t be there today.
Just so things could be crappier, Drew opened the door to his knock. He gave Parker the once over, a slow up and down rake of a glance. His lip curled. He didn’t budge. Didn’t welcome him in or anything.
Parker cleared his throat. “I’m Parker. Kaitlin’s friend?”
Drew grunted and turned, storming back down the hallway, bellowing, “He’s here.” Which was concerning.
But he left the door open.
Parker took this as a welcome. An invitation, of sorts. And he followed.
The house was laid out a lot like Ash’s, though much smaller, with a great room flanked with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the ocean and an open kitchen and dining area to the left. As he entered, three large men stood.
Holt nodded in greeting, but the other two folded their arms over their chests and stared at him, in concert with Drew. The taller one, a muscled African American, with a tattoo of a screaming eagle on his bulging bicep, narrowed his eyes.
Silence spat through the room. Acid snarled in his gut. Parker stiffened his spine.
He felt like a lone soldier facing a battalion.
Or a guy meeting his
girl’s parents for the first time.
But he could do this.
“Hi guys,” he forced out in the cheeriest tone he could manage. His voice hardly cracked at all. “I’m here for Kaitlin.”
Drew’s muscles bunched. He growled.
Parker winced and reworded his ill-formed declaration. “I’m here to see Kaitlin.”
“Sit down,” the black guy suggested, though it wasn’t much of a suggestion. More like an order.
Parker sat. He took the easy chair by the sliding glass door, certain it wasn’t a decision based on his well-honed survival instincts. The bristling men all sat on the sofas facing him. That the four of them sat in concert, like the Borg, was not comforting in the slightest.
That they said nothing, merely studied him, was even more nerve-wracking. He glanced around, a desperate search for Kaitlin. Where was she?
“So,” Holt said.
“So…”
“So…”
“So…”
All of them. One after the other. As though they’d rehearsed or something.
Ye Gods.
The guy with the tattoo leaned forward. “You’re dating our Kaitlin.”
Not a question. Not in any way shape or form, but Parker nodded.
“She’s…very special to us.”
“I understand that. She’d told me a lot about you guys and—”
Drew leapt to his feet and raked his fingers through his spiky hair. “If you hurt her, we’ll hunt you down like a dog.”
“Drew.” Holt’s warning was low, growled.
“Well, we will,” Drew snapped.
“We will,” the enormous black guy offered in a smooth, calm voice. He shot Parker an assessing look. “But I think he knows that.”
“I do.” Parker nodded. “I know you all care for her—”
“Damn straight,” Drew snorted.
“So do I.”
Silence sizzled for a long moment. Then Holt asked, in a deceptively soft voice, “Are you serious about her?”
Parker’s heart jerked, then pounded. He was. Oh, God, he was. But he hated exposing his private feelings to all of them. It was, of course, the only way.
“Very serious. She’s…unlike anyone I’ve ever met.”
“You do realize she’s special.” This from Drew, who spat the word.
“Drew.” The black guy frowned.
“Well goddamn it, Patrick. He’s got to know.”
“Of course.” Parker tried not to sound offended, but it was tough. She was special. The most amazing woman he’d ever met. It changed him, in some indefinable way, being with her. She made him a better man. The man he longed to be. Brave and funny and…loveable.
But he couldn’t say all that.
Patrick leaned forward again, his muscles bunching, the eagle on his arm seemed to reach out it’s talons as he moved. “And what are your intentions?”
“My…intentions?” He garbled a laugh. “Are you asking if I want to marry her?”
Holt straightened, pinned him with a sharp glance. “Do you?”
Parker froze. He’s never dreamed of marriage, never dared. The thought scared him to death. Overwhelming passion and emotion had nearly killed him once. He’d vowed to divorce himself from such drama. To hold himself apart.
And he’d been a raging success at that.
Until Kaitlin.
But marriage?
He decided to tell the truth, or a part of it. It was prevarication, and he knew it. But a declaration at this point was ludicrous. “It’s a bit early for that…” Drew relaxed a bit. “But I can’t think of anyone I’d rather spend my life with.”
Holt nodded and stood. He strode toward Parker with his hand outstretched. “That’s good enough for me.”
“Seriously?” Drew burbled.
“Me too.” Patrick offered a hand as well.
“Are you freaking kidding me?”
“Me too.” The other guy, the one who hadn’t spoken yet, joined in. “I’m Cam, by the way,” he said.
“Cam.” Parker shook his hand.
They all turned to Drew. Parker had the sense this was the handshake that mattered most. Drew put his fists on his hips. “I thought we were going to grill him.”
Patrick chuckled. “We did.”
“That?” Drew waved at Parker. “That was grilling? Seriously? You boys have lost your touch. He’s a friend of Ash Bristol’s for fuck sake. Remember him? The guy who broke Emily’s heart?”
“Yeah, well,” Holt crossed into the kitchen and pulled out a couple beers. He popped off the tops and handed one to Parker. He didn’t really want a beer, but he took it. “Ash and Emily are dating now.”
Drew’s eyes bugged out. He threw up his hands. “What the fuck is happening around here?” he muttered as he clomped out onto the deck.
Patrick sidled up next to Parker and clapped him on the back. “You need to give Drew some time. This is tough for him.”
Cam nodded. “He’s been in love with her for years.”
Parker’s muscles bunched. Something nasty slithered through him. “For years?”
“Chillaxe, dude,” Cam snorted a laugh. “He’s been after her for years…and they’re not together. Think about it.”
Okay. There was that. Parker let himself relax. He took a swig of beer.
It was all good, he reminded himself. He’d faced his greatest fear—meeting her protectors—and they hadn’t killed him. That was promising. Maybe it would all work out.
“Is…Kaitlin here?”
Holt rolled his beer between his palms and nodded. “The girls all took a walk on the beach.”
Patrick laughed. “KK didn’t want to go. We made her.”
Um…KK?
Parker shot a look at the intimidating guy. Yeah, even when he wasn’t frowning and glowering, he was pretty intense. “Patrick, what do you do for a living?” If he had to guess, he’d go for Gladiator or some shit.
“I…am in the Air Force.”
“Ah.” That made sense. He had a military vibe about him.
“Holt’s an architect, Cam’s a programmer and Drew…” He gestured out to the deck where Drew was scouring the beach with an eagle eye. “He’s a fire fighter.”
Right. Parker remembered that little tidbit from the ferry. A fire fighter. A true hero. And he was in love with Kaitlin.
Awesome.
Cam tipped up his beer. “He’s stationed over on the Eastside. Comes from a family of firemen.”
Of course. Parker wondered where Drew had left his cape.
“And you?”
“Lawyer.”
This seemed to appease them, this proof that he could provide for their…daughter. He tried not to laugh at the thought. It was probably far too early to laugh. Or joke. Or let down his defenses.
But he’d survived it. The worst was over. He tipped back his beer. The one he hadn’t wanted. Somehow it was empty.
Holt glanced at the beach. “I think I see the girls coming.” He shot a grin at Parker. “Are you ready for round two?”
His pulse jolted. “Round two?”
Patrick snickered. “You thought this was tough?”
Cam laughed. “Yeah, just wait.”
“Here you go, buddy.” Holt shoved a full beer into his hand. “You’re gonna need this.”
Kaitlin rushed up the stairs ahead of everyone else, her heart pounding, her breath in pants. She could feel Parker’s panic. Had felt it out on the beach. An unfamiliar anger rose in her breast—anger at her friends.
She knew the guys wanted to vet him. She knew they wanted to protect her. They’d insisted—insisted—she go for a stupid walk on the beach. But Parker was hers. He was a tender soul, a wounded man, and she couldn’t bear to see him hurt even more.
Rounding the top of the stairs, her gaze fell on Drew, standing on the deck. His bristling colors were unmistakable.
Her stomach lurched.
Oh. Good. Gravy.
What had they done?
She pushed past him and burst into the house. And stopped.
Two things froze her in her tracks. The first was that Holt, Cam, Patrick and Parker were laughing. Laughing.
The second was the sight of Parker himself. She hadn’t seen him for two days. Had she forgotten how handsome he was? Her heart lifted, sang.
He saw her and stilled. A slow smile tweaked his lips.
She skipped across the room and into his arms. And heaven. It was heaven being in his arms. He closed them around her and squeezed. Odd that. It felt like he was reassuring her.
“Kaitlin,” he said. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.”
He pulled back and kissed her. Nothing very lurid, just a sweet tease. The brush of his lips on hers. They did have an audience, after all. Kaitlin could feel their energy swirling around her. She ignored it and grabbed Parker by the ears and pulled him back. Kissed him fully, infusing all her want and need and adoration into it.
“Ahem.” Holt.
Damn Holt.
Parker chuckled a little and eased her away, but then, as though he couldn’t resist, he pressed his lips to her forehead. “How’ve you been?” he asked.
“Good. And you?”
“Busy.”
“I missed you.”
“I missed you too.”
“You already said that.” This from Drew, who had, apparently followed her inside.
The room erupted then as Kristi and Bella tromped in, laughing and chattering and stomping the sand from their shoes. When their gazes fell on Parker, the hubbub evaporated.
They stared at him as though he were an exhibit at the zoo. He shifted from one foot to the other.
“Everyone,” Kaitlin gusted. “This is Parker.”
“This is Kristi.”
“Hi, Parker.”
“And her sister, Bella.”
“Hey.”
An uncomfortable silence settled.
“Shall we all sit?” God bless Patrick. Kaitlin smiled at him and he winked.
Oh good. A wink was good. It meant Patrick approved.
Or at least, he didn’t disapprove.
They took their places at the table and Holt brought around more beer, though Parker declined. Once they settled in, all gazes, once more, drifted to him. His aura pulsed. He seemed like a man awaiting execution.
Parker's Passion Page 12