Breaking Point [Sunset Point] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Susan Hayes

  “I don’t do patience, that’s your thing, not mine,” Diego grumbled, but he knew Beau was right. Lexa needed time to get to know them again and them to know her. She was worth waiting for, but even knowing that, it wasn’t in his nature to sit back and just let things happen in their own time.

  “You’re thinking again,” Beau observed from his desk. “That’s rarely a good thing.”

  “I was just thinking that we’ve been focusing on showing Lexa the island and our old haunts. Maybe it’s time she gave us a tour instead.”

  “A tour of what, her bedroom? I think we’ve got that one covered.”

  “No, smart-ass. I do believe you and I paid a fistful of cash for a certain boat tour along with a certain marina owner. We’re off after next shift, let’s get a picnic and grab our girl and go sail around the island.”

  “I’m impressed. That’s possibly the best idea you’ve ever had. I don’t think she’s been out on the water since she got here.”

  Diego grinned, already scribbling down ideas for what to bring to eat and drink. “I’m just making sure she has a chance to experience all the joys of living here before she makes up her mind.”

  “You’re getting devious in your old age,” Beau told him and went back to work on the queries he was sending off to the mainland regarding Simon. It would take a day or so before they heard back, but they’d make sure someone called them when the info came in. “Once we have a plan, we can call Lexa and tell her we’re hijacking her boat, and her.”

  * * * *

  Lexa hung up her cell phone and grinned, feeling the sudden urge to dance in her office chair. Her guys had just called and formally booked the Fox’s Fancy for the day and reminded her that she was part of the package deal they’d bought at the auction. They’d told her to bring a change of clothes and a swimsuit and then promised they’d be taking care of everything else, including driving the boat.

  She looked out the window of the marina office to make sure no one else was around and then gave in to whimsy and spun her chair around with a squeal of glee, moving fast enough the heavy braid of her hair flew out behind her as she spun. She hadn’t gotten out onto the water since she’d arrived, and watching the boats come and go from the marina every day had made her realize just how much she wanted to get back out there.

  Humming happily to herself, Lexa called up the rental log on the computer and double checked that no one else had booked the yacht for that day before signing it out under her own name. When she was done, her eyes wandered over some of the other entries for the week and her brow furrowed as she stopped and went over the record again.

  “That can’t be right,” she muttered to herself as she scrolled down through the lists, going back to the beginning of the month. There were entries missing from the logbook. There had to be because she’d seen boats coming and going from the rental dock several times in the last while, but there was no corresponding entry in the log. They’d been going out late at night, and she would never have noticed if it weren’t for the fact that Beau and Diego’s presence in her bed had her awake at odd hours.

  Maybe they were just fisherman trying some night fishing and the booking had been forgotten, but it didn’t sit right with her to know the boats were going out and there was no record of who was renting them. She’d have to ask Simon about it, and that really wasn’t something to look forward to.

  After the first few friendly training sessions, he’d grown guarded about what he’d tell her about the way the marina was run, and she found herself growing increasingly frustrated with his lack of cooperation and his insistence that she should just enjoy herself and leave the running of the marina to him. Things had gotten worse since the night of the auction, and while he’d finally stopped trying to get her to go out with him, she now had the sense he was actively avoiding her, not easy to do given the marina really wasn’t that large.

  There had even been several occasions she’d arrived at the appointed time for a meeting only to have Arty or one of the other dock boys tell her that Simon had left them in charge while he went to do business off-site.

  She was nearly ready to commit herself to staying, and if she did that, then Simon was going to have to stop his current behavior and start acting professionally or he was going to have to go. She was a hands-on sort of person, and that meant she needed a manager she could work with, not one who wouldn’t share control of her own damned business.

  She set aside those unhappy thoughts and grabbed her phone again, flipping through her contacts until she found the name she was looking for, Gaby Larkin. Diego and Beau had paid a lot of money for this tour, so it was only fair that she make sure they got their money’s worth. She’d worn the only dress she owned to both the auction and Trinity’s impromptu wedding, and that meant she was going to need to pay a visit to Gaby’s clothing boutique that afternoon, right after she talked to Simon.

  An hour later Lexa pulled into a parking spot just outside of Designs by Lark while feeling a strong urge for ice cream and aspirin, not necessarily in that order. She’d gone looking for Simon and finally found him chatting to Arty out by the fuel dock. As she’d approached them both men had suddenly stopped talking and she’d felt as if she’d interrupted something, but before she could say anything the young man took off with barely a nod to her as he headed back to work.

  Things hadn’t gotten any better when she’d tried to talk to Simon about the missing log entries. He’d shrugged off her mention of boats coming into the rental dock late at night and had insisted she had been mistaken, that there had been no night rentals and she clearly didn’t know the layout of the marina as well as she thought because no vessels would have been coming or going from the rental dock at that time of night.

  Now Lexa was feeling frustrated, and she was more convinced than ever that there was something odd going on at her marina. Tonight she was going to head back to the office after hours and take a good look at the rental log and a few other things as well.

  Whatever was going on, she was going to find out what it was, and once she had proof, she’d ask Beau and Diego to look into it for her. After all, she was dating not one, but two hot cops, so she might as well take advantage of them.

  That last thought gave her pause and she realized that in the last few days she really had started to think of things differently. Sunset Point was becoming a home again. Sam was like a father to her, filling a place that had been empty for so many years, Her life here was quickly becoming complete. She had friends, a business, and even two men that she already thought of as hers. Her heart beat a little faster as she thought about the two of them, her two lovers. Her two loves.

  Loves? That concept made her stumble and then come to a halt in the middle of the sidewalk. Well shit, when the hell had that happened?

  “I am in serious need of ice cream therapy as soon as I am done shopping,” she told herself and headed into the air conditioned sanctuary that was Gaby’s boutique. Right away Lexa knew she’d made the right call in coming here. The whole store had a subtle, feminine feel to it. Soft, natural lighting had been used instead of the cheap and unkind florescent lights most department stores used, and Lexa felt herself relaxing despite the fact she never enjoyed shopping for clothes.

  “Lexa?” Gaby appeared from further back in the store and greeted her with a hug. “It’s nice to see you again. Wasn’t the wedding gorgeous? Trinity looked incredible didn’t she? I noticed you were there with Beau and Diego.” Her beautiful face lit up with a knowing smile. “I see things have gone well since they bought you at the auction and then whisked you right out the door.” Gaby’s chocolate brown eyes were dancing with laughter and curiosity as she looked down at Lexa. “Details, girl! Are they the reason you fell off the radar? If so, are they treating you right? They better be.”

  “They’ve been keeping me busy, and yes, they’re treating me wonderfully.” Lexa gave the taller woman a hug back. “I didn’t get to see much of you at the wedding. Are you r
eally okay after all the terrible things that happened to you?”

  “I’m more than okay, I’m wonderful. My men have been so good to me, it’s been easier than I imagined to put it all behind me.”

  The taller woman stepped back and grinned. “Now, back to you. Are you here to find something to wow your men? Because I think I know just the thing!”

  By the time Gaby was finished with her, Lexa felt like she’d run a marathon, but she had everything. She’d found everything she’d wanted and more in Gaby’s boutique.

  Three new summer dresses, a new purse, some beautiful silk and lace nightgowns, and an entire bag full of the sexiest lingerie Lexa had ever seen had punched a serious hole in her credit limit, but for the first time in her life she didn’t have to worry about money, and she was glad to have gone on her mini spending spree.

  “Thank you so much. I have never had fun shopping before in my life, but today was great.” Lexa lifted her bags from the counter and smiled at Gaby. “You’re a lifesaver, and I am so coming back here for another wardrobe update soon.” Lexa leaned forward and lowered her voice a little. “I’ve always been too self-conscious to like shopping for clothes, but everything you designed just made me feel beautiful, thank you.”

  Knowing the guys were planning on staying late to work on a current case, Lexa decided to take some time to explore the heart of Sunset Point. She dropped off her bags at her Jeep and headed into the park that made up the center of the town. When she spotted an ice cream vendor, she knew she’d made the right call and was soon indulging herself in a double scoop of strawberry ripple in a freshly baked waffle cone.

  Feeling like a kid again, she kicked off her shoes and wandered barefoot through the grass. Children were playing everywhere she looked, and as she found a bit of shade under a tree, Lexa realized that this place really was feeling like home. It had taken a while, but everywhere she looked now there were reminders of the life she’d almost completely forgotten, and a sense of familiarity to things.

  She was at peace here, too, which was a new feeling for her. Of course, she had fewer worries than ever. Her mother’s bills were all paid, and at his suggestion Sam was setting up a fund so that Alice’s care would be covered for the rest of her life. They were going to move her to Florida once they found the right facility, close enough that Lexa could visit without giving away that she’d moved back to Sunset Point. That information would be too much for her mother’s fragile mental state to cope with.

  All and all, things were better than she could have dreamed. With the taste of strawberry ripple ice cream on her lips, the sun on her face, and an ocean-scented breeze blowing through the grass, Lexa made her decision. She was here to stay.

  It was the delicious smell of baking that finally drew her back to her feet. She was close enough to that cupcake shop Trinity had taken her to she could almost taste it, and an idea was blooming in her mind. She was going to buy a half-dozen and head over to the police station to bring her men a treat. Lexa laughed to herself as she reached the edge of the park and tugged her shoes back on. Delivering baked goods to her boyfriends was definitely the most domesticated thing she’d ever done. At this rate she might even try baking one of these days.

  She was nearly to the shop when another storefront caught her eye. Right next door to Naughty Sprinkles was a tattoo parlor, and Lexa found herself inside before she could really think about what she was doing. There was art everywhere, from simple lines to elaborately shaded pieces that looked more like photographs than hand drawn lines. She was staring at an entire wall of tattoo designs when a man’s voice interrupted her.

  “Can I help you with something?” There was a hint of Texas in the way he spoke and Lexa turned around half expecting to see a Stetson or cowboy boots. Instead she was met by a warm smile and a pair of laughing blue eyes.

  “I’m not sure if you can help me or not. This is sort of a spontaneous thing.” Lexa waved toward the wall. “If I described what I was thinking of having done, how long would it take you to design it? I’m Lexa by the way.”

  “I’m Dane, and it’s nice to meet you, Lexa. I haven’t got any other clients booked for today, so depending on how complex a design you were thinking of, I could probably have it done in an hour or two.”

  “Oh hell, that wasn’t the answer I was hoping for.” She grinned at him. “You were supposed to tell me you couldn’t possible do it for at least a week, you were booked full and then I’d have a lot of time to rethink this half-baked plan.”

  “Well, planning a drawing is only the first step, so I’d say you still have plenty of time to rethink things if you’d like. Why don’t you come back to my desk and tell me what you were thinking of, and we’ll start there.” Dane winked at her. “I promise, no needles until you’re sure of what you want.”

  “You have yourself a deal,” Lexa agreed and then cocked her head to one side. “I don’t suppose you’re the one who did Beau Rivers and Diego Mendez’s tattoos are you?”

  “Actually, yes, I did. And now I know where I know you from. You own the Blue Dolphin Marina, right? Beau and Diego blew a wad of cash buying a date with you at the auction.”

  Lexa blushed. “That’s me. And before you ask, I might as well tell you I’m looking for a similar tattoo to theirs, only with three dolphins instead of one.”

  “Is that so?” Dane drawled, a knowing look in his eyes. “Well then, I think that should be pretty easy. I still have the original art for that in their file. We can start from that and see what we come up with.”

  “Sounds good. Once you start drawing I’m going to hit up the cupcake place for a few goodies and take them over to the station, do you want me to grab you one, too?”

  Dane laughed. “I’ve already been over there today, thanks.”

  “Oh, of course you have. You’re engaged to Reece, er, I mean Lane. I knew you looked familiar.” She glanced out the door and then grinned. “So is that how you two met? Cupcakes?”

  “Yep.” Dane nodded. “And now I’m their best customer. Well, me and Bannock.”

  Chapter 12

  Lexa hadn’t been to the station before, but she knew exactly where it was, only a short walk away. It had the same feel as countless other civil buildings, functional but not exceptional. The interior walls were painted a color somewhere between white and pale gray, and there was a hush to the place as if everyone was speaking softly and walking with care.

  That illusion was shattered the moment she approached the very elderly woman seated at the front desk and asked if Detectives Rivers and Mendez were available. She’d quickly learned the woman’s name was Hattie, and the moment Hattie learned she was a friend and not someone on police business, Lexa found herself subject to an interrogation that would have made a hardened criminal confess to everything he’d ever done.

  She’d only managed to stave off a complete confession by offering Hattie one of the half dozen cupcakes she’d brought, and as soon as the deal was done and the chosen sweet was on Hattie’s desk, the old woman had led her deeper into the station, talking her ear off the whole way about the foibles and habits of her coworkers.

  Hattie had stopped outside a door that looked identical to every other one they’d passed and poked her head in to call out, “Looks like you boys finally found a good one! She got sense enough to bribe the gatekeeper, which is more than I can say for most of the daft daisies that come calling. Bo-bo, you take good care of this one, you hear me?”

  Lexa stepped into the doorway and had to remind herself not to drool in front of the nice old lady. Her two men were both wearing sports jackets and dress shirts, and they looked incredible. She’d never seen them dressed for work, and the effect of seeing them both dressed like that with their gun holsters showing was making her think things she had never thought about a cop before.

  “Yes, ma’am.” Beau winced as the elderly receptionist called him Bo-bo. “We intend to.”

  Lexa waited until Hattie had vanished down the corridor a
gain before bursting out laughing. “Bo-bo? I like it! I am so going to start calling you that.”

  “If you do, you better be wearing running shoes and be ready to run for your life,” Diego warned between sniggers of laughter. “He really hates that nickname.”

  “My sexy boys, Dig and Bo-bo.” Lexa giggled and came into their smallish office. She set down the box she was carrying on top of Beau’s inbox and grinned at him. “Before you get grumpy, I will have you know I brought you treats, and if you chase me away I’m taking my cupcakes with me.”

  “Never let it be said we chased away a sexy woman bearing gifts!” Beau bounced out of his chair and snagged the box before Diego could get his hands on it. “You snooze, you lose.”

  “Wow, for a second there it was like the last twenty-three years never happened and we were back in grade school. Do I need to lecture you on sharing, Mr. Rivers?”

  “Nope,” Beau shot back, already opening the box, his dark blue shirt molding to his shoulders as he leaned over his desk. “I’m a brilliant sharer, or are you forgetting about last night?” He waggled his brows at her and was rewarded with a blush.

  “Maybe she needs a reminder of how well we share.” Diego was already on his feet and moving as he spoke, and he had the door closed and locked before she realized what he was planning. The sound of the door locking had Lexa spinning around to face Diego, who was giving her a look that had her nipples beading and her pussy cheering even while other parts of her prepared to argue.

  “Uh, guys? Office? Middle of the work day? Not that you don’t both look smoking hot in those suits and all, but I’m certain there are some rules about you staying dressed during working hours.”