by Leah Brooke
“I’m fine.” Her face turned red as she pushed away from him. “Did you call the police?”
Something embarrassed her, and Ian didn’t have a clue what it could be, unless she could read Jonathan’s dirty mind.
Or she was uncomfortable being taken care of.
She’d just have to get used to that.
Pulling her close again, he bent low to hold her, his anger growing that her normally delicious scent mingled with that of dirt and wild animal.
“Don’t be taken in by Jonathan’s charm. He’s known for his business savvy and appreciation of beautiful women.”
From directly behind him, Jonathan chuckled. “I could say the same thing about you, Wyn.” He came forward and took Serena’s hand, leading her to the leather sofa against his wall. “Serena—a beautiful name for a beautiful woman. Since we don’t know what you were given, maybe you should have something nonalcoholic.”
“Good idea. Hello, Wyn.” Dr. Steve Williams, the young doctor, strode into the room, and offered his hand. “Good advice. The shot she had was a sedative, so skipping the alcohol is a pretty good idea. She’s got some stitches in her arm, so I’m going to give you some painkillers. I’d like to wait a while before giving her any, but if she wakes up tonight in pain, she can have one.”
Accepting the bottle, Ian scowled, not liking the speculative looks the too-handsome doctor gave Serena. “Thanks, Steve. Send me the bill.”
Steve smiled and took the seat next to Serena. “If you look this good all scratched and dirty, I can only imagine how you look all cleaned up. You say you just met Wyn, and that you haven’t been in New York very long. I’d be more than happy to show you the sights.”
Ian moved forward, shoving Jonathan aside to take the seat on the other side of Serena. “Just some juice for Serena, and I’ll take a whiskey.”
Jonathan smiled, his eyes lit with amusement. “Steve, Wyn’s a little protective of Serena. Maybe overprotective is a better word.”
Steve’s smile fell as he looked at Ian. “I would be, too. I didn’t believe her at first when she told me she’d gotten scratched up because she’d been thrown into a lion pit. I thought it was the drugs talking. She’s lucky to be alive. How the hell did you get her out of there without getting attacked?”
Ian moved to the sofa, lifted Serena, and sat down, settling her on his lap. “Very carefully. Is she okay? She sounded a little disoriented.” Holding her close, he pulled his jacket more closely around her, his chest swelling when she trustingly laid her head on his shoulder.
The protective surge within him took Ian by surprise. Aware of both men’s sharpened interest, he gave Steve his most intimidating look, and waited for an answer.
Steve glanced at Jonathan and smiled. “I gave her a shot of some vitamins, and told her to stay hydrated. She’ll probably be a little groggy tonight, but she should be back to normal by tomorrow. You didn’t answer my question. How the hell did you get her out of there without being attacked, and how the hell did she end up in the lion pit?”
Ian shrugged. “She fell.”
Serena’s whisper, barely loud enough to be heard, made him stiffen. “Did he get them?”
Ian nodded once, glancing at her before lifting his gaze to Jonathan’s. “They did.”
Jonathan stepped forward, handing both Serena and Ian their drinks. “He happened to have a rope in the back of his truck and climbed down. Thank God Wyn’s adept at rock climbing.”
Steve frowned. “I guess going to the zoo in the middle of the night is another one of those things, like when you’ve cut yourself on a broken piece of glass, or shot yourself while cleaning your gun, that I’m supposed to ignore. Are you all right, though, Wyn? No stab or bullet wounds?”
“I’m fine.” Ian took a sip of his drink, watching as Serena did the same. Lifting his gaze, he saw that Steve watched her attentively. “I hope I didn’t interrupt anything by having you come out tonight.”
He knew Steve’s penchant for beautiful women, and figured he probably had one waiting for him at home. Irritated by his apparent fascination with Serena, he figured it wouldn’t hurt to remind the doctor of that. “I’m sure you have company waiting for you.”
Steve grinned. “She’ll wait. She knows I’ll make it up to her.”
She okay?
Startled at his brother’s question, Ian stiffened, forcing himself to relax when Serena turned to him and frowned.
Adjusting her to a more comfortable position, he lifted a brow, not knowing if she could hear Alastair or not. Watching her closely for any sign that she could, he answered his brother.
Elise drugged her. A sedative. She seems to be more alert, but her eyes keep drooping. She’s trying to look brave, but there’s a sad look in her eyes. She looks not quite focused, like she’s feeling lost and doesn’t know what to do. We’re going to have to press our advantage soon, or she’s going to bolt. I heard they got Carello and his men.
I hope so. I did everything but tie a bow around their necks. Made it plain to Elise to stay away from Serena and keep her mouth shut if she doesn’t want to go to jail.
Ian frowned. How bad are you hurt?
I’m soaking in the tub and drinking a glass of cognac. I’ll be fine in a little bit.
Anything broken?
No. Just sore. I just want to curl around Serena and go to sleep.
We’re leaving soon.
Serena shrugged, blushing adorably. “Thank you, but I’m not sure how long I’m staying. Wyn has offered to help me with a show if I stay, but I think I’m going to be going back home soon.”
The thought of Serena leaving made Ian’s insides clench.
He usually didn’t care for having a woman sitting on his lap, or hanging all over him, but he found himself holding on to Serena each time she shifted as though with the intention of getting up. Meeting her look of exasperation, he smiled and pulled her closer, taking her hand in his.
He let the conversation flow around him, so used to listening without even trying to that he didn’t miss anything while imagining the things he’d like to do to Serena.
He had to admit, she wasn’t his usual type, but then again she wasn’t Alastair’s either.
Ian preferred woman a little more brazen and daring, while Alastair preferred a sophisticated woman, one with a sweet disposition.
Watching her as she listened to Jonathan and Steve’s conversation, he mentally ticked off her attributes.
She was beautiful, probably the most stunning woman he’d ever met. Even now, dirty, barefoot, and wearing a torn dress, she had a style about her, an elegance that drew everyone around her. With her long, silky black hair that even now he couldn’t stop stroking, her violet eyes with the longest, thickest lashes he’d ever seen, and high cheekbones, she had a face that he, and apparently others, couldn’t stop looking at.
Including both Jonathan and Steve.
Although she was slim, she had healthy curves in all the right places, and an unpretentious, but graceful way of moving that drew all attention to her.
Even in a room full of glamorous women, she stood out.
She seemed uncomfortable with the attention, probably due to spending so much time alone.
She seemed to wilt around others, a reaction he understood because of her intense response to being bombarded by their thoughts, but that kept her quieter and much shyer than he usually liked his women.
She also had an aura of…serenity around her, as if she’d distanced herself from others and watched from afar.
Even now she sat on his lap with the quiet dignity of a queen on her throne.
It made him want to tear the rest of her clothing off of her and sink into her, to hear her cries of passion and completion. He wanted to be as close to her as a man could be to a woman.
He wouldn’t let her go without a fight.
Despite her calm acceptance of what her cousin had done to her, he figured her reaction had more to do with the drugs in her system than h
er courage.
He just didn’t know for sure, and it ate at him.
She was different than any woman he’d ever known, and just when he thought he had her figured out, she surprised him.
She loved dressing up, but hated wearing shoes. She spoke without thinking, usually saying something he hadn’t expected, and had to be one of the least sophisticated women he knew.
For all her quiet reserve, she had to be one of the most passionate women he’d ever met. Watching her and his brother, he’d been able to observe her closely, and had been fascinated by the shocked wonder on her face as Alastair pleasured her.
There’d been no artifice at all, no pretense or games. Just hunger, and feminine demand that turned him inside out.
Biting back a groan at the pressure of his cock pressing against her hip, Ian did his best to ignore the way she kept looking up at him through her lashes, and once again adjusted her more comfortably on his lap, wincing and trying to order his cock to behave.
She’d been too quiet for the last several minutes, and it irritated him that he didn’t know her well enough to understand why.
Or if even now, she could read his mind.
He didn’t want to admit, even to himself, how much it shook him that she’d actually been able to intrude on his thoughts. At the time, he’d been grateful for any link that would help him find her, but he was a private person and sure as hell didn’t want anyone else in his head.
He finished his drink and set both his and Serena’s glasses aside before gathering her close and getting to his feet, holding her in his arms.
“It’s been a tough night for all of us. Thanks, Steve, for checking her over.” Turning to Jonathan, he tried to hide his frustration. “I’m going to get her back home. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
How’s Serena?
She’s fine, Alastair. We’re leaving now. Steve’s a pain in the ass. He’s all over Serena. Hell, even Jonathan’s flirting with her.
Punch them both in the face.
Ian fought to hide a smile. My arms are full.
Glaring at Jonathan as his friend ran a hand over Serena’s hair, Ian strode past him toward the doorway.
“Thanks again. Good-bye.”
Jonathan grinned. “I’ll be over in the morning. We have a few things to discuss.”
Ian kept walking. “Don’t bother. We’re sleeping in. I’ll call you later.”
Steve came to his feet, too, looking at Serena with a lot more interest than Ian cared for.
“I’ll be by in the morning to see how she’s doing. Maybe I can talk her into going out to lunch with me and leaving the two of you to your business.”
Ian clenched his jaw. “That won’t be necessary.”
“I insist.” Steve stepped in his path and Ian kept moving. Knocking the doctor to the side earned nothing more than a soft laugh from him which irritated Ian.
Serena smacked his shoulder. “That wasn’t nice. Just because you’re big, you can’t go knocking people around.”
Jonathan chuckled. “Sure he can. Wyn doesn’t act like such a brute very often, but when he does, people tend to stand aside.”
Ian paused in the doorway and turned, smiling coldly in Steve’s direction. “Keep that in mind. Serena is my business and right now she’s in trouble. She needs to stay with me.”
Steve grinned. “Well, since you seem to attract trouble, maybe it would be better if she stayed with me. At least, I could—”
“No.” Ian ignored Serena’s struggles and strode to the front door, not appreciating Jonathan’s soft laugh as he walked them to the door and held it open.
Serena struggled in his hold. “Put me down. You’re always carrying me.”
Ian kept walking. “You lost your shoes, remember? Be still, or I’ll drop you.”
* * * *
Serena blinked up at him, wondering if anyone would believe that anyone as big and strong as Ian would ever drop her.
He carried her as easily as most men would carry a loaf of bread, which made struggling to get out of his arms a futile effort.
Besides, she much preferred focusing on the interplay between Ian and his friends.
Since she’d always avoided people, she found the bond between the men fascinating.
Although it was probably difficult for him, Ian respected and liked both men.
He didn’t really like anyone except his brother, and her, which made his affection even more endearing.
He also didn’t care for the way Steve looked at her.
She’d been uncomfortable with it herself until she realized that Steve did it mostly to get a rise out of Ian, whom he actually liked very much.
He was curious about him, and didn’t quite understand him—them.
Amused at the fact that people tried to understand one man, when they were really dealing with two, Serena hid a smile and leaned against Ian.
Fascinated that she’d been able to read the doctor, she’d been careful to find out only enough to know that he could be trusted, and that he genuinely cared about both Jonathan and the man he thought of as Wyn.
She didn’t want to intrude on their privacy. Before she met Ian and Alastair, she hadn’t had much choice, but with their guidance, she’d learned to do something she’d never thought she could do.
She’d learned that she could block it.
Surprised at the strength of her ability to shut out the noise, she couldn’t wait to practice letting in just what she needed and buffering out the rest.
Her success with Jonathan and Steve boosted her confidence, and gave her hope for the future.
The possibility of living a normal life was an irresistible lure, and had excitement bubbling through her veins.
Amused that neither of the men had any idea that Wyn was actually two very different men, Serena deliberately closed them out—their thoughts anyway—and actually enjoyed listening to their conversation.
Both Jonathan and Steve were handsome men, men who would draw the attention of women just by walking into a room. Both had a commanding presence, but neither drew her the way Ian and Alastair did.
No one had ever affected her the way Ian and Alastair did.
Her cousin’s words came back to her, popping the bubbles of excitement in a heartbeat.
Looking up into Ian’s handsome face, she knew she’d never be the kind of woman who could hold them.
What the hell could they possibly see in her other than physical beauty and an ability to help them? How could that possibly ever be enough? How could a relationship with two men last, anyway?
Listening to the men helped distract her from Ian’s hard body practically wrapped around her, and the fact that both he and Alastair had known she’d been in trouble.
They’d actually communicated in their minds, and it scared her.
Jonathan’s thoughts drifted to her from time to time despite her best efforts to shut them out, as well as Steve’s.
Ian’s never did.
She knew he worried, but her knowledge came from seeing it in his eyes and feeling it in his touch—not from being able to read his thoughts.
Curious, she tried, but had been unable to, and decided it had to be because he blocked her somehow.
If he could do that, she wouldn’t accidentally intrude on their thoughts.
Then why the hell did it hurt so much?
The irony of having the thoughts of others being hurled at her for as long as she could remember, and then not being able to read Ian and Alastair’s thoughts when she wanted to, wasn’t lost on her.
As Ian carried her from the house, she looked up into his eyes, her heart pounding at the need she saw glittering there. Another kind of communication came to mind, one that had created a closeness between them that all the words in the world couldn’t match.
Ian put her in the car before getting in himself, scowling as he started the engine. When she waved to Jonathan and Steve, who both stood on the front steps watching them, Ian hit the gas, l
urching forward and slamming her back against the seat.
“Don’t get interested in either one of them. They have a new woman every other week and would chew you up and spit you out in no time.”
Amused at his apparent jealousy, Serena sat back in her seat and turned toward him, suddenly depressed.
“Funny, I’ve heard the same things about you and your brother. You have quite the reputation for partying and being with a different woman every night.”
Even the dim light didn’t hide Ian’s scowl. “You and the doctor must have had quite a conversation. Meeting different women and going to parties is a way for us to be in the middle of the action. We need to get to know the right people to be able to get closer to our targets.”
“So you use these women?”
“They know the score.”
“Really? What exactly is the score? I’m afraid I’m not familiar with the kind of games you play.”
Glancing at her, Ian clenched his jaw. “Are you trying to provoke me?”
Enjoying his discomfort, Serena smiled and pulled his jacket more firmly around her. “Of course not. Why would I do that? You know I’m not sophisticated. I don’t know how to play those games.”
Elise’s words played over and over in Serena’s mind, each time cutting deeper and deeper into her insecurities, until she had to admit that her cousin had been right.
She didn’t belong here.
It saddened her to admit that she could never fit into the world that Alastair and Ian had carved out for themselves. Other than her vision of seeing them at her house on the beach, she hadn’t seen anything to indicate she had a future with them.
Getting out now, before she had her heart broken, would be the best thing she could do.
Ian scowled. “Don’t kid yourself. You’re a champion at playing games and driving both of us crazy. Listen, the women we date know that we’re not interested in anything more than the next party and having a good time.”
Suspecting as much, Serena nodded. “So sex is just…pleasure. When it’s done, it’s done, and you may not even see that woman again.”
“Damn it, it’s not as cold as you make it sound.”