by AliyahBurke
She paused as she took a healthy drink of her wine. “You would have no problem dealing with clients and explaining the business. You are very articulate with your words and would have no problems making everything crystal clear about what having a dog would do, how it would change their lives in every aspect.” She stopped again as Dolly got up and headed out of the kitchen.
Seth picked up the conversation. “We think you would make an awesome addition to our team. Violet wants to spend more time with the puppies and training and we don’t want to be gone as much. So, for events like this, you could head up and come down to oversee it all.”
Serenity leaned against the counter and met the nodding gaze of Hank, who seemed to think it sounded good. “Wow. I need another beer.” Hank got one for her. “I will admit that I haven’t really thought about it. But it sounds very intriguing to me, the chance to keep on doing protection work without the risks I used to take. Let me think on this a bit.”
“Awesome,” Seth said as he set up the board for another game.
“Great,” Violet said as she got up and grabbed some more chips from the cupboard.
Dolly returned and engaged Seth and Violet in talk about her work. She was a biophysicist. Hank and Serenity stayed by the oven keeping an eye on dinner.
“How is Irk doing?” Hank asked.
“Doing well, adjusting.” Serenity took another drink of beer and nodded in the direction of the conversation at the table. “I don’t get that stuff. Dolly, you are one smart chick.” The redhead smiled before she bolted out of the room with a faint, “Excuse me.”
“Was it something I said?” she joked, only partially.
“It is fascinating stuff she does,” Seth said.
Serenity shook her head in dismay. “What’s the phrase? ‘It’s all Greek to me’?” She opened the oven and peered in at the calzones that were just about ready.
“How much longer?” Violet asked.
“Five…ten minutes,” Serenity responded as she brought the wine over to the table to refill the glass.
“Well, I need to eat something soon. I think I am getting tipsy,” Violet said as she began to drink again.
“Good, then maybe I can win a game,” Seth piped in.
Serenity turned to Hank and asked, “Is she alright? Dolly, I mean.”
A wide grin spread across his face and he nodded. “She will be better in about seven months.”
Dawning settled into Serenity as she began to screech. She put down her beer to launch herself into Hank’s arms. “Congratulations!” she squealed.
His strong arms circled around her in return as he said, “Thanks.”
* * * *
Brandt knew he was a little late, but for the life of him he didn’t think she had plans. He had figured that it was just a way for her to avoid him. So, when he pulled up and saw two other vehicles in her drive he began to get nervous. As Hella jumped out of the car he looked in the open kitchen window and saw the man she claimed was her father shake the hand of the vet, Hank. Seconds after Serenity jumped into his arms, squealing like a small child.
He frowned and strode up to the door to pound on the screen. Delicious smells were coming from the house, and as Seth shoved his way through the barking dogs Brandt wondered if he had just totally misunderstood her hints.
“Evening, Mr. Fowler,” Seth said as he commanded the dogs back and opened the door. “Come on in.”
“I came to see Serenity, but maybe this is a bad time.” His left hand was still behind his back.
“Nonsense. She would insist that you come in.” Seth waved him in. “Can I get you a beer?”
“Don’t know if I will be here that long.” But he followed Seth down the short walk to the open kitchen.
“That will be your decision to make, son,” Seth said as he announced to the room. “Set another place, Brandt Fowler is here to join us for dinner.”
“Evening, Brandt. Have a seat.” She waved to an empty chair. Her tone was soft and gentle, like he had come to realize was Serenity.
He brought the flowers out from behind his back. “These are for you, sorry I didn’t know you had company.”
Her eyes flashed at him but she graciously took the flowers. “They are beautiful. I love roses.”
He had brought her a bouquet of peach tinted roses and she closed her eyes as she smelled them. Her eyes had a hint of seduction in them when she looked back at him.
“Well, let me introduce you to everyone. You already know Seth and Violet. Not sure if you remember Hank, he is our vet, and the one coming in the kitchen is his wife Dolly. We just found out they are pregnant with their first child and are celebrating. So, what can I get you? Beer? Wine? Tea? What?”
That was why she had hugged that man so tightly. “Congratulations on the news,” he said to Hank and Dolly as the pale redhead leaned up against her husband. Turning his gaze to Serenity, he said, “Beer please.”
“I’ll get it for you,” Violet said. “Serenity, take him to the back so he can let Hella go play with Jax and Irk.” She waved them out of the kitchen.
* * * *
Walking through the living room, Serenity found herself in his arms, pressed flush up against his solid chest. “Why didn’t you tell me?” His sensual voice caressed her.
Every touch made it harder to resist the wanton desires they were feeling for each other.
“I did tell you. Now please let me go.” Serenity’s voice was shaking as she waited for his strong arms to move. They did move, up and down her back.
“You look delectable.” He nibbled on her ear, sending her eyes rolling into the back of her head. “And taste even better.”
“Stop. Please.” She panted.
“Are you wet for me, sweetling?” he asked as his fingers teased the waistband of her skirt, seemingly unconcerned with the fact there were people less than twenty feet away from their very spot.
“Brandt, let me go.”
“No. Never.” Just as suddenly he dropped his arms and stepped away from her trembling body. It was like he wasn’t affected at all.
If it weren’t for her heightened senses, Serenity would have thought him bored as he walked to the door for the backyard and opened it, allowing Hella to go outside with Jax and play. “Would you stay for dinner?” she asked as casually as she could manage.
Brandt shut the door and, with a deliberate nonchalant movement, turned slowly and faced her. There was a burning in his eyes that told her he was thrilled with her asking him to stay. “I suppose.” He shrugged. “Why not?”
Her eyes narrowed briefly, but he had no chance to react to her warning. With her ever-present seductive stride, Serenity flowed over to him. Looking up at him from under those thick lashes, she purred, “If you have somewhere else to go then don’t let me keep you.”
She reached out and touched his bare arm, sending tremors through both of their bodies. Walking around his still form, she kept on talking, “Don’t forget, I know you want me. I can hear your heartbeat; I can almost taste your sweat. You aren’t immune to me either.” As she moved behind him her hand followed and moved across his taut butt.
Before either of them could say anything else, Violet stuck her head in the living room and said, “Dinner’s ready. Come and get it.”
Serenity stepped around the other side of Brandt and nodded at Violet. “Coming.” Then her voice dropped so only Brandt could hear her and she added, “But yes, I am wet for you. Very.” That said, she pinched him on the ass as she walked away with an added swish to her hips.
* * * *
Brandt found himself sitting next to Serenity at dinner. The conversation ranged from biochemistry to Irk’s condition and on to what he himself did at his father’s company. They included him in everything and made him feel like a part of the family. A welcome part. But what really surprised Brandt was the way that Serenity acted. It was like knowing a whole new person.
She smiled all the time and joked with everyone, including h
im. Her old persona was never mentioned, and for a moment it was like had never existed. If it was possible to fall in love with the same woman twice, then Brandt had just experienced it. He had honestly not believed that there was a difference between the two women, or not wanted to acknowledge it. It felt like maybe it was just a ploy or an act on her part. Now he knew it was neither. They were as different as night and day, and he loved both of them.
Dinner was calzones and salad. There was plenty of wine and beer, and tea for the new mom-to-be. Brandt ate hearty and loved the fact that Serenity did as well. She was not shy about eating in front of him. Every second that passed he fell deeper for her.
Serenity stood and went to the fridge. She opened it and then shut it once again. “Dessert now or later?” Her question came as she looked over her shoulder at the company that sat at her table. Chocolate eyes hit on everyone at the table but stayed on Brandt.
Later was the unanimous decision, so Serenity came back to the table. Her hand trailed along Brandt’s shoulders as she passed behind him to reclaim her chair. His eyes turned back to meet hers and he winked at her, an action caught by everyone at the table.
“So will you take the dogs with you, Seth?” Serenity asked.
It was a question that snagged Brandt’s total attention. Where was she going that she wasn’t going taking her dogs, and why was she planning on going anywhere without him?
As if Seth knew exactly what flashed through Brandt’s head, he looked directly at the young man that sat next to his daughter. “Not a problem. We will be glad to take them back with us.”
A whole three seconds of silence passed before Brandt asked the question everyone there knew was coming. “Where are you going?” He reached out and enclosed her wrist, halting any movement.
A gentle smile crossed her face. “Georgia. I’m flying back to the States. Going to visit my friend who just had a baby. See what I can do to help, since she doesn’t have a mother anymore.”
“The phone call from this afternoon. That Gavin guy.”
“That’s the one.” Her eyes sparkled with joy.
“When are you leaving?” He began to stroke the skin on the underside of her wrist with his thumb.
“Tomorrow afternoon.”
“I see. That’s before the end of the conference.”
“Pretty much. I don’t have anything to do with it and it’s time I move on to where I’m needed.”
He made a noncommittal noise and readjusted his body. One arm draped itself across the back of Serenity’s chair and his hand gently ran up and down her silken skin. He was totally confident his touch was welcome, and it was. She glanced at him and smiled softly. He needed her with him.
Soon the room was back to laughter and conversations. Dessert was eaten before Dolly and Hank decided to leave.
“We have to go, I have to get her to bed. I will see you at the clinic tomorrow with Irk,” Hank said as he helped his wife to her feet.
Everyone else rose and hugs along with another round of congratulations were shared. Even Brandt kissed Dolly on the cheek and shook Hank’s hand.
Soon it was just the four of them. Serenity and Violet were cleaning up while Brandt sat in the living room with Seth playing gin. Even though he was playing cards, Brandt kept watching Serenity.
“Why don’t you take her out on the town?” Seth suggested.
Brandt looked at the man he knew, in his heart, would be his father-in-law. “I don’t think she would go with me.”
“Do you love my daughter, Mr. Fowler?” The man was direct with both his stare and question.
“More than I thought possible, sir.” Brandt met and held the older man’s gaze.
Seth picked up another card before he spoke. “You know I was such a fool to leave her and her mother. I was only concerned with myself. When I found out her mother had died I realized how selfish I had been and set out to find my daughter. Imagine my surprise when I find my daughter is in juvenile detention, and that she has been a thorn in their side for a long time.
“I told her I was her foster parent. I guess she was young enough not to question why a single man would get custody of an eleven-year-old girl. Anyway, we got off to a rocky start.” He laid down a set of three kings. “She never wanted to do what I wanted her to do. So we made a deal. She could still race cars if she got good grades in school.” Seth laughed, “Boy did I make a mistake, that was when I found out she had a photographic memory. Every night we were out racing cars, doing martial arts or she was just observing. And she’s smart too, speaks a dialect of African language from deep within the jungle just as fluently as she speaks English.”
Seth took a drink and looked into the kitchen where the women were laughing amongst themselves. “Soon, we were getting along just fine. Then high school was over and the Marines got her. It seemed I had just found my daughter and now I was losing her again, but she wanted to be one of them: The few, The proud, The Marines.”
He looked at the cards and set some more down. “Her first enlistment seemed to be fine. She didn’t change much, got more disciplined and made some friends that were good for her. Then the second enlistment happened. They took her into a special group and enhanced her killing ability.
“Those two years she was lost in the jungle, I just about went crazy trying to find her. Then one day I got a call from her commanding officer, he said she’s coming home and I could come see her. They kept her for a few weeks for ‘debriefing’ before I could bring her home.” He took another swig of beer. “I could see she was trying to be the same that she used to be. She had ten months left in the Corps and then she came home.
“Soon she had been recruited by Morgan’s Protection Agency. She was amazing, but since she was so good and hired out to protect the rich and famous, Raven Dare was born. A whole false history was built up on this woman. Story of her parents living in Texas, wealthy father was an architect and mother was a doctor. Even her time in the Corps under the name of Raven Dare was contrived. Everything so she could still have a life as Serenity Walker.
“She made a lot of money. It is expensive to hire the best and she built her dream home in Alaska, close to me and Violet. In between protection jobs she was also hired out by government agencies to eliminate potential threats. She has traveled all over the world killing people, and it began to show. The darkness began to show in her and the only place I saw it leave was at her home in Alaska. But she is strong, sometimes I think too much. She doesn’t know how to let someone take care of her.
“I know a lot of that is my fault and not being there for the crucial years in her life. I can’t imagine what she went through on the streets. She was on them since seven or so.” Seth laid out all his cards and looked Brandt square in the eyes. “I am not sure why I am telling you this, except that I know she loves you. I just don’t know if she can allow herself to. She has to come to terms with her past and who she is, all of her…she has to acknowledge that the darker side of her belongs there and not to fight it. The man that wants to win her hand and heart is going to have to be ready for a bunch of hurdles.”
Brandt took a drink of his own beer. “Can I ask you something, sir?” When Seth nodded he continued. “You don’t have a problem with me being with your daughter, do you?”
“Of course I do, but not for the reason you are thinking. No man wants to see his little girl grow up and marry someone. We prefer to be the only men in their lives, something I am sure you will understand once y’all have children. We can’t help who we fall in love with. The mark of a true man is whether or not they can ride the waves that come with a relationship because none are easy. There will always be bumps along the way.” Seth gestured towards the kitchen, “And trust me when I tell you that she is very stubborn and headstrong.”
Brandt nodded. “I have come to realize that about her. I don’t know how to get her out on the town with me, but I need to spend some time with her.”
Seth smiled. “Let me handle that one.” He w
inked at Brandt.
He walked to the kitchen with Seth.
“Come out with me tonight,” Brandt suggested.
“I can’t,” she immediately protested.
“Sure you can,” Seth interjected. “We will stay here and keep an eye on Irk. Go out, you’re young. Have fun.”
“No, I need to pack and get ready to leave.”
“Nonsense, it’s your last night on the island. Go have some fun. I’m your father, listen to me.”
Without any more arguing she turned to Brandt and said, “Very well. Do I have to change or is alright to be seen with you in public?”
With one smooth motion, he rose to his feet and flowed over to her, looking every bit the predator he felt like he was right then. “You look flawless. I will be envied by all to have you at my side.” He turned to the Larkins. “Thanks for keeping the dogs. I’m going to take her to town now, before she comes up with an excuse why she can’t go.” He took her by her arm and showed her to the door.
Seth and Violet smiled as they waved them off.
It was a huge sigh of relief that escaped Brandt as he drove them back towards town. He had expected her to put up more of a fight.
“So, Brandt Fowler,” her husky voice reached across the car and stroked him to readiness, “what do you have planned for me tonight?”
More than you could possibly imagine, sweetling, more than you could possibly imagine. “Thought we would take in a show.”
“Sounds lovely.” She leaned back against the soft leather of his Mercedes and relaxed.
“I really enjoyed this evening. Thanks for inviting me to stay.”
Serenity chuckled. “You didn’t really give me much of a choice. Besides, I do like spending time with you. But you are welcome nonetheless.”
Brandt pulled up in front of one of the casinos and got out. The valet opened her door and helped her out. Then Brandt was there to escort her inside the flashy building. “There is a show starting in about ten minutes. Let’s go.”
They walked through the slots and gaming tables, Serenity totally unaware of the looks she was getting from the women who saw her with him. He led her to an open set of doors where there was a sign up next to it. The Caribbean Queens.