His Many Rules

by Ali Parker

  I had to know that she was safe. That she was okay. That she still loved me.

  Getting in the cab, I did the only thing I knew to do. Probably not the smartest thing in the world, but I called Ana.

  "Where to?" The cabbie barked at me.

  "Central Park." I pressed the phone to my ear.

  "Hello?"

  "Ana. It's Kendal. I need to see if you can help me find Dana. I pissed her off yesterday because I'm an idiot and she ran to New York. Please tell me you have some way of finding her." I sucked in a quick breath.

  "Yeah. I can track her phone. My mom set this shit up when we were younger and wild."

  "Not much has changed." I laughed, feeling a sense of providence. I was going to find her and she'd have nowhere to run to when I trapped her against me. She had to hear me out.

  "True." There was a smile in her voice. Maybe it wasn't just me and Dana that could reconcile. Maybe Dana and Ana could... for good.

  "She's at De Luca. It's 1225 Main Avenue downtown."

  "Excellent." I smiled. "Thank you."

  "Don't mention it. No really. Don't mention it to her." She chuckled.

  "Alright. Later." I dropped the call and leaned forward, giving the cabbie the address for the coffee shop.

  He took a sharp right and hit the gas, scaring the hell out of me. I'd most likely die before I got there, but if not... things were about to look up.

  I leaned my head back and let the memories we'd made over the last few weeks run through my mind. I was so deep in love with her that it hurt. It was far beyond what I had with Ana, and we hadn't been together more than a month or so. She's caring and sensitive, feminine and so delicious in every way possible.

  "Here you are, buddy."

  I glanced up to see thirty minutes had passed.

  "Oh wow." I paid the man and got out, walking up to the small coffee shop. The scent of coffee and sugar greeted me as I walked in and a pretty girl with a name tag that identified her as Jenna glanced up.

  "Hi. Welcome to De Luca. What can I get started for you?"

  "Just a large coffee please." I turned and glanced around the small shop. No Dana. No Olivia.

  Just a meat head with huge muscles, tats and dark-blue eyes watching me like he wasn't too thrilled I was in his coffee shop. I turned back to the girl.

  "Three-twenty-six."

  I handed her my card and glanced back at the guy and back to her. "Do you guys really need a bouncer at a coffee shop?"

  She laughed and handed me the card back. "That's my boyfriend, Nate, but yeah... it's New York, man. You always need a bouncer and security around here."

  I smiled. "Nice."

  The sound of two women laughing caused me to turn. Dana and Olivia walked out of the bathroom at the end of the hall, Dana stealing my breath.

  "There you are," I whispered and walked toward her, picking up a bouquet of flowers sitting on the counter beside the register. "Dana."

  She glanced toward me and stopped short. "Kendal? What are you doing here?"

  "Coming to collect what's mine. You."

  Chapter 57

  Dana

  His words drove lust through me, but shock covered my nerve endings. Had this beautiful man left his life in the middle of the day and flown to New York for me?

  Had he left everything behind to run hard and fast until he found me?

  "How did you..." I reached for him, wrapping my arms around him and lifting up as he leaned down and consumed me.

  The soft press of his lips was nothing compared to the hot wetness of his tongue, sliding past mine, taking control of my mouth and forcing me to comply. I was lost. Completely.

  "Um, guys. I'm going to head to the office. Something just came up. Call me later." Olivia's voice broke through the cloud around me.

  I pulled back and turned. "You sure? I don't want to-"

  "Yes. Positive." She smiled, wagged her eyebrows, whispered 'hot' and walked out.

  "Why did you run from me?" He brushed my hair back as I turned and looked up at him.

  "I thought I was the only one that cared about us." I pressed my fingers into the thick muscle along his lower back and snuggled in tightly. "I told you that I loved you last night, that I was willing to give up everything for you-"

  "And I failed to validate your words." He leaned down and brushed his nose by mine, his scent staining my lungs and leaving my knees weak.

  "Yeah. Something like that." I cupped the back of his neck, pulling him down for another long kiss. I'd almost forgotten we were in the middle of a coffee shop in New York. The sound of some giggling kids pulled me out of it.

  "Let's go walk in the park and talk about everything." He kissed me once more before releasing me and taking my hand. He picked up his coffee and walked toward the door.

  The handsome thug sitting by the entrance stood and opened the door for us. "Enjoy your day, guys."

  "Thank you," I turned my head to study him as we walked out into the freezing cold. He looked like someone that belonged in the middle of a drug deal somewhere, but something about his voice and the way he smiled led me to believe differently. I couldn't help but notice the way him and the barista girl kept making eyes at each other. Judging people had to stop. Especially judging myself.

  Kendal stopped suddenly, almost throwing me off balance. He gripped my waist and turned his chin down, pressing me with a stern look. "Let me be perfectly clear about one thing."

  I swallowed hard as emotions raged deep inside of me. I didn't want him angry at me or upset. I wanted him to feel comfort. Warmth. Overwhelming love when I was around.

  "Yeah?" I choked out.

  He brushed his thumb by my face. "Don't ever run from me again, Dana. Don't turn your phone off and don't ignore me. I wouldn't do that to you."

  I nodded. I could understand that. "Don't keep things from me. Karen and Bethany told me about the shit you were dealing with at the University last night. They told me that Heather was claiming that you guys fucked three times up there."

  He paled. "Shit. I wanted to tell you about that."

  My heart broke. "You wanted to tell me that you were sleeping with her too?"

  "What? No." He rolled his eyes and moved back, grapping my hand and moving toward the road. "Get ready to run. New Yorkers drive like shit and they seem to earn cosmic points for hitting humans. Go!"

  I ran beside him and tucked myself under his arms as we reached the other side and walked to the park. "So you didn't sleep with her?"

  "Not in a million years, baby. I'm yours. Or I am if you still want me." He glanced down at me as we turned to walk down the snowy bank into the park. "She went to the President of the University and claimed something like rape. I'm not sure how that works since it was three times, but anyway... that's what I had going on yesterday."

  I jerked him to a halt. "And if we're going to be together, then I'm the first person you call and tell that sort of shit to. I'm supposed to be the one standing beside you. Not Damon or anyone else. Me."

  He cupped my face and leaned in for another long kiss. "Forgive me. I'll not make that mistake again."

  "What does this mean? Do you love me? Do you want us to be together?" I was putting my heart on the line, but I had to. I was weary from running not just from him, but from love in general. I needed a soft place to land, a warm body to hold me at night, someone to be mine.

  He smiled and kissed the tip of my nose. "I fell for you the moment I met you. I remember it like it was yesterday. Do you?"

  Tears burned my eyes. "Yes. I was dealing with Mr. Jackson. He wouldn't take his pills for anyone but me. You were with Mandy." I paused as my voice broke. "Her arms weren't working that day and I could see the pain all over her."

  "I remember." His eyes filled with tears too.

  The memory swept me away.

  Kendal was bent over Mandy's bed, rubbing her long brown hair back and trying to soothe her with his promise that everything would be okay, but it wouldn't... it couldn't
...

  "Move," I mumbled to Jackie and took her spot on the other side of the thrashing girl. She was a year younger than me, but she looked ten years older. "Amanda. Look at me."

  I reached out and gripped her chin, turning her and forcing her to look at me.

  "Hey. Be careful with her." Her brother's voice was sharp, condescending.

  I ignored him and smiled down at her. "Remember what we talked about yesterday? Old Mr. Jackson?"

  She panted as her eyes moved about wildly, but she stopped thrashing for a minute.

  Releasing the tight hold I had on her, I leaned down and pressed my elbows to the bed beside her, leaning my chin on my balled up fists. "You should have seen him this morning. He chewed up those damn pills again."

  Her brother took a few steps back and let out a shaky breath. I wanted to glance up and get a good look at him, but she needed me to remain locked on her for a little while longer.

  "No w-w-water?" She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as tears spilled down into her hair. "I'm scared."

  "I know, sweetheart." I leaned forward and pressed my forehead to the side of her head like I would do to my older sister when life had dealt her a shitty blow. "I'm right here, though. Your brother is here, the nurses are here, hell, old man Jackson is still here. We're not going anywhere."

  A soft sob left her, and I glanced up and locked eyes with her brother, motioning for him to come closer.

  He moved in and bent over, wrapping her in a tight hug and tucking her face into the side of his neck as she cried softly. The moment wasn't mine to have, so I moved back and wiped my eyes before moving out of the room. I wasn't sure I'd seen a more stunning man in my life.

  Messy brown hair, strong shoulders, sensual lips and deep green eyes. My heart fluttered in my chest as I pressed my back to the closed door.

  "I'm so sorry," I whispered against his chest as he held me tight.

  "Me too, baby." He moved back and forced me to look up at him. "I love you with every part of my heart. I'd do anything to have you as mine forever."

  "Even quit your stupid job?" I laughed through my tears.

  "It's already done." He leaned down and kissed me a few times as I tried to process his words. It was already done?

  "Wait. What?" I moved back and put my hand in the middle of his chest. "You left UT?"

  "I did." He smiled. "I'm not sure where I go from here, but I know a beautiful woman who's a little bit bossy who might help me figure it out."

  I let out a small yelp of joy. "So we can be together?"

  "Oh hell yeah." He glanced around. "Let's find a place to celebrate the future."

  "You horny bastard. Is sex all you think about?" I snuggled up to him and purred softly.

  He glanced down, his eyes darkening. "When you're around? Yes."

  Chapter 58

  Kendal

  Three Days Later

  "I can't believe you pulled it off." Damon positioned himself on the putting green as I stood quietly by the golf cart. I waited until he made his shot to respond.

  "Why? I'm far smoother than you. I helped you get your girl back, remember?" I squatted and studied exactly where to hit the ball to get the best shot.

  "I do remember. I owe you for that."

  "You've already paid me back, Damon." I stood up and turned my head to the right. "Just keep your lips closed while I win this game, and we'll be good."

  I was almost surprised by his silence. I lifted my club and swung as his voice ripped around the early morning.

  "FOUR!"

  The jolt of it caused me to twist and shoot my ball off into the trees.

  "You dick." I turned and rolled my eyes. "Karma is going to show up at the time when you least expect it."

  "Karma is my bitch. Don't be dumb here." He got in the cart and patted the seat beside him. "So you're really thinking about going to New York next year with Dana?"

  "Yeah. I have to support her dream, Damon." I got in the cart and let out a contented sigh. "You still up for me working for you from a distance?"

  "Absolutely. You come up with your job description, I'll slap a title on it and we'll call you employed once again."

  I nodded. "I appreciate it. Lance called yesterday, asking me to reconsider, but I can't. Me quitting means freedom to me, and it means a lot to Dana."

  "Of course it does. It's a statement that she matters more than some stupid job. Love has to come first."

  "I'm going to pull out my phone and hit record. Can you say that again? No one is going to believe that you said it at the next high school reunion."

  "You didn't even go to my high school, dip shit."

  "I still plan on crashing the party."

  "Word." He chuckled. "You know Beth and I are planning the wedding."

  "I know. I'll be there in any way you want me to."

  "I'm not sure what I'm going to do about the best man spot. I want you to have it, and I want Matty to have it too."

  "I'm honestly good with whatever you decide, dude. Dana and I will play any and every role you need us to."

  "And what about you guys?" He parked next to the last hole and turned the cart off. "You going to snatch her up and put a ring on her finger before anyone else does?"

  I growled and got out of the cart. "No one else is coming near my woman."

  "So no ring?"

  "Not yet. I want to court her a little more, but I will propose." I moved to the side and nodded toward the green. "Good luck with this one."

  He rolled his eyes. "If you think you screaming out 'four' is going to affect me, you're wrong. I've had many a woman scream 'God,' 'more,' 'harder,' while I was at my peak. You ain't got nothing on me."

  "Apparently not. Shit." I snorted and waited until he was in the perfect position.

  He glanced back. "Give it your all."

  "Yeah. Sure, buddy. I've got class, remember?"

  "Naw, you quit that gig." He laughed at his stupid play on words and turned, bending his knees and swinging.

  "Bethany and I slept together." I let my words be nothing more than a soft whisper.

  He jerked around and the ball went into the water. "What the fuck did you say?"

  "I said, God! More! Harder!" I laughed and turned to run as he tackled me and threw a few punches just for fun. I got mine in as well, and we went home, looking like we both got mugged. That's the story we told too... No one believed it.

  "Why would Damon give you a shiner?" Dana took the flowers I handed her and reached up to touch the side of my face. "I'm going to kill him."

  "You should. It hurt really bad." I tried to look sad, but I was pathetic at it.

  She laughed. "Let me discharge my last patient and we'll head over to Dr. Lewis' for dinner."

  "Good. I'll help." I leaned in for a quick kiss, but jerked back at the sound of an old woman screaming and hollering.

  "This seat is too small! Who's ass do you think these things were made for? I'm a size twelve and I barely got a cheek hanging on! How pathetic is this?"

  Dana lifted her eyebrows and turned. "Hi, Mrs. Delmaz. This is my boyfriend, Kendal."

  The older woman's demeanor changed immediately when she saw Dana. "Finally. I've been waiting to meet you since Dana started talking about you a month ago."

  "Nice to meet you, ma'am." I extended my hand and shook hers carefully.

  "The pleasure is all mine, handsome." She wagged her eyebrows and turned back to Dana. "I'd hold on tightly to this one. He's all sorts of pretty."

  "Pretty?" I pressed my hand to my chest and laughed. The woman was a hoot. No wonder Dana loved her job.

  "Very." Dana wagged her eyebrows and turned back to Mrs. Delmaz. "Your chariot awaits. Come on. I'll wheel you down."

  The older woman patted Dana's hand as they walked toward the elevator. I joined them and held it open.

  "Thank you, child." She glanced up at Dana as her eyes filled with tears. "I've been in a lot of hospitals, but never one where I fell in love with someone spe
cial."

  "Oh yeah?" Dana moved around to the side of the chair and squatted beside the woman. I felt like I was interfering with a private moment, but it was one I would remember for the rest of my life. Dana hadn't just cared for my sister... she'd loved her.

  "Yeah." The older woman wiped her nose with the back of her hand. "I want you to come visit me, okay?"

  "I will, but you gotta tell me the lucky guy you fell in love with." Dana smiled and my heart melted. She was so much more than I deserved. How could I ever live up to being a man worthy of her?

  "It wasn't a boy, silly thing." She touched Dana's cheek. "It was you, sweet girl. Thank you for giving me hope in humanity again. I'll never forget it."

  Dana moved up and wrapped her arms around the older woman as they cried together.

  The door opened and I pressed the button to hold it open, allowing them the time they needed to say their goodbyes.

  I watched from the stairs as she put Mrs. Delmaz in the car that showed up for her. My beautiful girl had a heart the size of Texas and it was all mine. Or some part of it.

  "Wow. I didn't realize I'd done so much for her." She walked toward me and wrapped her arms around me. "I should get extra for that."

  I laughed and leaned down, kissing her softly. "You get anything you want, baby, and extra of all of it too."

  "Good. Let's do dinner and then dirty up that bathtub of yours again."

  "I like the sound of that." I kissed her again, deepening it as the wind blew around us. Nothing could be more perfect.

  "I honestly wasn't sure I was ever going to make it out of med school." Nate laughed, his eyes alive with life. Humor. Every good thing available to us.

  His wife reached over and touched his arm, her hand frail, but her voice full of love. "I didn't think you were going to either. You were such a rascal back then, and Aiden didn't help any."