She pushed back her chair, not sure if she was happy or not with the result. Once they got outside, wonderful Max gave her a hug.
“You want to get some dinner?”
“I think I’d rather pick up something at the grocery store and eat in the condo. I’m beat.”
He kissed her forehead. “Sounds wonderful to me.”
She directed him to the store since she wanted to pick up some staples. She wouldn’t be going back to Wyoming anytime soon and had to have food. She needed more evidence that Heather, or someone, was stealing from her.
At the store, Max’s cell rang. “Brian?”
His shoulders sagged, sending her senses to alert. She stopped pushing the cart.
“I’m in California. Let him sit in jail for a while. Any damage?”
He had to be talking about Ian. Dear God, what had he done?
“In a few days. Thanks for calling me.” His jaw hardened. “Apparently, my twin couldn’t wait for me to get out of town before cutting loose.”
“What happened?”
“He got drunk. Someone must have tossed him an insult because he punched the guy out. Jackson, my brother-in-law, stopped the fight. The guy was an out-of-towner whose wife had come just for the charity show. He threatened to sue if the police didn’t throw him in jail.”
She stepped closer and gave him a hug. “You don’t know any other details?”
“No, but that’s Ian being Ian.”
She didn’t like that Max was always putting him down. “Your brother isn’t as irresponsible as you think.”
He cocked a brow. “Oh, yeah? How did you draw that conclusion?”
“He seemed very intent on picking the best cattle when we went to the auction.”
“I’ll give him that, but he doesn’t take initiative in running the farm. He’d rather ride around town in his new truck than haul feed.”
Since she didn’t want to get into a pissing match about Ian, she went in search of the rest of the meal. Neither of them seemed to be in a particularly good mood, but perhaps some good food would change their outlook.
After she paid for their groceries, Max carried the bag to her car. She let him pull out of the lot before she asked again about Ian. “Are you going to call Ian and ask for his side of the story?”
“If he’s in jail, they would have confiscated his cell.”
“Why do you think he lost control?”
“He’s Ian.”
That wasn’t a good answer, but it was probably the best she was going to get. Since the grocery store was near her condo, they arrived in no time. Max said nothing after his comment about Ian. This wasn’t a good start to the evening.
Inside, she emptied the contents. “I’ll start dinner. You want to help?” Maybe if they did something together, she could draw him back in.
“Sure.”
“Can you make a salad?”
“Can I win at chess?”
She couldn’t tell if he was being sarcastic or attempting to be funny. She handed him the ingredients and a large bowl. “Go for it.”
She got out a pot and set in on the stove to boil. After she mixed the meat with some other ingredients, she rolled the meatballs and sautéed them. The water boiled and she dropped in the spaghetti. Max made the salad, but from the way he slowly ripped apart each piece of lettuce, his mind was in Wyoming.
After the meal was finished cooking, she served up the food and brought the dishes over to the table. She hadn’t wanted to broach Max’s plans, but she needed to know where they stood. He’d come to California to help her find the criminal. Now that job lay in the hands of the police.
“How long can you stay?” She’d love to have him around for the next few weeks, but she suspected he wanted to check on the ranch.
“I have to leave as soon as possible.”
“I understand.” She twirled her spaghetti on her spoon and ate a large bite. “I was thinking that once this mess clears, I’ll head on back to Intrigue.”
He stopped his fork in midbite. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
Not only did his words hurt, but his lack of eye contact told her a lot. “Why?”
“Ian is not a responsible person. You’ll only get hurt, and I told you that we come as a package deal.”
He was not going to succeed at pushing her away. “I’m in love with Ian.” I’m in love with you, too.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Is that so hard to believe?”
“He’s a smooth one. Believe me, if you come visit, he may have moved on.”
She didn’t think that was true. “I’ll take my chances.”
“Please don’t.” He pushed back from his chair and headed into the bedroom leaving the food mostly uneaten on his plate.
“Where are you going?” She got up and followed him.
“To pack.”
“You can pack after you eat.”
“I think I’d better head to the airport and see if I can get a flight home tonight. If I can’t, I’ll spend the night at the airport hotel.”
She watched him stuff his clothes in his suitcase. With each shirt he crammed in, her heart splintered. Didn’t he see that by rushing off, he hurt her more than Ian ever could? Saying nothing, she watched him gather his gear.
I will not cry.
I will not cry.
Her eyes shimmered despite her pledge. He snapped closed the suitcase and lifted it.
“I’m very sorry this happened. I had high hopes, but Ian dashed them.”
You dashed them.
Eyes closed, he cupped the back of her head with his free hand and kissed her. His inhale at the end implied this might be as hard on him as it was on her. If only he’d see that she loved both brothers just the way they were, things would be so great.
He left without looking back. The moment the door clicked closed, a giant sob bubbled up. “Why me?” She’d finally found someone to love and who she thought loved her, and he walked away.
* * * *
Ian paced the cell, not the least bit remorseful for punching that dick in the face. What right did he have to slam the models? If that ass had taken the time to speak with a few of the girls, he’d have realized that not all models were dumb, and they weren’t all loose.
The deputy came into the room. “Your brother’s here to bail you out.”
He wasn’t sure he wanted to go. Being with Max might be worse than staying incarcerated until the trial. The deputy unlatched the door, and he had no choice but to leave.
It looked like someone had emptied Max and filled him with cement. As soon as Ian picked up his possessions, Max spun on his heels and he followed him out. Hello to you, too, bro.
Ian piled into the front seat of the truck, though he might have been more comfortable in the back. At least Max couldn’t glare at him on the ride home.
“Next time, hit the wall instead of a person’s face.” He could talk. Ian thought Max might give him the silent treatment for a few weeks.
“You mean make sure the ass I hit isn’t a friend of the mayor.”
“Yeah.”
“Do you want to hear my side?”
“Deputy told me.”
Perhaps when Max was willing to listen, he’d share. “Did you catch the thief in LA?”
“I got evidence about who was guilty. The police are handling the details.”
That implied the answer was no, which was why Devonne hadn’t flown back. “What’s Devonne’s state of mind?”
“She’s upset.”
He figured, but hearing it still tore him up. “When the dust settles, I trust she’s coming back.” His gut churned when Max didn’t answer. “She is coming back, right?”
“No.”
His mouth turned dry. “Why the fuck not?” Max’s knuckles had turned white.
“I told her not to.”
His hands clenched. “Why?” He hadn’t meant to shout. If they hadn’t been in the truck, they might have come to
blows.
Max glanced over at him. “You’d hurt her, and I didn’t want to see that happen.”
“You have to be kidding. You think I would hurt her?” He slapped the dash. “You’re the fucking idiot who broke her heart by not telling her to come here.”
“You’d lose interest,” he said more calmly than Ian thought possible.
“I love her.”
“Is that why the moment she leaves, you’re gallivanting around getting drunk? Pick up any women while you were out?”
The comment cut so deep, no words came out. He dropped his head back against the seat and forced himself to stay calm and not say something he’d regret. They turned into the ranch drive, and he was never more thankful to be able to get out of Max’s sight. He had to find a way to convince both his brother and Devonne that he was ready to devote his life to her. What that would take he didn’t know.
* * * *
The last three weeks had nearly killed Ian. The ranch became dead without Devonne. He hadn’t realized how lifeless the place was after she’d left. She’d given him a new purpose. He wanted a wife, and he wanted a family. That would only work if he and Max could get along again.
His brother had softened somewhat in that he’d started ordering him around again. However, Ian made it a point to get up earlier than usual and was out the door before Max could rant. Ian kept his visits to the Raging Bull limited to Saturday night. Of late, he hadn’t had as much fun unless it was to share a drink with the hands. He had no desire to look for another woman. He wanted Devonne.
Today, he was on his horse on the way to fix an area of fence that had been damaged from a truck mishap. Usually he would have asked the hands to take care of that, but he needed the physical release of hard work. He also wanted to contribute more to the place. It was his livelihood, and if and when Devonne came back, he wanted the ranch in top-notch order.
There’d be no more auctions until the spring. While fall was rolling in soon, they’d have to worry about moving their cattle to a warmer climate for the winter.
He spotted the broken fence. This part of the land had barbed wire across the back. He dismounted, donned some heavy-duty gloves and went about repairing the damage.
Yesterday, he and the man he hit had settled for a small sum of money. A few locals had testified that the man had been talking trash about the models, and Ian had defended the women’s honor. While he was glad that event was behind him, it pissed him off that Max thought that incident was enough to keep Devonne away.
He felt dumb for not getting any contact information from her. He would have liked to e-mail, call, or even Skype her, but Max said it was for the best if they kept their distance. It would only make things more difficult.
Once he fixed the fence, he rode back to the barn and brushed down his horse. The simple acts of working the ranch gave him such pleasure. If Max got out more, he might understand how things ran around here. The ranch hands usually came to Ian for advice, but somehow Max thought he did nothing.
Disgusted, he brushed the dust off his chaps with his hat and headed back inside to shower. Max was in town meeting with someone who wanted to buy the beef, so the house was silent when he stepped inside. He’d gotten halfway to his room when the doorbell rang.
He scanned his memory for who it might be. The only one who came unannounced was Sam. He trotted to the door and opened it.
“Devonne?” He didn’t know why he made that a question, but his tongue got tied.
She smiled and threw her pretty self into his arms. He probably smelled, but at the moment neither seemed to care. Their lips touched, and his whole body sizzled. To say his cock stood to attention was an understatement.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a cab sitting in the drive. “Tell me you got some luggage and that you’re staying.”
“If you’ll have me.”
“Have you? I’m never letting you go. If Max says anything, I might have to kill him.” She laughed.
He disengaged and jogged over to the cabbie who was taking her gear from the trunk. Devonne must have told him that she was uncertain about the reception. “Let me help you.”
She had four suitcases. Once they got them unloaded, the cabbie smiled and drove off.
He shoved two cases under his arms and grabbed the other two. He more or less waddled back to the house. “Follow me.”
He led her back to the spare bedroom she’d had before. They could decide later which bed she’d sleep in.
“Did Max contact you?” Maybe his brother had softened and asked her to return.
With his back to her, he couldn’t see her reaction. “No. The police investigated the theft, and my store manager will be prosecuted. I would have come sooner, but I had to train someone else to take over her job. I know Max said not to come, but I think what he told me was wrong.”
Ian put down her suitcases and spun around. “Did he claim I was a fuckup and that I’d found someone else or something?” He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from spitting.
“More or less.”
“He’s dead wrong.”
“I know. That’s why I’m here.” Her eyes shimmered. “I’ve been so miserable without you two.”
Those were the sweetest words he’d ever heard. “Sugar, I’m not trying to minimize your pain, but I’ve been in far worse shape.”
They rushed into each other’s arms and nearly devoured each other. Ian pulled back. “I have to shower. I’ve got more dirt on me than a snake after a dust storm.”
She laughed. “I’ve got plane grime. Does that count?”
“You saying you want to join me?”
“I’ve heard there’s a water shortage in Wyoming, and since I plan on moving here, I want to help out the state.”
He leaned his head back and laughed. “When you were here, did I ever tell you I loved you?”
A tear balanced on her lashes. “No, but I knew.”
He grinned. She understood him. That was why they’d connected. “Well, let’s get you undressed. I’ll try to keep my hands to myself until after we’re clean.”
Chapter Sixteen
As soon as Ian had opened the door and Devonne saw the shine in his eyes, the tension had disappeared. Her usual confidence had slowly eroded on the plane ride over as Max’s words echoed in her mind about not wanting her to come. She’d wanted to call and talk with Ian, but all of her friends told her to let one of the men contact her. That was not how she worked. If she wanted something, she always had to go after it.
“Turn around and let me unzip you,” Ian said.
His fingers fumbled on the metal, but he got her dress open after a few tugs. He’d already turned on the shower water before he undressed, and the steam wet her skin. “Hurry.”
He slid the dress over her shoulders and kissed her neck. “I’ve dreamed of doing this every night since you’ve been gone. I can’t begin to tell you how much I’ve wanted you.”
His pained words soothed her aching doubts. “I hoped you would.”
Her bra came undone, and Ian’s fingers wrapped around her front and rubbed her breasts. Then one hand slid down her belly. Her pussy creamed from the anticipation. “Shouldn’t we get clean first?”
His hand stopped its descent. “I got carried away.”
“I’m not leaving, so you can be carried away for a long time.”
He turned her around and gently kissed her as if she were fragile. She pressed her hands against his chest to guide him back.
He chuckled. “I’m going. I know I must smell.”
His masculine appeal heightened her senses, but she didn’t want his head to get any bigger. She loved Ian just the way he was. He stepped into the shower then pulled her in, but he stood under the water first. Dirt cascaded off his skin.
“Switch.” He grabbed the liquid soap and dribbled it on his body. “Let me get clean, and then I want to wash you.”
“Save me some spots, too.”
He scrubbed his l
egs, chest, and arms. His hand hovered over his cock for a bit then stopped. “I’ll leave him to you.”
“My pleasure.”
He doused some shampoo on his head.
“You can rinse.”
“I’ll wait. I love to watch you.”
She wanted to be squeaky clean, so as soon as he stepped from the spray, she washed her hair, too. Her conditioner from when she was here last month remained in the shower. So that was where she’d left it. She rinsed and conditioned her hair.
While Ian waited for the water, he put a few drops of bodywash on his palm and dragged it over her tits. “God, but I’ve missed you.”
His rough hands soothed her achy tits. “Not any more than I’ve missed you.”
He moved closer and captured her lips. Pulling her to his chest, he changed positions so that the water hit his back. His hard cock pressed against her as he devoured her mouth, and their tongues explored each other as if for the first time. Her slippery chest made it hard to press into her chest with enough pressure.
Soap dripped down his face and nearly got into her mouth. “Rinse your hair before I start eating soap.”
He grinned, and her heart sang. This man made her see all of the possibilities in life. The soap quickly left his scalp, and he returned to kissing her. When his lips touched her neck, he stepped back.
“Your conditioning isn’t my choice of flavors either.”
“Whoops.”
He let her rinse her hair clean. When she was done, she palmed some soap and went to work cleaning his thick cock. As soon as she wrapped her hand around his length, his eyes closed. “It’s like the illusion is coming true.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you are my intimate illusion.”
She laughed at his phrase. “I suppose that means you’re planning on being intimate. I can assure you, however, I am no longer an illusion.”
“I pray to God that’s true.”
Her hand stilled as his mouth captured her nipple. He tugged hard, but his teeth slipped off. “I think I like you dry better.”
“That can be arranged as soon as I finish cleaning you.” She rubbed her hand up and down his cock.
Intimate Illusions [The Callens 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 13