Love Me ~ Through the Storm

by Renee Kennedy

  “Now hold on, both of you,” Ben interceded, his arms extended in a conciliatory gesture. “No one is spending a night in jail. Trespassing doesn’t warrant that.” He looked over his glasses at Jamie. “What it does warrant is an apology. The posted fine for trespassing on private property is $500.00. Since there’s five of you, that’s $2500. That should put a dent in the damages incurred.” He slid an uneasy glance at Mac who had stiffened in disbelief.

  “What?” he exploded then uttered an expletive and paced the room. “Ben has your mind turned to mush? A smile from a blue-eyed blonde and you’re babbling nonsense. I want that boy,” he pointed to Jamie, then waved a hand in the general direction of the others, “and his friends behind bars.”

  Emboldened by Dixie, the parents began to protest.

  “Now hold on a minute, Mac…”

  “Listen to reason, would ya ..”

  “You can’t be serious, …

  Ben once again held up his hands for silence, but he was ignored as the parents rounded on Mac with angry protestations, Dixie Harris leading the uproar. Ben shouted for silence and when that too, was ignored, he blew his riot whistle shrilly. “Quiet! You’re all gonna get a chance. Harris, you go first,” he pointed to Dixie’s brother, who appeared to be the leader of the boys.

  “Look, mister, I didn’t vandalize your houses. I’m telling you the truth,” Jamie exclaimed heatedly. “The others with me can tell you the same thing we told the cops.” Jamie glanced at the boys, who nodded. “It was supposed to be a joke. You see, there was this man …”

  Mac’s eyes burned like those of a great beast deprived of its prey as he stepped up to Jamie and listened to his tale. Dixie knew he didn’t believe a word of it, and Jamie’s insistence that there was another man involved made little sense, even to her. Her brother wasn’t responsible for the vandalism, however, just in using bad judgment. She was sure of that, and it was up to her to make Mac Coalson understand it as well.

  She stepped between him and Jamie, intending to do just that. Looking up at Mac’s face as he listened to her brother, she noticed the deeply etched lines of fatigue and felt a twinge of sympathy. She reined in her temper. After all, he had a right to be angry at the persons responsible, but it wasn’t her brother. “I’m sorry for the trouble you’ve been through, but Jamie was not a part of it. I’ll get to the bottom of tonight’s escapades, let me assure you. And I do apologize for the inconvenience you have suffered tonight. I truly wish you luck in finding the real criminal.”

  She touched his arm in a small gesture of comfort and felt his muscles contract. His flesh seemed to burn her hand through the fabric. Hastily, she withdrew from the contact as she met the fire in his eyes. Well, drat. Apologies were obviously not accepted.

  She shivered as she remembered an artist’s rendering of the Gates of Hell she had seen at a museum. Mac Coalson and Satan now shared the same look of bored indifference. No reason to continue with apologies, so she gave up. Turning to Ben, she offered a small smile. “Sheriff, where do I pay the fine?”

  Dixie turned back to Mac as his deep voice rumbled like thunder over her head. “I appreciate your concern for my company, but you would do well to concern yourself with your future employment. After this year, I’ll make sure you’re not needed as a teacher in this area. I do apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, and I wish you luck in finding a new position.” Turning her words as well as his back on her, he signed the papers Ben offered him, curtly dismissing her.

  Dixie’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Influential you may be, but you can hardly expect to get away with that threat. I have witnesses!” She looked around, and then laughed incredulously, as everyone, including the sheriff, hung their heads and refused to meet her gaze. Well, it was obvious she wasn’t getting any help from these people, despite the fact that they were on her side just a few minutes ago. Her brother had trespassed on the Coalson’s private kingdom and now there would be a heavy price to pay.

  Her temper flared again at the injustice of it all. “It appears we are at a stalemate,” she began, “but please allow me to say that I think you are the most obnoxious, arrogant, chauvinistic man that I have ever encountered. I will dance with joy when I clear my brother’s name and make you the laughingstock of the county. I promise you that.” She punctuated the last sentence with little jabs to his chest with her finger.

  Mac smiled evilly as he grasped her hand and brought it to his lips. “I look forward to the experience, little lady. And while you practice your dancing, you might want to brush up on your singing, because when I prove that your brother is guilty, you may wind up singing for your supper.” He kissed her hand lightly, then turned to one of the parents, completely dismissing her. Dixie’s tempered reached its boiling point.

  Ben proceeded to hand the release papers to a sputtering Dixie. “I’ve talked to Judge Larkin and he agreed with me. Since your brother and these boys have no priors, we feel it’s safe to let him go into your care.” He slid a glance at Mac over the rim of his glasses. “And unless Mr. Coalson changes his mind, the court date is set for two weeks from today at 2 p.m., unless we turn up some other evidence. If we do, we’ll be in touch.”

  Dixie smiled at the older man. It couldn’t be easy dealing with a tyrant like Mac Coalson. And the fact that her hand still tingled from his kiss was something she didn’t even want to think about. “Thank you, Sheriff. I assure you, when I find out who is behind this mess, you will be the first to know.” She flung her handbag over her shoulder, hitting Mac in the chest with grim satisfaction, then proceeded down the hall toward the entrance without a word of apology. “C’mon, Jamie. We’re gonna find us a vandal.”

  Mac passed her in two strides and held open the door with a smirk that belied the gentlemanly gesture. After a moment’s hesitation, Dixie passed through, her head held high and her nose in the air. As she walked to her car, she felt the eyes of that odious man on her, mentally stripping her bare and taking in her, uhm er, attributes. She glanced back in time to see the slow grin that lit his face. He winked. He had done it deliberately, and he wanted her to know it.

  Dixie slammed the door to the white Jeep and started the engine. She would not glance at the doorway of the station again to see if he was still watching her, she wouldn’t. How could she have been attracted, even for a moment, to that, that, ooohh, horrible man? The situation must have addled her brain, that’s the only explanation. As she drove away, she sent her brother a fulminating stare. “Now, suppose you tell me what really happened tonight?”

  Mac watched Dixie and her brother whip out of the parking lot. She was the most exasperating female he had ever encountered. Such a tiny slip of a woman standing up to him and giving him what for. It had been somewhat amusing until she had accused him of the vandalism. Then he had gotten pissed.

  Mac had been silently amused as the little scenario played out before him. Ben, trying his best to act like a big city law enforcer, citing this case and that to the parents of the kids; the Harris kid playing the belligerent teen, all righteous indignation and stiff pride; and Miss Harris was obviously the tragic heroine of this little play. But her remarks about insurance fraud definitely cast him as the villain; and for some obscure reason, he hadn’t cared for that one bit. Not to mention the fact that the damn kids were trespassing.

  He followed the red taillights as they receded into the night, grimly aware that the sexual awareness of her had not abated and he was getting hard. He could still feel the touch of her fingers on his arm. Hell, this was totally crazy. The absolute last thing he needed was to get sidetracked by some sexy blonde. People were counting on him. He couldn’t allow himself to get distracted, even if he hadn’t been this attracted to a woman in quite a while.

  “She kinda makes your blood boil, don’t she?” Ben asked as he came up behind Mac and handed him a cup of coffee.

  Mac acknowledged the question with a shrug. He was usually so calm and controlled. Granted, there were extenu
ating circumstances here, but he had never been known to lose his temper with a woman. Usually, he retreated into his icy politeness routine. But, he had admired the way she stood up to him, blasting him with her fury. At least, until she had pissed him off royally by accusing him of the vandalism.

  Ben smiled slightly. “Yes sir, she’s enough to make a man’s blood boil.” He peered at Mac who was still staring out into the night, sipping absently at the horrible coffee. “Question is, precisely why does she make your blood boil, my boy?”

  He cackled when Mac rolled his eyes at him.

  Fatal Obession

  By, Lynn Stookes

  Prologue

  March 17th

  Sitting back in my car seat, careful not to be seen, I wait for her to leave the house. The front door opens, revealing the blonde beauty plaguing my thoughts and dreams the past several weeks. My life has been consumed by the woman standing on the porch locking her house. With an extra bounce in her step, she glides down the porch stairs and gets into her black sedan in the driveway and drives away. I’ve been watching her for weeks, she leaves for work the same time every morning and arrives home the same time each evening. Today is no different.

  Once I’m positive she’s far enough away, I sit up and observe my surroundings to see if anyone is around to see me. Satisfied no one will see me, I climb out of my truck and rapidly cross the street to avoid appearing suspicious. Rounding the corner of the house, I reach the back door and pull out the key I stole months ago. The dog growls from the other side of the door. The first time I entered the house, she caught me off guard and actually bit me. Having learned my lesson, I pull out my tranquilizer gun. Swinging the door open, I aim and shoot the dog before she even has a chance to register what’s happening. She whimpers before hitting the ground and I feel a slight twinge of remorse. Slight. I’m a dog lover, but this one is in the way of what I want and no person, animal, or otherworldly creature will keep me from my goal.

  Entering the house, I shut the door behind me and quickly key in the security code. Unhurriedly, I walk through the house, running my hands over her things as I make my way upstairs to her bedroom. Last week, I spent time in the attic and found her childhood journals. She’ll never miss them, so I took them and have been reading about her life, absorbing every detail I deem worthy.

  Opening her bedroom door, I walk towards the bed and pick up her pillow, inhaling the sweet smell of strawberries from her shampoo. After I place the pillow back on the bed, I walk into the bathroom to find out which products she uses, so I’ll be prepared when she comes to me. I open the cabinet underneath the sink and stare at the products, taking note of everything. A familiar pink box sticks out near the back of the cabinet. My heart races. Sweat pours down my brow. No, she can’t be. I grab the box to see it’s open and one is missing. Throwing down the box, I search the trash can next to the sink and find what I’m searching for.

  Fuck. This will ruin everything. She’s supposed to be mine when this is over. How am I going to handle this? I pace the small bathroom. My plan is now more difficult to pull off. She’ll never willingly come with me. I have to do something, but what?

  I stop dead and smile as an idea hits me. It couldn’t be more perfect. It will make everyone happy and I’ll make her mine, one way or another. SHE WILL BE MINE.

  Chapter One

  Kylie

  March 23rd

  “Kylie! Hurry up! We’re going to be late for our reservation!”

  “I’m hurrying! Hold your horses!” I yell down the stairs.

  Applying some lip gloss, I reflect on my appearance in the mirror one last time. My long straight blonde hair hangs loose, hitting midway down my back. The smoky eye shadow I applied earlier makes my green eyes stand out. Running my hands down my body, I smooth down my little black dress before I place my hands on my lower stomach, wondering how long it’ll take me to show. Today is the day I’ll tell Jeff, my husband of three years, he’s finally going to be a daddy. We’ve been trying desperately to get pregnant for almost a year. At first, when I realized I was late, I didn’t want to get Jeff’s hopes up after all the false alarms we’ve had. While he was at work, I took a home pregnancy test and called to set up an appointment with my doctor immediately. This morning, I received an official sonogram showing I’m 8 weeks along. My plan is to tell him when we arrive home from our three year anniversary dinner. I have Jeff’s favorite dessert, chocolate cheesecake, waiting in the fridge. On the bottom of the plate, I placed a copy of today’s sonogram. Butterflies flutter in my stomach with excitement. Today is a good day and I can’t wait to share the amazing news with Jeff.

  I start towards the stairs with a smile on my face. At the sound of my fire red heels, Jeff looks up from his phone at the bottom of the stairs. Worry is on his face, but it’s wiped clear as soon as he lays eyes on me and replaced with a smoldering heated gaze.

  “Turn around,” he says walking up the stairs, determination clear on his face.

  “Why? I’m ready to go. I thought you were in a hurry.”

  As he gets to the step right below me, so we’re the same height, he wraps his arms around my waist, where they sit right above my ass.

  Jeff leans in and whispers roughly in my ear, “I changed my mind. We can just stay here and I’ll devour you all night instead.” He kisses a trail from my ear, down my neck to my collar bone, which he knows is my weak spot. The chemistry between us is explosive as usual. I sigh and lean in, taking in his cologne I’d recognize anywhere.

  He begins sliding the straps of my dress down my shoulder, leaving kisses along the way, when a loud bark interrupts us. Jezebel, our sixty-five pound pit bull, sits at the bottom of the stairs, barking and jumping. After our first false positive pregnancy test, Jeff thought it would cheer me up to get a dog from the shelter since I’d always wanted one growing up. Her excitement always peaks when Jeff and I barely touch. Laughing, I pull back saying, “That would be our cue to leave.”

  Jeff literally growls and tries to pull me to him as I put my arm out to hold him back. Jeff sighs and walks back down the stairs. “Once again cock blocked by the damn dog. I’m going to make her an outside dog exclusively pretty soon.”

  I smile at his threats, knowing he’ll never follow through. “Poor baby. Now let’s go. I’m starved. The sooner we eat, the sooner we can come home and pick up where we left off. I might even give you a little action on the car ride home.” I pass by him and place a small peck on his cheek, while patting his firm chest.

  Jeff helps me with my wrap and we walk out. Always the perfect gentleman, he holds open the car door for me. I look at Jeff, “Have to be careful getting in and out of the car tonight. Wouldn’t want to flash anyone.” I wink at Jeff slowly sitting down.

  Jeff eyes widen, “Wait! Does that mean you aren’t wearing panties?”

  “Well, I couldn’t have panty lines tonight, now could I?” Jeff just stares at my long legs. “Come on, honey. We don’t want to be late.”

  He walks around the car and I hear him mumbling, “Damn, fucking dog.”

  We make the thirty minute drive to the restaurant in about twenty, talking about our jobs and catching up. Jeff’s work usually keeps him late in the evenings. Three months ago, he opened his own software company with a partner, so we aren’t seeing as much of each other as normal. The fact he could make time to take me to dinner tonight blew my mind. I was only expecting a card and some flowers, maybe jewelry, since it was three years. When he told me he made reservations at the hot new restaurant, Angelos, I jumped for joy.

  When we pull up to the restaurant, the valet tries to open my door, but Jeff jumps out fast and yells, “No! Let me!”

  I chuckle at his antics, knowing he wants to make sure if I do flash anyone, it’ll be him and no one else. He runs around the car and pulls my door open. Taking his hand, I very carefully get out with no mishaps. Jeff hands the key to the waiting valet and hooks my arm through his as we walk through the restaurant’s front doo
r.

  We greet the hostess and Jeff says, “Delaney. Reservation for 8 o’clock.”

  The young hostess peers up from her stand with a smile that doesn’t quite meet her eyes until she sees Jeff. He has that effect on women. With his tall, lean build, pitch black hair, and dark as sin green eyes that appear like they could stare a hole through you, he is definitely easy on the eyes. If I was the jealous type, it might bother me, but I know Jeff only has eyes for me. It’s been that way since the first day we met.

  It was my sophomore year in college and I was in a hurry after staying late to talk to my English Lit professor about extra credit projects. When we were done, I was already late for my next class. I packed up my books and pulled out my phone to check messages as I rushed out of the classroom, when I clumsily ran into a brick wall, or so I thought, knocking my books all over the floor. I bent down to pick up my things when the brick wall started helping me. I peeked up to say thank you and it was like one of those fairy tales where our eyes met for the first time. It was lust at first sight. He took my breath away. We sat there for what seemed like a lifetime just staring, when in actuality it was probably just a few seconds, until a girl walked up to Jeff and asked if he was okay. I looked up at the incredibly gorgeous dark haired girl watching us with an eyebrow raised. Of course this God has a girlfriend who looks like a Goddess. I picked up all my books and notes in a hurry, trying to get away ASAP. I stood up too fast and got lightheaded. Jeff, as I learned from the dark-haired goddess, grabbed me by my arms to steady me.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Oh yeah. Just another normal day in Kylie land. Being a complete klutz,” I replied. “Sorry I bulldozed you.”

  He laughed a deep amazing laugh that made me stop breathing once again. “At least I got bulldozed by a beautiful klutz,” he winked.