Tempting Navid

by Victoria Pinder

  Olivia leaned closer and giggled. "Who married Oliver? Scarlett and I both had a major crush on him as teenagers."

  Olivia used to write poetry saying Olivia and Oliver were two of the same coin. Elle laughed at the memory. "I remember, though I don't know anything other than she's religious."

  Olivia broke into peals of amusement. "Ollie and a church girl? Didn't he run out of church on his motorcycle one Christmas morning to have sex with Nadia?"

  "He was eighteen." Elle remembered her parents yelling at Oliver that day, but she was never clear on why. "We were ten so we can’t be sure."

  Olivia let her hand go, stood, and nodded. "Either way I'd like to see her, his wife."

  "Me too." Elle smoothed a few wrinkles from her jeans. "Do I look okay? I should go back to Navid. I'm worried about him."

  "You look sweet. Brush your hair though," Olivia advised.

  Elle went to the bathroom, leaving the door open, and wet a brush in the sink to attack her hair. Olivia stared at her with her arms crossed. "Why are you worried? The bad guys are gone. You can go back to his mansion, stay here, or join us on a holiday in my castle, whatever you decide. I’m sorry I didn’t know about the fix you were in earlier—but Scarlett said you wouldn’t take any "charity". My help isn’t that though. You are family and a dear friend."

  "You are my family—thank you."

  "You can talk to me about anything."

  Soon, she'd have a one-on-one conversation with Navid. For now she'd not mention how he couldn’t forget the men he’d killed in the past. Today must have brought back his fears in full force. She couldn't tell Olivia. It felt wrong, so she chose her words carefully. "Something happened to Navid a long time ago that he’s struggling with."

  "I see." Olivia didn't push for more. "So, what are you going to do about it?"

  "I don't know." Elle walked with her to the door.

  Olivia said, "Well if you need help, let me know."

  Near the turn into the living area, Elle tilted her head and suggested, "This time, wait for the tea."

  Olivia nodded. "Scarlett already scolded all of us. She read about that and some picnic coming up."

  Navid, James, Conner and Gabe, were all in deep conversation though Navid held Margo as if he couldn’t let his daughter out of his sight. Olivia said, "I don't think you can escape our family now, Elle."

  Elle's eyes misted. Everything would work out, if Navid forgave himself. In the safe room, she’d wanted to confess her feelings, but the warning in his eyes showed her he cared, but he still held back. She wiped her eyes and stared at Olivia, "Navid and Margo are your family, for real. Take good care of them?"

  As they neared the kitchen where Scarlett and Andrada Hawke hovered by the oven where they warmed leftovers, Olivia quickly whispered, "You are already my best friend, but I hope soon you become my sister-in-law."

  Family was so important to Navid. Could he start with letting her in, to make he and Margo, three? She envisioned them having a picnic somewhere in a green park, blue sky, lots of sunshine. Her face warmed with emotion. "One day at a time."

  She glanced at Navid who put his daughter down and their gazes briefly met. What was he thinking?

  Olivia pressed her hand on her arm and took her out of the moment. "I’m proof that dreams can become reality. Is Navid your dream?"

  "Yes." Elle answered without hesitation as she saw the outline of his half-smile and then he turned and talked to the other men.

  Olivia let her go but craned her neck to see if the pair caught another glance. She then nudged her shoulder. "Then tell him how you feel and don't think you have to be anything other than yourself. Follow your heart."

  Andrada hovered near the pan of boiling water. "Navid, we're ready for this tea now. Should I-"

  "That's just part one. Let me prepare it." Navid walked away from the men and took her hand in his dash for the kitchen. "Elle, can you come here and help me for a moment?"

  "Absolutely." She latched fingers with his. Together they could go and make tea, protect Margo or anything else he might need her to do. She loved him, and soon she'd have to tell him.

  But first it was time to celebrate with friends.

  Navid had circles beneath his dark eyes and a haunted expression on his face, Elle decided. What ghosts could she banish for him?

  He sat next to her as his family gathered in the living room drinking tea from glass cups. Elle stifled a yawn. Where had the day gone? Andrada held the cup beneath her nose and breathed in, then sipped the last drop. "This tea is delicious."

  "Would you like more?" Navid picked up the ceramic glass pot from the center table.

  Andrada nodded as he refilled her glass cup. She briefly touched his hand and smiled at him. "This is lovely."

  "I hope you enjoy." Navid picked up the kettle, so she assumed he'd want to make another cup.

  Scarlett finished her cup and stared at the glass she held. "Is there a reason the tea is in a clear glass cup?"

  Navid nodded. "So everyone can see the color that you prefer and how the host serves the tea. I prefer a stronger tea with a darker color to serve. If you want lighter..."

  "No." Scarlett smiled like she’d guessed the million dollar answer on a game show. "I thought there was a reason, Navid."

  At least this time Navid spoke more to his family than he had over dinner. Elle stayed quiet, listening, but then Navid placed his hand on her knee and picked up the kettle. "Elle, come and help me."

  Sure, she could boil water with the best of them. She followed him to the kitchen, took the metal pot and filled it with water while he cleaned out the smaller ceramic one that went on top. "What's going on?"

  He refilled the small one with more tea leaves then washed them in cold water. "I need to go out for a few minutes once everyone is gone."

  "Where?" She put the metal container full of water on the stove and turned the heat to medium.

  He placed his hand on her back and leaned close. "I need to figure something out but I'll be back in an hour. Can you stay with Margo?"

  "Yes, of course. That's my job." She turned around but stayed in his arms. Once she was sure his hands stayed on her hips, she wrapped hers around his neck. "Now, as your girlfriend, I have to say I'll miss you."

  He kissed her. "I'll be back fast."

  "Please, hurry." She closed her eyes and lifted her face.

  The press of his mouth against hers blew her away. His lips made her forget everything else but him.

  The water boiled so he ended the kiss. She stepped away and caught her breath. She needed to tell him that she loved him. It was this huge bubble that wanted to burst out of her, but she held back. She could wait until everyone left.

  He poured the water into the ceramic tea pot and set it on low. Then he took her hand and they left the kitchen. "The next pot will be ready in a few minutes."

  They walked together and Olivia gestured to their joined hands. "Navid, I want to say I think the two of you make an adorable couple..."

  A ring pierced the air, saving her from scrutiny. "My phone." She slipped out of his grasp and went to the table she’d left her phone on and glanced at her brother’s name on the screen. She met Navid's gaze. "It's Oliver." He must have gotten his phone, and number, back. "Please give me one second."

  "Navid, I would love to come to your wedding one day," Scarlett, ever the matchmaker, said.

  Navid's voice deepened as he answered her. "I'm not good husband material."

  The words rolled around in Elle's head. He'd be a perfect husband. He protected what was his. He cared about his daughter more than life itself. He always treated her as important, but none of that could be said at the moment. She walked down the hall and answered the phone before it rang again. "Oliver, how are you?"

  "Settling into a house in Washington for an extra day." Right. His new wife must live there. Eventually he'd migrate back to Florida and his legion of women. "We're splitting into teams. Roy, Logan and I are working on ge
tting Mom out."

  Roy was a lawyer. The thought of her mother in prison hit her hard and she pressed her back against the wall. This was too much. She imagined her mother dressed in an orange jump suit. "Navid said he'd give us the money."

  Oliver asked. "Navid is your boyfriend? What's his last name?"

  She pictured her oldest brother standing with his arms crossed. She crossed her arms in response. "Now it's Hawke, but he grew up as Barampour."

  He made a tick with lips that he always made when judging her life. "Hawke? As in your friends?"

  She explained, "He's their half-brother and runs AMH. It's some computer company. He has the money to get Mom out. Dad too."

  "We'll keep that as a backup plan." His sigh told her plenty. Prison hadn't broken their pride, but at least he’d said yes. She was normally just like them but Navid took away her defenses. "It's too late to bail her out today. If our plan doesn’t work then I'll call you back."

  Good. Someone had clearly set up her family and for them to figure out what happened meant they’d need to adapt to reduced circumstances, working against a muddied name. At least they were out. "What about the others?"

  Oliver said, "Dylan, Jake and Beau are putting the clues together for a trail to follow, and we'll join them once our mom is out. We'll find who did this, sis, don’t worry. How are things are with you?"

  For the first time in her life when a crisis happened, she hadn’t had all her brothers. But Navid was larger than life and now her hero. "Bobby Carr attempted to kidnap me and kill Navid."

  "The idiot with the whiskey you tried to go to prom with?" Oliver's voice pitched higher.

  She pushed against the wall. "The one you scared off. He tried to kill Navid…"

  "What?" Oliver sounded like he'd fly down here and protect her whether she needed him now or not. "You can't just stop talking, sis. Are you okay?"

  "Yes." She'd sort out her feelings for Navid before her family interfered with her life. "Navid was heavily drugged but he still managed to knock him out. We're all fine now."

  Oliver quickly said, "How? As a doctor, sis, that doesn't sound normal."

  Navid's guilt over his past was what held him back. Her heart whispered that she needed to give him time over the horrible husband answer. She blinked and told her brother, "Navid's had special training. He knows how to fight."

  "I can't wait to meet your boyfriend—much better than that idiot Bobby Carr. Who knows? When we find who set us up, we might be able to use someone like him."

  For the first time in her life, her brother sounded as if he might respect a man she chose. Which made her wonder, too. "I can't wait to meet your wife."

  "Well. You’ll know her already, though I’ll let you see for yourself." His voice thinned. "The marriage thing isn’t going so good."

  Her gaze narrowed. Oliver, despite running around with various women he'd never take home, still deserved to fall in love and be happy. He was a good doctor, a good brother and a good guy under all that swagger. "How?"

  "We went home and she picked up her bible to read to me. I closed my eyes and went to sleep. She slammed out of the room."

  "Oh no."

  "But I think Logan's liking his wife."

  "Logan likes normal women." Oliver was the one who chose high maintenance females, over and over again. Logan's previous girlfriends were still a few of her friends, or at least were before she was publicly shamed for crimes her family would never do. "Oliver, the cover models you brought home never made you happy. What's your wife's name?" "

  He rattled off his answer like he'd practiced. "I told you. You’ll see her again, in person. However Logan's wife’s name is Hannah Hughes, the sister to Harrison Hughes, who guarded the Hawke parents a few months back."

  The Hawke family had connections everywhere. She shrugged. "Small world. Call me tomorrow no matter what and have the others call me too. I can't wait for you to get back home."

  "Okay. Don't go running against someone dangerous without checking in with me first. I can't lose any of you, not now."

  Spoken like her big brother. She hung up the phone and closed her eyes to pray that somehow they'd make it through this nightmare. She had to believe that. She opened her eyes and went back to the living area where everyone sipped more tea.

  Olivia immediately asked, "Elle, how was your brother?"

  She slumped in her seat. "He's out of jail, on bail. He and my brothers are working on a plan to help my mother get out next."

  Navid reached out and caressed her knee. "Elle, I already told you. Let me know a number and where to send, and I'll give you the money."

  She nodded her head and stared into his blue eyes. "My brothers are proud and don't want help, not yet."

  Tom added, "As a business, we can't officially help you, but privately Elle, I'll get you whatever you need. There was absolutely no way your parents were thieves. And something is up because none of my inquiries have been answered."

  She turned her head as her eyes misted. "Thanks. It's hard when everyone thinks the worst."

  Andrada stood up, walked over and hugged her. "None of us believe the charges. Your mother volunteered teaching Sunday school, and she'd never tolerate stealing a penny from anyone."

  Tears streamed down her face. Until she’d come here, she'd been so on edge that she hadn't had time to feel sorry or sad. Now she felt herself crying buckets that didn't stop. Andrada didn't seem to mind that her sleeve became wet.

  Eventually Elle heard Scarlett tell Navid, "Take care of Elle. She's been through a lot."

  "She deserves the best," Navid answered.

  The best meant she should choose who to be with, and she loved him. She choked back her tears. "Sorry. I didn't know I'd do that."

  Andrada slowly pulled back. "It's okay sweetheart. We're all glad you're staying with Navid."

  Elle glanced at Navid who said nothing. She wiped her eyes and nose with tissues. He placed his hand on her knee again and it felt like the warm sun after a cold day.

  "We’ve now had multiple cups of tea." Tom stood. "It’s good to know that you are all okay. Call us if you need anything."

  Scarlett added fast, "You seem happy with Elle, Navid. I’m so glad you listened to me. She’s good for you."

  Navid said nothing to Scarlett. His family all followed their father and Navid placed his hand on the lower part of her spine and escorted her to the door. They said goodbye individually to everyone and he closed the door. "This was a long day. Will you be all right if I go?"

  "For an hour? Sure." She pointed to his daughter who was passed out on the sofa. "Should we put Margo to bed?"

  He picked up his daughter and walked down the hall toward her bedroom. "I'll carry her, but please stay up for me. When I get home I want to talk to you."

  She followed him into Margo's bedroom. She needed to look her best when she told him how she felt. It would give her confidence. "Sure, I'll take a long shower."

  "Now that is a good image to have in my head." He slipped his daughter into bed.

  She ensured the blankets covered her properly before leaving, keeping the door ajar.

  Outside the room, Navid grabbed her and kissed her hard. Pressed against the wall her entire body ached for him.

  He let her go, breathing hard, staring down into her eyes. "Wait for me."

  "Okay." He didn’t have to ask twice.

  At the door, he winked at her and left.

  Her heart stirred. Navid was the one she loved. Would he run when she told him?

  Elle closed Navid's bedroom door, ensuring they were alone. He’d been gone an hour and she’d showered in anticipation of all the places he might kiss. Her heart thundered in her chest. She’d tell him that she loved him.

  He held her in his arms and traced the outline of her body. "Do you want to use the handcuffs tonight?"

  Her eyes widened. "Not really, but a little rough and hard might be nice." She felt heat go to her cheeks, but she gazed into his blue eyes, too
k a breath and finished, "I loved what you did to me earlier with the rose petals. Maybe a little surprise. Did you want to?"

  His face darkened as he leaned forward. His lips were close to hers. "I want to please you and last time you asked for scarves."

  Her eyelids fluttered closed as he leaned forward and kissed her. Yes. His kiss set a small fire inside her and she wanted him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and held him as close as she could.

  When he ended the kiss, she said, "Well, just tell me what to do."

  He bit his lower lip and then let her go. Her arms were cold from where she’d held him, but he opened a drawer and found a small piece of black fabric. She had no idea what he wished to do, but she nodded.

  His fingers trailed her arm and goosebumps grew in his path, as he slipped her spaghetti strap of her white slip off her shoulder. He went behind her and tied the fabric around her face, covering her eyes.

  Her breath caught in her throat and adrenaline rushed through her as the lights dimmed. No man had ever dared thrill her like this. His slight shadow tickled her skin. He kissed her neck and ears as he said, "Get on the bed."

  "But I can't see." She didn’t move though she took in the delicious manly scent of him all around her.

  He slipped his fingers into her underwear and squeezed her backside. "Arguing?"

  "No sir." She laughed low. She'd never said sir to anyone in real life. She then took a few steps forward and hoped she climbed on the bed classy and not stumbling.

  At least she hadn't kicked anything.

  Navid was right behind her. He gently swatted her behind and she arched. He massaged her skin immediately. "Your ass slightly red is sexy."

  "Mhmm." She offered her butt so he'd do it again.

  He rolled down her underwear. "Say please."

  Again, he swatted her backside, squeezed and then massaged her. Her body ached for more. But then he didn't touch her. "Wh... please."

  After a tantalizing heart beat his hand caressed her flesh and her body revved as if prepping for a marathon.

  She heard a slight buzz. Before she could form the word to ask, she felt a slight vibration near her opening. She swallowed and nodded. He then pushed it inside her and she felt the vibrations of the machine.