All the Wright Moves

by McKenna Jeffries

  “I know this area.”

  “And you are talking. No talking.”

  “We’re not in the truck,” Katiya pointed out.

  “Semantics.” Hawk walked away from the cabin.

  Katiya followed. The area was a little bumpy. Hawk slowed and put his hand under hers leading her. Katiya was startled at his gesture.

  “No use you breaking your neck after I brought you here. You need better shoes. Stop.” He growled.

  Katiya did. She gasped as he bent and picked up her foot. She wobbled. He held her steady and plucked off her shoe then the other before she realised it. Hawk stood in an effortless motion and pitched her shoes into the trees. Katiya gaped then poked his chest with her finger.

  “Hey, those were my favourite sandals.”

  “Useless pieces of crap,” Hawk grunted.

  He lifted her in his arms. Unconsciously she gripped him. Then she stiffened and fought to get away.

  “If you drop, I’m leaving your ass on the ground,” Hawk warned.

  “Put me down.”

  “You can’t walk on the ground in your bare feet.”

  “I wouldn’t be if you hadn’t thrown away my shoes.” She bared her teeth.

  “Hush. No talking.” Hawk carried her.

  Katiya held in her frustration. He set her down, turning her to face the water. A man sat staring out at the pond.

  “Warwick.” Katiya took a step forward.

  He stood abruptly, turning to her. “What are you doing here?”

  “Hawk brought me,” she stated.

  His face was so cold. Warwick glanced over her shoulder then back at her.

  “He can take you back.” Warwick strode past her.

  Katiya flinched. She hugged herself, staring at the pond but not really seeing it. Her eyes narrowed and she stiffened.

  “Hell no.” She turned, setting off after him.

  She stumbled on the uneven ground.

  Hawk caught her and lifted her up against his large chest.

  “Son of a bitch. This is what you get for doing something good. Carting people around,” Hawk grumbled.

  “Tha—”

  “Shut the hell up,” Hawk said.

  Katiya didn’t say anything else as Hawk carried her back to the cabin. He stomped up the stairs and put her down on the porch then turned to leave.

  “Thank you, Hawk,” Katiya said.

  He snorted. “Please don’t mention it.”

  Katiya stared at the closed door of the cabin.

  “You will do, Katiya. If you get married, I will come to town for your wedding.”

  Katiya glanced at him, surprised he was still there. “Okay,” she said cautiously.

  “Go along that path through those trees to get to my place if he doesn’t come around. It is an easier way for your leg.” He got in his truck and left.

  Katiya stiffened her shoulders, turned and knocked on the door. It was wrenched open.

  “You better follow Hawk,” Warwick said coldly.

  “I’m not going anywhere. Don’t pull this cold crap on me, acting all sub-human. I won’t be with a man like that. I want my Warwick back.” Katiya pushed at his chest with each word.

  Warwick stepped back into the cabin. She followed him, ranting.

  “Yes, I was stupid, but you’re being a bigger ass than I was. Acting all weird and shit. Fuck that. You’re mine and I’m not letting you go, damn it. I won’t let you go.” Katiya stopped, breathing hard, her palm flat on his chest.

  He gripped her wrists. “Say the words, Katiya.” Warwick’s voice was intense.

  Katiya raised her head, locking eyes with indigo. “I love you, Warwick. Love you with my heart and soul. I want you in my life now and forever.”

  She disentangled herself from him then stepped back. Katiya went down on one knee.

  “Marry me, Warwick Taylor. Be my husband, partner and, above all, my solace when I need.” Katiya blinked, tears filling her eyes.

  Warwick went on his knees before her, cupping her cheeks. “I love you, Katiya. So very much. I will always be there for you. Use my shoulders to offer you any comfort you need.” His voice trembled. “And I know I have the same in you. I love you, Katiya Wright, and will gladly marry you.”

  He pulled her face to his, kissing her, and her lids closed over her eyes. Her tears mingled with their kiss as Warwick embraced her. Shivering, she held him close while Warwick slowly released her lips. Her lids fluttered open and she spied his devilish indigo gaze.

  “Where is my ring?”

  “What?” Katiya said.

  “My ring. When you ask a man to marry you, there should be a ring.”

  “I didn’t come with one. But promise to get you one when we get back to town.” Katiya laughed.

  “Good. But make it special. This is the first time someone asked me to marry them.” Warwick winked.

  “And the last since we’re going to be together forever,” Katiya stated.

  “That doesn’t sound like long enough.” Warwick said.

  She rested against him, grateful to be back in his arms.

  “We need to get a move on so we can go to the other cabin,” Warwick encouraged.

  “Why?” Katiya protested. “We can stay here.”

  “This is where I come to deal with bad things, and that is not what we have.” Warwick said quietly.

  Katiya studied him then suggested, “Let’s make some good memories here. Get rid of the bad.”

  Warwick was silent then he nodded. “Okay.”

  “I can’t wait to marry you. Plan our wedding,” Katiya said.

  “I’m planning the wedding. You asked me. I’m going to be part of everything. It’ll take me at least two years to plan a good one.”

  “You can’t be serious. You’re planning the wedding? Two years? Why do we have to wait so long?” Katiya looked at him in disbelief.

  “I want everything to be right. And I, as the askee, get to plan, and the asker gets to help. I’ll accept your help,” Warwick said.

  “Ummm…usually the bride, which would be me, gets to plan a wedding?”

  “We’ll buck tradition. Hmmm…I need to find out about fabrics. And the food. Venues.”

  Katiya listened in horror as he went on and on about the wedding.

  “What does Hawk do for a living?” she asked to distract him.

  “Oh. He kills people. And is paid every well to do it,” Warwick said cheerfully.

  “What? I took a four hour drive with a murderer?” Katiya got chills.

  Warwick laughed then tweaked her nose. “No. He’s a writer. He writes murder mysteries.”

  “Oh. Would I have read him?”

  “I’ve seen you and your friends going ga-ga over his books.”

  “Really. Who is he?” she asked suspiciously.

  “HG Black.”

  Katiya gawked. It was their favourite author. She smacked Warwick in the chest.

  “You just said he killed people to tease me.”

  “Yep.” His eyes twinkled.

  “I’m glad he isn’t a criminal since he’ll be coming to the wedding.”

  “He is?”

  “He said he would if we got married.”

  “I’ll be… He hates crowds. He must like you.”

  “That’s his way of liking? I’d hate to see what he does when he hates someone. After meeting him, I don’t ever want to hear any more comments about Iona.”

  “Hawk is a good man,” Warwick insisted.

  “Hmmm…maybe I should introduce him to Iona. She loves his books and maybe they can find other things in common.” Katiya wiggled her eyebrows.

  “I wouldn’t wish Iona on anyone. Hawk likes quiet and Iona is talkative. Promise me you won’t match-make. Don’t do it,” he warned.

  Katiya didn’t respond, instead running her hand inside his open collar against his skin. Warwick groaned. She shifted on his lap, straddling him.

  “Were you teasing about the planning of the we
dding too?” she asked hopefully.

  “That too, but I will take part in everything. I want to experience it all with you. And for our lives together,” Warwick said huskily.

  “Me too. You’re the right man for me. The one I needed. Now let’s make some memories.”

  “Damn right I’m the right man for you. Memories coming up.” Warwick shifted, lowering her against the floor, blanketing her body.

  Moaning, Katiya gripped his ass, pulling him against her. Warwick was not only the right man, he was the only one she needed. He was the Wright move to make.

  Also available from Total-E-Bound Publishing:

  Code of Honour: A Man Like No Other

  Aliyah Burke

  Excerpt

  Chapter One

  “What the fuck?”

  Serefina LeBenoit cursed again as she tracked the movement through the object up to her eye.

  “What’s wrong?” a whispered voice questioned in her ear.

  “We have a problem,” she muttered, moving the scope between the ongoing deal and the approaching man. He wore a black vest with the letters DEA in white across the front.

  He had a fluid grace about him, despite how cautiously he progressed. His blond hair was tied back, and dark glasses sat upon his ruggedly handsome face. Suddenly, he froze and glanced in her direction, a slight frown filled his features. She remained immobile out of instinct even though she knew he couldn’t spot her.

  “What’s the prob?” the voice asked. It was male and belonged to Hector.

  She wiped the sweat from her brow after the unknown man faced forward again. “God damn DEA agent approaching. You know they can’t travel alone.” The second the agent began moving once more, so did she. “ETA, two minutes.”

  She ran with subconscious perception. Having traversed these areas countless times, she had the confidence to do so blindfolded. She ran hard. Fast. Pouring everything into it, for she knew if that man made it before her, there would be bloodshed. She stashed her earwig down the front of her bra and kept going.

  She was fast.

  He, unfortunately, was faster.

  The unmistakable sound of gunfire reached her. Damn it! Sounds like it’s all going to hell over there. Have I cursed the DEA yet?

  Gun deals were dangerous anyway. Throw in the unexpected arrival of a federal agent, and sure as shittin’, this would happen.

  Trigger-happy, over-testosteroned…

  Her mood dropped even further south when she came around the final corner. DEA swarmed, they were cuffing others, her team included, and shouting to one another. A glint to the right caught her eye and she turned. There was a shooter in another corner sighting down on the agent she’d had in her own scope. She never hesitated, just took aim and fired. Seconds later, she found herself slammed on the ground, gun scattering across the pebbled ground, an agent digging his knee into her back. The hiss of pain almost slipped through but it stopped courtesy of the anger flooding her.

  Black boots filled her vision and she looked up. Her blond Adonis stood there, powerful arms crossed, staring at her with blue eyes. His face was composed of sharp angles—nothing soft about him—and raw masculine strength. Intense, panty-wetting strength. The kind which would have affected her if not for the fact she was in the process of being cuffed, the small sharp rocks slicing into her skin. Even so, dude was hot.

  Damn hot. And when did I claim him as mine?

  He stepped forward, reminding her of a predator when she was jerked to her feet. His height added to the intimidation factor. Well, it would have had she been intimidated. As it was, she wasn’t. However, with each passing second, her ire grew. If there was one thing she hated it was incompetence. She flicked her eyes in Hector’s direction and sent him a look she knew he would understand for silence and pass it along to the rest. Then she lifted her chin and held the gaze of the man before her.

  “Who are you?”

  His voice, while angry, was decadent, rough-hewn and dangerous. She stared at him. He had a body to die for. One that would give her hours of pleasure to explore.

  Okay, I obviously need to get laid.

  “I’ll ask you again. Who are you?”

  The rough baritone had a deep Texas drawl to it and felt like he pulled velvets and silks across her naked body. Harsh, intense need filled her from the soles of her feet to the top of her head.

  Really, really need to get laid.

  Sinfully long lashes lowered when he narrowed his gaze. “Do you have any idea how much trouble you’re in?”

  “Do you?” she retorted, not backing down from his acute look.

  “I’m arresting you.”

  She watched as the crates of guns—her guns—were loaded into newly arrived vehicles. “You think so?”

  “I’d say it’s a safe bet given the silver you’re wearing.”

  “I like silver. Gold is too pretentious.” One shoulder lifted in a lazy shrug.

  Although he never cracked an official smile, she could see the amusement lingering behind the hawk-like stare.

  His voice was nothing but business when he spoke. “So you’ve been arrested before.” He made it a statement.

  She shut down. If he didn’t know who she was, that wasn’t her fault. And given the handcuffs she wore, she bet he didn’t. So she arched a brow and gave him a bored look.

  “You know those men will sell you out. Give me something to work with and I’ll tell the judge you helped.”

  Skimming her teeth with her tongue, she snorted in derision. Her men would never do that but if she said anything, he would know he had gotten under her skin. And that was not an option.

  “You don’t think they will.” He stepped closer, getting in her face. The scent wafting from him smelt like a man. Strong, virile, and so much more. “You’re wrong and you will go to jail for it. Not just county jail. I’m talking federal prison.”

  Another agent grabbed her arm and shoved her towards a waiting converted ice cream truck. A black suburban raced towards them, lights flashing and sirens blaring.

  “What the—?” Blondie muttered from beside her.

  Hot on the heels of the SUV was another paddy wagon type. They squealed to a stop before them and a tall man stepped out. She knew him and yet continued to keep her face blank. Salt and pepper hair in a nice neat cut. He wore shades but his expression showed his immense displeasure. The fact his lips were pressed together informed her his anger sat on the cusp of its boiling point.

  “Explain,” the new arrival snapped.

  Tall, buff and blond made himself a target by putting himself in front of her. Almost in a proprietary motion.

  “Who are you,” he growled in response.

  “Director McKeon, ATF.” He flashed his badge. “What’s the DEA doing here?” He waved his hand and the sun glinted off his wedding ring. “Never mind. Take her to that vehicle.”

  “I arrested her.”

  McKeon gestured impatiently like her blond man had not said a word. Blondie’s fingers dug into her arm and he led her over to the waiting truck. She saw the rest of her team already in there and the sight of their injuries revived the anger within. With a sharp swallow, she glanced to her director. He wore the hell out of his suit. A very handsome man, cold, calculating and one hell of a boss.

  “Get these off me,” she ground out.

  She heard the DEA man argue but paid him no mind as the cuffs were loosened and given to her. Serefina took them and stepped up into the back of the RDV, Rapid Deployment Vehicle.

  “Hell no, you can’t release my prisoner.”

  Sunglasses were removed and she got the full weight of James McKeon’s stormy hazel eyes. He looked past her briefly to where she knew the DEA man stood then back at her.

  “Why were you cuffed?” McKeon demanded. “You can leave.” That directive was for the blond.

  “I didn’t see the point,” she said. There was more to it than that but she didn’t want to discuss it in front of the man who’d made her
panties wet.

  “You’re still here?” James asked as a large presence appeared beside her.

  “I’m not handing my prisoner over to you.”

  “Fine. Let’s roll.”

  Doing her best not to look at him, she sat and stretched out her jean clad legs. He sat across from her and removed his own sunglasses. Amazing eyes watched her. She winced over the stiffness gathering on her left side. The one which had hit the ground first. From the slight narrowing of his blue eyes, she knew he’d caught it. It wasn’t just him watching her; she could feel the other gazes although none had the effect of the lone DEA agent in the vehicle.

  From beneath lowered lids, she stared at him. Still no name. His DEA vest did nothing but highlight the power in his body. She fought the urge to squeeze her legs together. A knowledgeable and mocking grin turned up one side of his Cupid bow-shaped lips.

  Jackass.

  The truck rumbled to a stop and he got to his feet. She waited. When the back door opened, McKeon stood there.

  “Move,” he ordered.

  With a single push, she got to her feet and headed to the door. Beyond McKeon, she could see others of the DEA waiting. The anger returned. She glanced to her left and found those intense blue orbs focused directly on her, like they were the only two in the world.

  “Don’t make me repeat myself.” The command cracked like a whip.

  Ignoring the flutter in her belly, she tossed the handcuffs to her silent blond, winked and hopped out to land at her boss’ side.

  There was no looking back. No time for what-if’s. She totally honed in on her upcoming confrontation. They walked into the building.

  “You know I can—”

  “No way,” she broke into her director’s statement. “We’re damn lucky we didn’t lose one of our own because of this.”

  “I’ll give you only so much leash, LeBenoit.”

  She understood. So long as she remained professional, he’d let her do the talking. If there was mudslinging to do, he’d handle it.

  “Why didn’t you identify yourself to them?”

  She snorted. “Why? I don’t carry a badge undercover. And I highly doubt they’d be willing and open-minded to that claim from me.”