“Sorry to bother you, boss.”
“It’s okay, Dani.” He knew she wouldn’t have called unless it was urgent. And absolutely imperative. “What’s going on?”
“There was a big pileup on Canyon Road and they need the flatbeds.”
Goddamn it! “On my way.” He turned left instead of right—the direction which would have taken him to Delicia. As he drove, he called Delicia. Impatience rose up in him as her phone rang and rang. Finally, the machine picked up and he listened to the computerised voice ask him to leave the number and nothing else—she wasn’t home. Then he left his message.
“Delicia, hon, it’s me. Pick up if you can hear me.” Nothing, so he pressed on. “I’m so sorry to have to do this, but I have to cancel tonight. I know I’m already late and that’s what makes this worse. I have to go, there’s been an accident, and I have to take one of the flatbeds out to the scene. I was really looking forward to tonight, Delicia,” he said. “I’ll call you when I’m done.” He ended the call, tossed his phone down on the seat beside him, and drove the rest of the way to his shop, muttering under his breath about how unfair things were.
He parked his truck then jogged inside to claim the largest of the flatbeds. Dani sent him an apologetic look as he passed her—one that changed to a smile of gratitude when he winked and grinned at her, showing he wasn’t angry. It was his business after all, and if someone was needed, it was his job to fill in.
After heading for the largest of the trucks, he opened the door and climbed up. Moments later, the bay door was open and he drove out on his way to Canyon Road.
Shit! The carnage made his stomach curdle in horror. This was the worst accident he’d seen in a long time. The sun had begun to lower in the sky and as he parked behind the row of flashing lights, his eyes narrowed against the glare. Slipping on his sunglasses, he shrugged out of his suit coat then laid it along the seat. The tie soon followed and he jumped out with the sleeves of his shirt rolled up. Habit had him grabbing the reflective vest and he slipped it on as he walked up to where people were gathered.
Sirens pulled his attention away from the group and he noticed the ambulance speed away. Delicia. He pushed her from the front on his thoughts and cleared his throat to get their attention.
They met his gaze and one officer stepped away, telling him what should go first. With a nod of understanding, he walked to his truck then got to work. As the powerful machine hauled the first one on the flatbed, he rolled his shoulders to try to alleviate some of the tension. It didn’t work.
“Bennett.”
The deep voice sounded familiar. Glancing to the right, he spied Leonardo Wright—Sheriff of McKingley—approaching. Instinctively he bristled before he got himself back under control. Basically, so far, only Arissa had been in his business about being with Delicia. Well, aside from Justin. But he didn’t count that sorry excuse for…
“Sheriff,” he replied, telling himself he may be here because of the accident.
“What’s going on with you and my sister?”
Guess it’s not work related. “Nothing that concerns you.”
“Arissa said you’d say that.”
He didn’t reply—there was no point. Focusing back on the car, he shut off the motor and got to work securing the mangled mess of metal. Leo was still standing where he’d left him when he came back around and grabbed the hook for the next car.
“That’s my baby sister.”
“I’m sure there’s a point there,” he said dryly.
“What are your intentions?” The question was growled.
“Look, I know I’m not the type of guy you’d pick for your sister and I’m okay with that. All you need to know is she picked me.”
“Of course you’re not the guy I’d pick for her, hell, none of us would.” Leo held up a hand, which kept Archer’s mouth shut, then he continued, “But not because of what you’re thinking. She’s our baby. Always has been and she always will be.” Leo ran a hand over his head then put his hat back on. “Lis was so sick when she was born, we never thought that she’d make it. Touch and go for the longest time.”
Archer’s heart clenched and he longed to hold her. He’d not known that. After quickly hooking the next car up, he moved back to the switch and threw it before giving Leo his attention.
“She hated having to stay behind and struggled to get better. It’s part of why she loves being outdoors so much. For the longest time, she couldn’t be out in it.” Leo shook his head. “Look, all I’m saying is, we’re over protective of her. All of us. I know we don’t know one another very well, but I think you’re good for her. You have this calming aura around you and that’s what she needs. Lis likes to go full speed all the time without thinking about resting.”
He nodded—he’d noticed that. “So this isn’t a brother telling me to stay away from their sister?”
Leo’s eyes burned with a fire that was more than a bit unsettling. “No. This is a sheriff telling you not to hurt his baby sister.”
He got the message and sighed. Perhaps Delicia had been right and her family wouldn’t be as opposed to them being together as he’d believed. “I don’t have any plans to hurt Delicia.”
Leo shook his head. “You are like the only one who calls her that. Even our parents call her Lis. Why is that?”
He shrugged and answered honestly. “Lis is yours. Delicia is mine.” There was no way to hide the proprietary tinge that drenched his words and he didn’t care. His heart had belonged to one woman his entire life and now that he had her, he did not intend to let her go.
Leo’s eyes narrowed slightly, but again, Archer didn’t care. He didn’t anger easily and had nothing to prove to anyone other than to Delicia. He’d always called her that, since he’d seen her and found out who she was. To everyone else she was Lis, baby sister to the Wright family. To him…she was Delicia. His.
Her brother seemed as though he wanted to say something else, but all that stopped when the radio at his side crackled and a voice called out to him. “Coming,” Leo said. “This isn’t done between us, Bennett. I will do whatever is necessary to keep my sister safe.”
“Do what you feel you need to,” he said with another shrug.
Then just like that, he turned away and focused back on his own job. He did sneak a final look at the man striding away. Leo Wright. Second oldest brother, third oldest Wright sibling. Archer wasn’t well acquainted with the older siblings. Arissa was the one he knew best and accredited for his meeting Delicia. The Wright sisters had been walking through the empty halls at school when he’d spotted them and even then, Delicia had taken his heart. And since Arissa had stopped to talk to him, he’d got to meet Delicia.
Her smile—while shy—had warmed him from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. She’d looked up at him with her big eyes, the colour of which reminded him of chocolate mousse, her cheeks tinged with a blush, and that was all it took. Her mumbled ‘hi’ had made him forget he stood there sweaty from football practice, made him forget everything but Delicia Wright. And how she smelt of tangerines.
Over the years, none of that had changed. He wanted only her. Sure, he’d dated, but even when he’d woken up the day after he had drunkenly married Lacy he’d known his heart belonged to Delicia.
Christ, I’m pathetic. He laughed at himself and got back to work. He was there well after dark and knew it would be even longer, since he still had to unload. Dani met him with a hot, fresh cup of coffee.
“Go home, Dani,” he said, accepting the cup and sipping some of the steaming brew. You’ve been here all day.”
“I’m pulling a double. I’ll crash in the backroom and keep the radio beside me just in case any more calls come in.”
“Who’s on the schedule to cover night runs?”
“Shaun.”
He nodded, content she’d be well looked after. Shaun Jones was one of his most trusted tow truck drivers. “Go get some shut eye, I’ll pop my head in before I leave.”
>
She gave him another smile then walked away. He really needed to pay her better for all she did around here. With a sigh, he trudged outside and got to work. By the time he finished, it was bearing down on the witching hour and he no longer looked like the man who’d intended to take his woman out for a night on the town.
He was sweaty, had a cut on one hand and was exhausted. After saying bye to Dani, he climbed into his truck and headed towards the one place where everything felt right in his world. Delicia.
* * * *
Delicia stared at the woman on her porch. Hoping, praying, begging it was nothing but a horrible hallucination. Please. Please. Please. Please! The woman shifted and stepped closer, causing her to sigh with resignation. Great, just what I needed. Of course, she couldn’t be a figment of my imagination.
“What do you want?” she asked, not bothering to temper her irritation. There was something about this woman that made her long to hiss or growl in warning. She flexed her fingers around her cell phone she’d grabbed on her way to answer the door. She’d just been about to call Archer.
“Let’s go inside.”
Seriously? Like she’d let this woman breach the walls of her sanctuary. “No. You’ll stay out here. Say what you will then leave.”
“You need to leave my son alone.”
There it was. No beating around the bush, nothing. She ground her jaw but held her tongue. Victoria had a very familiar look about her. One that reminded her of…Justin. They both had this coldly superior gleam in their eyes. That desire to hiss slammed her again.
“He and Lacy made a great couple and they will again. So you stay out of their lives.”
She glanced at her nails and recalled Warwick’s complaint about his being polished. It almost made her smile. Hers were coloured as well, which was unique for her—she didn’t do girly. But her sisters had wanted her to, so she had for them.
“What makes you think you know what’s best for Archer?” she asked in a bored tone, finally glancing up to stare at her unwanted visitor. Definitely unwanted.
“I’m his mother!” she snapped, her eyes flashed angrily.
“Hmm, really? Because from where I’m standing you’re nothing but the one who carried him. A mother doesn’t run out on her family.”
“You know nothing about my family!”
“You’re right. I don’t. I know you weren’t there for Archer. That you ran away to be with one of numerous boyfriends. I know you made a young man numerous promises and never fulfilled one of them. But like you said, I know nothing about your family because from where I’m sitting, Archer and Mr Todd, sure as hell aren’t part of yours.” She took a step towards the intruder to her solitude. “You are a vain and selfish woman. Everyone knows you’re back just to try and get your hands on Archer’s money, but I don’t think getting me out of the way is going to stop him from seeing through your damn charade.”
“You…”
“I’m a lot of things,” Delicia said. “None of which includes me being intimidated by you. So I’m only going to say this once—stay away from me.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Archer is my son, I’ll be damned if you get one cent of his money.”
Delicia couldn’t help it, she laughed. Despite the urge to hit and scream at this woman, she merely gave a sharp burst of humourless laughter. For the first time in her life, she did what she’d always hated Justin for doing, she used the power her family’s name held.
She looked down her nose and said in a haughty tone, “I’m a Wright, I don’t need your son’s money. I don’t need anyone’s money.”
They clashed gazes for a few moments and she saw Victoria try to regroup. Taking advantage of her silence, Delicia pressed forward. “You aren’t worth that man’s love, never have been and from the looks of things, you never will be. Leave him alone. Leave me alone. Leave us alone.”
Victoria’s eyes narrowed in anger. “My son will come to his senses and get rid of you, even if you are a Wright.”
“Is that so? Well, in that case you have no reason to stay on my porch. Get the hell off my property.” Turning around, she reached for the doorknob.
“We’re not finished.”
Delicia pivoted back. “Yes, we are. Get your ass off my property or I’ll call the cops on you. And, in case you were wondering, my brother is the sheriff.” She stared at the evil woman. “You set foot on my property again and I’ll have you arrested for trespassing.”
“You wouldn’t,” she seethed.
She licked her lips and leant forward. “Try me,” she dared.
“This isn’t over,” Victoria said, stomping down the path to a waiting vehicle. “He will never be yours. Never!”
Foot tapping, Delicia crossed her arms and glared her out of the drive. Rage flowed hot and fast inside her, but she kept it in. She’d always tried to be good and stay calm, but damn if that woman didn’t make her want to just…
The roar of a motorcycle brought her head up. She watched the red and black Ninja roll up her drive. With a smile, she headed down to meet her visitor. A welcome one, this time.
“Thom,” she said, when the engine fell silent. “What are you doing here?”
He removed his helmet and grinned at her, then lifted a brow and delivered a wolf whistle. “Look at you. Damn, Lis, you look hot.”
“Thanks. What are you doing here?”
“I came by to drop off a…” He trailed off and got off his bike. Once his helmet sat on the seat he pulled her in close. “Oh, sweetie, what’s wrong?”
Until he asked the question, she hadn’t realised there were tears streaming down her face. She sank against him, trusting he would keep her up. He smoothed his large hands up and down her back. She wanted to get away. Before something else happened she couldn’t control.
“Come on,” he said.
“Where?”
“I’m taking you home with me.”
She sniffed. “Don’t you have a hot date or something like that?”
“She’ll keep.”
And just like that, Delicia knew it would be okay. That was why she loved Thom so much. He was the perfect friend. He wouldn’t ask nosy questions like her family and his loyalty was to her, not one of her brothers, so nothing she said to him would go any farther. He kissed her cheek.
“Get on the bike, I’ll grab your keys.”
He jogged off and she grabbed the extra helmet before carefully pulling up her dress a bit so she could straddle the bike. While she waited, she called Archer. Nothing. She hung up with a sigh. Moments later, Thom came back and got on. She slid her arms around him and soon the powerful engine turned over and he got them on the road to his place.
Once they arrived, they rode the elevator in silence to his third storey loft. She kicked her heels off by the door and padded barefoot across his smooth wooden floor. As she made her way to the kitchen, he picked up the phone and made a call. She tried to reach Archer at the same time, but it went straight to his voicemail so she hung up, biting the inside of her cheek.
“Sorry, darling, something came up and I won’t make it tonight. Yes, I’ll make it up to you, promise.” He hung up and walked to stand in front of her.
“I am sorry I’m making you miss a date.”
“No one makes me do anything, Lis. She’s a piece of ass, you…are my friend. You’ll always come first.”
She gave him a wobbly smile and he spun her in the direction of his bedroom.
“Get changed into something more you.”
She didn’t argue and soon wore a baggy shirt and pair of his shorts. Thom was in the kitchen whipping up some food and she sat on one of the stools. Barely breaking in what he did, he reached into the fridge, withdrew a lager and slid it to her. Then he went back to cooking.
“Archer and I were supposed to go to Morrow’s tonight,” she said after a good, healthy swig of the lager.
“I figured you were going somewhere. You don’t wear dresses.”
She stared at her
painted nails and her lips curled in disgust. “No, I don’t.”
“So what happened?”
“I don’t know. He didn’t show. But his mother did.”
Thom said some words that would have made trucker blush. He knew about Victoria. “Let me guess, she wasn’t exactly throwing out the welcoming mat.”
Another few sips. “I don’t know why it bothers me. I know she’s a bitch. But Jesus, Thom, his ex-wife is living in his house. I offered for him to stay with me, but she’s living there. Like she has every right.”
He set a plate full of steaming food down before her. Her stomach growled at the fare. Soon he joined her at the island.
“So the bitch is at his place, Lis. He’s staying with you. That should tell you all you need to know.”
She sighed. “I know, it’s just…missing the date, not answering calls and the mother showing up on my step is kind of overwhelming.”
He stared at her so long she began to shift on the padded stool.
“What?”
“Are you okay? I know you’re busting your ass for this triathlon, but are you ensuring you get enough sleep, Lis?”
“I…” She shrugged. “I don’t know, Thom.”
“Okay then, what you need is a night of movies and junk food. Come on,” he ordered, grabbing his plate and walking towards his sofa.
With a smile, she followed him. She knew he would listen to her and even give her advice whether she wanted it or not. But, bless him, he also knew when to back off and let her have her space. Like now. Movies were non-threatening.
She sat down beside him and grabbed his remote. Flipping through the selection, she found the one she was looking for and pressed play. She took the nail polish off and felt better. The beer, food and movies helped her relax and she fell asleep, finally free of the worries that had been racing through her mind.
* * * *
Come morning, Thom had waffles, eggs and fruit ready for her. After they ate, they went down to his bike and he gave her a ride home. Her heart jumped at the sight of Archer’s large white truck parked in the drive. She hopped off the idling bike and gave Thom a hug, conveying her gratitude. The slam of a screen door had her glance to the porch.
Risky Pleasures Page 9
