“I don’t recall ever claiming to be a lady.” She planted a hand on her hip and gave him a look that was no doubt intended to freeze his balls off. It had the opposite effect.
He couldn’t resist egging her on. “Isn’t that the truth!”
“And you wouldn’t know a lady if she came up and bit you on the ass.”
Bo actually laughed. “A lady wouldn’t be brave enough to bite me on the ass. Who the hell wants a lady anyway?”
“Argh!” She threw up her hands in frustration. “You are as arrogant and insufferable as ever!” Spinning on her heels, she stormed away. “Thunder!” she called over her shoulder and the dog obediently trotted after her, leaping up in the Jeep as she opened the door.
“Now if you ever want to give my ass a nibble, I might consider it.” he called after her, letting out a deep chuckle when she flipped him the bird over her shoulder.
She sprayed gravel into the air when she peeled away, and as he watched her go, he realized that he felt more alive than he had in the last year. The smile on his face almost felt foreign.
* * * *
Willa watched the scene discreetly from behind the parlor curtains. She felt Jake’s presence even before his powerful tattooed arm slid around her waist.
“Leave it alone, Willa,” Jake ordered.
“But look at the fireworks!” she protested as she watched the pair exchange barbs in her front drive.
“Are you kidding? They can’t stand each other.”
Willa just rolled her eyes. “The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. And those two are anything but indifferent!”
“They have a long-standing love-hate relationship. They love to hate each other, have since they were kids.”
“What happened? Why do they hate each other so much?”
“They didn’t start out hating each other, and I don’t know the whole story. Bo was a few years behind me in school, but from what I remember, the summer she moved here, he was lost. It didn’t matter that they were from different worlds. Back then Bo was a tall, skinny shop geek. Layla had been a cheerleader at her old school and easily made the squad here. I guess maybe if everyone had left them alone, they might have had a chance. I don’t really know. All I know is a lot of things were said, they went from lovers to haters overnight. Sometimes I wonder if she isn’t the reason Bo joined the Navy.”
“But they’re older now, old enough to not care what other people think,” Willa countered even as she watched Layla slam into her Jeep and peel away.
“Bo has enough shit going on in his head right now. Leave it be. He doesn’t need her fucking him up any worse than he already is,” Jake said in his my-word-is-final voice. Willa simply smiled. She only let him think he ran things.
* * * *
Layla watched Bo shrink in her rearview mirror. Her heart was pounding like she’d just done a Zumba marathon. Why did he always get to her? It had always been like that. Whether they were loving or fighting, it had always been explosive.
Her mom had moved the two of them back to her hometown after her father had run off with his secretary. It had been a hard move moving from the large metropolitan city of Raleigh to the sleepy town of Aurora Heights. Her grandmother had been a lifesaver, full of light and hope. She’d given Layla her beat-up old bicycle to get around that summer, sensing her loneliness.
It had been a late afternoon in June when she’d met Bo. She’d been out on one of her daily rides when the chain had come off the bicycle. She had grease all over her hands from trying to pop it back on, but twisting in every which way hadn’t worked. Bo had zoomed by on the old dirt bike he was restoring. He’d skidded to a halt and done a quick U-turn.
The old dirt bike sputtered in protest. Its engine rattling as he shut it off. Her young body had quickly perked up with interest at the handsome young boy. She’d guessed him to be close to her seventeen years, and had been immediately drawn to his all-American good looks. She had to resist the urge to play with his tousled blond hair. She’d wanted to melt into his blue-green eyes.
His voice had been deep with just a slight adolescent squeak. “You look like you could use some help,” he’d stated, letting his bike drop to the ground with a thud.
“Uhm, yeah. The chain fell off. I’m not exactly mechanical, so I wasn’t sure what to do,” she explained, quite proud of how calm she sounded. Inside she was jumping up and down squealing.
“Shouldn’t be a problem to fix. Let me have a look.” He knelt in front of her and she used the opportunity to straighten her hair and run her tongue over her teeth to make sure she didn’t have lunch leftovers stuck in her teeth.
Say something witty! she’d commanded herself. Hell, just say something. “Thank you so much for stopping. Otherwise, I’d have been hoofing it home,” she blurted. Well that didn’t sound too bad.
His broad shoulders shook as he laughed. “Oh yeah, I’ve had to do that before. I’m just down the road, so I’ve been stuck walking this road plenty of times.” Looking up at her with a smile, he asked, “You live near here? I haven’t seen you before.”
“I’m a couple miles in the other direction. I guess it’s not really that far. We just moved in last week,” she explained as she returned his smile, her whole body aware of him in a way she had never imagined possible.
“Well, no need to worry,” he said as he slipped the chain back in place. “Fixed it with no problem. If only my piece-of-junk motorcycle were that easy to fix,” he added with a laugh, nodding to the old dirt bike he’d been riding. Standing, he faced her and laughed nervously. “You…uhm…” Leaning forward, he carefully wiped her cheek. “Grease,” he mumbled and they both shivered at the contact.
She’d been so caught in the unfamiliar tingles, she hadn’t even been embarrassed.
They’d both ended up walking their bikes as he strolled beside her, insisting on making sure she got home okay.
* * * *
A horn brought Layla back to the present abruptly. Dazed, she glanced around and realized she’d been sitting at the same stoplight for several cycles.
Her traitorous dog sat in the passenger seat, watching her expectantly. The horn behind her blared again and she winced. Taking a deep breath, she forced her foot to press down on the gas and ease up on the clutch.
Chapter Four
Layla waved good-bye to her last student. It had been almost a week since she had run into Bo. It had been a week of long, sleepless nights. How was it possible that she still wasn’t over him? It had been a decade for heaven’s sake. She wasn’t a kid anymore with a crush on the school bad boy.
Thunder suddenly stood, trotting toward the door, abandoning his normal spot, curled in the studio corner. Glancing out the front door, she saw a sleek Jaguar pull up.
A smile spread across her face as she recognized Gabe Cavanaugh. He circled the car and opened the door for his very pregnant wife. She remembered Gabe from when she’d dated Bo back in high school. He was several years older than her, but had always been nice and every bit as arrogant as the rest of the bunch.
Layla chuckled as his feisty little wife, Danny, smacked her husband’s hands away when he tried to help her from the car. “I got it!” she snapped. “I may be as big as a whale, but I can still get out of a car by myself!”
“Oh, baby, you’re not a whale. You’re beautiful.” Gabe wisely countered. Now that’s a man who doesn’t like sleeping on the couch, Layla thought wryly.
Layla watched as Danny rolled her eyes but softened. “Thank you, sweetheart, but you’re so full of it. I don’t feel very beautiful these days.”
“Sweetheart, that’s my son you’re carrying. You’re the most amazingly beautiful woman in the world to me.”
“Well, then let’s get this party set so that we can get home and you can remind me of just how beautiful you think I am,” Danny said sarcastically.
They turned toward her and Layla flushed with embarrassment at being caught spying. Clearing her throat, she h
eld the door open for them. “Hi, how’s it going?” she said, trying to sound like a professional. She liked Danny and Gabe and felt guilty at how jealous she was of how much they were in love. She’d been feeling that a lot in the last week. Damn it. It was all Bo’s fault.
“Hi Layla, it’s nice to see you again,” Danny said as she leaned forward to give her a hug, laughing when her big belly got in the way. “Sorry. I swear, I’m having a linebacker instead of a baby.”
“Oh no, you look wonderful. I always thought it was silly when people said pregnant women glowed, but darn if you don’t.” Layla laughed, returning her awkward hug.
“Thank you,” Danny said warmly.
“What?” Gabe blustered. “I tell you you’re beautiful all the time, and you don’t believe me.”
Danny chuckled, patting his broad chest. “You have to say that, baby. You love me. Layla hardly even knows me.” This got a full-blown eye roll from her husband, and Layla had to fight back a laugh of her own.
Deciding it was time to change the subject, she said, “So what brings the two of you out tonight? I’m thinking you’re not here for Zumba.”
Gabe snickered. “Not this guy. Pole dancing maybe.”
“You think they make stilettos in his size?” Danny asked, her eyes twinkling.
“I’m sure I can special order them,” Layla replied, enjoying the banter.
“He would look just fabulous!”
“Oh, you’re both a pair of comedians.” Gabe snarked. He turned to Thunder, patting his big head. “Come on boy, let’s you and me let the ladies talk from a safe distance.” The dog trotted off happily after him as he settled into the waiting area.
Layla and Danny spent the next twenty minutes discussing options for Willa’s bachelorette party.
“This was a great idea!” Danny enthused.
“I know, though I can’t take credit for it. Your two little minions came up with it,” she agreed as she put her notes in the new file she’d created.
“Yes, Tiffany and Mariah are quite a pair,” Danny agreed, but there was a fond smile on her face.
“If they carry on at the library working for you like they carry on in class, you have your hands full.”
“You have no idea.”
Shutting out the lights in her office, Layla bent down and hefted a large bag of dog food over her shoulder. “I think we’re set. I’ll walk you two out. I have to feed my fierce guard dog.” The last was said with a wealth of sarcasm as she looked over to see Thunder sprawled out on his back enjoying a belly rub from his new best buddy.
“Come on, you big ham,” Layla chuckled. “Time for your kibble.”
At the mention of supper, Thunder flipped over and bounced up to his feet. He eagerly wagged his tail and trotted over to his mistress’ side.
Gabe pressed his hand to his chest in mock distress. “I’m wounded. How tragic to be thrown over for a little bag of kibble.”
Layla laughed. “Little? This dog eats like a horse. This is the second forty-pound bag I’ve bought this month and it’s only the tenth.”
Gabe chuckled as he walked over to join them, and then in true gentlemanly fashion, he grabbed the large bag of food from Layla.
“I got it, really. I’m used to it,” Layla said, trying to take the bag back to no avail.
“You might as well save your time. My hubby takes gentlemanliness to new heights. You have about as much chance of moving the mountains as getting him to give that bag back,” Danny said, shaking her head.
Layla rolled her eyes, knowing Danny was right. She’d grown up in the South, and knew what a southern gentleman was like. “Right. This way then.” She held the door open for them and then locked up when they were all past. Gabe strolled around the side of the building, and climbed the stairs with an easy stride, and Danny quickly followed. Watching her new friend nervously, Layla moved behind her. “Uhm, Danny, should you be climbing stairs?”
“I’m pregnant, not broken,” Danny countered, even as she forced herself to take a deep breath.
Shaking her head at the woman’s stubbornness, Layla carefully followed, though she wasn’t sure what she’d do if the pregnant woman actually fell. She was digging her keys out of her pocket by the time they all got to the landing outside her apartment door. As she lifted the keys to the door, she froze at the sight of another mysterious note waiting. Swallowing, she grabbed the note, and shoved it under her arm. Forcing herself to take a deep breath, she slid the key into the lock and pushed the door open. Stepping aside, she let Gabe and Danny in.
“Thanks, Gabe,” she said, happy that she was able to keep her voice calm when she was freaking out on the inside. The notes were coming more often. It hadn’t even been a week since the last one. She’d been at the studio all day, which meant whoever her stalker was had been that close. It made her skin crawl.
Gabe nodded and set the bag aside, before turning back to Layla. “Secret admirer?” he asked, his gaze zeroing in on the note tucked under her arm. The damn man’s keen lawyer eyes never missed a thing!
“Just a wacko,” she replied with what she hoped appeared to be an uninterested shrug. “Some of the more religious citizens of Aurora Heights don’t appreciate my business, that’s all. Worried I’m dragging their women straight to hell with me.”
“If they are harassing you, we can put a stop to it,” Gabe told her, his eyes taking on a fierce look. She suddenly understood why Gabe was such a great lawyer. His steely blue eyes could pin a witness and have him squirming like prey caught in a predator’s trap.
“It’s nothing, really,” she hedged.
She was so focused on Gabe, she didn’t notice Danny waddling up until it was too late. The feisty, raven-haired beauty moved fast for a woman as pregnant as she was. She had the note from under Layla’s arm and the seal cracked before Layla realized what she was up to.
“Danny!” Layla cried, trying to snatch it back. “It’s nothing, really.”
But Danny had gone pale as she read the paper in her hands. As if completely in tune with his wife, Gabe was at her side in a blink.
“Gabe, look at this,” Danny said, handing him the note with a shaking hand.
Biting her lip uncomfortably, Layla watched as a scowl spread across Gabe’s handsome face. “Guys, come on. I got this. People, just don’t understand that what I do is for fun and fitness. There’s nothing sinful about it, but you know how people are down here in the Bible Belt.”
Gabe shook his head before he read this newest threat out loud.
Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. Titus 1:11
If you do not cease your corrupting ways immediately, I will be forced to stop you. The devil resides between your tempting thighs leading all down a dark sinful path. I cannot continue to let you corrupt the good women of Aurora Heights. If you do not stop, I will stop you. Permanently.
“Layla, this isn’t just some idle threat. Whoever wrote this is dangerous, and taking it too lightly could be a deadly mistake.” Gabe turned the note over in his hand, studying the paper as well as the seal on the envelope. “How many more like this have you received? Obviously this isn’t the first one, since you knew what it was and tried to hide it.”
Layla squirmed, glad she wasn’t facing Gabe on the witness stand. Just a casual questioning was bad enough. Now she knew what a bug felt like under a magnifying glass.
“Uhm…a few,” she admitted with a mumble, trying very hard not to shuffle her feet nervously.
“And that’s why you got the fuzzy giant?” he continued, directing his gaze at Thunder, who had perked up, as if sensing the new tension in the room. His thick tail had stopped wagging, and he sat perfectly still.
“Yes,” she admitted with a little shrug. “I know he’s not much of a guard dog. He’s too sweet and loving, but he looks intimidating because he’s so big. I figure one hundred and fifty pounds of dog has got to be worth something.�
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“Oh yes, maybe they will drown in copious amounts of dog drool,” Gabe countered sarcastically.
“He doesn’t drool that bad.” Layla protested.
Gabe simply raised an eyebrow before moving on. “Have you called the authorities?”
“Yes, after I got the third one, I took them to the sheriff’s office and wanted to make a report, but they said there wasn’t much they could do. Since my home is also my business, it’s not exactly trespassing. After all I wouldn’t bar a customer entrance.” Layla made a sour face. “I guess they want the bodies to pile up before they take it seriously.”
“Sheriff Thompson is getting ready to retire. He’s not worried about catching stalkers, just fish, and his deputies aren’t going to do anything more than the bare minimum.” Gabe tucked the note into his coat pocket. “Let me see what I can do. For tonight lock the doors and keep your cell phone handy.”
Layla sighed. She knew there was no use in arguing with the man. Like it or not, the shit was getting ready to hit the fan.
Chapter Five
Layla stretched, squinting at the sun coming through her bedroom window. It took her a minute to realize that she was able to stretch so well because her bed wasn’t full of dog. Usually she woke up to find Thunder’s warm, wet snout tucked under her chin. She’d given up trying to keep him out, and honestly his big body was comforting. This morning he was nowhere in sight.
Shrugging, she crawled out of bed and wrapped her tattered old robe around herself. She hadn’t slept well last night after Danny and Gabe left, but she never slept well after getting a new letter. Thank goodness it was Sunday, and she had the day off. She had the fixings for chocolate chip cookies for her grandmother and her cronies at the Happy Trails Nursing home. That would take her mind off her troubles.
She padded out of the bedroom and froze. Propped on her coffee table were a pair of large feet attached to a pair of long muscled legs. Her breath stuck in her throat for a long moment. Oh God! Was her mysterious stalker here to make good on his threats? A sob caught in her throat, and the feet moved.
Breaking Hearts [Smoky Mountain Motorcycles 2] (Siren Publishing Allure) Page 3
