Willow Smoke

by Adriana Kraft

  Apparently they had.

  She breathed a sigh of relief. Still, she knew she’d have to pay the protection money. Given all the things the bastard might come up with, that was the least intrusive. And she knew she was protecting more than the horses. She was protecting Maxine and Nick, and maybe even herself.

  Leaning against the stable, Daisy gazed at the spot where Reggie had stood when he made his threats. How long would five hundred dollars satisfy Reggie’s greed? Probably not for long. She huddled against a stiff, cool breeze. How long would money satisfy Reggie Lassiter’s lust for blood?

  Daisy pulled into a parking spot across from her walkup apartment and scowled. Directly in front of her sat a familiar red Jeep; its driver opened the door to get out. After the unsettling encounter with Reggie, the last thing she needed was the doting attention of Nicholas Underwood. Her lips thinned in response to Nick’s set jaw.

  “Hi,” he said. “How are you?”

  “I’m fine,” she replied, stepping out of the pickup and grabbing her purse.

  “Are you going to invite me in?”

  She folded her arms across her chest and leaned against the pickup fender. “Only if you’re going to be civil. You look like someone bit your tail real hard.”

  “Let’s get off the street, if you don’t mind.” Nick took Daisy by the elbow and escorted her toward her front door.

  Daisy shook her head and pulled out her keys. Was she getting paranoid, or was Nick looking around like he was expecting company?

  “You want something to drink?” she offered, once they entered her dining room.

  “Sure. If you have wine open, that’ll be fine. Or a pop will do.”

  She heard his footsteps following her into the kitchen. This Underwood mood was unusual. He was tense, almost combative. As she opened a bottle of Prairie Fume, she took the initiative. “So, how was your day? I didn’t expect to see you this evening. Is something wrong?”

  “I don’t know. I was hoping you could tell me.”

  “I’ve got to sit on something soft.” By way of explanation, she added, “It’s been a day of being on my feet most of the time.”

  They carried the glasses into the living room. Daisy sat on the loveseat. Nick remained standing.

  Daisy sipped from her glass. “So why are you really here? You don’t have your romantic face on.”

  Nick sat down in the wing chair and exhaled. “Damn, why is it so important for you to keep me in the dark?”

  “What?”

  Nick tilted forward. His eyes flashed sparks. “I understand you were involved in a bit of commotion out at the track today.”

  Daisy refused to look away. Her mind raced. How had he found out? How much did he know? Did he know about the blackmail? Did he know she’d agreed to Reggie’s demands? “Oh, you mean Reggie?”

  “Was there more? What did he want? Did he hurt you? Did he threaten you?”

  Daisy feared that Nick would break the wine glass clenched in his hand. “No, he didn’t hurt me,” she said, maybe too quickly. “He wanted me to know that he was back.”

  “And?”

  Lurching to her feet, Daisy glared at Nick and then turned her back on him. She stared at the small gas fireplace. “Why do you have to know everything that happens in my life?” she demanded. “You have no right.”

  “I love you.” Nick rose and wrapped his arms around her, drawing her back into his chest. “I don’t want you to get hurt,” he whispered. “I don’t think I could stand that.”

  Daisy closed her eyes and all her senses turned to mush. Why did love have to be so complicated? She shuddered against his strength. “I know,” she managed to say, “but I’m okay. No one is going to hurt me.”

  “What about Reggie?”

  Turning in his arms to face him, Daisy said, “I don’t think Reggie is interested in physically hurting me.” She smiled thinly. “If I were hurt, his wife wouldn’t be able to bum off me.”

  “He wanted more money?”

  Daisy shrugged and walked toward the kitchen. “He always wants more money.”

  “What drives me up the wall as much as anything,” said Nick, his voice rising, “is your damn evasiveness. Are we in this together, or not?”

  Leaning against the sink, Daisy responded sharply, “Not entirely. No. You don’t run my life like you do some corporation. You see danger where I don’t. If I want to give money to my sister, that’s my business, not yours.”

  Nick stood in the corner of the kitchen, apparently searching for words. She had never seen him look so helpless. Wanting to say something, to do something that would comfort him, she took what she believed was the wiser course: she said and did nothing.

  Throwing up his hands, Nick said quietly, “So I’m not supposed to concern myself with Reggie Lassiter. I’m not supposed to concern myself with your safety.”

  She nodded, hoping she looked more defiant than she felt.

  “So, I’m supposed to sit on my hands and wait to see if you can ever come up with enough money to satisfy your sister and brother-in-law or until Reggie crosses the wrong guy and either winds up in jail or in a casket.”

  Daisy’s eyes rounded. She remained silent.

  “That may be what you want, but I can promise if the bastard goes after anything that’s mine, I’ll strike back harder than he’s ever known.”

  “I’d expect you to protect your own,” Daisy protested.

  “Just as I’d do.”

  She pursed her lips at his smug smile. “Oh no, you don’t. I’m not yours. Our relationship doesn’t give you any right to protect me.”

  “Right.” He stepped forward and lifted her chin with an index finger.

  Electricity snapped through her body. He was going to trap her somehow. He had that look of victory on his face.

  “So, my young lady friend, what in the hell are you attempting to do on my behalf by keeping secrets if not protecting me? Protecting me from knowing more about your family. Protecting my financial assets from Reggie. Maybe even my property. I wouldn’t be shocked if the bastard didn’t threaten our horses or the canoe factory.”

  Daisy clamped her eyes shut. “No, not the canoe factory. Not yet,” she whispered.

  “The horses?” She nodded.

  “Damn. And you were going to pay him off and fight him alone.”

  “He’s my brother-in-law.” She opened her eyes. “Not yours.”

  “Well, that’s a situation I’d like to rectify.”

  Daisy lost her breath and stepped sidewise, eluding Nick’s grasp. “Please, don’t make things more messy than they already are.”

  Nick backed away and removed his glasses. He reached for his handkerchief and began cleaning them. He was stymied. The woman was twisting him in more directions than what showed on any compass he’d ever held. Was he a fool? If he was a wise man, he’d just walk away and leave this beauty and her sultry overbite to the wolves. He winced. He’d always enjoyed being regarded as the fool. There was more than one corporate executive who was left wondering how he had been outmaneuvered by such a laid back innocent as himself.

  But Daisy Matthews was more wily than any business executive he’d ever dealt with. Clint Travers had tipped him off as soon as Reggie was spotted entering the stable area. But he had to pry the information out of Daisy. She was still hiding from him, but he’d stumbled across another motivating factor for her. She was trying to protect him. Should he laugh or cry? How did she think she was going to protect him from the likes of Reggie Lassiter?

  And she knew he wanted to marry her. But each time he made even an oblique reference to such a possibility, she fled emotionally, and if she could really fly she’d be long gone from his presence. The woman was becoming hazardous to his ego.

  “So, what do you want me to do, Daisy, crawl into a hole and wait for you to sort out your life?” He wet his lips. “If so, you haven’t yet learned that there will always be things to sort out in your life. Probably even when you’re
ninety.”

  Nick watched that trapped look reappear in her eyes. It wasn’t there often—but it was that look that tore his insides up more than anything else. She looked so alone, so helpless. So in need of what he wanted to give her.

  “So, what do you want from me, Daisy? Don’t leave me hanging.”

  - o -

  Trembling, Daisy struggled to speak. Why was it so much easier to talk to Bear than to Nick? She closed her eyes and imagined Bear. She chewed her lower lip and then whispered, “I don’t want to lose you. I want you with me, Nick. But I can’t marry you. So don’t ask.” She whimpered. “Not now. I want you to hold me, if you would.”

  His arms enfolded her and she laid her head on his shoulder. He stroked her back, calming her trembling. “I want you,” she said, “but you’ve got to let me be me.”

  “I know,” he moaned into her hair. “I try, but I don’t want to see you hurt.”

  “Nor do I want to see you hurt.” She leaned back against his arms. She smiled through tears. “Do you think we can be together and not hurt each other?”

  “Not likely,” Nick admitted.

  “I suppose you’re right.” She ran her fingers along his smooth chin. Her heart clutched. There was only one way to free it. She needed to give love. She needed to receive love. She bent forward and traced his lips with her tongue. Nick froze in place like a statue. “To hell with the pain,” she said, her voice husky. “Show me how much you love me, Nicholas Underwood. Right here. Right now.”

  She covered his lips with hers. She separated his lips and her tongue probed his mouth. His tongue greeted hers and then entered her mouth. She sucked his tongue until she feared tearing it out by its roots. Already her reservoir was filling. She soared. She’d missed him so. She’d kiss him for hours if other parts of her body weren’t so insistent on demanding equal treatment.

  Without breaking their kiss, she reached for the button on his shirt. He continued probing her mouth, searching as if for something long lost.

  Frustrated, wanting to feel his skin against hers, she broke the kiss. She tore at her blouse; buttons skittered across the floor. Her bra followed. At last, she rubbed her hardening nipples against his. She breathed deeply, reveling in his scent. Nick groaned loudly. His hardness pressed against her loins.

  “Are you sure?” he asked, hoarsely.

  “Most definitely.” She licked his corded neck muscles in case he didn’t believe her words.

  “You’re not going to run from me when we’re done.”

  “Not hardly.

  “Good.” He reached for her belt buckle and she worked to undo his. In tandem, they divested each other of remaining clothes.

  Nick laved her breasts, first one and then the other.

  “God, I’ve missed you so,” Daisy whimpered, leaning back against the counter.

  He began to work his way lower. Daisy grabbed his hair. “No need for that. I’m so ready. I have to have you inside me now, before I crumble.”

  Nick smiled broadly. “I aim to please. Right here?”

  “Right here.” Daisy wheeled to face the counter and bent over. “See if you can find the mark.

  “Oh my God,” she groaned, feeling his fullness probe her entry. “Why did I ever think it was a good idea to do without this?”

  “It was a crazy idea,” he said, biting her shoulder. “I can attest to that.”

  She turned her head and grinned. “A little less talk and a little more action, please.”

  She’d offered herself, and now it was her time to receive. He filled her until there was no empty space remaining. Her entire awareness focused on that one over heated pleasure spot and then fanned out to take in his hands deliciously squeezing her buttocks and the countertop cool against her nipples.

  Nick set a languid pace. She squeezed, wanting more, urging him to quicken. “Hell,” he groaned, “you win. Slow can wait.”

  He pulled nearly out and slammed his hips against her buttocks. Daisy gripped the counter top tight. “Way to go, old man,” she teased. “I need you now. All of you.”

  His hips churned against her rear until she lost track of him entirely. She remained conscious only of that tiny place in her own body that loomed so huge. And then it grew, it spread like fire out of control threatening everything in its path. It leapt about, first here and then there beckoning, urging her forward. And then when she was certain she’d be totally consumed she was cast out into the darkness until she found herself resting on soft grass near a cool spring. Had she found heaven?

  From a great distance, as if through an echo chamber, she heard his voice. “Are you still with me?”

  With considerable effort, she pulled herself back. Her eyes popped open. Reality rapidly returned. She was confronted by floral wallpaper and two dirty pans.

  “I’m here,” she managed to whisper. “Wow.” She sighed deeply. “Maybe there is something to be said about abstaining.”

  “Not enough,” Nick growled, stroking her back.

  The next morning was Daisy’s day off and she took pleasure in serving Nick coffee in bed. She crawled back in beside him and took a swallow from her cup.

  “A guy could get used to this,” Nick said, winking at Daisy. “You’re a full service woman.”

  “Like you,” she smirked, “I aim to please.”

  He nodded. “And you’re very good at that. So. Now what? This is fantastic, Daisy. But where do we go from here? Or am I just an old fuddy-duddy for wondering.”

  “No, you’re not that.” She ducked from his gaze and blushed. “I’d say sex is back in our relationship.”

  “That’s a safe assumption,” Nick replied, reaching over to brush a nipple through her thin nightgown. “And?”

  “So, do we have to have everything laid out in concrete?”

  “No, not at all. I just want to have realistic expectations.” He shrugged. “I assume this doesn’t mean you’re ready to move in with me?”

  Daisy’s features clouded. “No, I’m not ready for that.”

  “Not yet,” he pried.

  “Not yet.”

  “But it remains a possibility someday.”

  “A possibility.”

  “But we could spend the night in Kenwood some of the time?”

  She nodded.

  “Good, I can live with that. And what about Reggie? Am I supposed to turn my back and ignore that he’s a danger to you, to me, to us?”

  “I can handle Reggie,” Daisy snorted. “You would just make things worse. He already hates you. I want to contain him in my own way.”

  “And you won’t accept advice.”

  Daisy shook her head.

  “Okay, I don’t like that, but what choice do I have? I love you. Hopefully, in time you’ll grow to trust me more and understand that your problems are my problems.”

  Daisy sipped her coffee. They’d never agree on how to handle Reggie. If she could get Nick to turn his back, as he put it, maybe that would be the best and most she’d get from him. He’d never fully appreciate the danger he brought down on himself by simply staying involved with her. But she couldn’t sort all of that out. Not now. She needed him too much, and apparently he needed her too much for either of them to simply walk away from what they had.

  Accommodation. That was one of those big words she’d learned in her introductory sociology class. Migrating populations often had to learn to accommodate to existing cultures. And to a certain extent, existing cultures had to accommodate to the new ideas, tools, and norms of the migrating population.

  Well, Nick had migrated to her culture, so he’d have to accommodate the best he could.

  “So,” she said, with a trace of incredulity, “when you next have a problem at Paddle Dreams Unlimited, you’ll come running to me for advice. Maybe I can even tell you what to do.”

  Nick scowled darkly. “That’s different, and you know it.”

  “Maybe. But I doubt we’re going to get further by fighting about it.” She grinned.
“Do you want to fight or make love?”

  “What a question,” Nick responded. He set his coffee cup down and then relieved Daisy of hers. “Let me show you which I’d prefer.”

  Daisy allowed herself to be comfortably pulled into his arms. They’d only worked out a truce of sorts, but life was far better this morning than it had been the previous morning. Her grandmother had always told her to be thankful for small blessings. Daisy smiled. Oh yes, she was thankful this day for blessings, small and big.

  = o =

  “So how do we contain Lassiter?” Nick stared hard at Clint and Cassie Travers, who sat across from him in their farmhouse kitchen.

  “I wish I could be more positive.” Clint traced a design on the kitchen table cloth. “But the guy is cagey. Hell, the cops have been trying to collar him for years.”

  “I don’t know how such a dumb ass can outsmart so many people.”

  “It’s a matter of time. He’ll overstep; he’ll cross the line. He probably has in the past, but no one was watching at that moment. Now we’re watching.”

  Nick squeezed his arms tight. Daisy would have a fit if she knew he was there talking to Clint and Cassie about Reggie, but there was no way he could just sit idly by and watch the bastard drain her, either.

  As if reading his mind, Cassie pushed her chair away from the table and rose. “I don’t suppose Daisy has any idea you’re having Reggie tailed.”

  “Nope. She’d think I was interfering.”

  “And what will she think if she finds out you have a tail on her, too?”

  Nick grimaced. “She’d go ballistic.”

  “I don’t like being part of this subterfuge.” Cassie removed their coffee cups from the table.

  “You wouldn’t be part of it, if you had kept your nose to yourself,” Clint declared, scowling at his wife.

  Cassie stuck her tongue out at him. “I learned long ago that I’d better keep my nose in everything that goes on around here, or I could be in deep trouble.

  “Don’t worry about me,” she said, smiling sweetly at Nick, “I won’t go share your secrets with Daisy. Any more than I share hers with you.” She picked up a towel and began wiping the table.