Behind the Bar (Home in Carson Book 3)

by Renee Harless

  “Even after everything you just said? That you can’t see me with someone like you?”

  “Especially because of that. Just because we can’t be more than this doesn’t mean I’d see someone else.”

  “There is that good man in you again, Landon. Keep him hidden away, or someone is bound to get the wrong idea.”

  He looked at her doubtfully, his eyes searching hers for some underlying meaning, and she wished that she could erase that sense of suspicion he carried with him.

  Then he reached up and stroked his fingers through her hair, something that she was quickly growing to love. Not just for the fact that no man had ever touched her so tenderly, but because it was that soft side of him she kept insisted existed.

  “Do you want to come with me?”

  “To your dinner?”

  “Yeah, it’s a barbeque.”

  “Oh, I was invited by the Connelly family. Well, not so much invited as I was told to be there, but yeah. I’d love to go with you.”

  “I don’t know if you want to freshen up, but I have an apartment upstairs with a working shower. Though the rest of it leaves something to be desired.”

  “I’m okay. I wouldn’t have anything to change into.” Kerry readily offered to help Landon and he seemed happy to have her stay.

  They were one of the last to arrive at the large colonial that housed the Connelly parents. It was a beautiful piece of property that Kerry could tell was very well taken care of. Even from where they parked on the street of the neighborhood, she could hear the sounds of laughter and joy coming from the backyard. She envied this family. Kerry never grew up having family barbeques or cookouts with neighbors or just spending quality time together playing the in the yard. Once, she and her sister Elliana had decided to use one of the many fountains in the yard at the palace as a jungle gym and had been reprimanded immediately and banned from that part of the garden. They had no plastic toys, outdoor swing sets, or board games. Other than a bicycle and a game of chess, Kerry had nothing that resembled a childhood. She was brought up as a mini version of her father and mother and that was what was expected.

  Hell, even as a princess, she couldn’t pretend to play fairytale princess stories. Everything had to be as realistic as possible. Fake tea parties? No, she was forced to drink real tea and sit ramrod straight to practice her posture and manners.

  “You okay?” Landon asked as another car pulled up farther down the street. She recognized Ryker and his wife Norah as they stepped from the vehicle and made their way to the house, holding hands and looking happier than any two humans should look.

  “I want that,” she blurted out as she watched them enviously.

  “That.” She pointed across the way; Ryker was stealing a kiss from Norah as they walked up the front porch's steps. “I want to have the chance to fall in love and have a real relationship, not something my parents set up just because it would look good for the crown.”

  “I get it,” he sighed as he turned off the ignition to the truck.

  For some reason, the way he said that he understood grated on her nerves and she spun in the seat to face him. “Do you get it? Because I know I’m not imagining things, and in the last day or so, I’ve grown to feel more for you than any boyfriend I’ve ever had.”

  “Kerry. . .”

  “No, you don’t get to choose who I’m attracted to. Don’t be like my parents. Don’t take that away from me. I don’t care about your past or things you’ve done. You’re a good person Landon. I believe that. I wish that you did too.”

  Landon groaned as he leaned his head back against the headrest, closing his eyes as she continued to rampage.

  “And you know, I could look you up on the internet and probably find out everything I would ever want to know about you in the course of a few seconds. But I don’t want to do that. Any secrets you have, you should be the one to tell me.

  “I trust you enough to know that you’ll tell me whenever you’re ready, but trust me enough to know that it won’t matter. I don’t know how long I’m here for, Landon and I think-” she continued until Landon quickly turned in his seat and pressed their lips together, his hands cupping her head.

  Pulling away, Landon placed a small peck on her forehead but tilted her face toward him, their noses only inches apart.

  “Are you done? I get what you’re saying, Kerry, and I do trust you. I’m more afraid that I’ll tarnish this beautiful person that you are and that everyone believes you to be. When I’m ready to talk, you may change your mind about wanting to be with me.”

  “I seriously doubt it. I feel more like myself with you than I ever have with anyone else. That means something to me.”

  “I get it, and I feel the same way. Just give me time, I’m not ready to share my past yet, but until I am, I’ll be a selfish bastard and keep you.”

  Elation ricocheted through Kerry and she reached up on her own, grasping the sides of his head, and mashed their lips together. Kerry was so lost in their kiss that she screamed when a knock on the car window sounded.

  Pulling away, she saw that Nikki and Austin were standing outside of the car with curious looks on their faces, but it was the devilish smile growing on Nikki’s lips that really gave Kerry worry.

  “This is going to be worse than being interrogated by the king,” she moaned, ignoring the chuckle coming from Landon.

  “Don’t you mean your father?”

  “No. My dad is the king one hundred percent of the time.”

  “Well, I’d almost take that over the inquisition I’m about to get from the guys, that’s for sure.”

  She understood. The Connelly’s were like an extended family to her, and they’d treat her date as if she were their sister. Kerry was almost gleeful to see what they planned to do to Landon.

  “Let’s get this over with.”

  “In a hurry?”

  “Just a hurry to get you home and to a bed.”

  Giggling, Kerry added, “I can suddenly fall feverish and you need to take me home early.”

  “Wicked girl,” he murmured as he exited the truck and quickly made his way over to her side. Landon opened her door and held out his hand to escort her from the vehicle and she smiled up at him, loving the way his eyes almost twinkled in joy. She wanted to be the one to keep that sparkle there.

  “Hey, Landon. You don’t have to worry about the news report while we’re here. They know everything about me.”

  “Really?” he asked as he stepped to the back of the truck to grab the oversized cooler that thankfully had wheels and a handle.

  “They are my friends and some of the best people that I’ve ever met,” she explained as they began their walk toward the house.

  Chapter Seven

  Austin must have already informed the men in the Connelly family that Landon had arrived with Kerry in his truck because by the time the two of them had walked into the spacious backyard, they descended on him like vultures. Landon didn’t mind, if he had a sister, he would have done the exact same thing.

  He ignored them as much as he could as he wheeled the cooler closer to the grill where patriarch Joseph Connelly stood manning the meat cooking. But the moment he popped opened the lid and grabbed a beer for himself, Austin and Jameson pulled him aside.

  “How long has this been going on?” was the first question they peppered him with, and as Landon looked across the yard, he could see that Kerry was going through her own form of interrogation with Nikki at the helm. Except her questionings left Kerry with red cheeks that had Landon imaging the things the girls were saying.

  “Dude!” Jameson pushed for an answer when Landon didn’t respond.

  “How about I sum it up for you?” Landon said a bit more harshly than he intended, which caused his Irish accent to come out. “I met Kerry for the first last night in Asheville. We hit it off and that was going to be that. Then she showed up in my bar this afternoon looking for a job. And yes, I was surprised to see her. It was completely coinciden
tal.”

  “But, man, you can’t mess with her. She’s-” Austin started, but Landon interrupted.

  “- A princess? Yes, I’m aware. I saw the news story this afternoon, while she was with me, about how she was missing. Kerry told me everything.”

  “So, what does that mean?”

  “It doesn’t mean anything. We agreed to enjoy our time together while she’s here until her parents force her to return to her country, which is probably bound to happy sooner than she would like.

  “And I get it. I’m not a good match for someone like her, but I like her, and we’re just taking it day by day. I won’t hurt her.”

  “Well, damn. I don’t even know what to say.”

  “There isn’t anything to say. We’re going in with eyes wide open.”

  Landon took that moment to glance over at Jameson, who had cocked his head, staring at Landon expectantly. He knew his friend, who was a computer genius and probably gained more about Landon’s past with a click of a button than Landon had actually experienced, was silently asking if she knew about his history. All Landon could do was shake his head, hating the look of disappointment on Jameson’s features.

  The men gathered around, thankfully changing the subject to the Independence Day festival happening the next month until the women approached and claimed their significant others.

  Landon’s heart soared as Kerry came to stand beside him, subtly gliding her hand against his.

  “How bad was it?” she whispered as the group began moving toward the oversized picnic table.

  “Eh, could have been worse. You?”

  “I came out unscathed. Though they were very interested in your. . .um. . .goods.”

  “Uh oh, should I be concerned?” he asked as he helped her take a seat on the bench.

  “No way. Those are things for me to know.”

  Landon loved the way she smiled at her secret as he took the seat beside her. It was a smile that he would never tire of, and when she left for good, he’d keep it locked away in his memory for eternity.

  The platters of food were spread out on the table by Amy Connelly, who winked in his direction as she took her seat at the other far end of the table. He knew that she was pleased he had shown up. The Connelly’s were a welcoming group, but it was an honor to be invited to one of their famous cookouts.

  Landon and Kerry both remained invested in the conversations flowing around them, but he would subtly brush his hand against her thigh, or press his knee against hers. Every time he touched her the redness on her cheeks would grow. Landon was completely fascinated by it.

  Amy stood to go fetch the dessert from inside the house and when she returned with three pies in her hands, Ryker, who had been sitting across from Landon, chose that moment to stand. Jameson's twin was an international rock star and he didn’t leave his persona on the stage. He was decked out in a torn T-shirt and tight jeans, that even in the summer heat, worked for him. But Ryker, Landon had learned, was the type of man that loved with his entire being. Every one of his siblings and friends knew that they were important to him. Especially his wife, Norah.

  “Mom, thank you for the amazing dinner. While I had everyone here, I just wanted to let you know that Norah and I are expecting a new addition to the family this fall.”

  Landon watched as the group gathered around the couple, offering their congratulations, but then Landon turned to look at Kerry and was surprised to find tears in her eyes.

  “You okay, beautiful?”

  It was as if he had shaken her awake and Kerry quickly swiped her fingers beneath her eyes to wipe away any stray tears.

  “Sorry, I’m fine. I’m just so happy for them.”

  “Yeah. Do you want to head out of here? I bet Amy could wrap up a slice of pie or two for us.”

  “That’s a good idea. They should be celebrating with family.”

  Despite a small protest by Amy, Kerry and Landon left the party, each with a slice of pie.

  “I need to pick up my rental car,” Kerry said as they began the trek back to the downtown of Carson. Landon nodded and asked where it was located. By the time they arrived at the large parking lot across from the diner, dusk had started to settle in the sky. He pulled the truck into the spot beside the standard-issued black sedan and then turned to look at Kerry staring off through the windshield.

  “Would you want to come to check out my place? I haven’t even been in there but for a minute,” she asked, twisting her hands in her lap, and Landon could see how nervous she was about verbalizing her question. Like he would ever turn her down.

  “I’d like that,” he told her, smiling as she seemed to release her breath. “Afraid I’d say no?”

  “I don’t know what I was afraid of. Never of you, though.”

  “Well, I can follow you there if you’d like.”

  “Sure,” she replied, unhooking her seatbelt and reaching for the door handle.

  “Hey, sit tight. I’ll get it,” Landon commanded and he was surprised that she had listened as he jumped from the driver’s side of the truck and made his way to her door.

  He escorted her to the driver’s side of the rental car and waited for her to locate the keys, then noticed a small piece of paper tucked under the windshield. Something deep inside Landon screamed danger and he aggressively pulled the paper free before reading the scratchy handwriting.

  Curiously, Kerry asked, “What is that?”

  An anger, unlike anything Landon had ever felt, even after the incident with his father and brother, unleashed inside of him and all he could see was red. Someone was targeting Kerry. Someone that knew who she was and knew exactly where to find her.

  “Fuck!” he shouted into the evening sky, startling a couple that was walking down the sidewalk across the street.

  “Tell me what it says, Landon.”

  “It says ‘Don’t get too comfortable’.”

  Her face blanched and turned an ashen shade that erased all of the pink in her cheeks that Landon loved. Someone was targeting his woman and he didn’t know the first thing to do to stop it.

  “What do I do?” she asked in a voice so soft-spoken he barely heard it. Landon knew then that he had to be strong, that he would have to protect her until he could figure out their next move.

  Taking a deep breath, Landon reached out to cup her chin. “I’m going to keep you safe, okay? We’re going to go back to your house and I’m going to stay with you, maybe for a while. I’m going to call the sheriff and my friend Cliff to see if we can get an ID on the person that left the note. There are security cameras everywhere. I’m sure they’ll find something. In the meantime, I need you to think about who may be following you. The news report didn’t help and there is a good chance that your parents sent someone to find you.”

  It didn’t seem like a tactic parents would resort to in order to get their daughter to come home, but he didn’t know if that applied to kings and queens as well. Threats may be the only thing they know that works.

  “I don’t want you tied up in this, Landon.” She confessed.

  “Too late. I’m tied up in it, and in you. Can’t get rid of me now,” Landon added with a smirk that had her visibly relaxing.

  Leaving the car in the parking lot, they went back to Landon’s truck and made their way to Kerry’s house. They only got lost twice since she didn’t have the directions with her. The address was still locked inside the rental, but they finally made it.

  The bungalow was exactly something Landon could see Kerry living in, if he hadn’t known that she was a princess and deserving of the castle she most likely lived in, but it was definitely her style.

  Before he was able to get out of the truck, she rested her hand on his arm, her fingers landing on the intricate bleeding heart that wrapped around his forearm.

  “Thank you, Landon. I know that you don’t have to do this.”

  “I kind of figured by now that you’d realize I’d do anything for you. I mean, I’ve known you for all of t
wenty-four hours now; that seals the deal for me.”

  He was thrilled when she giggled at his joke because she had remained silent throughout the entire trip to her house except to point out places to turn. Landon was fearful that she would immediately use this as a reason to return back to her home, but thankfully she seemed to come to her own resolve to stick it out.

  And all he could think was, Damn, she’s going to make a great queen.

  ***

  Despite the note that had shocked Kerry to her core, Landon’s proclamation of keeping her safe made her feel like she had nothing to worry about. She had traveled with security guards her entire life but had never felt the security as she did when with Landon. Maybe it was because her feelings were involved. She liked to think his feelings were involved too.

  Be it love at first sight or insta-love, Kerry had never believed in such foolishness. But she had grown up in the world of arranged marriages or marriages of convenience. Love was never a factor. Sure, she understood that a couple could grow to love one another after a while, but never in that all-consuming end all love she read about in novels. But with the way Landon made her feel, she began to question everything she thought she knew.

  “Wait here. I’m going to check around the outside, then we can go inside and make some calls.” Landon’s command typically would have caused her to speak her mind. She didn’t take orders from anyone because, normally, she would be the one directing everything. But demands coming from Landon were almost like an aphrodisiac. Kerry swore she could feel herself melting into a pool of desire with every word.

  She wondered what he’d do if she replied, “Sir, yes, sir.” Probably spank her bottom. And she may actually enjoy it.

  As Kerry waited inside the truck for him to make his rounds covering the perimeter of her property, her phone began to ring. It took a while to locate the device in her beast of a bag. Thrilled to see Mary’s number on the screen, Kerry eagerly answered.

  “Mary? Thank goodness. I’m so happy to hear from you. How is everything there?”