Deception by Design

by Tara Wentz

  Joshlyn’s eyes darted back and forth between Kellen’s. Those bright blue eyes were now full of tears. “You make my heart hurt, but in a good way.”

  Kellen smiled and hastily wiped her eyes clear. “How is a girl supposed to compete with those kinds of words, huh?”

  “There is no competing with the truth, honey.” Joshlyn slid her hands down across the front of Kellen’s shirt. Her hands crept up under the edge of the shirt and grazed softly across Kellen’s stomach.

  “Good grief, woman, you are about to drive me nuts!” Kellen groaned and closed her eyes. The sensation made the hairs on her arms stand up and her pelvis grow instantly warm.

  Joshlyn leaned in, kissed the open expanse of chest between Kellen’s collarbones, and brought one hand up to unbutton her shirt. With each button she released, she kissed the new area exposed. As the last button released, Josh ran her tongue around Kellen’s navel and nipped at it with her teeth. The second time she nibbled at the skin around her navel, Kellen’s hand went into Josh’s hair and held her close.

  “Come here, Josh.”

  Joshlyn straightened back up without dislodging Kellen’s hand from hair. “Yessss?”

  Kellen claimed Josh’s lips again and fought for control. She walked Joshlyn to the edge of the bed and sat them both down without ending the kiss. She couldn’t get close enough. Joshlyn wrenched her lips free and gasped.

  “Stand up a second, Kellen, and let me get those trousers off you.”

  Kellen stood patiently while Josh unbuttoned her pants and lowered them and her briefs to the ground. Then Josh stood and lowered the shirt off her shoulders and down her arms, taking extra care when it caught on the splint. She wasn’t wearing a bra since she got dressed before Joshlyn got to the hospital. She couldn’t clasp the damn thing anyhow. Once everything was off, she sat back down.

  Joshlyn started to lift her shirt when she saw Kellen smirk. “What?”

  “Oh, don’t mind me, I’m just going to sit here and watch the show.”

  Joshlyn reached down and pulled the shirt slowly over her head. Pulling her hair free, she threw the shirt to the side. She reached behind to unclasp her bra and slid the straps ever so gently down her arms before letting it drop to the floor as well. Her thumb and finger flicked the snap open on her jeans and she casually lowered the zipper.

  “Joshlyn…” Kellen growled.

  Joshlyn grinned while slipping her fingers inside the waistband of her jeans, lowered them and her panties down her legs, and kicked them to the side. She moved back next to Kellen.

  “Lay down, honey.”

  Once Kellen was lying flat, Joshlyn went around to the other side of the bed and crawled under the covers. She scooted closer and raised Kellen’s left arm above her head onto the pillow. “Just keep that arm up there. I don’t want to take a chance of bumping it.”

  They both leaned in at the same time, uncharacteristically bumping into each other. Kellen laughed and pulled back. “Stay right there.” Kellen leaned forward then and kissed Josh on the lips, moved down and placed a small peck on her chin. Lifting her head, she placed light butterfly kisses on each eyelid.

  “Mmm, Kellen, as much as I love what you are doing and please don’t get me wrong, I really do love it. However, I need you…I want to crawl inside you and never leave.”

  “There you go again with those words—”

  Kellen didn’t get to finish her sentence because Joshlyn put a finger to her lips, pushed her onto her back, and was now settled across her hips.

  “I’m done talking, Kellen. I want to show you.”

  “Not arguing…not talking.”

  Joshlyn leaned forward and kissed the space between Kellen’s breasts before moving over to take a nipple in her mouth. She swirled her tongue around the turgid flesh and sucked gently. Releasing Kellen’s nipple, she kissed lower down her abdomen until she reached the apex of her legs. Kellen’s legs automatically spread further apart to give her room. Josh caressed up the inside of both thighs before spreading Kellen open and taking her in her mouth.

  Kellen arched under the contact and immediately felt herself grow even wetter. She gasped aloud when Joshlyn flicked her tongue across her clit. Her hips started moving in time with Josh’s mouth.

  “Oh God, baby, that feels so good,” Kellen cried out as she felt the pressure grow inside her. She knew she was on the verge of release.

  “I’m so close, honey, so so close.”

  Joshlyn increased her tempo and slid two fingers inside. Kellen moaned and her body went rigid as the climax overtook her. Kellen’s body went limp and her breathing was very ragged.

  “Oh, Josh,” was all she could utter.

  Joshlyn kissed the inside of a thigh and then moved up to lie on her side next to Kellen and pulled the covers up over them. She curled an arm below Kellen’s breasts and felt a fine sheen of sweat that covered her entire body.

  “You completely destroy me, Josh. You’ll have to give me a minute to reciprocate, honey.” Kellen’s pulse was finally slowing down and her breathing had evened out.

  “Just rest, Kel. We’ve got all the time in the world.”

  Kellen beamed. “Thank you for coming into my life.” She leaned forward, kissed Joshlyn on the cheek, and then closed her eyes with her head resting against Josh’s.

  Thank YOU for coming into my life, Kellen Reynolds. Joshlyn released a contented sigh and closed her eyes as well. Before long, they were both fast asleep.

  ****

  “How many eggs do you want, hon?” Joshlyn shouted from the kitchen.

  Kellen grinned from her spot against the kitchen doorway. “You don’t have to shout, I’m right here.”

  Joshlyn jumped. “Damn, you scared me!”

  Kellen chuckled. “I’ll take two eggs, but you know you don’t have to do that.”

  “I know, but I want to.” Joshlyn walked over, leaned in, and kissed Kellen. “Now, why don’t you go sit down? Want to eat here or in the living room?”

  “Hm, how about here? Just holler when you’re ready.”

  Joshlyn hummed while fixing the eggs. She loved the whole feeling of domestication with Kellen. It was something she could definitely get used to. Hours after they fell asleep the previous night, Joshlyn awoke still in the same position they had fallen asleep. She tilted her head back and just stared at Kellen. The complications of life faded away and all she could see was a bright future with Kellen…it’s all she ever wanted, to feel like she had a home and had someone’s heart. From the long conversations she and Kellen shared, it was obvious that this is what Kellen wanted as well. There were past relationships, albeit many years ago, but none ever made her feel complete, safe, and secure. She always had this feeling of being lost that she chalked up to the investigation and everything that followed in the aftermath. Now that she had it within her means, she’d be damned if she’d give it up without a fight. She nodded to herself and slid the eggs onto each plate. Grabbing some tongs, she dropped a couple pieces of turkey sausage and some toast as well. She picked up the plates and headed to the living room.

  ****

  Kellen sat back and groaned. “That was great, Josh. Thank you.”

  “It really was no big deal, hon.”

  “I know, but I appreciate the effort and that you wanted to do it.”

  Joshlyn was getting ready to respond when her cell phone rang. Leaning forward, she picked it up. “It’s Sydney,” she said, already pushing the talk button. “Hey, Syd, I know you’ve been trying to get ahold of me and I’m sorry I haven’t returned your calls.” Josh hoped to head Sydney off at the pass before she could chastise her for not calling back sooner.

  “Listen, it’s ok, but I really need to talk to you.”

  “I need to talk to you as well. Do you know—”

  Sydney stopped her before she could say anything else. “Hey, what I need to talk to you about I’d really rather do in person. Can you hold off long enough for me to get there?”

&
nbsp; Joshlyn’s brow furrowed. “Um, yeah, I guess. How long before you can be here?”

  “Give me a couple hours, shouldn’t take any longer than that.”

  “Ok, I’ll see you then.”

  “I’ll see you soon. And Joshlyn, thanks for finally returning my calls!”

  Sydney had already hung up before Joshlyn could respond. She set her phone back down.

  “Everything okay?”

  Joshlyn sucked a lip into her mouth and released it before answering. “Yeah, I think so. She said she wants to talk to me, but would rather do it in person. She should be here in a couple hours.”

  “What do you think she needs to talk to you about?”

  “Well, based on the threats you’ve been getting I’m almost afraid to speculate. I think…no, I’m afraid that she’s going to tell me that I’ve been found. What else could it be, Kel?”

  “Honey, there’s no use in getting yourself worked up just yet. Let’s find out what she has to say and we’ll go from there.”

  “How can you sit there and be so calm about this. Your life has been threatened! Don’t you get it? These guys meant business, Kellen, and now that two of them are gone if you think he has anything to lose at this point by coming here you’re wrong!” Joshlyn stood and took their plates to the kitchen.

  Kellen took a deep breath and let it out. Honestly, she was just as concerned that both their lives were in danger. Actually, she was scared to death, not so much for herself but for Josh. She’d do anything to protect her and by acting like it was no big deal she inadvertently pushed her away. She hoped Sydney got here sooner rather than later because at this point she was ready just to go to the police and let them take care of whatever was happening. Her initial feelings were that Billy was the person responsible for the threatening letters. He always had some type of vendetta against her. So much so that she couldn’t even remember what started it and this was long before the accident that took Peetie’s life. No matter how she played it out in her head, she always came up with the same results. Billy.

  Kellen was about to get up and go find Josh when she came back into the living room.

  “Hey, listen, it’s not that—”

  “Look, I’m sorry for being—”

  Joshlyn stopped. “You go ahead.”

  “I was just going to say that it’s not that I don’t think they or I should say he doesn’t mean business, I know he does. I’m just trying to stay positive for you and keep your anxiety level down. The last thing you need is for me to be a nervous Nelly about it all, too.”

  “I know, Kel. I get it and I’m sorry for being such a bitch. It’s not just about me anymore. I could handle it easier if it were.”

  “Hence the reason you pushed me away and ended things. I don’t normally scare easily, Josh, especially when someone I love is involved.”

  Joshlyn smiled lovingly. “Yeah, I got that.” Kellen laughed outright and patted the spot on the couch next to her.

  Joshlyn sat down and leaned against Kellen’s shoulder. “I don’t want you hurt anymore, Kellen.”

  “Hey, look at me.” Kellen waited for her to sit up and then turned sideways on the couch to face Joshlyn and took a hand in her own. “Whatever happens, we are in this together. Got me?”

  Joshlyn hesitated. Kellen made it sound so simple. She ran her palm down Kellen’s cheek, traced her lower lip, and then tapped it. “Got it.” She gently probed the puckered skin around the stitches running through Kellen’s eyebrow and winced. “How’s that feeling?”

  “Actually I don’t even notice it’s there except the fact it itches so much.”

  Joshlyn was about to suggest some lotion when the doorbell rang. She looked at her watch and glanced at Kellen. “She got here fast.”

  Kellen stood. “I’ll get it.” She traipsed over to the front door and unlocked it. She smiled over at Joshlyn and then opened the door.

  Joshlyn saw Kellen visibly pale and grab the doorframe.

  “What…” Kellen started. “What are you doing here?”

  Chapter Twenty-two

  “Aren’t you even going to invite me in?”

  Kellen just stared. The myriad of feelings racing through her were way too intense. How? When? Why? She wanted to ask all these questions and more, but couldn’t find the words. Instead, she just stared.

  “Kellen?” Joshlyn was getting worried when Kellen just stood there. She could see her trembling and the color had yet to return so she stood up.

  Kellen put a hand up. “Stay there, Josh,” she said without looking at her. “What do you want, Jeff?” Kellen heard Josh gasp, but continued to look at Jeff.

  “What I want is for you to invite your dear old dad inside.”

  “Not gonna happen. Not now, not ever.”

  Jeff glowered. “You coulda made this so much easier. You remember that later.” He pulled a gun from behind his back and pointed it at her. “Now, get inside.”

  Kellen stepped back and allowed him inside the house. He slammed the door shut and motioned for her to sit down. Chigger picked that moment to start barking at Jeff.

  “Shut that damn dog up!”

  “Chigger, come here boy, c’mon.” Chigger ignored her and kept barking.

  Jeff turned towards the dog and swung his foot at him, catching him in the hindquarter. Chigger yelped and ran to the bedroom. He grumbled and looked back at Kellen. She was mad now, which was good. “Now, you’re gonna listen to me and do what I say, right?”

  “What do you want, Jeff?” Kellen was seething on the inside. The two things in this world that she was protective about were Chigger and Joshlyn. Her blood was boiling. All she wanted to do was beat the hell out of Jeff, but in her condition, it wasn’t going to happen. Damn him!

  “Well, for starters how about you tell me why you pushed me away? I deserved better than that, don’t you think? I am your dad!”

  Kellen let the blood boil to the surface. “First off, quit saying you’re my dad because you never did a damn thing for me. Second, I pushed you away because I was tired of bailing your sorry ass out of jail. And third, don’t you ever touch my dog again!”

  “Not your dad? I fed you and kept a roof over your head, what do you call that?”

  “You fed me? Is that what you call telling me to get my ‘lazy ass’ to the store if I was hungry? You have a warped sense of parenting.”

  “You are just like your mother. A mouthy, good for nothing little—”

  Kellen jumped to her feet and lunged towards Jeff. “You leave my mother out of this, you bastard!”

  Jeff punched a fist into the center of Kellen’s chest and shoved her back down to the couch. She gasped and immediately brought her good hand and arm up across her sternum.

  It was killing Joshlyn to watch all this take place. She wanted to interject, but had no idea what to say. When Jeff shoved Kellen back down to the couch, she jumped up and moved over next to her. Laying a hand on Kellen’s arm, she smoothed her hair back. “You keep your hands off her!”

  “Awww, isn’t that sweet.” Jeff started laughing and then stopped abruptly. “Don’t you tell me what to do, lady, because you have no idea who I am or what I’m capable of doing.”

  “Oh, I know exactly who you are so don’t kid yourself. Matter of fact, everybody knows who you are…or should I say aren’t?”

  Jeff approached her and stuck the gun in her face. “You shut your filthy mouth unless you want me to shut it for you.” He waited until Joshlyn lowered her eyes and then turned back to Kellen. “Now, what you’re going to do is get me some money and if I think it’s enough then I’ll move on. If not, well, you’ll just have to see.”

  “And what keeps you coming back time and time again, huh?” Kellen rasped. It was hard to take a full breath at this point. Her chest was on fire.

  “I guess you’ll just have to take my word for it, won’t you?”

  The ringing of the doorbell stopped Kellen from responding. She glanced at Joshlyn and then at Jef
f. He was trying to glance out a living room window to see who it was.

  “Who are you expecting?”

  Kellen squeezed Joshlyn’s hand. “No one. We were just having a quiet morning until you showed up.”

  “Answer the door then and make them go away.” He grabbed Joshlyn and held her in front of him. He raised the gun to her neck and smiled. “If they don’t go away, she’s dead.”

  Kellen scrambled painfully to her feet and went to the door. She took a breath, licked her lips, and opened it.

  “Hi, I’m Sydney, I’m—”

  Kellen interrupted before Sydney could say anything more. “I’m sorry; you must have the wrong house.”

  Sydney looked down at the paper in her hand and repeated the address. “Is that not where I’m at?” she said, glancing back at the numbers on the house.

  “Yes, that’s this address, but you must be mistaken.”

  Sydney watched as Kellen’s eyes darted from her to some place off to her left. There was a sheen of perspiration on the woman’s forehead and the pulse in her neck was very erratic. “Hm, my mistake then; I’m sorry to have bothered you.”

  “No problem. I hope you find who you’re looking for,” Kellen said as she closed the door slowly. Please, please let her know that something isn’t right!

  “Very nice, daughter, now sit down!” Jeff sneered.

  ****

  Sydney went back to her car and sat there for a minute. She knew this was the right house because Joshlyn had repeated the address twice. Even if it were the wrong house, the way the woman was acting would have raised some suspicions for her anyhow. She started the car and backed out of the driveway. She pulled down the street out of sight and pulled over to the curb. Something definitely was not right and she wasn’t taking any chances. Pulling out her cell phone, she called 911. After explaining who she was, they agreed to send a couple cars her direction to check in on the owner of the home. Sydney pushed the disconnect button and tapped the phone against her chin. Even with the police on their way, she didn’t feel comfortable. She got out, locked her door, and closed it. She could easily access a back alley so she walked between the houses and worked her way back down to the house. A large privacy fence surrounded the yard so Sydney went down and around the garage to where a gate allowed access. She quietly opened the fence and left it ajar…just in case. Placing one foot in front of the other, she climbed the three steps to the deck and made her way slowly across it without making herself visible through the sliding glass door. She leaned back against the house, pulled her weapon out, and slid closer to the door. As soundlessly as she could, she tried the handle to see if it was locked. It wasn’t so she pushed it open just a little so she could hear what was going on inside. She really wasn’t able to make out anything that was being said, but could hear a man yelling and a woman responding. Waiting for backup was the smart thing to do so she’d wait unless things escalated and she couldn’t. What the hell is going on?