Bombshell - Men of Sanctuary Series, Book Three (16 page)

Keko felt heat reach her cheeks. “Then I pass muster?”

Lucian grabbed her around the waist, lifted her without effort, swung her in a circle. “Oh yeah, you definitely pass muster.”

Lorelei sent an indulgent smile Lucian’s way.

Adam walked up, wrapped his arm around Lorelei shoulders, then just shook his head. “Damn kids.”

Lorelei clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. “Come on, children, time’s a-wasting, and this mother-to-be is starved. I’m sure I can eat half a steer, grilled to medium rare perfection.”

Lucian planted a kiss on her cheek in passing. ”
Aww
, how sweet. Our own little carnivore.”

Adam led Lorelei to the exit next to the foyer that opened into the garage, then held the door for the ladies.

Keko totally enjoyed the drive back to town. Lucian regaled her with tales of their recent visit with his madcap family, amid her howls of laughter.

Her face hurt from grinning when she finally caught her breath. “You’re making up fairy tales—that can’t all be true.”

From behind the steering wheel, Adam grunted. “Believe him. It is true. Every blasted word.”

Although The Woodlands’ exterior oozed rustic north country charm, in tune with the town, the interior dazzled. The crystal and silver, the crisp powder-blue linens, the well-chosen Art Deco accoutrements gave the establishment definite upscale appeal.

None of the well-tailored wait staff could be mistaken for the servers at Hooter’s.

Keko looked around, nodded. “Totally awesome. Is the food as good as this place looks?”

“Keek, do you really think the boys would bring us here to dine if they could do better back at the lodge?”

“Okay, good point.”

The restaurant was still relatively empty, and the
maître d’hôtel
approached them without delay. “Ladies, gentlemen, your guest is already seated. If you will please follow me.”

“Guest?” Keko looked around, but no one offered an explanation.

As they approached a round table set in a corner between two blue and white, stained glass windows, Sheriff MacBride rose from his seat. He stood, momentarily looking as spellbound as a teenage boy seeing his prom date all dressed up for the first time. Stared at Keko like she’d blown in from outer space.

Lucian grinned. “Sure cleans up great, doesn’t she?”

“Oh, yeah. Yes, she certainly does.” MacBride shook himself free of the spell he seemed to be under, pulled out a chair for her.

She didn’t want to be rude and stand there like an idiot and stare at him, so she allowed him to seat her.

Lucian seated Lorelei. Adam shook his head at the other two men, and seated himself.

Keko arrowed a sharp look at Lorelei. “I guess he just happened to be in the neighborhood?”

Lorelei feigned innocence. “Did I neglect to mention inviting Mac? With so much happening these days, I’ve become absolutely absentminded. So sorry. Must be all the hormones.”

“I’m sure, ” Keko said. “That must be it. Hormones.”

As annoyed as she was with the too-obvious efforts at matchmaking, she had to admit that MacBride looked luscious. A snug, black Henley with the long sleeves pushed up made the most of his wide chest and shoulders, his long, lean torso. Tailored gray slacks and black shoes finished the picture. He wore a simple gold watch, and a large gold ring with some sort of insignia that she couldn’t quite make out. It could have been a trident.

Keko played the game. “Wow, great look!” And he honestly did look great.

Totally awesome, actually. He’d been in jeans, polo shirt, and sports coat at the lounge in L.A., which had suited him well enough. Otherwise, she’d seen him only in uniform—or out of it. The Henley did nothing to hide his muscular upper body and taut abs. The slacks looked custom fitted.

Her nipples perked in response to his proximity; her intimate parts became all tingly. She shifted in her seat, attempted to cover her body’s reactions. “And you know how to dress yourself. Impressive.”

Before MacBride could reply, a neatly appointed blonde girl presented herself.

“Good evening, I’m Ashley. I’ll be your server. May I start you out with drinks?”

MacBride glanced at Keko, one eyebrow raised in question. “Long Island Iced Tea?”

She couldn’t tell if he was serious, or retaliating for her smartass comments about dressing himself. “Not ever again, not in this lifetime.”

She made eye contact with the waitress, smiled. “A Shirley Temple, please.”

Lucian sat back, grinned widely, arched an eyebrow. “I’d
love
to hear the rest of
that
story.”

Keko directed a smile back at him. “No.”

“Not a problem. I bet Kamaka will tell me.” He reached for his satphone, but Lorelei was faster. She snatched it out of his hands.

“You can have it back after we get home. I intend to enjoy our evening out.”

Lucian played at being crestfallen, but Keko knew it was an act. He sighed, dramatically. “You’re no fun.”

Lorelei arched an eyebrow. “Watch it, buster, or I really won’t be.”

Lucian blew her a kiss. ”
Aww
, Lorelei, baby, you love me.”

Keko glanced at Adam, who sat, stoically observing his partners.

“Are they always like this?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

MacBride reached for Keko’s hand. “If these yay-hoos get to be too much, remember that my house is always at your disposal.”

All movement ceased as the group awaited Keko’s response.

She suddenly felt like she was on trial, or waiting outside the principal’s office.

“I beg your pardon?”

He shrugged, rubbed the top of her hand with his thumb. “I’m just saying, I have a perfectly good guest room at my place, which is well-situated in town and convenient to just about everywhere.”

Yeah, with the chairwoman of your friendly neighborhood welcoming committee ready to
scoop out my beating heart with a dull spoon at the first opportunity.

Mac appeared relaxed and casual, but his posture was watchful, almost possessive. His repeated offer hit her in the gut.
Why is he pushing me—again?

Keko retrieved her hand, took a deep swallow of her iced water, waited a moment to get her feelings under control. She battled silently between fear and anger.

Fear that he was trying to rope her in, anger that he cornered her in public. He probably banked on the fact that she wouldn’t create a scene.
Keep it up, buddy, and see how poorly
that logic works for you
.

The longer she considered his behavior, the more MacBride’s possessive alpha attitude annoyed her. She perceived his posturing as a threat to her personal space—

and she didn’t handle threats very well. Threats, real or perceived, immediately brought out her strongest defense mechanisms.

“Thank you, that’s very kind. I couldn’t think of putting you out.” The sarcasm slid out before she could stop it. She could feel her teeth grate at the effort to smile, to be pleasant.
Damn, my jaw is gonna be killin’ me later
.

He pressed on, now getting questioning glances from Lucian, as well as Lorelei.

“You wouldn’t be putting me out—I’m not at the house all that often. Someone should take advantage of it.”

Yeah, and that’s the problem. I’d like to take advantage of you, for hours and hours at a
time, days, even. But not as your live-in girlfriend.
A scene from the movie
Pretty Woman
popped into her head: Julia Roberts’ character cooing to Richard Gere, ” I’d love to be your beck-and-call-girl, but … .”

Keko shook herself loose from those thoughts as her nipples perked up again, oddly in step with her anger.
Okay, girls, on some level, you’re beginning to worry me
.

It appeared that Lucian was about to speak, but Keko saw Lorelei shoot him a look. He apparently decided to quit while he was ahead.

Conversation remained on hold as young Ashley arrived in the nick of time with their drinks.

After Ashley took their orders, then scurried away like one of Cinderella’s mice, Keko stood, looked around to get her bearings. “If you’ll excuse me.”

MacBride immediately rose as she did.

Oh dear God, what the bloody hell does this man want from me? Is he being polite like his
mama taught him, or pushing more of my buttons?

Lorelei motioned. “Go behind that wall, down the hall toward the kitchen. The rest rooms are on the right. Can’t see from here. Very posh.”

“Thanks.” Keko turned to leave.
Please God, don’t let me trip
.

The ladies’ room was indeed well appointed, and thankfully empty of customers.

Keko splashed water on her face, patted it dry. She reached for her make-up case and realized her purse hung from her chair at the table.
Shit
. MacBride’s presence screwed her up more than she’d realized.
Shit-shit-shit
.

A pair of plush blue velvet benches was placed artistically along the wall, opposite the long white- and silver-flecked granite vanity. Keko sat and fumed.
How
dare he put me in such a position? In front of everyone, for chrissakes.
Her new acquaintances had indeed become friends, and were therefore important to her.

She returned to the mirrored vanity, finger-combed her mane, rearranged the hair clip, then smudged her eye makeup with a fingertip until it was even again.

“Sonofabitch, he can’t do this to me.” She growled at her reflection in the mirror.

“I won’t be pushed, or shoved, or molded like warm putty.”

Keko jumped when she realized a large woman in a floral pantsuit had come into the room.

“That’s right, girlfriend, you tell him. Do it, go for it, give him hell. You go, girl.”

The woman used the facilities, then returned to the sink to wash her hands. She fluffed her already fluffed, bright orangey-red hairdo. “Although, if your man is one of those fine-lookin’ gents seated at the corner table, you might consider giving him the opportunity to apologize. Then, hold out for make-up sex.”

The woman reapplied her lipstick, bright orangey-red to match her hair.

“Oh, yeah, that’s what I’d do. Hold out for make-up sex with one of those fine men.
Mmm mmm
. Those boys are tasty morsels.” After offering that pearl of wisdom, the woman departed in a cloud of Avon’s best floral perfume.

Keko knew she couldn’t hide in the loo forever, but MacBride really had her off-center. When he was near, she wanted to tear their clothes off, fuck like minks until there were no orgasms left in their bodies, then swoon from exhaustion. In relatively polite social situations, she couldn’t seem to deal with him.
What the hell is wrong with
me? I know how to act civilized in public.

Figuratively girding her loins, Keko took a couple of deep breaths to calm herself. She headed down the hallway toward the dining area and their table.

Keko heard MacBride’s voice, but couldn’t quite make out the words. She stopped before the wall ended.

He pressed his point to someone. “What’s wrong with wanting her to live with me?”

Live with him? What the hell is he talking about?

Lorelei’s voice. “Have you discussed such arrangements with her?”

Lucian’s voice. “So, did you buy a ring yet?”

Lorelei again. “Lucian, you’re not helping. Will you hush?”

Silence.

MacBride. “Well, I might have looked around a bit. Y’know, just in case.”

Lorelei responded. “Just in case? Just in case, what? The girl’s only been here a few days, and she lives in Boston—have you spoken about any of this with her?”

More silence.

“I sorta broached the subject about staying at my place. She didn’t exactly jump at the opportunity, but I think she probably still suffered from jet lag.”

“Oh boy, Mac. This course of action has doom written all over it. It’s too soon.

She just lost her father, for heaven’s sake, under really nasty circumstances.”

Go, Lorelei, that’s it, tell him. Tell him! Convince him that I’m not ready for cohabitation
and engagement rings. Jeez, engagement rings?

“Yeah,” Lucian said. “We’re talking about a woman who deals with high explosives on a daily basis, who stomps all over those big ol’ powder monkeys to keep them in line. I’d damned well think twice, maybe three times, before pushing the wrong buttons. You might want to be
really
careful handling that fiery package of attitude.”

Keko pulled back, pressed against the wall, missed Lorelei’s response.

Motherfuckin’ cocksucker
. She’d been sure MacBride understood her need for space.

They’d discussed it.
I just need time—time to deal with Dad’s murder, time to get my bearings
in the business. I need some fucking time. He needs to stop pushing me.

Just as she was about to clear the wall, she heard MacBride respond.

“Okay, so maybe I bought her a little gift.”

Lorelei again. “Mac, I love ya like a brother, but you’re pushing her too hard, too fast.”

He must have produced a jewelry box. “See, it’s not a ring. It’s more like a wide necklace, a collar. Silver and garnet. She seems to prefer that style, and she looks great in red.”

He bought a collar for me? He thinks he’s going to collar me? Me? When did our quasi-relationship warp into BDSM territory?

“Damn, chief.” Lucian sounded either impressed—or apprehensive.

Adam uttered two words. “Too soon.”

There ya go, buddy. Adam has the right of it. Too soon. Well, enough is goddamned well
enough
. Keko moved quietly back down the hall toward the kitchen. The busy staff barely noticed as she tried to get someone’s attention.

The server, Ashley, looked surprised when she realized her customer had wandered below stairs, in a manner of speaking. “Ma’am, is there something I can get for you?”

Keko pulled her jacket tighter. “Yeah, you can tell me where the back door is—