“What happened to her?” Alyssa demanded. “Why is she acting like that?”
“We’re pretty sure a very disreputable man who frequents the restaurant drugged her somehow.” Brett knew they couldn’t continue avoiding telling her.
“What?”
“He brought her to the bar where we met up for a beer before the game. We’ll figure out why later but I don’t think he was there for a friendly meeting. Jordan interrupted and escorted Kiley out of there,” Shane added.
“Who? Why?” Alyssa was stunned.
“Don’t worry. We’ll get to all of that soon enough. Tonight, our only concern is your cousin and how we can make this as easy as possible for her,” Shane replied.
“Alyssa, I know you’re worried. We all are. You cousin is just about the nicest person I’ve ever met. It makes no sense that anyone would deliberately try to hurt her. But, and I’ll give you my word on this, no one could take better care of Kiley than Jordan is,” Brett tried.
“But—”
“Believe him, Campini. I saw my brother put his own life at risk for her earlier. He did it without hesitation.”
“What do you mean?”
“At least two of the men at the table with Kiley were armed, probably all three. He walked right over to them and made it clear that he was taking her out of there. He did it in a way that said Kiley was his and he wouldn’t tolerate any bullshit they might be stupid enough to try,” Shane said thoughtfully. “I know Jordan said he’d answer all your questions later. I have plenty of my own for him too. Until two hours ago, I didn’t even know your cousin existed let alone inspired my brother like she obviously does.”
“He’s taking care of her,” Brett restated.
“Fine. We’ll stay,” she agreed sullenly. “For now anyway.”
Chapter Eleven
“Don’t fight it, Kiley,” Jordan urged as she tried to resist vomiting. “It’s better to get it out.”
“I hate to be sick,” she sobbed.
“I know, sweet, but please, just let it go.”
“I’m a mess. I’m disgusting.”
“You’re beautiful to me, even when you’re not at your best,” he soothed.
“Jordan.” She turned as another wave hit her.
“That’s it. Go ahead. That’s my girl.” Jordan wished there were some way he could make this less awful for her.
“If I get through this I’m going to hunt him down and make him take the same stuff,” Kiley declared when she sat back.
“You are going to get through this and I’ll hold him down for you.”
“Why did he do this to me?”
“I honestly don’t know. But don’t worry, I’ll find out soon enough.”
“Who were those men? You talked to them.”
“One was Bo. He’s a bookie, pretty decent as bookies go. He’s not such a bad guy if you overlook what he does. The guy in the suit was Vincent. You might say he’s the right-hand man for Mr. Samuels who is, among other things, in the high interest loan business. My guess is Winslow was planning on using you to stall. I think he’s in trouble and getting desperate.” At her questioning look, Jordan continued, “He’s a high-stakes gambler. He’s been milking the females in Mr. Paul’s but I suspect that the well’s running dry.”
“Why didn’t he just run away?” Kiley’s head was clearing even though she felt worse.
“Mr. Samuels isn’t someone you can run from.”
“Are you saying he kills people?”
“I’m saying that it’s a possibility.”
“And you know him?”
“I know of him. We’ve never actually met.”
“But you know that other guy, Vincent?”
“We’ve crossed paths but I wouldn’t really say I know him. How are you feeling?”
“Dizzy. It comes and goes. I’m such a mess.”
“Think you’re done throwing up?”
“Yeah.” Kiley started to cry. “I’m so sorry.”
“For what? You didn’t do this, sweet. There’s nothing to apologize for.”
“I made such a mess. Look at me!” She tried to hide her face.
“I am. And as far as I’m concerned you’re still beautiful. Are you up for a shower?”
“I don’t know…I’m not sure…I’m afraid…” She covered her face again.
“You think you’ll get dizzy and fall.” Jordan understood before she nodded, still not looking at him. “Then I’ll help to make sure you don’t.” He scooped her into his arms and headed for the steps.
“No,” she moaned. “Your shirt. Put me down.”
Jordan did once they reached the bathroom off his bedroom. “Kiley, stop it. My main concern here is making you as comfortable as possible. You’ll feel better with a shower. I brought you here so I could take care of you. Let me help.” He smoothed back her hair and kissed her forehead. “Please love, I knew Winslow was bad news. I didn’t help you by preventing this but I’m here now.”
Another dizzy spell hit her. He was right. She needed him and she knew it. Part of her wanted to giggle. All the times she’d pictured him in the shower with her and now he was going to be but only to keep her on her feet. Finally, she nodded.
“Good girl. Now you sit here and I’ll go get something for you to put on. Then you’re going to rest and I’ll take care of everything else.” When she tried to protest, he said, “Don’t argue, please. You’re in no shape to do anything now. Tell you what. When this is all settled, you can take me someplace special.” Again she nodded. He made sure she was steady before he left her. In a minute, he was back with a shirt for her to wear. He had also searched the guest bathroom and found a new toothbrush.
“Oh, yes please. That first.” Kiley almost fell as she stood.
Jordan caught her and held her to him. “Hang onto me and I’ll get you set up.” He opened the brush and covered it with toothpaste. Then he pinned her between himself and the sink. “I won’t let you fall. Trust me, Kiley.” He held her hair while she awkwardly brushed her teeth. “Okay now let’s get you out of these clothes.”
“God, this is awful.” Kiley stopped looking at him again.
“Knock it off. I’ll have you know that undressing you for the shower is one of my fantasies.”
“Not what you pictured though, is it?” Kiley actually grinned.
“Well, no but hey, that’s why they’re called fantasies. No more stalling. Let’s get you cleaned up. Hold onto my shoulders.”
He had her stripped in no time. Jordan tried very hard to ignore her body. Briefly, he considered leaving his underwear on but decided against it. Kiley would be less embarrassed if they were both on equal ground. “In we go.”
This was torture! The moment he’d been dreaming of for months and he couldn’t do a damn thing about it. She was incredible. So much was hidden by the style of her clothes. The green dress had hinted but what he found was way beyond what he’d guessed.
“Jordan?” Kiley said tentatively when she noticed his jaw clench. “Am I that repulsive that you won’t even look at me?” Her voice trembled. “I know my boobs are ridiculous and my ass is too big. I’m sorry to put you through this.”
“Shut up.” He sounded dangerous. Jordan sighed and rested his forehead on hers. Taking a deep breath, he raised his head and met her eyes. “I’m sorry.” He saw her confusion. “You are unbelievable, do you know that? Kiley, this may be the most difficult thing I’ve ever done.”
“What?”
“Standing here with you, both of us naked and not being able to touch you the way I want to. I’m not looking at you because I’m afraid you’ll see what I’m thinking and that it’ll scare you. If my opinion matters, I think you’re perfect. Your breasts are lush and full of promise, not ridiculous. As far your ass, well, I’d love to run my palms over it after you wrap your legs around me and pull my cock deep into you.”
Kiley could feel it as he described it. “Do it.”
“Oh God, Kiley, you’re killing me.”
“Do it, Jordan.”
“Not tonight. Even though I lack control around you most of the time I can’t touch you now.”
“You don’t want me.” She was close to tears again.
“More than anything. Look.” Jordan looked pointedly at his erection that was a fraction of an inch from her belly.
“Oh my!” Kiley reached for him. She managed to circle his shaft before he caught her wrist.
“Don’t. We can’t do this. Not when you’ve been drugged. I won’t take advantage of you.”
“But I want you. I think I’ve been excited since the moment we met. You talk about fantasies. Well, you in the shower is one of mine.”
Jordan groaned. “You shouldn’t say that. Not now. Turn around and let me wash your hair. Put one hand on the wall and one on the bar.” As he lathered her hair, Kiley began to moan. “Am I hurting you?”
“No, don’t stop. Your hands feel so good. Touch me, Jordan. Everywhere.”
Her words made him realize just how sensual the act of washing her hair was. He was taking too long and needed to get them out of there. Kiley leaned back against him, trapping his erection between them.
“Hold still please.” He backed up, recreating the space between them. “I’m almost done here.”
“I am too.” She giggled at her own words. “You make me feel so hot. Your voice alone could make me come if you’d keep talking. I need you. I can’t take it anymore. I’m going to explode. Just one touch is all it’ll take.”
“No, I can’t. Not tonight. Listen, I’ll make a deal with you. If you let me rinse you off, get you dry and tuck you in, I promise that tomorrow night I’ll do anything you want.”
“Anything?”
“Anything.”
“I can’t wait that long.”
“Yes, you can and so can I. Close your eyes.” He rinsed her hair. “I want our first time together to be special. If we make love tonight, I’m not entirely sure you’d even remember it.”
“I’ll remember. There’s nothing about you that I’d ever forget.”
“Please, Kiley. Don’t make this harder than it already is.”
Kiley managed to wrap her fingers around him again. “I don’t think this can possibly get any harder,” she giggled.
“Hey! Behave yourself.” Jordan gently removed her hand. “I can’t believe that I’m saying this but keep your hands to yourself.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“Tonight, I do. Hang onto this and don’t move. I’ll just dry off first and then we’ll get to you.”
She surprised him by doing as he asked. “Can I really touch you tomorrow?” she wondered seriously while he toweled her off.
“If you still want to. I already told you that I’m up for anything you can think of as long as you behave tonight.” He had mixed emotions when he finished buttoning her into his shirt. It helped, having her body hidden from sight but it sure had been magnificent to see. “Want me to comb your hair?”
“I can do it. I’ll sit on the sofa and keep you company while you clean up my mess. I wish…”
“We already settled that. Wait here, I’ll get you some socks.”
Jordan had to force himself not to stare while Kiley combed her hair. It was usually held back by some sort of clip. Now, with it framing her face, Jordan needed to stifle another groan. He had to stop picturing the way it would look spread across his pillow when they made love.
This time when the phone rang, Kiley managed to assure Alyssa that she was fine and not to worry. Although the call ended better than the last one, Jordan repeated his request that they stay away.
After Jordan stowed the cleaning supplies, he made a few quick calls. Kiley was amazed when food and clothes were delivered less than fifteen minutes later. When she finished the soup he insisted she eat, she glanced at the clothes the unnamed person had dropped off. “You’re taking me home tonight.”
“Absolutely not unless you ask me to.”
“I’d rather stay here with you. I’m still a little shaky. But the clothes?”
“The clothes are for tomorrow morning. I figured you might be happier if you’re dressed when my brother and your cousin get here.”
“Thank you. I know I don’t have to say that but I want to. Not everyone would have wanted to deal with this. Not everyone would have rescued me like you did.”
“You’re welcome.” He held her gaze for a prolonged moment. “Why don’t we go lie down? The game should be over soon. We may as well get comfortable while we wait.”
Chapter Twelve
“Give me the address in case we get separated along the way,” Alyssa demanded.
“Wait,” Brett finally yelled to get their attention. “You cannot go over there tonight!”
“The hell I can’t,” Alyssa yelled back. “I’m going to get Kiley and take her home with me where she belongs.”
“And I want some answers,” Shane added as they turned to go.
“Both of you just shut up,” Brett growled.
Shane was stunned. In all the years he’d known him, Brett had rarely lost his temper. Now he was madder than he’d ever seen him.
“How dare you,” Alyssa shrieked.
“I said. Shut. Up.” He took a step toward her so Shane moved between them. “Kiley is right where she should be and you are not going over there to interfere tonight. They’re waiting for us to call with who won but I’ll bet he’s already tucked her in. There’s no way in hell I’m letting you disturb them now.”