Redemption Rains (10 page)

“I appreciate your effort Detective,
but I am not stupid. I am twenty-eight years old. Never has a man
ever done anything but look at me with scorn my entire life. I have
learned that men like their women petite and pliable to their every
whim and as you can see detective, there is nothing petite or
pliable about me.”

“I think that you need another lesson,
Miss Windsor, in the school of men.”

“I’ll pass Detective; I have had
enough lessons’ from my first step father who referred to me as
“Lizzy the Cow”. He made it his point in life to make sure that I
realized what a fat, unattractive child I was.” Elizabeth’s eyes
reflected the hatred she felt for the man. “For the first ten years
of my life I believed that I had been switched at birth and that my
mother secretly mourned this. Of course, after my mom left the
bastard for Edward and didn’t leave me behind, I realized that she
must love me inkling and he was wrong. The one thing he did
accomplish though was opening my eyes to what men are really about.
And I am happy for this.” Elizabeth’s face was flushed with pent up
anger. Her tears had dried on her lashes and her lips were pulled
back in a tight, cynical line.

Devin’s eyes held pity and that was
the last thing she needed now. She wanted him to see that she was
strong and that she didn’t need any man to make her feel better
about herself.

“There has been no man in your life
who appreciated you,” it was a question but spoken as a
statement.

“No,” Elizabeth spoke. “I have Edward,
and I know that he loves me like a daughter. I am thankful for
that.” She turned from him walking to the settee and sitting down.
She was suddenly very exhausted. The battle of wills she had been
fighting with Devin had worn her down considerably. Her head ached
and she realized that she was still not completely recovered from
her cold. She needed to rest before the pain developed into a
blinding migraine.

“Would you mind if I lay down for a
little while?” She rubbed her hand across her forehead and over her
eyes. “I seem to have developed a headache.”

Devin studied her closely for a full
minute before he turned away and went into the bathroom. She went
to lie down on the bed, but was stopped when Devin emerged holding
a wet wash cloth in his hands.

“You should change,” his tone was
clipped. “You will be more comfortable.” He moved closer to her.
“Here, I found some medicine in my bag. It is a pain reliever and
may make you drowsy, but it will work.”

“Thank you,” she didn’t look at him as
he handed over the medicine and cloth.

“I will leave you alone for a while,”
Devin walked to the door, turning to look at her for a moment and
then he was gone. With a sigh of relief, Elizabeth went in search
of her nightgown.

As she climbed beneath the cool
sheets, she felt her body relax. The medicine took effect quickly,
not giving her troubled mind time to worry over the events that had
happened that morning.

Chapter 8

She was dreaming again; that same
horrible dream where she was standing in the field with Mr. Smith
and Rocko. She watched as Devin came running at her and when Rocko
lifted the gun to shoot at Devin, she was unable to move. Not like
before when she had stepped in front of the gun. This time the shot
hit Devin in the chest and she watched as he dropped to his knees.
His face was white and blood spread across his chest. She could not
save him this time. She screamed his name. “Devin, please don’t
die.” Tears clogged her throat. “Devin, please don’t die, I need
you.” She fell to her knees. “I love you Devin, please don’t die.”
But he couldn’t hear her and all she could do was watch as the life
drained out of him. The pain she felt in the dream was still with
her when she awoke.

She could feel her body trembling,
tears flowing down her cheeks. She opened her eyes and set up. The
room was totally dark with the drapes drawn to keep out the sun.
Elizabeth searched the room for Devin, small whimpers coming from
her throat. She needed to reassure herself that the horrible dream
had not transposed itself to real life.

Devin was sitting in one of the pink
wing back chair a few feet from the bed. His head was thrown back
his legs spread wide. She left the bed and walked slowly over to
him.

“Devin,” she whispered his name but he
did not move. For a brief moment the dream flashed in her head. She
shivered with fear and reached out to touch his chest. Her hand was
caught in a steel grip and her body was dragged forward. Elizabeth
fell to her knees with a cry. Devin pulled her against his chest,
straddling her with his legs. His breathing was ragged.

“Devin, it’s me Elizabeth. Please let
go.” He focused on her face and she saw recognition dawn in his
eyes.

“Elizabeth, what are you doing?” he
let go of her immediately and she rubbed her wrist, sure that she
would be left with a bruise.

“I could have hurt you.”

“I think you did,” she laughed, trying
to lighten his mood.

Devin reached out and grabbed her hand
again, but his fingers were gentle when he touched her. He
inspected her wrist.

“Damn, I’m sorry Beth,” she was
startled by the endearment he used. “You’re going to bruise.”
Elizabeth watched in awe as he raised her hand and placed his lips
gently on the inside of her wrist. Her pulse quickened, the breath
froze in her lungs. He was so tender, his lips so soft.

Devin raised his head and looked at
her. He reached out and cupped her cheek tracing the tears that
flowed from her eyes with his thumb.

“I’m sorry, don’t cry.” Elizabeth
realized that he thought that he had made her cry.

“No, it’s not you. I had another dream
but this time I couldn’t stop them and they shot you.” She placed
her other hand on his knee to brace herself.

“In the dream you died. It was
horrible.” The dream came back in full force and she started to
shake with fear. Devin pulled her into his embrace.

“Don’t cry honey,” he murmured against
her hair as his hands massaged her back, soothing her sobbing body.
“I’m fine. See?” He laid her hand on his chest. He had unbuttoned
the front of his shirt so when her hand made contact it was with
his warm flesh. Her fingers tingled and sent eclectic currents
along her arm. She felt the strong, steady beat of his heart. He
was so strong, but so gentle with her now. When he looked at her
with soft blue eyes, her heart melted. Elizabeth realized she did
not fear his death, she feared when the time would come for this to
be all over and he would walk away from her.

The tears flowed unchecked down her
face. Elizabeth knew at that moment when she looked at him, felt
his touch, that it was not just passion or lust she felt for Devin
Kane, it was love. She loved him. Not sure how this had come about,
but sad that it would never be returned, Elizabeth sobbed
uncontrollably.

Devin reached down and pulled her into
his lap. Cradling her like an infant, slightly rocking back and
forth he murmured soft soothing words against her ear. Why did he
have to be so nice now? Why couldn’t he be the egotistic barbarian
he had been before? The one who made her hate him, not love him.
She could handle the dark, domineering detective with anger and
hate, but she was not able to fight this gentle, caring man who
held her and wiped away her tears. As the tears subsided, she felt
an ache start in her heart. The pain was no bigger than a thimble
at that moment, but Elizabeth knew that it would grow and in the
end when he left her, she would be able to feel nothing but the
ache. She sniffled slightly and raised her head from his
shoulder.

“I’m sorry for breaking down. I think
that I let that dream get to me a little too much, but I’m fine
now.” Elizabeth ducked her head in embarrassment and climbed off
his lap to stand. “It’s getting late, maybe we should try and get
some dinner.” There was no response. She could feel his gaze on her
making her feel even more self-conscious.

“Where did you get that?” Devin spoke
through tight lips.

“Get what?”

“That excuse you call for a nightgown?
You weren’t wearing that last night.” He sounded angry with
her.

Elizabeth looked down and realized
that she had not put on her wrap. The nightgown left her
practically naked. She was shocked to see that one of the ribbons
had come untied at her breasts, leaving the edge of one nipple
visible to the eye. And that is exactly where Devin’s eyes rested
at that very moment. Embarrassed beyond belief, Elizabeth attempted
to cover herself with her arms as she turned her back to him. She
heard his sharp intake of breath and then the angry oath he spoke.
With desperation Elizabeth retied the ribbon and turned back with
arms wrapped around her. She had not heard him rise from the chair,
so it shocked her to see that he was standing in front of her
now.

“This is my night gown,” she tried to
act nonchalant about the situation but her voice pitched high and
cracked as she spoke.

“You were not wearing that last
night,” he shook his head as he spoke.

“Yes I was.” Elizabeth took a step
back trying to put a little distance between them. “I was just
wearing my wrap over it.” She heard him grunt and shake his head as
if he disapproved of her. Elizabeth felt her anger rise.

Of course he would look disgusted like
that. Who was she trying to kid. He was not turned on by this
display of flesh on her part, he was repulsed. This thought set her
off, making her want to strike back at this man who could inspire
love in her with his touch and then shred her to pieces with one
look.

“I’m sorry if I have disgusted you
Detective Kane with my attire,” she dropped her arms from around
her and clenched them into fists as she spoke. “Believe me, it will
not happen again. I understand that your type does not appreciate
being exposed to such unflattering attributes in a woman. You
prefer your women blonde and petite. She was proud of the haughty
way she spoke to him. Not revealing her true feelings of
hurt.

Elizabeth turned on her heel, totally
unaware of the way her movement brought attention to her hair
cascading around her shoulders. She walked with her back held
strait, causing her hips to sway provocatively. The smooth satin
moved with each step, exposing the small of her back even more.
When she reached the bed, she grabbed the peignoir and slipped her
arms in the shear sleeves. With shaky fingers she tried to button
the front but fumbled helplessly with the tiny seed pearls.
Frustrated with her loss of self-control Elizabeth pulled the
wrapper around her tightly, holding it together with her clenched
hands. She turned to face him, her chin lifted in defiance. Trying
to give her most disdainful gaze, Elizabeth could feel her control
slipping. Unshed tears sparkled in her eyes and her lips trembled
slightly.

“As I have told you before, Detective,
I learned from the best on what a man really wants.”

“And that was your step
father?”

“Yes. He was very verbal in his
opinions. If I remember correctly, he used to say “fat chicks” have
the opposite effect on a man’s...” Elizabeth paused, flushing as
she searched for a better use of the vulgar term Larry Ambry used
when he made this speech, “...ego.” Elizabeth caught her eyes
resting on Devin’s jeans, where the zipper covered a slight bulge.
She jerked her eyes back up to his face.

“You have had some real bastards in
your life Elizabeth.”

“I still do, Detective,” Elizabeth
knew she was pushing his resolve, but she was too upset now. She
had to break down these feelings she had for him before he broke
her in two.

Devin’s nostrils flared as her comment
hit home.

“So you think that I am a bastard?”
his eyes were shuttered, lips thin.

“I would never say that Detective,”
she sniffed her disgust. “It is such a crude term.”

She had to hand it to him; he was
doing a splendid job of controlling his anger. She was sure that he
wanted to strike her down and any other man would have by now, but
for some reason, he just stood there, very still.

“I think that all you have ever known
are bastards’ princess. This is usually what cold bitches attract.”
She felt the blood drain from her face. His words had done more
damage than any slap across the face. He thought she was a cold
bitch. Maybe she was. No man had ever shown interest in her, but
maybe it was not because of what she looked like. She shook her
head. This was not right. Devin’s interpretation of her character
was inaccurate because Elizabeth had never acted like this before
with another man. She had never had enough courage to stand up to
any man until now.

Her thoughts went to Samuel. For a
moment she was shocked to realize that she had not thought of him
earlier. With a sense of hope, Elizabeth grabbed onto that image of
Samuel she carried in her mind and compared it with the man
standing before her now.

Samuel was her best friend, the one
person she could talk to and not fear judgment. He was light where
Devin was dark; he was warm where Devin was cold and ruthless. But
when Elizabeth went to compare her feelings for both men, her love
for Devin surpassed her feelings for Samuel. She looked at Devin.
She was suddenly very frightened of the fact that this man had
stepped in and stolen her heart without her realizing it. His image
would burn in her mind forever. But she would not let him know
that. She would not give him a chance to stomp on her heart with
disgust. If he wanted a cold bitch, he would get a cold bitch. But
she would also make him see that it was only in his company that
she became this cold-hearted woman; unaffected by him in anyway.
She quickly put her plan to the test.