Devi (8 page)

“It’s my name here. I can’t go around being called by my goddess name. Amaunet is called Ashia,” Devi said.

“Devi and Ashia. Got it. Oh, my, I have so much I want to know.”

“Well, take a seat and ask. Then let’s go.” Allie sounded angry.

She was glaring at Ashia. Parker was studying Ashia’s cartouche ear cuffs, moving her head back and forth. Ashia still seemed amused.

I don’t want your man,
Ashia’s voice said in her mind.

“He’s not my man,” Allie screamed. Devi realised that Ashia had talked in her thoughts, too.

“What’d you say, Al?” Parker was still distracted.

He needs a brick to the head to get a clue,
Ashia said.

“Ain’t that the truth,” Allie agreed.

Devi stifled a laugh.

Ashia pulled Parker’s hands from her ears.

“Go sit—you’ll have enough time to study them later. You can come to my ranch and see my collection,” Ashia offered.

“Then we’ll get our minds wiped of you.” Parker sounded sad.

“At least you can ask the questions you’ve always wanted to.” Allie patted his hand.

“But I won’t remember them, or the answers.” He slumped in his chair.

“Are you sure we can’t keep him? Hell, the two of them?” Ashia asked.

“No, we can’t,” Devi said.

Allie started asking questions, then Parker. Devi and Ashia answered them.

Glancing at the time, Rhodes frowned. Devi was late. A black Tundra pulled in next to his Jeep. He frowned as a big man got out. Rhodes narrowed his eyes as he recognised Parker from the university. Parker hurried to open the back door. Devi stepped out of the truck. Rhodes’ mouth went dry at the sight of her turquoise top, which showed off her toned and flat stomach. Matching shorts exposed lean legs and her white sneakers and socks completed the outfit. She strutted over to him. Going up on her toes, she kissed him thoroughly. Rhodes locked his knees, hands instinctively holding her waist. Devi leant back, a smile on her lips.

The sound of a throat being cleared came from beside them.

Rhodes glanced away from Devi’s captivating gaze. He blinked. The woman watching him with an amused expression was devastating. Her green eyes were startling against all that dark skin. She was dressed in a similar way to Devi, except that her running clothes were all white. Rhodes registered Allie standing next to the woman, also outfitted in similar gear. Parker was dressed in shorts and a T-shirt.

“We have some company for running,” Devi said.

Barking made him glance at the truck. There were dogs pressed against the windows.

“Two- and four-legged varieties. I hope you don’t mind,” Devi said.

Parker, Allie and the unknown woman went to unload what he now saw were puppies.

“How’d you meet Allie and Parker?” he asked.

“They came by about the cartouche. We had a nice chat,” Devi said.

“Oh, no. I hope my taking it to them didn’t make trouble for you,” Rhodes whispered.

“Nope. It was fun.” There was a twinkle in her gaze that made him uneasy.

“And you invited them along for a run,” Rhodes said.

“We decided to keep them,” a smoky voice replied.

Rhodes looked at the ebony-skinned woman.

“As friends. Not pets,” Devi said, pulling away from him.

She smacked the woman, then linked arms with her.

“This is Ashia, my friend. I invited her to the cook-out. Parker and Allie are coming, too. And, oh yeah, January.” Devi squatted.

Their three-person cook-out had morphed into a party. Rhodes shook his head. It was like being in a whirlwind.

“Nice to meet you, Ashia.”

“And you, Rhodes. I’ve heard lots of things about you.” There was a look he couldn’t define in her green gaze.

Devi stood and held up a puppy. “This is Pebbles. Ashia gave her to me. She’s giving me free vet services.” Devi glanced at Ashia.

“The heck I am,” Ashia said.

Ashia took the leashes of the other dogs from Parker.

“Bamm-Bamm, Penny.” Devi gestured to the Irish Setters, then the Golden Retriever and another dog whose breed he didn’t recognise. “Goliath and Katana. They are Ashia’s dogs. We’re all here for a run. Actually, a walk, since the puppies can’t run like we usually do yet. That is, if you don’t mind. Do you?”

The puppies barked. Devi seemed to be in a good mood.

“Let’s go for a walk, then.” Rhodes chuckled, hugging Devi.

The puppy licked his face. He petted it. Devi put it down and then they were on their way. They strolled behind the others. Rhodes stared at Ashia. She moved with a regal grace, effortlessly holding the leashes of her four puppies.

He glanced at Pebbles, loping along in front of them. “You all are a fan of
The Flintstones
, huh?”

“You bet. Ashia is a fan of
Gargoyles
, too. Don’t know what she sees in it.” Devi raised her voice as she spoke.

“You wouldn’t know good TV if it bit you,” Ashia retorted.

She and Devi bickered back and forth. Rhodes walked alongside Devi, listening to their banter. This was a different side to her, and he was enjoying it.

After their leisurely walk they went back to her house. The camaraderie continued as they ate and laughed. Parker and Allie were actually very funny.

Walking everyone to the door later, Rhodes stood back as Devi hugged Allie and slapped Parker on the shoulder.

“Tomorrow at eight. Can’t wait to taste the shepherd’s pie,” Devi said.

“See you then. Rhodes,” Parker said.

He shook Rhodes’ hand and he and Allie left.

Devi and Ashia were huddled together, whispering furiously.

“You need to tell him.”

“Not yet. Stop interfering.”

“Fine, be stubborn,” Ashia said. She glanced at Rhodes, and motioned for him to come. She studied him for a moment, then pulled him down and kissed his cheek.

“Don’t hurt her.” There was a clear warning in her tone.

She patted his cheek and strode out. Devi closed the door behind her.

“She’s a little…” He didn’t even know the word for it.

“I know. So, are you ready to lotion me?” Devi smirked.

“Your house, but I’m more than ready.”

Rhodes stalked towards her and lifted her. Devi laughed as he took her to the bathroom.

Chapter Six

Rhodes squeezed the cream into his palm. The scent of cocoa butter filled his nostrils. Placing his hands on her legs, he smoothed the lotion into her skin. Devi moaned softly. His cock hardened. Devi was spread out before him, her naked body supine. He worked the lotion into her satiny skin. Finished with her legs, he straddled her body. He got more lotion and rubbed his fingers along her ribcage. Devi groaned. Her chest moved under his hands. He continued his upward trek over her breasts, paying special attention to her nipples. She whimpered, moving her body under his touch.

He rubbed up from her breasts, along her throat and under her chin. Across her face. He traced her features with his fingers. The roundness of her chin, the curve of her jaw, her sculptured cheekbones and forehead. He tweaked her nose, then progressed down to her mouth. He traced her lips.

“I think we’re done with the lotion.” Her voice reverberated against his fingers.

Rhodes leant down and covered her lips with his. He slid his body along hers, kissing her. Shifting, he grabbed the condom and covered his turgid length, then resettled over her. Devi parted her legs and he surged into her waiting wetness. She clamped around him as he stroked lazily into her. Her moans filled his mouth.

In slow, measured thrusts, he built the heat. Each clench of her pussy around his cock made heat pool in his lower belly. His balls went tight. Hitching her leg higher on his hip, he deepened his thrusts and Devi matched him.

“There… Like that… Deeper… Yesss…”

Her voice drove him on.

He rocked against her, and Devi’s nails bit into his lower back. Her pussy clenched around him and heat coated his erection. Rhodes groaned as he came. She clamped her inner walls around him, milking his cock. Shuddering, he rested against her. Devi hugged him fiercely, her harsh breath sounding around him.

“My turn.” Devi pushed at him.

Rhodes flopped back onto the bed. She rose over him like a conquering goddess.

What a woman.

It was his last thought for a while as she proceeded to have her way with him.

* * * *

Rhodes stretched, waiting for the others to arrive. Devi was beside him, also stretching. In the last few weeks since the cook-out, it had become a regular thing for them to run or hang out with those who had come to their first get-together. They had all become fast friends.

Surprisingly, January and Dave had seemed to connect and were dating. Devi was sceptical about whether it was a good thing or not. Rhodes, on the other hand, was happy for his buddy, and for January, whom he had come to know. Devi had clued him in that Allie was interested in Parker, but Parker was still oblivious.

Rhodes had seen first-hand that the bear of a man didn’t seem to know. He’d convinced Devi and Ashia not to interfere.

Ashia was a complex and interesting woman. They had spent a few nights at her ranch with the others. It was beautiful and spacious for one person, but with her vet business there, too, maybe she needed so much acreage.

A blue Granite Avalanche pulled in. Rhodes went over and opened the door for Ashia, then went to get out the puppies, which were growing fast. Pebbles ran up, barking at the others. Other cars pulled in.

 Once everyone was ready they were off running.

“So when are the kids getting in?” Devi asked.

“At nine a.m. They are so excited.”

“So is their uncle,” Devi teased.

“You betcha.” Rhodes winked.

“I think we should go to the Garden of the Gods first.”

“Sure. That sounds fine with me. The kids are eager to meet you, and so are Ria and her husband.”

“Ria wants to check me out, you mean.”

“She does, but she’ll be as enraptured with you as I am,” Rhodes said.

“That’s what you’re calling it, huh?” Devi smiled. “Isn’t it technically called sex?”

“Shh… We won’t tell her about that.” Rhodes grinned.

“I bet we won’t.” Devi laughed and ran up to join Ashia.

The two women moved with lethal grace. 

“They’re so beautiful—I can’t believe they’re so down to earth,” Parker said, coming up beside him.

“Allie is, too.” Rhodes said.

Devi and Ashia looked sharply back at him. He frowned. No way could they hear what he was saying.

“She’s my Al. Best friend a guy could have,” Parker said.

He ran forward beside Allie. He nudged her shoulder and they chuckled together.

Rhodes shook his head. Devi dropped back beside him.

“I thought we weren’t going to say anything to Parker.”

“I didn’t—I just pointed out Allie,” he defended himself, then frowned. “No way you heard me.”

“I’ve got good hearing. You old softie. Trying to matchmake,” Devi said.

“I’m not.”

Devi laughed and Rhodes ignored them as they both snickered. Apparently Devi wasn’t the only one with good hearing.

When they arrived at his house later, the men headed outside and grilled and talked while the women cooked in the kitchen.

“You’ve got a good woman there, buddy,” Dave said.

Rhodes turned over the steaks on the grill before answering, “I do. And so do you.”

“I do.” Dave took a pull on his beer.

“You both do,” Parker said.

“When are you going to get your head out of your ass and make a move on Allie?” Dave asked.

“
Allie
? She’s…just a friend…” Parker sputtered.

“To you, maybe. Removeth headeth from anus. Ask the woman out,” Dave said.

Rhodes coughed to cover a laugh and focused on the grill. At least he hadn’t been the one to say it.

Parker continued to sputter while Dave ragged on him to ask Allie out. They went silent as the women joined them.

As Rhodes shared out the food, Devi gave him a narrow-eyed stare.

“I didn’t say a word. It was Dave.”

“Uh-huh.” Devi turned and went to take a seat

Rhodes joined the others at the table. They ate and chatted with their friends. The puppies were cuddled up a little distance away.

After everyone had gone, Rhodes leaned against the open door leading to the backyard. Devi was in the hammock she had bought for his house, relaxing. When he joined her, she shifted and they swung. Rhodes held his breath, hoping they wouldn’t tip over. When they didn’t, he exhaled. He slid his arms cautiously around Devi. The hammock didn’t sway too much.

“I told you we wouldn’t fall out.” Devi said.

“How’d you know that? It sways a lot.”

“Because I won’t allow you to be hurt,” Devi said fiercely.

Rhodes cupped her face and kissed her. She moaned and covered his erection with her hand. He pulled back.

“Let’s move this someplace more stable,” he suggested.

“I want you now.” Devi straddled him.

Rhodes gasped as she moved her bare pussy on his cock. He didn’t even know how she had got them naked so fast. Hell, he didn’t care.

Closing his eyes, he moaned. Her bare mound against him was sexy. They had got tested and discarded the condoms. He was still getting used to the feeling of having her without protection. Devi enclosed him inside her wetness and rocked against him. The hammock moved with them. He trusted her to not let them fall. Groaning, he held her ass as she moved on him.

Devi watched his face. Rhodes groaned, the sound making his throat work, and she leant down and kissed his Adam’s apple. He whimpered as she continued to rise and fall on his cock. His erection filled her wetness. Each time with him seemed to get better than the last. They clicked on so many levels. Within moments she went over into pleasure, and he joined her. Collapsing against his chest, she stroked his side.

You need to tell him who you are.

It was the one thing she hadn’t done yet. She, who wasn’t afraid of anything, was fearful of telling him. Of his reaction.