Dimitri's Moon (23 page)

Landi wore her mask of composure when she arrived at Kacy’s house. Paying the driver, Landi took her bag and went to the front door.

It was six-thirty in the morning and the door opened before she had even made it completely up the steps.

“Landi,” Kacy said, arms spread.

Kissing her friend on the cheek, Landi returned the hug. She remained silent as the women walked into the house. A frown crossed her features as she realized they were the only ones there.

“Where’s Ernst.”

“They’re not back yet.”

“Kacy, what the hell is going on?” Landi demanded, dropping her bag on the floor.

“I swear I know only what I told you.” Kacy tugged on her shirt.

“Look, you must be wiped. Get some rest; I promise I’ll wake you the moment I hear anything else.”

With a nudge, Kacy sent Landi in the direction of the guest room. She followed her directive. Her friend was right; exhaustion
was
nipping at her heels. Once in the room, Landi changed into sweats and a tank top. She’d just pulled back the blankets when a soft knock came through the door.

“Come on in, Kacy.” Landi sat on the edge of the bed.

She entered holding a steaming mug. Kacy placed it on the bedside table. “Chamomile,” she said with a shrug. “Wasn’t sure if you’d want it or not.”

“Thanks, Kacy.” Landi noticed the drawn look on her friends face as her hands smoothed around the swell of her belly. “Are you okay?”

With a smile Landi knew to be forced, Kacy nodded. “Just tired.

You get some sleep. I’ll let you know if and when I hear anything.”

So many questions swarmed within her, but Landi understood that this wasn’t easy for Kacy, either. Dimitri was family for her as well, and this not knowing had to be eating away at her also. Before Kacy 154

Aliyah Burke

could slip through the door, Landi slid off the bed and stopped her.

Turning her friend toward her, she wrapped her arms around her, offering support.

“It’ll be okay, Kacy.”

Kacy Zimmermann sniffed as she pulled back, wiping the tears from her face. A small smile appeared. “I’m supposed to be reassuring you, Landi, not the other way around.”

“You are, Kacy,” Landi admitted. “Get some sleep yourself.

We’ll talk later.”

A final squeeze on her hand was all she got before Kacy walked away. As Landi slid into bed and fell asleep her mind raced with what ifs.

The sand was warm beneath Landi’s feet as she walked along the beach.

Her gaze drifted to the man playing in the surf. There was such joy in his
expression, and in that moment she knew there was no way she would ever
believe what he did for a living. It just didn’t fit his completely relaxed and
boyish antics. Even though she did know he was a Navy SEAL, she didn’t see it
right then.

“You sure you don’t want to come in?” a deep and smooth voice questioned.

Dimitri Androcles Melonakos stood before her.

Damn, I didn’t even see him move
. Landi shook her head. “I’m fine
here, thanks.”

A devilish grin crossed the Greek’s face. As water rolled down his darkened olive skin, a gleam grew in his golden eyes.

“No, Dimitri, I’m good here.”

Before she could blink, he’d scooped her up in his arms, pressing her
flush against his hard, wet chest. Her body tightened with desire. Dimitri
headed back to the water and she wrapped her arms tight around his neck. She
knew what was coming.

“Let me go!” she cried.

Dimitri laughed and walked deeper into the ocean. The cold water felt
good against her heated skin, but Landi still had no plans on going all the way
in.

“Take me back to shore, Dimitri.”

“Hold your breath,
selini
, we’re going in. This hot-ass pink and gray
bikini needs to get wet.” He winked at her and fell backward into the water,
taking her with.

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155

Ahh shit!
Landi let go of him when he sank beneath the surface. She
felt smug that she didn’t go under for all of a second until an oncoming wall of
water rolled her and drove her under as well. Pushing up from the bottom, she
crested and sputtered, taking in air. Before she could yell for Dimitri, part of
his head broke the surface. His eyes were slightly above the water as he moved
toward her, his thick, black hair plastered to his head.

Landi narrowed her eyes and sent a spray of water in his direction that
he evaded. One brow rose before he sank silently below the waterline. Tensing,
she waited for him to do something to her or surface in a different spot. He
never did. Moments ticked by; and even spinning in a circle, she couldn’t see
him.

“Dimitri?” she questioned.

She rolled her eyes when the ocean floor was no longer attainable for
her. “Figures,” she grumbled.
There are days being short really, really suck!
“Dimitri?” she asked again, starting to get worried. Nothing. Turning
for shore, she sighed and kicked her legs.

“Ahhh!
” she screamed as something grabbed her ankle and pulled her
back under.

Landi struggled until her flailing limbs connected with something solid. Strong fingers settled about her waist and guided her back to the surface
where she soon found herself face to face with Dimitri. His golden gaze sparkled
with humor. Boyish impishness filled his expression. He leaned in and kissed
her, his tongue sweeping through the recess of her mouth. Landi wrapped her
legs around his waist and hugged him tightly.

“Was that really necessary?” she asked when the kiss ended.

“The kiss?” He nodded. “Absolutely!”

“Not what I meant, smart ass! I was talking about the impromptu bath
I just received. And do you have any idea what is going to happen with my
hair?”

He smiled as he tugged on soaked tendril. “Nope. Can’t say I care, either. And before you get all bent out of shape, I know you don’t either. Why
come to the beach if you aren’t going in the water?”

Landi harrumphed.
I hate it that he’s right!
She didn’t give a damn
her was dripping wet. It would dry and she could always go to a salon later.

Being in his arms was way more important.

“There are ways of keeping your hair dry you know. Or I could have
just not put my head under.”

He shook his head. “That’s no fun and I don’t see you running around
with your hair up in some plastic thingy.”

Rolling her eyes, she changed the subject. “Where’d you go when you
dumped me?” she asked.

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Aliyah Burke

“Nowhere. I was right here.”

“I didn’t see you.”

“I was under the water, selini.”

Tilting her head to the side, she arched a brow. “Part fish now, are
you?”

He winked and turned them to shore. “Nope, wouldn’t go that far.

Close though.”

Landi sighed and put her face against the side of his neck, loving the
way his touch made her feel so safe and secure. A smart swat on her butt
caused her to jump and her eyes flew open.

“What was
that
for?”

Dimitri put her down and shrugged shamelessly. “Couldn’t resist.” He
grabbed a towel hanging on the porch railing and stood before her.

“You know what, Ilanderae Nycks?” he asked as he dropped to his
knees in the warm sand in front of her and began running the towel up her left
leg.

“What?” she gasped as he pressed a feathery kiss to her upper thigh.

“You look so damn good with the sun sparkling off the water droplets
moving down your body. It’s like you’re covered in diamonds.”

His admission sounded like it had been ripped from his chest, deep and
graveled. His words made any remaining anger at being dumped in the
Atlantic Ocean vanish. She bit back a whimper as he moved to her right leg.

Landi trembled when his fingers teased the edge of her bikini.

“Dimitri!” she gasped as he began placing small kisses along the top
edge of her low-rise bikini bottom.

“It was so hard for me to keep my hands off you, especially with you
wearing damn near nothing; and that sexy tattoo of yours visible every time
you turned around.”

Landi sank her hands into his wet locks and held him tight against her.

Callused palms tormented her as he moved his hands along her outer thighs.

“Dimitri,” she groaned.

“Landi,” he whispered.

Two fingers slipped beneath her suit and skimmed along her bare pussy. “Please,” she moaned, hips bucking into his tantalizing touch. Her eyelids
fluttered as he thrust them deep within her. “Dimitri!” she screamed, an
orgasm washing over her.

His fingers plunged within her and she rode out the intense wave of
pleasure. She dragged her eyes open when he withdrew them. Dimitri stood
before her and placed the towel over her shoulders. A light kiss was followed by
a gentle caress down the side of her face.

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“Dimitri?” she asked, confused when he stepped back from her. Landi
reached out to him.

“I love you, Ilanderae Rogue Nycks.”

He turned and walked down the beach. Landi tried to move and go after him. She couldn’t. It was if she’d been cemented into the ground.

“Dimitri!”

He glanced over his shoulder, slowed, but didn’t stop. “S’agapo, Landi.

I love you,
gia panta
. Forever.” Facing forward again, he seemed to just vanish
from view.

“Dimitri!”

Seventeen

“Landi? Landi! Come on, wake up!”

With a gasp, Landi bolted up to find Kacy perched on the edge of her bed, a worried expression on her face. It filled with sympathy as she touched Landi’s shoulder.

“Come on, we’re going over to Jayde’s house. She said Scott or Lex would call her back in a few hours.”

Landi felt tears sting her eyes and didn’t even try to stop them as they streamed down her face. “I couldn’t stop him,” she cried. “I tried, but I couldn’t move—and then he was just…gone.”

As Kacy’s arms closed around her, Landi fell apart and just sobbed in her friend’s embrace. Landi had no clue how much time had passed before Kacy drew back and looked at her.

“We should get going if we’re going to be there when they call.”

Squeezing her eyes shut, Landi nodded. “I’ll be ready in a few.”

“No problem. I’ll be in the living room when you’re ready.” Kacy walked out and shut the door behind her.

Landi glanced at the clock. Ten in the morning. She took shower.

Finishing and dressing quickly, she walked up the short hallway to where Kacy waited for her in the living room.

Tugging on her shirt, she said quietly, “I’m ready.”

Kacy set down the book she was reading and looked at her.

“Let’s go, then.”

Landi helped her up and grabbed the keys. The ride over was silent except for Kacy giving her directions to Jayde’s house. With each mile that passed, the knot in the pit of Landi’s stomach grew exponen-tially. At Jayde’s house, she shut off the engine and gripped the steering wheel. She struggled to control her breathing and didn’t pull away when Kacy grabbed her hand and gave it an encouraging squeeze. The women were silent as they headed for the door.

Jayde Kincade opened the door and gave them a strained smile.

“Come on in.” She hugged them both tightly.

Landi saw Dez Connelly, another Team member’s wife in the kitchen pulling something from the oven.

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“CJ is teaching and Lex is also working or else they’d be here,”

Jayde said.

Landi could only nod. In seconds, Dez had her in a tight embrace as well. When she stepped back, Dez said, “Come, let me get you something to eat.”

With a glance to Kacy and Jayde, who both nodded, Landi went with her. Being surrounded by supportive friends brought another wave of tears to her eyes. Landi dutifully ate what Dezarae placed before her despite her lack of an appetite.

As time passed, the women kept her entertained with conversations and more. Landi jumped when the door opened unexpectedly.

She watched CJ enter carrying even more food followed by Dez’s adopted daughter Charmane holding more food. After placing her load down on the counter, CJ enveloped Landi in a hug. Charmane squeezed her hand and took Murdock, her younger brother, along with Jayde’s children out to the backyard.

“Any news?” CJ asked as she hugged the other women.

“Nothing as of yet,” Jayde said.

“Okay. Well, I brought more stuff, including sweets, so don’t be shy. Dig in.”

Afternoon turned into evening and evening merged with the night. Still no word. No one left except Lex who had to go to work; Jayde merely showed where beds were for those who needed rest.

Landi didn’t take her up on the offer, sitting awake instead, her eyes on the cordless phone on the end table. It was nearing six in the morning when the front door opened.

Landi sat upright and held her breath as Tyson Kincade strode through the door. The man screamed power and danger. Jayde ran into his arms in an instant and no one said a word until their powerful kiss ended. Landi watched his mouth as he whispered in his wife’s ear. It took her a moment to realize Tyson hadn’t been alone. Dez was in Ross’s arms, CJ clung tightly to Osten, and Kacy was in Ernst’s embrace.